Most people know they should be saving for retirement, but fewer understand how contribution rules, taxes, and prioritization actually work together.

Small decisions, like where you save first or how you respond to changing tax brackets, can shape long-term outcomes far more than people realize.

In this episode, I walk through the 2026 retirement contribution limits and explain how to prioritize different retirement accounts when you cannot fund everything at once. I break down common misconceptions around employer matches, Roth versus pre-tax contributions, and the belief that taxes are always lower in retirement. We also explain how spousal IRA rules can keep savings moving even during caregiving or time away from work.

Key points:

• How to prioritize retirement contributions when you have limited cash flow
• Why an employer match matters, but does not tell the whole story
• How tax brackets influence Roth versus traditional decisions
• Why retirement planning should focus on progress, not perfection
• How spousal IRA rules apply during caregiving or career pauses
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap
• 2026 Tax and Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube

This information is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice. Roth IRA contribution and withdrawal rules, eligibility, limits, and tax treatment are subject to IRS requirements and may change. Qualified withdrawals depend on meeting specific conditions, and non-qualified withdrawals may result in taxes or penalties. Consult a qualified tax or financial professional before making contribution or withdrawal decisions

Divorce later in life is not just a legal event; it is an emotional and financial turning point that reshapes identity, confidence, and long-term planning.

In this episode, I sit down with Mardi Winder, a strategic divorce consultant and founder of Positive Communication Systems, to discuss what really happens before, during, and after a gray divorce.

We explore why so many women feel stuck in fear, how financial uncertainty can drive costly decisions, and why clarity must come before action. I also share how retirement planning and divorce strategy need to work together so women can move forward with confidence, not confusion.

Key Takeaways:

• Why high-conflict divorces often create a loss of identity after the process ends
• How fear around money keeps women stuck or leads to poor settlement decisions
• Where strategic divorce coaching fits alongside legal and financial professionals
• Why financial clarity should come before hiring attorneys
• How early guidance can prevent costly mistakes in the first months of divorce
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap
• Tax and Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet (updated for 2026)

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube

Connect with Mardi Winder:

• LinkedIn: Mardi Winder
• Website: Positive Communication Systems
• Podcast: The D Shift: Redefining Divorce and Beyond
• Instagram: @divorcecoach4women
• Facebook: Divorce Coach 4 Women
• Facebook personal: Mardi Winder
• YouTube: @divorcecoach4women

About our Guest:

Mardi Winder is a Strategic Divorce Consultant and trusted authority for high-achieving individuals navigating separation and divorce. She is known for helping clients reduce the emotional and financial costs of the process by strengthening decision-making, communication, and conflict management during high-stakes transitions. With more than 30 years of experience, Mardi brings deep expertise in high-conflict, complex, and high-asset divorces. Her background spans mediation, executive and leadership coaching, conflict resolution and mediation, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication, allowing her to support clients in maintaining clarity, confidence, and control throughout divorce and beyond.

Social Security decisions can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to understand spousal and survivor benefits.

What benefits are you entitled to based on your spouse’s record? When should you claim them?

In this Q&A episode, I address two common Social Security questions that women face. I walk through the step-by-step process for determining spousal benefits for married couples and explore the strategic decisions widows face when choosing between their own retirement benefit and survivor benefits. I also share practical guidance for a recent widow navigating cash flow challenges, work decisions, and benefit timing in the early months after loss.

Key points:

• The six-step process to determine spousal benefit eligibility and calculate the maximum benefit amount
• How survivor benefits differ from spousal benefits and why this distinction matters for your strategy
• Why starting one benefit early while delaying another can maximize lifetime Social Security income
• Cash flow considerations when facing the decision to return to work while receiving benefits
• The importance of sequencing decisions rather than rushing to solve everything at once
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap
• #47 – Three Game-Changing Social Security Strategies
• #37 – Top 5 Questions on Social Security Survivor Benefits
• #24 – Understanding Spousal (and Ex-Spousal) Social Security Benefits
• Ultimate Guide to Women’s Social Security Success
• Navigating Life After Loss: 3 Part Episode Series
• Tax and Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet (updated for 2026)

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube