Retiring Without Kids? Watch This First

This video marks the launch of a new channel Ari built in direct response to a single viewer comment. Someone wrote in asking for case studies built around people who are single, have no children, and have spent 30-plus years saving in employer retirement accounts. Within days, the channel existed. The reason it warranted its own space is that retirement without children is a genuinely different planning problem. If no heirs are in the picture, dying with several million dollars is not a success story. It is, as Ari puts it, a plan that worked too well. The goal shifts from preserving wealth for the next generation to spending what you worked hard for, without guilt and without running out. The case study follows a 56-year-old with just under $850,000 in investments, a paid-off home, and no one she is planning to leave money to. The question Ari poses to her, and to the viewer, is the same one he poses to most clients: would you rather retire now at lower spending, or work five more years for meaningfully more? The speed and texture of the answer usually reveals more than the answer itself. From there, he walks through how her retirement actually looks. Social Security arriving at 67 shifts the trajectory significantly. The graph that looked like a slow decline levels off and then rises as the portfolio demand drops. She ends up with more than she expected, which raises the question of whether she should have retired sooner and spent more freely. The planning advice that runs through all of it: separate base expenses from variable ones. A $500 reduction in monthly base spending compounded over 30 years is not the same thing as skipping a few trips. Model them separately, and the plan becomes more honest about what you actually need. Ari Taublieb, CFP®, MBA, is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and host of the Early Retirement Podcast. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Time Stamp 0:00 - Why this channel exists 3:20 - Sally Superhero case study 4:40 - Planning without heirs 6:25 - A note from the comments 9:15 - The trade-off question 11:48 - The SaltyTiger comment 13:40 - Sally's retirement plan 15:50 - Running different scenarios What video topic would you like to see discussed in a future video? Ari Taublieb, CFP®, MBA, is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and host of the Early Retirement Podcast. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation. The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsements Participation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.