Real Talk About Retirement with Christine Benz

Retirement can be one of life’s most rewarding chapters when it’s shaped around purpose, connection, and the freedom to design your days. In this conversation, we sit with Christine Benz, Morningstar’s Director of Personal Finance and Retirement Planning, to explore the choices that make those years meaningful.

We discuss the lessons and limitations of the FIRE movement (Financial Independence, Retire Early), the surprising challenges that come with spending after a lifetime of saving, and ways to prepare for the realities of long-term care. You’ll also hear why crafting a gradual “glide path” into retirement often leads to greater happiness, and how small shifts today can set you up for a future filled with energy and engagement.

In this episode:

• Why retirement works best when it’s more of a glide path than a hard stop
• The overlooked challenge of spending money after years of saving
• How to think about long-term care before you need it
• What the FIRE movement gets right—and where it falls short

Connect with Karen:

• Clarity Planning
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Instagram

Connect with our guests: 

• Christine Benz on LinkedIn
• Morningstar
• Get Going On Savings Initiative