The economic and investment landscape has changed significantly in recent years, and many near retirement need to understand how to prepare for the future with less risk and volatility. Positioning assets properly creates confidence as people transition into retirement. We will explore strategies for developing a hierarchy of spending and investing, aiming for better outcomes regardless of market performance. Learn how to manage your 401(k), 403(b), and pension as retirement approaches, and what to consider with target date funds. Discover why investment strategies must change in retirement, when a Roth IRA makes sense, the truth behind annuities, common retirement pitfalls, and alternatives to protect your nest egg from long-term care costs. While this class is essential for those nearing retirement, applying these strategies sooner can improve both retirement outcomes and overall financial health.

Making the right choices about how and when to access your Social Security benefits is more important than ever amid market volatility and unexpected losses. Learn how to maximize this key piece of the retirement puzzle and integrate it into your overall strategy. Topics include the current state of Social Security, benefit timing, spousal and divorcee options, buy-back and tax reduction strategies, and coordination with state and federal retirement plans. This class also covers recent benefit changes, special considerations for the self-employed, and new rules for municipal, state, and federal employees. This is particularly relevant given the Social Security Fairness Act, implemented in January 2025, that removed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO).

Learn how to pay for college without losing your mind—or your savings. Get a clear understanding of the entire college financial planning process: estimating true costs, decoding FAFSA and financial aid formulas, maximizing merit scholarships and tax credits, and building a smart funding strategy with savings, 529 plans, cash flow, and long-term planning. Ideal for parents, grandparents, or any adult heading back to school. Gain practical tools and easy-to-use worksheets to make confident, stress-free decisions about planning and paying for college.