Transitions in Retirement Essentials (Open to the Public)

Ready to Retire? Part 1: Financial Road to Retirement and Beyond

September 14 • Shapiro ABCD/Zoom/Stream  

Speaker: Danielle Blunt, Certified Financial Planner, President, Blunt Wealth Services, Raymond James Financial Services

This course will give recent or soon-to-be retirees a good overview of retirement income planning and beyond. Elections, inflation, government debt and geopolitical concerns are all in the headlines, but what should individual investors be paying attention to these days? We look at the current political and economic issues facing individual investors, all of which have the potential to impact your financial and retirement goals. We discuss these issues as well as some risks and solutions to your retirement that are in your control. We’ll learn the importance of asset location, as well as asset allocation and discuss various retirement income strategies to understand potential risks and roadblocks to a smooth retirement like living a long life or the sequence of returns. Lastly, we’ll touch on a few advanced strategies like Roth conversions, RMDs and charitable giving, plus some efficient wealth transfer strategies.

Coordinators: Mickey La Casa, Tom La Casa, Russ Mackeand, Chris Kondo

Click here for the presentation on The Road to Retirement and Beyond.

Click here for the  presentation on Common Factors Affecting Retirement Income.

Click here for the presentation on Understanding sequence of returns.

Click here for the flyer on Second Opinion Service.

Ready to Retire? Part 2: The Psychology of Retirement

September 21 • Shapiro ABCD/Zoom/Stream 

Speaker: Barbara Cherry, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Psychology, CSUF

Happy Retirement! Opportunities and strategies are addressed to structure this time of life to be the best possible. This presentation will explore ways to create and/or maintain a healthy lifestyle in retirement. A variety of topics (e.g., health, happiness, friendship) will be covered along with the research findings that support these psychological processes.

Coordinators: Ellie Monroe, Jim Monroe, Tom La Casa, Russ Mackeand

Click here for Dr. Cherry's presentation on Are You Ready for Retirement Psychologically?

Click here for Dr. Cherry's handout.

Ready to Retire? Part 3: Keeping Fit and Strong for Life 

September 28 • Shapiro ABCD/Zoom/Stream 

Speaker: Koren Fisher, Associate Professor, Director, Center for Successful Aging, CSUF

Physical activity and physical fitness are an important part of healthy aging. In this workshop, the specific benefits of aerobic exercise, resistance training and neuromotor activities to help maintain or improve your cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, power, balance and mobility will be discussed. Whether you are looking to become more physically active or you are interested in learning how to get the most out of your current exercise routine, this evidence-based workshop will help you move closer to your physical activity goals and address any questions you may have about exercise and physical fitness.

Coordinators: Jim Monroe, Ellie Monroe, Tom La Casa, Mickey La Casa, Russ Mackeand

Non-Surgical Cosmetic Treatments for Seniors

October 5 • Zoom 

Speakers: Hengli Lin, M.D., and Victoria Callahan, Physician Assistant-C, St. Jude Heritage Medical Group

Dr. Hengli Lin and Victoria Callahan, PA-C will be discussing the latest techniques for non-surgical cosmetic treatments for seniors. Their discussion will focus on skincare, injectables, chemical peels and lasers to improve skin health.

Coordinators: Russ Mackeand, Joseph Lawton, MD.

Maximizing Your Social Security Benefit

October 12 • Zoom/Stream  

Speaker : John C. Pak, Certified Financial Planner®, RICP®, EA, Otium Advisory Group

Hidden deep within the 2700+ rules in the Social Security Handbook are several pitfalls that are not obvious to the average benefit recipient. This class is designed to bring clarity to some of the confusing rules and to help you avoid forgoing thousands of dollars over your lifetime. John Pak, CFP® will un-clutter the myriad of interpretations of some of the rules straight out of the handbook by sharing real-life cautionary tales and case studies.

Coordinators: Russ Mackeand, Chris Kondo

Click here for John Pak's presenation on Maximizing Your Social Security Benefit.

Navigating the Healthcare System, UCI Health Care Management

October 19 • Zoom/Stream

Speaker: Roslyn Ausina, MHA, BSN, RN, CMGT-BC, Director of Care Management, UCI Health

Roslyn Ausina will take class participants through the pathway that case management conducts in assisting a patient from hospitalization to discharge to care facilities when multiple providers and facilities are involved, with a focus on the mature adult. She will provide insight into the roles of the patient’s primary and clinical caregivers (e.g., relative, friend, social worker and case manager)  in navigating the healthcare system for patients with multiple conditions, either physical, medical, or both. She will help us all understand the best ways loved ones and caregivers can assist a patient to obtain the most positive health outcomes possible.

Coordinators: Michael Stover, Russ Mackeand, Joseph Lawton, MD.

Medicare Essentials

October 26 • Zoom  

Speaker: Gene Campbell, HICAP Counselor and Community Educator, Council on Aging-Southern California, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)

Confused about Medicare? Want some good advice from State-registered, unbiased experts who are not in the business of selling, recommending, or endorsing any products? This class is designed for those soon to be eligible for Medicare or those planning to make changes during the annual October 15 through December 7 election period. The topics to be covered are Basic Medicare Benefits, Medicare A-B-C-D, Medicare Supplemental Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans.

Coordinators: Russ Mackeand, Tom La Casa,

Tax Efficiency in Retirement Accounts (Zoom)

November 2 • Zoom only

Speaker : Jeorjia Sun, CFP®, CPFA® Wealth Manager & Certified Financial Planner™, McCarthy Wealth Management

You've done a great job saving for retirement but how do you withdraw from your retirement account tax efficiently? This course explores strategies for maximizing tax efficiency in retirement accounts while minimizing the impact on Social Security and Medicare benefits.  Participants will learn about the effectiveness of Roth conversions even during retirement. This course is ideal for individuals planning for retirement and those already retired. 

Coordinator: Russ Mackeand,

Click here for Jeorjia Sun's presentation on Tax Efficiency of Retirement Accounts.