- Mercer Advisors

How Can I Recession-Proof My Retirement?

When people think about retirement, they often imagine years of relaxation and freedom. But for many retirees and pre-retirees, that vision comes with an underlying concern: what happens if the market takes a downturn? Recessions are an unavoidable part of the economic cycle, and while you can’t control when or how severe they are, you can take steps to prepare. A sound strategy begins with identifying your risks and putting measures in place to help reduce [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-10-24T14:30:21+00:00October 24, 2025|Economy, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

What Is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)?

If you’ve spent decades building up your retirement savings in tax-deferred accounts, you may have heard the term Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). But what exactly does it mean for you, and why is it so important to plan for it? Let’s break it down. What is an RMD? An RMD is the minimum amount you must withdraw each year from certain retirement accounts once you reach a specific age. These are required for accounts like traditional [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-10-10T13:56:27+00:00October 10, 2025|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Why the Federal Reserve Works, And What It Means for Your Retirement

The Federal Reserve may seem distant or complicated, but its decisions ripple through everything from interest rates to inflation, and that may affect your retirement directly. Let’s explore why the Fed works, why its independence matters, and what that means for your financial stability in retirement. What exactly is the Federal Reserve supposed to do? The Federal Reserve has two main goals: to keep inflation in check and to support a healthy job market. To do [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-09-25T14:03:33+00:00September 25, 2025|Federal Reserve, Retirement Planning|

“I Think I Have Enough Saved—Why Am I Still Worried?”

You’ve worked hard and saved diligently, and now you're in retirement or on the doorstep of it. You’ve run the numbers. You might even have a sizable nest egg. So why do you still feel uneasy? That lingering anxiety is more common than you think, even among those who appear to be financially prepared for retirement. And it often comes down to one surprising truth: saving enough isn’t the same as having a plan to make [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-09-18T18:17:22+00:00September 18, 2025|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

“What Can I Do with $100K in Retirement?”

Understanding the Shift from Accumulation to Income As a financial advisor, one of the most common questions I hear—especially from clients entering retirement—is: “What should I actually do with these savings I’ve amassed for retirement?” It’s a great question. And it usually signals something deeper: the start of the distribution phase of retirement. You’ve spent years in the accumulation phase working, saving, and investing. But now, the mindset begins to shift. It’s no longer just about [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-08-26T11:20:49+00:00August 26, 2025|Financial Planning, Investing, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Will Your Retirement Outlive You? The Real Risk of Longevity

Most retirees don’t fear market crashes or inflation nearly as much as they fear one very real possibility: running out of money. And yet, many financial plans focus on growing your nest egg, not preserving and distributing it over a retirement that could span decades. The Longevity Problem This is the core of longevity risk1—the risk of outliving your assets. Thanks to advances in medicine and healthier lifestyles, it’s now common for people to spend 25 [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-07-18T13:36:02+00:00July 18, 2025|Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Claiming Social Security at the Right Time Could Impact Your Retirement

For many retirees, Social Security isn’t just a monthly deposit—it’s the foundation of their entire retirement income. But choosing when to claim it isn’t as simple as picking a birthday and signing paperwork. It’s a decision with lifelong consequences. Consider claiming early, as it may potentially lead to a reduction in your annual expenses. It's important to have a financial plan to avoid potential income loss. In a world where every dollar in retirement counts, the [...]

Kirby Mack2025-07-11T20:48:43+00:00July 11, 2025|Retirement Planning, Social Security, Uncategorized|

Why It’s Crucial to Boost Savings Before Retirement

For those nearing retirement, there’s one truth that becomes increasingly clear: the window to build wealth narrows with each passing year. While starting early is always ideal, it’s not too late for pre-retirees in their 50s or early 60s to make meaningful progress toward financial security. In fact, now is the time to double down on savings—and fortunately, there are tools designed to help. A recent report revealed that retirement savings balances have reached a new [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-07-02T02:36:36+00:00July 2, 2025|Financial Planning, Investing, Retirement Planning|

4 Key Birthday Milestones in Retirement—and What They Mean for Your Financial Strategy

Birthdays in retirement aren’t just a reason to celebrate—they’re also checkpoints that can unlock new financial opportunities (or trigger important deadlines). From Social Security eligibility to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), several key ages mark turning points in your retirement journey. Here are four birthday milestones every retiree should know—and what they mean for your financial strategy. Age 59½ – Penalty-Free Access to Retirement Accounts Reaching age 59½ marks the first major turning point in retirement account [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-06-24T22:29:32+00:00June 24, 2025|Financial Planning, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning|

Does Retirement Have to Happen All at Once?

Imagine transitioning into retirement not as a sudden leap but as a gradual, comfortable glide. This approach, known as phased retirement, is gaining popularity. It allows people like you to reduce working hours over time, allowing a smoother shift from full-time employment to full-time retirement... and it even has financial benefits. But doing it right is key. What is Phased Retirement? Phased retirement is an arrangement where employees nearing retirement age gradually decrease their working hours [...]

Rebecca Mack2025-06-20T16:02:35+00:00June 20, 2025|Retirement Planning|