Retired boomer relaxing on deck during a cruise.
Boomer Retirement Briefs™ is a premier educational resource dedicated to helping Baby Boomers and Gen Xers navigate the complexities of life after career.
Founded by Marcia Mantell, a published author, retirement expert, and former financial industry consultant, the site provides “no-nonsense” guidance on the technical and emotional aspects of the “Next 35 Years.”
Marcia started Boomer Retirement Briefs in 2014.
She started it in order to keep Boomers informed of….
She knew that the acronyms, rules, and the law were extremely hard for the average individual to follow, and she wanted to translate all the gobbly-gook to human language that was understandable and actionable on order to enable people help themselves.
In this era of rapidly shifting regulations, Marcia acts as a high-stakes watchdog for her readers.
With Social Security and Medicare rules changing at a relentless pace—from annual COLA adjustments to complex new Part D prescription drug redesigns—staying informed can feel like a full-time job.
Take for example, the friction caused by the 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026 which sounds great, and, then retirees learning that a good portion of that will be eaten up by rising Part B premiums.
Marcia stays on top of these critical updates so you don’t have to, filtering out the noise to deliver timely, actionable insights.
Your Retirement Watchdog. Your Kitchen-Table Expert.
Why You’re Here
You’ve spent forty years building a life, a career, and a nest egg. You’ve done the hard work. But now that you’re approaching the “Retirement Red Zone,” the rules of the game are changing—fast.
Between the shifting sands of Social Security COLA adjustments and the bewildering redesign of Medicare Part D, the “Next 35 Years” can feel less like a reward and more like a full-time job in bureaucracy.
And, your circumstances might be a little special in that you are haven’t remained single nor married during your entire adult life.
- You were once married to a military person who is now deceased or remarried.
- You’ve been divorced multiple times.
- You are widowed.
Special circumstances for military retirement benefits, particularly for spouses, widowed individuals, and divorced former spouses, are governed by federal laws such as the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act (USFSPA) and the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). What are you eligible for and how do you go about claiming it?
Aren’t you glad you have Marcia to figure it out for you?
The Analyst in the Kitchen
Marcia Mantell isn’t your average retirement blogger. She is a former high-level financial industry consultant who spent decades deconstructing complex regulations for the biggest names in finance. She knows exactly how the gears of the retirement system turn because she was in the room when the maps were drawn.
But Marcia believes that high-level expertise shouldn’t be locked behind a corporate boardroom door. It belongs at your kitchen table.
She has traded the “corporate speak” for Marcia’s Retirement Kitchen—a place where the most complex financial data is distilled into “no-nonsense” briefs. She stays awake studying the fine print of the latest government mandates so you don’t have to.
Why Marcia is the Only Voice You Need
In a sea of “retirement influencers” and generic financial advice, Marcia offers something rare: The Analyst’s Precision with a Neighbor’s Heart.
She is your Watchdog: When Medicare rules change, Marcia is the first to raise the flag, translating complex jargon into “retirement-101” parlance to tell you exactly what it means for your pocketbook.
- She is your Roadmap: Through her published books and national speaking engagements, she provides a clear, actionable path through the “technical and emotional” hurdles of retirement.
- She is your Advocate: Marcia doesn’t just report the news; she helps you navigate it with confidence. She ensures you aren’t just “getting by” in retirement, but mastering it.
Pull Up a Chair
Retirement is the longest project you’ll ever manage. You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint, and you shouldn’t navigate the next three decades without an expert who actually cares about the outcome.
Whether you’re here to catch up on the latest Social Security Brief, find your next must-read book, or book Marcia to speak at your next event, you’ve found the right place.
The coffee is on. The data is ready. Let’s get to work on your next 35 years.
Does Marcia Mantell write retirement books?
Beyond the real-time updates on the blog, Marcia’s extensive research is captured in her published books, which are available to the general public. These resources serve as a comprehensive roadmap for those in the “retirement red zone,” ensuring that expert-level clarity is accessible to everyone. By combining technical proficiency with a deep understanding of the retirement transition, Marcia ensures her audience can retire with confidence, no matter how the rules change.
