What Is National Retirement Security Week?

Each year, during the third full week of October, National Retirement Security Week serves as a reminder to pause, check in on your retirement readiness, and take steps that help secure your future. Whether you’re newly retired or just a few years out, this week is a powerful opportunity to course-correct, optimize, and feel more confident about the road ahead.

At Matthew James Tax & Wealth Management, we see this week as more than a calendar event—it’s a call to action for high-income earners, small business owners, and financially savvy families across Louisiana who want more than a one-size-fits-all approach to retirement.

1. Get Crystal Clear on Your Retirement Number

How much is enough? It’s the million-dollar question—and for some, it is literally a million dollars (or more). But the truth is, your retirement number is unique to you.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of lifestyle do I want in retirement?

• How long do I realistically need my money to last?

• Have I accounted for inflation, healthcare, and taxes?

We use advanced planning tools to help clients clarify these numbers so they can retire with clarity, not guesswork.

2. Rethink Your Tax Strategy Before Year-End

Retirement doesn’t mean the end of taxes—in fact, poor planning can lead to unexpected tax burdens. If you’re still relying solely on a CPA to “report” what happened, rather than strategizing in advance, you could be missing out on major savings.

Now is the time to:

• Explore Roth conversions (especially before tax brackets reset in 2026)

• Leverage Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)

• Utilize tax-loss harvesting if you’re still investing

Remember: Tax planning in retirement isn’t about filing forms. It’s about keeping more of what you earned.

3. Audit Your Withdrawal Strategy

Taking money out of your retirement accounts in the wrong order—or at the wrong time—can be one of the most expensive mistakes retirees make. If you’re withdrawing from tax-deferred accounts too early or too late, you might be triggering higher Medicare premiums, IRMAA surcharges, or even jumping into a higher tax bracket.

Smart retirees work with advisors who coordinate income, taxes, and investments as one cohesive system. During Retirement Security Week, consider revisiting your drawdown plan.

4. Secure Long-Term Healthcare Options Before They’re Needed

One of the most overlooked risks in retirement? Healthcare costs.

Whether it’s assisted living, home care, or medical treatment, the average retiree can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on care. Unfortunately, many wait until a health issue arises to start planning.

Now’s the time to:

• Review long-term care insurance or asset-based alternatives

• Make sure your estate plan includes healthcare directives

• Build a strategy that protects your nest egg without burdening your loved ones

5. Revisit Your Legacy Plan

Retirement is not the end of your financial journey—it’s the beginning of your legacy.

Use this week to:

• Update beneficiaries on retirement and investment accounts

• Make sure your estate plan reflects your current wishes

• Explore tax-efficient ways to pass wealth to your heirs, including trusts, gifting, and family foundations

Legacy planning isn’t just about wealth transfer—it’s about making sure your values and vision live on.

Don’t Just Celebrate Retirement Security—Strengthen It.

National Retirement Security Week is the perfect moment to hit pause, reflect, and make strategic moves that pay off for decades.

Whether you’ve already retired, just sold a business, or are years away from your ideal retirement date, now is the time to tighten the plan.

Let’s make this week count.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a no-obligation call with our team and discover how we help high-earning retirees across Louisiana turn tax burdens into strategic advantages, and retirement dreams into confident realities.