Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement, especially if you’re navigating it on your own.

Yet many women don’t realize how much clarity and confidence can come from simply asking the right questions before committing to a long-term relationship.

In this episode, I walk through seven essential questions every woman should consider before hiring or changing a financial advisor. We discuss why so many women change advisors after losing a spouse, how to evaluate an advisor’s process, and what to listen for when recommendations are presented. I also explain why retirement income planning, Social Security strategy, and tax coordination require a different level of focus than simply saving for retirement, and how to think about value beyond just the advisory fee.

• Why the commonly cited statistic about women changing advisors highlights the need for better conversations
• The importance of understanding an advisor’s process before agreeing to work together
• How to evaluate whether recommendations truly align with your goals, values, and concerns
• Why retirement income planning, Social Security, and tax strategy require specialized focus
• How to assess value beyond fees, including adaptability, communication, and long-term partnership
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube

Many retirees unknowingly walk away from life insurance policies without realizing they may still hold value. For women navigating retirement, widowhood, or major life changes, understanding every available option can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode, I talk with Lisa Rehburg, President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, about how life insurance settlements work and why they are often misunderstood or overlooked. We explore when this strategy may be appropriate, how it fits into retirement planning, and why timing and education matter. Lisa also explains the legal foundation, tax considerations, and the role advisors play in helping clients make informed decisions.

This conversation is about awareness, asking better questions, and making thoughtful choices before letting a policy lapse or be surrendered.

Key takeaways:

• Why many seniors let life insurance policies lapse and what may be missed
• How life insurance settlements work and when they may apply
• Legal foundations behind selling a life insurance policy
• Tax considerations and the importance of coordinating with professionals
• How this option may help fund retirement or long-term care needs
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap
• The Simply Retirement Community Facebook Group
• 2026 Tax and Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet
• Life Insurance Settlement Association (LISA)

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube

Connect with Lisa Rehburg:

• LinkedIn: Lisa Rehburg
• Website: Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements
• Facebook: Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements

About our Guest:

Lisa Rehburg is President of Rehburg Life Insurance Settlements, a life insurance settlements broker. Ms. Rehburg is passionate about assisting financial, insurance, legal, and non-profit professionals to help their clients benefit from their unwanted or unneeded life insurance policies. Lisa has been in the health and life insurance industries for over 30 years. She has presented to hundreds of organizations, including various Financial Planning Associations, Fiduciary Associations, Estate Planning Councils, Planned Giving Roundtables, NAPFA, NAIFA, and Health Underwriters Associations, to raise the visibility of life insurance settlements as an option for clients, when appropriate. She has held executive roles at carriers, general agencies, and TPAs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Development.

RMDs are one of those retirement rules that feel simple on the surface, until the tax consequences show up years later.

In this episode, I walk through what required minimum distributions are, when they start, and why missing or mismanaging them can quietly raise taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term financial stress. I explain how planning early creates flexibility, especially for women navigating retirement transitions, widowhood, or income changes. We also cover practical strategies that can help reduce the tax impact without turning retirement upside down.

Key takeaways:

• How required minimum distributions work and when they begin under current law
• The penalties and long-term damage caused by missed or unplanned RMDs
• How RMDs can increase taxes on Social Security and Medicare premiums
• Using qualified charitable distributions to reduce taxable income
• Timing strategies like Roth conversions and filling lower tax brackets
• And more!

Resources:

• Get Your FREE Simply Retirement Roadmap
• www.thesimplyretirementpodcast.com/RMD
• #52 – I Have Inherited an IRA—Now What? 5 Steps to Avoid Costly Mistakes
• #73 – Roth IRAs and Retirement: What You Need to Know
• #91 – 2026 Retirement Contributions Explained: How to Prioritize Accounts & Help Reduce Lifetime Taxes

Connect with Eric Blake:

• www.TheSimplyRetirementPodcast.com
• Join the Simply Retirement Newsletter
• Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast
• Blake Wealth Management
• YouTube

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Converting to a Roth IRA is a taxable event and may increase your current-year tax liability. Roth conversions cannot be undone. Individuals should consult a qualified tax professional regarding their specific circumstances.