The 3 BIGGEST Retirement Regrets From Clients Who Waited Too Long

After 10+ years working with families preparing for retirement, the same three regrets keep coming up...

And these mistakes don't just cost money—they cost years of peace of mind, flexibility, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in missed opportunities.

In this video, I'm breaking down the three biggest retirement regrets I see from clients who waited too long to plan properly—and more importantly, what you can do right now to avoid them.

Regret #1: Not Understanding True Spending Needs
Most people wait until they're within a year or two of retirement to figure out what they'll actually spend. By then, it's often too late to make meaningful adjustments. Research from Morningstar shows that actual retirement replacement rates can range from under 54% to over 87%—yet most people rely on generic 70-80% rules that rarely match reality. The result? Either over-saving anxiety that keeps you working unnecessarily, or under-saving that creates stress in retirement.

Regret #2: Failing to Create Tax Diversification
Most people are excellent savers—but all their money is in tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and traditional IRAs. When Required Minimum Distributions begin at age 73, you lose control. The IRS dictates when and how much you withdraw, regardless of your needs or tax situation. Without Roth accounts and taxable brokerage accounts, you have zero flexibility—and that can cost you tens of thousands in unnecessary taxes over a 20-30 year retirement.

Regret #3: Treating Investment Management as Separate from Comprehensive Planning
Many people focus exclusively on portfolio performance while ignoring tax optimization, Social Security strategies, insurance coverage, and estate planning. Research shows that retirees with comprehensive financial plans report higher confidence and better outcomes than those who focus on investments alone. When these elements work together, the results are dramatically better.

The good news? It's never too late to course correct. In this video, I'll share five actionable steps you can take today to avoid these regrets—no matter where you are in your retirement journey.

_ _

🔗 Ready to avoid these regrets? Schedule a call with our team at Trella Wealth → https://calendly.com/trellawealth/sta...

_ _

The information contained in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Viewers should consult with a qualified financial professional to determine what may be appropriate for their individual circumstances.

Trella Wealth is a financial advisor serving successful professionals in their 50s and early 60s who are starting to get serious about retirement.

#retirement #financialplanning #retirementplanning #taxes #wealthmanagement