Mason Street Retirement Insights

What if the biggest threat to your retirement isn't the market, but decisions being made in Washington? With ongoing uncertainty around Social Security and proposals inspired by Australia's retirement system, Sean Mason...

What if playing it safe with your retirement savings creates a different kind of risk? Inspired by Warren Buffett's massive cash position before retiring, Sean Mason explores why moving money out of the market isn't...

Could a successful IRA become a tax headache later in retirement? Sean Mason unpacks a real-world scenario involving an 80-year-old retiree facing a massive required minimum distribution (RMD) and the tax consequences...

What if the retirement strategies that got you here are the very things holding you back? Sean Mason discusses why many long-standing financial habits may no longer fit today’s retirement landscape. From outdated...

Could a strategy designed for Gen Z also reshape retirement planning for boomers? Sean Mason explores why Roth accounts are gaining momentum across generations, from young investors embracing Roth IRAs to retirees...

What does financial freedom really look like once the paychecks stop? In this episode, Sean Mason connects America’s 250th birthday celebration with the retirement goal of financial independence. He discusses why...

What happens when the person who has always managed the family finances is suddenly no longer there? Sean Mason explores why retirement planning should be a family conversation, not a private one. Drawing on real-life...

Could moving Roth IRA money back into a workplace retirement plan ever make sense? Sean Mason explores a proposed rule change that would allow Roth IRA assets to roll into employer-sponsored Roth plans and breaks down...

What’s quietly draining your retirement account every month without your notice? This episode takes a closer look at hidden fees inside retirement portfolios, from management costs to internal fund expenses that...

Inflation may be invisible, but it can quietly erode a retirement plan if left unchecked. Sean Mason breaks down why inflation remains a major concern, even when markets appear stable, and explains how it impacts...

Annuities are making a comeback and today’s retirees are taking a second look at a once-controversial strategy. In this episode, Sean Mason explains how rising interest rates, shifting retirement priorities, and...

New investment options are creeping into 401(k)s, but they may not belong in every retirement plan. This episode explores the growing presence of alternatives like crypto, private equity, and IPO access in retirement...

Many retirees expect spending to rise forever, yet real-life behavior often tells a different story. This episode explores how retirement spending actually changes over time, why inflation doesn’t always lead to...

What does “being in and out of the market” really mean when retirement is right around the corner? In this episode of Mason Street Retirement Insights , Sean Mason breaks down recent comments from JPMorgan...

What happens when the “security” in Social Security no longer feels so secure? Sean Mason discusses growing concerns around the program’s future and how that uncertainty affects people nearing...