Lifestyle Blog Posts

Lifestyle is one of the six essential pillars of the written plans we help families and individuals create, called a RetireSecure Roadmap. Developing a customized lifestyle plan involves outlining how you want to spend your time to help you determine how to spend your retirement savings. Do you want to travel, purchase a second home, or dedicate more time to a hobby? The lifestyle pillar is the first step toward determining how much money you need to live the lifestyle you desire in retirement.

Man pointing at a caption that says "Retirement Milestones By Decade".

Launching Our First Magazine: Meet Adventurous Angie 

November 30th, 2025

A brand-new Merkle Retirement Planning magazine is here, and its first issue puts a spotlight on Adventurous Angie—an energetic retiree proving that retirement isn’t the end of the story; it’s […]

Read More
Three explorers staring over a compass in a dark cave.

Inside the Cave of Questions: Getting Started at 55+ 

November 16th, 2025

This Indiana Jones–inspired episode of Retiring Today with Loren Merkle turns a common worry—how to start planning for retirement at 55—into a guided trek through six milestones: lifestyle, income, taxes, investments, health care, and legacy.  We […]

Read More
Three explorers solving a puzzle in a dark cave.

How to Know If You’re Retirement-Ready at Age 55

November 2nd, 2025

Our journey takes place inside the Cave of Questions because retirement often begins with more questions than answers and figuring out where to start can feel like navigating a dark cave. While inside, we discover that a map is a great place to […]

Read More
Man mid-sentence standing next to a visual example with the words "Same Couple 200K Difference" above it.

7 Essential Questions Your Financial Advisor Should Be Asking

August 31st, 2025

Retirement planning isn’t just about saving money. It’s about making sure your plan supports the life you want to live once you stop working. Asking the right questions can uncover […]

Read More
Man smiling with townhomes in the background.

How Do I Stack Up? Understanding Where You Stand with Your Retirement Savings 

August 24th, 2025

That comparison—how you “measure up” to your peers, your neighbors, or even a number you once read in an article—is normal. But it’s not always helpful without context. Retirement Planners […]

Read More

There’s No Place Like Retirement | Navigating the Yellow Brick Road with Confidence

November 3rd, 2024

Embarking on the journey to retirement can feel as daunting as Dorothy’s trek through Oz. But just like Dorothy, who had the lion, scarecrow, and tin man to help her […]

Read More

We’re Off to Plan Retirement | The Yellow Brick Road to Retirement

October 27th, 2024

Planning for retirement is often seen as a daunting task, filled with more questions than answers. In a special edition of “Retiring Today with Loren Merkle” we take a whimsical […]

Read More

The Road to Retirement at 64: Strategies, Tips, and Real-Life Examples

October 13th, 2024

If you’re 64 years old and dreaming of retirement, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves teetering on the edge of this new chapter, filled with excitement and anxiety. Good […]

Read More
Business man in suit running through city-scape finish line with text "retirement planning at 62, final lap"

Navigating Retirement at 62 | Essential Action Steps for a Confident Future

October 6th, 2024

Reaching the age of 62 is a significant milestone, often bringing the dream of retirement within sight. However, with this anticipation comes a flurry of questions and decisions that can […]

Read More
Call Now Button