Good morning, Simply Retirement Community!

Welcome to the weekly newsletter that reminds us that retirement is not the end of the road; it is the start of a new journey.

As this week’s newsletter goes out, I’m celebrating another trip around the sun—and it has me reflecting on just how much has changed over the past year. It’s been one of the most meaningful years of my life, both personally and professionally.

At Blake Wealth Management, we’ve continued our mission of empowering women to retire with clarity and confidence, and together we’ve made real progress: deeper educational resources, new podcast series, expanded tax-planning support, and more ways to help women live the retirement they deserve.

But the biggest highlight has been watching our family become even more integrated into the work we do. Having Kaitlyn and Eric join the practice has been one of the great joys of my career. Seeing their commitment, energy, and heart—alongside Dawn’s unwavering dedication to our clients—has reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.

On my birthday, I’m simply grateful. Grateful for our clients who trust us. Grateful for a community that continues to grow. And grateful for the opportunity to wake up every day and do work that genuinely matters to people’s lives and futures.

Thank you for being part of this past year. I’m excited for everything the next one will bring.

With that, we will be taking a brief vacation from the newsletter to enjoy time with friends and family. We’ll return in 2026. Until then, Happy Holidays—and I wish you a very Happy New Year!

Investing in Retirement - Part 4: Putting the Pieces Together for a Successful Retirement

💬 From Episode 83:

Retirement planning doesn’t end once you stop working; it evolves.

In this episode, I wrap up my seven essential strategies for successful investing in retirement, focusing on two of the most pivotal: managing your tax burden and deciding whether to work with an advisor.

I share how to plan ahead for taxes, the importance of timing withdrawals, and why every woman deserves a seat at the financial table.

Tune in to learn:

• Why emotional decisions during market downturns often lead to poor outcomes
• How to manage your lifetime tax liability, not just your yearly one
• Why your retirement income plan should start 2–5 years before retiring
• The key questions to ask before hiring a financial advisor
• The importance of involving both spouses, especially women, in financial conversations
• And more!

You can catch every episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast on the website - or on your favorite podcast app.

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Related Links & Resources

• 👉 Work with us!​
  ​
• 📄 Read
  • ​Episode 83 Transcript​
• 🎧 Related Episodes
  • ​#80 - Investing in Retirement - Part 1: It Starts with a Plan​
  • ​#81 - Investing in Retirement - Part 2: Changing the Way You Think About Retirement ​
  • ​#82 - Investing in Retirement - Part 3: The Building Blocks of Your Retirement Portfolio​
  • ​#48 - How to Pay Taxes in Retirement: What You Need to Know​
  • ​#54 - How Social Security Gets Taxed: What You Need to Know​
  • ​#65 - How the New Tax Law Could Impact Your Retirement​
  • ​#75 - Year-End Tax Planning Checklist for 2025​
• 👩‍👩‍👧‍👦 Connect & Participate
  • ​Join the Simply Retirement Community Facebook Group​
  • ​Ask a Question or Suggest a Topic for the Podcast​
  • ​Subscribe to the Simply Retirement Newsletter (if this email was forwarded to you)

The Retirement Toolbox

Here it is! Get a head start on 2026 Tax & Retirement Planning.

👉 ​​​​​​2026 Tax & Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet​

There are lots of important numbers that you need to keep in mind. In some cases, those numbers are annual limits that change each year. Other times, the figures do not often change, but are used frequently. Given the variety of sources that report relevant numbers, it can be difficult to quickly find the right reference when you need it.

In response to this challenge, we’ve created this two-page Tax & Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. This quick reference guide covers the most important annual limits as well as figures that are commonly referred to during the year.

Have more questions about retirement planning? Just hit reply to this email. I read and respond to every message. 😃

Keeping Retirement Simple,

Eric Blake, CFP®

​Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal. Results will vary. Past performance is no indication of future results or success. Market conditions change continuously.

Information here is provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither Blake Wealth Management nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. The views expressed here are those of Blake Wealth Management. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, their employees, or their clients.

This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Blake Wealth Management or RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.

Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC ("RFG Advisory" or "RFG") a registered investment advisor. Blake Wealth Management and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.

RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.