Health, Business & Retirement Strategies,

This week, I’ve been thinking about what it means to leave a lasting legacy — more specifically, what remains after the season we call retirement comes to an end.

We often think of legacy in terms of financial assets passed down to the next generation. But what if it’s more than that? What if our lives were lived in such a way that our lasting impact isn’t just money left to children, but enduring attributes like family strength, cultural influence, and a spiritual foundation?

This past weekend, we watched The Lost Bus, which tells the story of how Kevin McKay (played by Matthew McConaughey) and Mary Ludwig (played by America Ferrera) rescued a bus full of schoolchildren during the 2018 Camp Fire in northern California.

Before this life‑changing event, Kevin McKay was repeating the same broken legacy of hurt and anger with his own son — the very legacy his father had left him. But the events of the 2018 fire changed the entire trajectory of his life, completely reshaping the relationship and legacy he will now leave his son.

What legacy will you leave behind? Are you planning for — or already spending — your retirement years in a way that will change the next generation for the better? I’d love to hear your thoughts on what legacy means to you.

— Steven

Retiring is a lot like those all‑important school tests — the kind where your score opens (or closes) doors to future opportunities. In many cases, you only get one chance to get things right, and the consequences can last for years.

The exam begins by asking how you plan to fund your retirement. Saying goodbye to a steady paycheck and replacing it with multiple income streams can feel unsettling. Do you take Social Security now, or wait until “full retirement age” or beyond? How long will your 401(k) last at a given burn rate? Are you hoping to leave a financial legacy for your kids?

Then it moves on to Medicare — with its alphabet soup of Parts A, B, C, and D. I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time before there’s a Medicare section for every letter. My personal favorite is the two‑year income lookback that determines your Part B premium. You may be earning less once retired, but you still have to prove that and challenge the higher rate… or keep paying based on what you earned two years before retirement. Only a politician could design something so “elegant.”

Next, the exam asks where you plan to live — and whether your current home is truly your “forever home.”

Finally, it asks what you’ll do with the extra time now on your hands, and how you’ll maintain purpose and meaning in this new chapter. I’ll have more to say on that soon.

So… how did you score? What do you find most challenging when you think about retirement. I’d enjoy hearing from you.

Last Wednesday, I went into work as an SVP and left around 5:30 as a retiree. After a 40‑year career with Bank of America, I officially stepped into the next chapter.

I was the very last person to leave that day. I sent one final email to my manager thanking him for his support, then signed off for the last time. After that, I took a slow walk through the office, just reminiscing.

I’m sure this will evolve, but I still find myself thinking about all the in‑flight projects and wondering how everyone is doing. I don’t necessarily miss the daily pressure of work, but I do miss the relationships — the people who made the work meaningful.

Now it’s time to look forward and make this next chapter even stronger than the one I just closed. I’m excited to share the journey and to reconnect with former teammates here on LinkedIn.

I’m grateful for all of you.