Charleston's Retirement Coach

Have you worked hard to build your savings only to wonder whether it’s for you or the next generation? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the balance between enjoying retirement and creating a meaningful legacy. The conversation covers inheritance expectations, retirement income planning, estate planning, tax considerations, and how families can navigate conversations about wealth with clarity. Learn why defining your go...

Is retirement really about reaching a certain age, or is it about being ready for what comes next? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores how purpose, family priorities, health, financial readiness, and lifestyle goals all play a role in determining the right time to retire. Through a real-life client story, he discusses the importance of having a retirement income strategy, understanding key milestones like Social Security and Me...

What if your retirement account could trigger a larger tax bill than you expected? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains how required minimum distributions (RMDs) can affect taxable income, Social Security taxation, and Medicare premiums. He discusses why retirees with significant balances in tax-deferred accounts may face unexpected tax consequences and shares how Roth conversions can be evaluated as part of a broader retirement...

Could the type of accounts you save in today have a major impact on your retirement taxes tomorrow? In this episode of Charleston’s Retirement Coach, Brandon Bowen explains the differences between tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts and why having a mix of all three may provide more flexibility in retirement. He discusses common challenges retirees face when most of their savings are concentrated in one account type,...

What would you do if a six-figure inheritance suddenly landed in your lap? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses common inheritance decisions and the different considerations that can arise depending on your age and stage of life. He shares real-world examples of families navigating inherited assets, explores potential pitfalls such as leaving money idle or making rushed financial decisions, and explains how debt reduction, inco...

Could a market downturn at the wrong time have a greater impact on your retirement than you expect? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses sequence of returns risk and why market losses can be especially challenging for retirees who are drawing income from their portfolios. He explains how strong market performance can sometimes create a false sense of security, the importance of balancing growth with income planning, and why inv...

Could one of the biggest retirement mistakes be assuming everything is already taken care of? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses several common assumptions that can create challenges for retirees and pre-retirees. Topics include evaluating whether your investment strategy still aligns with your goals, understanding the role of estate planning beyond high-net-worth households, and recognizing when a financial plan may need upd...

What happens when a family crisis exposes gaps in an estate plan? On this episode, Brandon Bowen shares a real-life client story that highlights the importance of having a trust, clear estate documents, and a coordinated retirement strategy. As health challenges, long-term care expenses, and family disagreements emerge, Brandon explains how proper planning can help provide direction during difficult situations. He also discusses th...

Are you entering retirement’s third quarter without a clear game plan? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses why midyear can be an important time to review retirement savings, evaluate spending habits, reduce debt, and put idle cash to work. He explains how small adjustments today may affect your retirement readiness and shares a real-world example of building toward a long-term retirement goal through consistent planning ...

Retirement may be the biggest trip of your life—but have you planned the journey or are you hoping everything works out when you arrive? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why retirement planning requires more than simply reaching a savings goal. The conversation covers Social Security timing, tax strategies, investment allocation, retirement income planning, and common blind spots that can catch retirees off guard. Lear...

What if the first year of retirement sets the tone for everything that follows? On this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional and financial challenges many retirees face during their transition from work to retirement. Through a real-life client story, he discusses the balance between spending and saving, the impact of health and stress on retirement decisions, and how having a clear retirement strategy can help bring great...

What if retirement planning is less about reaching a destination and more about knowing which turns to take along the way? Brandon Bowen explains how key retirement milestones like Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and paying off debt can shape your retirement timeline. Through a real-life client story, he shows how a flexible retirement plan can adapt when life circumstances change, helping retirees evaluate their options as go...

Could the way you've saved for retirement create an unexpected tax problem later on? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains the three primary tax buckets—tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts—and why having a mix of each can create more flexibility in retirement. He discusses common challenges retirees face when most of their savings are concentrated in one account type, along with strategies to consider when pl...

Excited about the next big IPO? That excitement could lead to costly decisions if not managed carefully. Brandon Bowen discusses the hype around high-profile IPOs and why investors nearing retirement may need to approach them cautiously. He explains how emotions like FOMO can influence decision-making and highlights the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment strategy. The episode also explores diversification, reducing ...

A hidden leak nearly flooded his backyard—and it mirrors a financial issue many retirees overlook. In this episode, Brandon Bowen reacts to Jamie Dimon’s take on tackling problems early, using a real-life story to highlight why delays can lead to bigger complications. From managing debt to prioritizing health and addressing estate planning gaps, the conversation focuses on organizing what may be scattered across account...

When should you actually claim Social Security—and what could that decision mean for your retirement income? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the timing choices retirees face and why many claim earlier than expected. He discusses common concerns about potential changes to the system, key factors like retirement timing and income needs, and how different filing options—such as spousal and survivor benefits—c...

Are you following a clear roadmap to retirement—or just guessing at the next turn? In this episode, Brandon Bowen shares how retirement planning involves navigating key milestones like Social Security and Medicare while building a plan that adapts to life changes. Through a real client story, he illustrates how adjusting timelines, income sources, and expenses can reshape retirement decisions. The conversation focuses on crea...

Are you just a number to your financial advisor—or do they actually know your story? This episode explores how personalized advice can differ from large firm experiences, especially as you approach retirement. Brandon Bowen shares a real client example to highlight how service, communication, fees, and tax considerations can impact financial decisions. The conversation focuses on the value of relationships, simplifying portfo...

Why does retirement feel exciting for some—and overwhelming for others? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional shift from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings for income. He discusses how identity, market uncertainty, and fear of running out of money can shape retirement decisions. Through real-life examples, Brandon explains how organizing assets into purpose-driven “buckets” and having a ...