On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth dive into insights from the J.P. Morgan Guide to Retirement, offering practical ideas and concepts around getting started with saving, preparing for, and living in retirement.

They emphasize the importance of evaluating Roth contributions at various life stages, noting that younger investors often benefit most from Roth accounts due to lower current tax brackets, while those in peak earning years may need to weigh traditional vs. Roth options carefully.

The discussion encourages listeners to think strategically about retirement planning early on, adapting their approach as financial circumstances evolve.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

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Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this episode of Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth, the focus was on the rising availability of private investments within 401(k) plans. They discussed how options like private equity and private credit, while traditionally reserved for institutional investors, are slowly being introduced into retirement accounts through specialized structures. Although access is still limited and not open to all participants, regulatory changes and industry innovation are beginning to pave the way. Nick and Preston emphasized that while these investments can offer diversification and long-term growth potential, they come with added complexity and are best suited for well-informed investors with a long time horizon.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth explore the topic of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and why they matter in long-term planning. They explain how CCRCs offer a range of living options within one community, allowing individuals to transition smoothly as their care needs change. Nick and Preston highlight key considerations like contract types, financial planning, and timing, stressing that understanding these elements early can help families make more confident and informed decisions about the future.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth discussed a Schwab survey that asked people how much money it takes to feel wealthy. They explored how people's perceptions of wealth are often tied to specific financial milestones, reflecting what they believe would provide comfort, security, and a sense of success.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, financial experts Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® discuss the uncertain future of Social Security, referencing both U.S. developments and international changes.

They noted that the U.S. Social Security program is projected to be unable to pay full benefits by 2033—just eight years away—unless reforms are made. Nick emphasized that while nothing is likely to change in the short term due to political gridlock, future adjustments are inevitable.

They pointed to France’s recent 2023 decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite widespread protests, as an example of how other countries are already acting. Such moves abroad could foreshadow difficult but necessary decisions facing the U.S. system in the years ahead.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® dive into the lighthearted financial plot flaws in the classic comedy Happy Gilmore, just in time to celebrate the release of Happy Gilmore 2, 30 years after the original hit theaters.

From Happy’s plan to win prize money to save his grandmother’s house, to the questionable handling of her overdue tax payments and looming eviction, Nick and Jim have a blast breaking it all down. It’s a fun way to kick off the nostalgia and excitement for the long-awaited sequel. Stay tuned for our full review of Happy Gilmore 2, coming soon!

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth, hosting the Trust  the Plan Podcast draw a thoughtful comparison between the major blue‑chip companies of the early 1990s and today’s corporate giants. They reflect on how, back then, names like GE, Exxon, IBM and Coca‑Cola dominated with longstanding industrial and consumer staples.

In contrast, their 2025 lineup features tech‑driven titans and digital platforms whose influence extends far beyond traditional market sectors.

Through this discussion, they underscore how the shift from physical goods to data‑powered services has radically transformed which companies shape and lead the global economy.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth Management discusses potential changes to 529 plans if the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” passes. They outline how the bill aims to expand the flexibility and allowable uses of 529 funds, making these education savings accounts more adaptable to a broader range of educational and financial goals. The conversation focuses on how the updates could affect how families plan for education expenses, including potential new options for using leftover funds.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com