Retirement Elevated Podcast with Sean Lee

A New Way to Save for Retirement Just Got Signed Into Law

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There’s some big retirement news out of Washington worth understanding. President Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to retirement savings for the tens of millions of Americans whose employers don't offer a plan. Today we're breaking down what was signed, what it means in practice, and what questions it raises for your own retirement picture.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💰 Why 50 million workers lack retirement plan access
🏛️ What the proposed “Trump IRA” actually is
📈 How the saver’s match could add $1,000 to retirement savings
🧩 Why retirement planning is shifting toward self-funding
🚀 How younger savers may benefit the most from these changes
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Some People Call It Luck - We Call It a Planning Opportunity

Today, we're talking about what to do when things go right. A windfall, a surprise, an unexpected financial event. Because good fortune without a plan can unravel faster than you'd expect. Sean goes over five situations that look like pure luck from the outside… and what needs to happen next. The people who make the most of good fortune aren't necessarily the luckiest. They're the most prepared.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🎯 Pause First: Don’t rush decisions after a windfall
💰 Define Purpose: Every dollar needs a job
⚖️ Tax Impact: What you keep matters most
🏠 Equity Options: Home value creates flexibility
📈 Market Gains: Growth should support a plan
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

The Surprisingly Hard Part of Retirement Nobody Warns You About

Most retirement conversations are about saving enough. Today, Sean’s talking about the other side of that. What happens when you've saved, you're there, and you still can't bring yourself to spend it? It's more common than people admit. And it can quietly rob you of the retirement you worked so hard to build. A great financial plan’s purpose is to both protect you and give you permission to spend and enjoy your life.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💸 Spending Shift: Moving from saving to spending is difficult
⚠️ Fear of Running Out: Uncertainty creates hesitation
🧭 Income Clarity: Understanding how money flows builds confidence
🚧 Guilt Barrier: Emotional resistance can hold people back
📅 Plan to Spend: A clear process makes spending easier
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Reacting To Financial Hot Takes

Everyone’s got an opinion about money (especially the people with a book deal or a TV show). Some of that advice is useful. Some of it sounds better on a stage than it works in real life. Financial hot takes can be entertaining, motivating, and occasionally… unhinged. Today, Sean explains that the key is knowing which advice fits your life and circumstances and ignoring the irrelevant stuff.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
🔥 Kiyosaki’s Call – Quit jobs, buy alternative assets
💰 Orman’s Cushion – 3-5 year cash reserves
📊 O’Leary’s Rule – Constant net worth tracking
📈 Ramsey’s 8% – Aggressive retirement withdrawals
🚀 Musk’s Vision – Future makes savings obsolete
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

10 Retirement Myths Too Many People Still Believe

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There’s no shortage of retirement advice, especially on social media, where bold claims and simple formulas get a lot of attention. But how much of it actually applies to your unique situation? Sean plays MythBusters and takes on ten common retirement beliefs that can quietly undermine a well-built plan. If you’ve been relying on generic advice, it may be time to step back and consider a more personalized, thoughtful approach to retirement planning.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📜 Wills vs. Trusts: Probate and control considerations
📊 Investment Shifts: Stocks, bonds, and rule-of-thumb thinking
🧩 Social Security Reality: Supplement, not solution
🧾 Tax Bracket Expectations: Retirement tax may surprise you
💼 Working Longer: Backup plans aren’t guarantees
 
Schedule a 15-minute consultation:  https://calendly.com/erg-slc/15minutediscoverycall
Get your free copy of "Rounding Third:"  http://rounding-third.elevatemyretirement.com/
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

What’s New For Retirees & Pre-Retirees in 2026?

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What’s changing in 2026 that retirees and pre-retirees should actually care about? This episode walks through the key updates quietly reshaping retirement planning- from Social Security’s cost-of-living adjustment and rising Medicare premiums to new senior tax deductions and expanded catch-up contribution rules. You’ll hear how these changes affect monthly cash flow, tax planning decisions, and saving opportunities in the final working years.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📈 Social Security COLA – What a 2.8% increase really means after Medicare
🏥 Medicare Premiums – Why higher costs reduce net raises
🧾 Senior Tax Deduction – New deductions and income phase-outs
📊 Catch-Up Contributions – Higher limits and the “super catch-up” window
🔁Roth Rules – New requirements for high earners
🗓️ Planning Timing – Why early-year decisions matter more than ever
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

5 Most Misleading Things in Finance

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Finance is full of shiny objects, and not all of them are helpful. In this episode, Sean reveals the five most misleading tactics people encounter, from slick sales brochures to “guaranteed” returns that sound too good to be true. He explains why these ideas can create false confidence or unnecessary pressure, especially when decisions aren’t grounded in real planning. The takeaway is simple: clarity beats hype every time.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📊 Hypotheticals: projections that rarely reflect reality
🏆 Industry Awards: recognition is often tied to sales volume
⏰ Limited Offers: pressure tactics driven by fear
🎯 Risk Balance: reward only makes sense with context
📝 Written Plans: strategy beats marketing every time
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Unlocking 401(k) Potential with Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBA)

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Most people never realize their 401(k) might include a powerful option called a Self-Directed Brokerage Account (SDBA), and even fewer understand how it works. Sean breaks down what an SDBA actually is, who qualifies, and why it can open the door to more personalized investment choices inside a traditional retirement plan. If you’ve ever felt boxed in by limited 401(k) options, this episode shows you what’s possible and what to watch out for.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
📘 SDBA Basics: what a self-directed brokerage account actually does
💼 More Investment Freedom: how SDBAs expand your 401(k) choices
🧠 Emotional Control: why discipline matters more when you have more options
📈 Market Reality Check: understanding history, volatility, and risk tolerance
✔️ Who Can Use It: how to know whether your employer plan allows SDBAs
 
0:00 – Understanding Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDBA)
3:58 – The BuyLine Strategy & Emotional Investing
6:36 – What Does the BuyLine Matter?
7:19 – Timing, Tariffs, and Historical Market Performance
9:23 – Risk Tolerance & Diversification
10:20 – Qualifications and Availability of SDBA
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

How Would You Invest a Million Dollars?

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What should you do if you suddenly had $1 million to invest? Sean looks at how three financial advisors answered that question, and why the real answer isn’t a single portfolio, but a personalized plan. Age, goals, family needs, tax exposure, and your own comfort level with risk all shape what “the right” investment mix looks like. A million dollars can be life-changing, but only if it’s invested in a way that fits you.
 
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
💡 Start with the person: why personality and risk tolerance guide every decision
🛡️ Protect before you grow: emergency funds, insurance gaps, and risk buffers
🧭 Build the foundation: deciding what portion (if any) becomes long-term growth money
🧮 Taxes matter: structuring the million in the most efficient way possible
📈 Growth with purpose: aligning investments with time horizon and age
 
Check out the article we referenced: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/have--1m-to-invest--rias-hightower--wellington-altus--poljak-have-thoughts-84240.html
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com

Do Your Feelings Belong in Your Financial Plan?

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📘 Grab Your FREE Copy of "Rounding Third"
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Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The truth is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. In this episode, Sean explores the emotional side of financial planning. At the end of the day, numbers give us the framework, but your feelings help define the plan that truly fits you.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
⚖️ Simplicity vs. Detail: Finding the balance between data and emotional clarity
📉 Market Emotions: Why volatility often triggers impulsive reactions
💳 Debt Decisions: Understanding the emotional side of being debt-free or not
🧠 Behavioral Finance: How awareness helps you make calmer, wiser choices
 
Contact us:
(801) 639-0095
slee@erg-slc.com