If you’re approaching retirement and aren’t completely sure what you want the next chapter to look like, your financial plan may need room for possibilities you can’t predict yet.

In this episode, Gary Bowman speaks with Kay “Safari Kay” Trotman, founder of Destined To Travel, about retiring without a clear plan and eventually building an African safari business. Kay shares how a trip to Tanzania changed her direction, why she invested retirement money in a safari vehicle, and how Gary helped her think through a decision that didn’t match her traditionally low risk tolerance. They also explore how preparation, trusted partners, referrals, and Kay’s travel experience helped the business grow over 20 years.

Kay shares:

• How an unexpected trip to Tanzania helped her find a new direction after leaving her first career
• Why she researched several African destinations before deciding to build her business in Tanzania
• How buying a safari vehicle required her to reconsider what financial risk meant in retirement
• Why her partnership with Paul combined her knowledge of American travelers with his knowledge of Tanzania
• How referrals eventually helped her safari business grow after several uncertain early years

• And more!

Resources:

• Book a Call with us
• Get the SCI Retirement Readiness Workbook
• Book: From Tragedy to Tanzania by Kay Trotman

Connect with Gary Bowman:

• Bowman Retirement Planning
• LinkedIn: Gary Bowman
• garybowman.cwm@gmail.com
• (714) 904-2038

Connect with Kay Trotman:

• Destined to Travel
• LinkedIn: Kay Trotman
• Facebook: Safari Kay Trotman
• Instagram: @safarikay
• Email: safarikayafrica@gmail.com

About Our Guest:

Kay Trotman, affectionately known as Safari Kay, has over 35 years of experience in the travel industry, with over 20 years of travel to Africa. Her specialty is safaris to East Africa, specifically Tanzania. Kay’s passion for Africa is evident as she has led over 75 groups with thousands of travelers and traveled from the US to Africa more than 100 times. She continues to lead several groups a year to this incredible wildlife and cultural experience.

Safari Kay is the only African American female safari company owner in Tanzania and the only one leading all of her own tours.

When should you claim Social Security, and how could that decision affect your retirement income, taxes, and your spouse’s benefits? If you’re approaching retirement, deciding when to take Social Security involves more than choosing between age 62, full retirement age, and 70.

In this episode, Gary Bowman explains why deciding when to claim Social Security should be part of your broader retirement income and tax plan. He explores how continued work, health, family longevity, IRA withdrawals, and your spouse’s age can influence when you file. Gary also explains Social Security spousal and survivor benefits, how Social Security may be taxed, where Roth conversions may fit, and what recent rule changes mean for certain public-sector retirees.

Key Takeaways:

• Why there isn’t one answer for when to claim Social Security
• How claiming at 62, full retirement age, or 70 can affect your monthly benefit
• What Social Security spousal and survivor benefits mean for retirement income
• How IRA withdrawals and other income may affect Social Security taxes
• Where Roth conversions may fit before required minimum distributions begin
• What recent Social Security changes mean for certain public-sector retirees
• And more!

Resources:

• Book a Call with us
• Get the SCI Retirement Readiness Workbook

Connect with Gary Bowman:

• Bowman Retirement Planning
• LinkedIn: Gary Bowman
• garybowman.cwm@gmail.com
• (714) 904-2038

One of the biggest questions people face before retirement isn’t how much they’ve saved. It’s whether their savings, Social Security, and other income sources will be enough to support the life they want to live once the paycheck stops. If you’re wondering how Social Security, savings, pensions, and other income sources fit together, this conversation will help you think about retirement income planning more clearly.

In this episode, Gary Bowman breaks down the foundation of retirement income planning and explains how to build a reliable retirement paycheck. He discusses how Social Security fits into a comprehensive retirement plan, why claiming decisions should never be made in isolation, and how retirees can create flexibility and confidence by combining fixed income sources, personal savings, and other cash-flow opportunities. Gary also shares how he helps clients evaluate whether they’re truly ready to retire and what adjustments may be necessary when the numbers don’t support their goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Social Security is often the foundation of a retirement income plan because it provides inflation-adjusted income and survivor benefits.
• There is no one-size-fits-all Social Security claiming strategy. Timing decisions should be evaluated within the context of your overall retirement plan.
• Retirement income planning starts by identifying reliable income sources before determining how much you’ll need from personal savings.
• Fixed income sources may include Social Security, pensions, and certain annuity strategies.
• Personal savings can come from IRAs, Roth IRAs, brokerage accounts, and other investment accounts accumulated during your working years.
• And more!

Resources:

• Book a Call with us
• Get the SCI Retirement Readiness Workbook

Connect with Gary Bowman:

• Bowman Retirement Planning
• LinkedIn: Gary Bowman
• garybowman.cwm@gmail.com
• (714) 904-2038