Financial and retirement planning guidance from Des Moines' Eric Peterson of Peterson Financial Group.

Retirement planning often raises questions that do not have simple, one-size-fits-all answers. In this mailbag episode, Eric addresses whether do-it-yourself investors need professional guidance, how to respond to predictions of a market crash, and when a donor-advised fund may make sense. The common thread is the value of having a strategy built around your specific goals rather than reacting to headlines or general advice. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

Betty White may never have officially retired, but her humor and outlook offer several valuable lessons for anyone planning the next stage of life. Today, Eric explores why retirement readiness involves more than building an investment portfolio. A fulfilling plan should help you prepare for change while continuing to support the people, purpose, and experiences that matter to you. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode:

A layoff close to retirement can feel like a financial emergency, but it may not be as damaging as it first appears. Eric explains why layoffs are happening and walks through the key financial decisions that follow. He also shares a practical checklist for evaluating whether returning to work is necessary, or whether retirement may already be possible. Here's some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚠️ Economic Uncertainty: Layoffs can quickly disrupt retirement timelines