Why So Many Good People Can’t Retire

Get on track for retirement.

I grew up as a pastor’s kid and received my BA in pastoral studies. Even though financial planning is my main passion, I still serve part-time in our church as the worship coordinator.

There is a special place in my heart for people in ministry. Several years ago, I was volunteering at a church with a spiritual giant who had spent his entire life serving people. He helped troubled teens, officiated countless weddings, and mourned with families grieving the loss of a loved one.

When I first met him he was well into his seventies. He had served well and I was curious when he would finally retire to spend more time with those he loved.

When he finally gave me a straight answer, I was shocked.

“Trevor, I can’t retire. We never saved for retirement. And social security won’t be enough.”

That dismal reality made my blood boil—not at this spiritual leader, but at the sad state of financial education in our culture. We leverage our lifestyles with consumer debt instead of putting a couple hundred bucks aside to retire with dignity. Because of that conversation, I’m committed as a financial planner to providing the best education and direction I can to help you avoid a retirement disaster.

Here’s the truth: your good intentions aren’t enough to bless your golden years, but some small steps now can make a big difference.

Let’s talk about that.