Rick Taylor, Wealth Advisor with Equitable Advisors

10/16/2026

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10/15/2026

Don't Leave Your Pension Decision to Chance

I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say:

"I just picked the option that seemed best."

The problem is that when it comes to your pension, "seemed best" can end up costing you and your family thousands of dollars over retirement.

If you're fortunate enough to have a pension, you'll likely face one of the biggest financial decisions of your life:

Should you choose the Single Life option or the 50% Joint & Survivor option for your spouse?

And the answer isn't always obvious.

I've sat down with people who were ready to sign their paperwork without fully understanding:

• How much income they would receive under each option
• What happens to the pension if they pass away first
• How much income their spouse would continue to receive
• How Social Security fits into the equation
• Whether their other assets could help protect their spouse

The truth is, the "best" pension option is different for everyone.

That's why I encourage people to slow down and ask questions before making a decision that is often irreversible.

If You're Within 5 Years of Retirement, Now Is the Time to Make a Plan

Not when you're six months away.

Not when the pension packet shows up in the mail.

And definitely not after you've already made your election.

The most successful retirees I've worked with started planning years before they retired. They took the time to understand their pension options, coordinate them with Social Security and their retirement savings, and develop a strategy that gave them confidence.

Sometimes a small change today can have a significant impact on your retirement income and your spouse's financial security for years to come.

Not Sure Which Pension Option Is Right for You?

I'd be happy to help.

I offer a 15-minute, no-obligation Retirement & Pension Check-Up where you can ask me anything:

✅ Single Life vs. 50% Survivor Pension Options
✅ Social Security Timing Strategies
✅ 401(k) and IRA Withdrawal Planning
✅ Retirement Income Planning
✅ Healthcare and Long-Term Care Considerations
✅ Any retirement question that's on your mind

No pressure. No sales pitch.

Just a conversation to help you make a more informed decision.

📩 Send me a message or comment "RETIRE" below, and let's connect.

Your pension may be one of the most valuable benefits you've earned during your career. If you're within five years of retirement, now is the time to make a plan and ensure you're maximizing every opportunity available to you and your family.

10/13/2026

When Are You Going to Retire?

My favorite answer:

"When my paycheck becomes optional."

Too many people base retirement on age.

The most successful retirees base it on preparedness.

Before retiring, ask yourself:

✅ Do I know where my retirement income will come from?
✅ Have I maximized my Social Security and pension decisions?
✅ Am I prepared for healthcare expenses?
✅ Does my plan account for inflation and market volatility?
✅ Will my spouse and family be financially secure if something happens to me?

Retirement isn't an age.

It's a strategy.

And the best time to build that strategy is long before you hand in your resignation.

I've found that many people are only one or two important decisions away from significantly improving their retirement outlook. Sometimes it's a pension election. Sometimes it's a Social Security strategy. Sometimes it's simply having a plan for generating income from their savings.

If someone asked you today, "When are you retiring?", what would your answer be?

Complimentary Retirement Check-Up

If you're within 10 years of retirement, or already retired and want a second opinion, I offer a 15-minute, no-obligation Retirement Check-Up.

Bring your questions about:

Pension payout options
Social Security timing
401(k) and IRA withdrawals
Retirement income planning
Healthcare costs
Market concerns
Any retirement-related topic that's keeping you up at night

No sales pitch. No pressure.

Just an opportunity to get answers and gain clarity about your retirement future.

📩 Send me a direct message or comment "RETIREMENT" below, and let's schedule a conversation.

10/03/2026

What if "later" costs you an opportunity you can't get back?

One of the things I've learned from more than 35 years at UPS is that time moves quickly.

And that's one reason I'm so passionate about helping people navigate some of the biggest financial decisions they'll face, especially when they're approaching retirement or experiencing a career transition.

I often hear things like:

"I'll look at it next year."

"I have plenty of time."

"I'll get around to it."

The reality is that retirement planning isn't about having every answer today.

It's about starting the conversation early enough to give yourself choices later.

Maybe you need to better understand your pension options.

Maybe you're deciding what to do with your 401(k).

Maybe you're concerned about market volatility.

Or maybe you're asking the same question I hear all the time:

"Am I on track?"

