Thoughts on retirement planning, shared by Sean
Notes on taxes, Social Security, investment decisions, and what matters most as you move closer to retirement.
What this is
From time to time, I send out short notes about retirement decisions I see people wrestling with.
They’re based on real conversations with clients and the planning tradeoffs that tend to show up as work slows down, retirement gets closer, and the stakes start to feel more real.
They’re meant to help you think more clearly about how the different pieces of your plan fit together.
Who these notes are for
These emails are written primarily for University of Rochester professionals who:
Are still working and planning ahead
Are within roughly ten years of retirement
Have saved consistently but feel uncertain about “what comes next”
Want clarity around Social Security, taxes, and turning savings into income
Prefer thoughtful perspective over headlines and hot takes
If you like things explained calmly and in plain language, you’ll likely find these useful.
What I write about
Topics often include:
How market movement affects retirement income decisions
Social Security timing and the tradeoffs behind waiting or claiming earlier
Tax considerations before and after retirement
How portfolios need to change when you move from saving to spending
Common planning mistakes that quietly reduce flexibility later on
I focus on context, tradeoffs, and long-term consequences. No fear tactics. No performance promises.
How often you’ll hear from me
There’s no fixed schedule.
I send these notes when there’s something worth sharing, not just something to send. Sometimes that’s a few times a month. Sometimes it’s less.