Michele Westmaas - Thrivent

09/08/2026

👉 Tip: Your withdrawal strategy matters.

A thoughtful retirement withdrawal strategy can help you minimize taxes, protect your nest egg and make your savings go further. But it requires careful planning—taking into account your income sources, tax situation and lifestyle goals.

If you’d like help creating a strategy to maximize your retirement savings, let’s connect.

See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

09/07/2026

Wishing you and your loved ones a safe and relaxing Labor Day.

09/04/2026

An annuity can guarantee income in retirement. In an uncertain world, annuities offer predictable retirement income and can help ensure you don’t outlive your savings. They also offer tax advantages and are customizable to your unique financial situation. Learn some of the basics about annuities here: https://bit.ly/4goM2pe
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Let’s discuss how an annuity can fit into your retirement income strategy.

08/24/2026

Why consider waiting to claim Social Security?​

Waiting is essentially like buying more inflation-protected lifetime income, says Dr. Michael Finke, Professor and Frank M. Engle Chair of Retirement Security, The American College of Financial Services.​

In a conversation with Bjorn Larson, Thrivent’s Director of Financial Education, Dr. Finke shared how delaying your Social Security claim could meaningfully boost your long-term financial security.​

Watch more of their conversation here: https://bit.ly/4dhtRQk

08/21/2026

Many retirees find that managing their retirement income is often more challenging than saving for it. Their goal should be to diversify their assets to generate income. First, they need guaranteed income sources to cover essential expenses. Next, they need non-guaranteed income sources to cover aspirational expenses. Finally, their growth assets should be segmented into near-term and long-term investments to meet specific goals.

Retirement Income Point of View

07/08/2026

Investing for retirement can feel overwhelming. No matter where you are on your journey, the key is to be consistent and stick with it. A strong retirement investment strategy includes:​

✔️ Portfolio diversification​
✔️ Understanding your risk tolerance and adjusting over time​
✔️ Investing in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s​

Learn more about investing for retirement. ⬇️

Investing for retirement takes planning, but it doesn't have to be complex. Lay the foundation by learning the basic strategies, investment types and tax-advantaged accounts.

07/04/2026

Have a fun and memorable Fourth of July celebration!

07/02/2026

Let's pursue your financial goals, together. I can help you get started by providing insight on three important steps to establishing a financial plan:

1. Identify where you are.
2. Define financial success so you can outline your goals.
3. Uncover some events that might move you further away from your goals.

Learn more about what makes up a solid financial plan and the process for creating your own. ⬇️

Taking the time to create a financial plan offers a roadmap for reaching your financial goals—emotional and financial. Learn how a financial plan helps organize income, savings, investments and insurance to balance your priorities for the future.

06/30/2026

Market fluctuation is normal. Understanding your risk tolerance and sticking to a long-term plan can help you navigate uncertainty. Discover smart strategies to stay on course no matter what the market does next.

Markets can be unpredictable, with ups and downs that can make even the most seasoned investors uneasy. But the good news? You don’t have to let market swings derail your financial future. Rather than reacting to every dip or surge, understanding that market fluctuations are part of the process…

06/26/2026

Understanding how dividends, interest and capital gains are taxed can help you make smarter investment decisions. Get the basics here. ⬇️

Taxes may not be the most exciting aspect of investing, but it's important to understand the basics of how they impact your investment income.