The good news is that you don't have to make a major decision today.

But taking 15 minutes to understand where you stand could be one of the most valuable investments you make in your future.

After spending 35 years in one career, I know firsthand how quickly the years can pass.

My passion now is helping others make the most of the time they have ahead of them.

Don't wait for the perfect time.

Start the conversation now.

What's one financial question you've been meaning to get answered but haven't asked yet?

09/28/2026

There’s a big difference between "I'll do it" and "I'll do it now."

After years of helping people prepare for retirement, I've learned that the biggest mistake usually isn't making the wrong decision.

It's waiting too long to make one.

We're all guilty of putting things off.

• That phone call.
• That conversation.
• That financial decision.
• That health goal.
• That trip we keep saying we'll take.
• That retirement plan we know we need to put in place.

The problem with "later" is that later isn't guaranteed.

And when it comes to retirement, putting things off can be especially costly.

The decisions you make today can create opportunities tomorrow... or limit them.

The good news?

You don't have to have everything figured out.

You just have to take the next step.

✅ Make the call.
✅ Ask the question.
✅ Review the numbers.
✅ Start the plan.

You can always adjust a good plan.

It's much harder to recover time you chose not to use.

So I'll leave you with this:

What's one thing you've been putting off that you could take action on today?

09/28/2026

No two clients are the same. Nor are their portfolios.

The strategies that serve someone building wealth at 55 look very different from those preparing for retirement at 65. That's why it's critical to take a multi-layered approach that allows us to use a mix of strategies to pursue your goals.

What mix works best for you?

09/26/2026

09/24/2026

One of the most overlooked questions in building a retirement strategy isn't "How much do I have?" It's "When do I need it?"

That's exactly what a bucket strategy does. It matches your assets to your timeline, so every dollar is working as hard as it can for as long as it can.

Do your buckets match your time horizon?

09/23/2026

🛠️ The richest person in your town probably isn't a tech founder or someone in finance. It's more likely the dentist running four offices, or the owner of the HVAC company whose trucks are everywhere.

New research from economists Owen Zidar and Eric Zwick, based on IRS and Treasury data, found nearly 5 million U.S. households worth at least $5 million, holding combined wealth more than 13 times that of the Forbes 400.

A few patterns stood out:
➡️Most started their business themselves rather than inheriting it
➡️Most run ordinary, brick-and-mortar businesses rather than tech or finance
➡️Independence mattered more to them early on than getting rich ever did

🌭 Case in point: Dick Portillo started a hot dog stand in 1963 with just $1,100. Decades later, he sold the business he'd built for $1 billion.

Building wealth often looks much more ordinary and attainable than the headlines suggest. If growing or eventually stepping back from a business is part of your picture, that's worth talking through together.


Source:

Getting rich in the U.S. is still possible, but the most common path to wealth doesn't involve working for other people, according to a new book.

09/17/2026

The Power of Acting Now

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when it comes to retirement planning?

Waiting.

Waiting for the market to settle down.
Waiting until retirement is closer.
Waiting until they have "more money."
Waiting until life gets less busy.

The problem is that waiting often feels productive when, in reality, it's just delaying important decisions.

Here's what I've learned:

You don't need to have everything figured out to take the next step.

In fact, some of the most productive conversations I have are with people who simply want to better understand where they stand today.

A brief conversation can help you:

✅ Identify potential gaps in your retirement strategy
✅ Understand what your investments are designed to accomplish
✅ Review pension and retirement income options
✅ Evaluate whether your savings strategy aligns with your retirement goals
✅ Discover opportunities that may be easier to address now than later

The good news?

You don't need to make a major decision today.

You simply need to make one good decision today that puts you in a better position tomorrow.

After spending more than 35 years at UPS and now helping individuals navigate retirement and career transitions, I've seen a common pattern:

The people who prepare early usually have more choices later.

If retirement is on your horizon, or if you're simply wondering whether you're on the right track, let's connect.

No sales pitch. No pressure. No obligation.

Just a straightforward conversation focused on your goals, your questions, and the opportunities available to you.

Sometimes the most important step in planning isn't making a decision.

It's starting the conversation.

Act now. Your future self will thank you.