I started this blog in 2011.
I was looking for a creative outlet and a way to share how differently Boomers were rethinking retirement. It is unlike anything we’ve seen before from previous generations. And changing all the time.
Now, some 15 years later, the blog has become an important resource for those nearing retirement.
You’ll find sections that are:
- Chock-full of great stories from boomers doing really interesting things in their bonus years,
- Updated with the latest information about Social Security and Medicare, and
- Filled with information explaining new changes to laws that impact retirement accounts.
It’s become a central, go-to hub for baby boomers, Gen Xers, and anyone else looking for retirement information written in a fun way.
Enjoy looking through the many pages and variety of topics. I’m sure you’ll find something you didn’t know about. I’m so glad you found Boomer Retirement Briefs. You might start by reading my welcome article, then taking a look around the site to see what hits your hot button.
Meet the Founder: Retirement Expert Marcia Mantell
My first reality check about retirement came when I was in my mid-20s. I saw firsthand the utter devastation when a large company goes bankrupt and the effects it has on the oldest employees. It’s a hard thing to forget.
In my early 30s, I had the chance to join Fidelity Investments in 1992. I thought it would be a fun job at a cool, well-respected company. It became an amazing journey focused on helping people get ready for retirement. I didn’t want reality to bite them in the you-know-what!
Somewhat inadvertently, my career passion became all about retirement. As a Baby Boomer myself, I was particularly interested in how other Boomers were reinventing retirement. I believe that every financial decision is a retirement decision—not just the dollars you sock away in your retirement plan at work or an IRA. (By the way, you do have an IRA, right?)
My life’s passion is my family. I am a wife, mother, daughter, aunt, and now a great-aunt. It is the time spent with my family that I treasure most.
Here are a few tidbits I thought you’d find interesting about me:
On the personal front:
- I am happily married to my wonderful husband, Dan, my college sweetheart. The first 43 years together have been great. We’re wondering what’s in store for the next few decades. If you’re wondering too, take a look at how we started our transition at age 55: Ten Things We’ve Learned On Our Next Ten Adventure. And then how we revised our initial plans: Our Next 10 Adventure: An Update and An Extension
- I am so fortunate to be the proud mama of two amazing children who are grown and flown. Both are college grads, one with a B.S. in computer engineering, the other with a Ph.D. in neural engineering. They are University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (Ski-U-Mah!) and Minnesota Frost top-fans.
- Knowing nothing about my family history, I’ve become obsessed with my family ancestry. I feel like I’m getting to know those old Scots, French, and English ancestors up close and personal. One branch of my tree dates to a 1639 arrival in Rhode Island!
- Since I was a 10-year-old girl, I’ve been scrapbooking. But I’ve fallen behind in creating scrapbooks and photo albums—especially of my kids. Need to get back on track before I forget everything.
- While I’m an excellent cook and baker, I’m not good enough to be on The Great British Baking Show (or any other cooking show!). And I mostly boycott making dinner these days, so there’s that.
- Like many others, I’m really unhappy when I have to clean up the kitchen or do laundry. Dan, oh Dan, where are you?
- After 20 years of having my own business, I continually feel lucky that my best days include talking to interesting people about their real-life stories.
On the professional front, I have built a lot of retirement knowledge over the years:
- 35 years (but who’s counting?) leading retirement marketing, retirement income, product development, and training efforts around the country for large financial services companies and financial advisors.
- 20+ years as a retirement business consultant, where I help financial firms, employers, and advisors develop and grow their retirement businesses.
- 20+ years developing a deep knowledge of Social Security and Medicare. I help lots of people think about making their best decisions before pushing the button.
- 20+ years presenting retirement topics in a highly engaging style to Baby Boomers, GenXers, and financial advisor audiences across the country.
- 4 four retirement books that I’ve written are geared to making the transition into retirement. The decisions you’ll need to make can be daunting, so I try to make it fun and actionable.
- 200+ blog posts. I’ve found that in general, none of us Baby Boomers is so sure what retirement will mean. This blog is written to share down-to-earth, practical information to help you make a successful transition into your next 30 years.
- 5 of my favorite retirement strategies are:
- Maximize employer plans to the match and beyond.
- Save more in Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s/403(b)s and HSAs. No one wants to pay taxes in retirement!
- Save more than you think you need to.
- Watch leading economic indicators, especially inflation numbers and unemployment trends so you can see how much prices will increase when you’re retired.
- Read, Read, Read! Especially about Medicare. It’s not free!
Send me your thoughts on how you plan to retire and what you are looking forward to when you have more time.
Start reinventing your retirement today!
