I was recently interviewed by Daniel Hanzelka, the founder and creator of the "Make Life Less Taxing Podcast." The following is his introduction to the interview: Most people think the biggest risk in retirement is the market. Gene Bond sees it differently. In this episode of the Make Life Less Taxing Podcast, I sat down with Gene, founder of Bond Financial Group, certified financial fiduciary, and retirement income specialist, for a conversation that goes far beyond charts, percentages, and headlines. Gene’s journey into this work didn’t start with finance. It started with loss. After losing his father at a young age, Gene watched his mother face a financial reality that looked very different than what his father believed he had put in place. That moment shaped a lifelong mission: make sure no family lives with the fear of running out of money. Throughout our conversation, Gene challenges a core assumption many people carry for decades that retirement is about accumulating assets. He explains why income, not account balances, determines whether someone truly feels secure, and why so many retirees unknowingly enter what he calls the retirement red zone without understanding the risks they’re exposed to. We talk about why most people are “driving blind” when it comes to retirement income, how education gaps create unnecessary anxiety, and why clarity, not complexity, is the foundation of peace of mind. But this episode isn’t just technical. It’s deeply human. Gene shares stories of retirees who found freedom they never thought possible, the importance of purpose after work ends, and why legacy isn’t measured by net worth but by the lives you impact, often across generations. One of my favorite parts of the conversation was Gene’s simple acronym: SWAN - Sleep Well At Night. That idea alone reframes what successful planning really looks like. If you’re approaching retirement, already retired, or simply want to think more intentionally about the future you’re building, this episode will challenge how you see money, security, and purpose.

The key to financial success begins with a firm understanding of your finances. There’s never been a more crucial time to increase your financial knowledge than right now. Your financial success begins with financial education from the Foundation for Fiduciary Education®. The Foundation for Fiduciary Education® (FFE) is an IRS approved 501 (c )(3) nonprofit organization that focuses on providing unbiased, fiduciary financial education in communities nationwide. All Of Our Instructors Are Certified Financial Fiduciaries® Sworn To Teach Unbiased Financial Education. We accomplish this by proudly partnering with a diverse group of financial professionals who volunteer to uplift and empower their local communities to take control of their finances and to better understand how different financial products and services work. In addition, the person learns how to create a plan that is optimized for their individual situation. They learn how to coordinate the different financial products to design a plan that minimizes taxes and maximizes the growth and income from their plan. This allows them to have peace of mind and be able to sleep well at night because they know that their financial future is secure. It all begins with education. Our Nationwide Network Of Certified Financial Fiduciaries® Make Learning Easy And Convenient. FFE is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with Certified Financial Fiduciary® members nationwide! Whether you're looking to attend a live class, webinar, self-paced study, or team up with a Certified Financial Fiduciary® to get specific answers to your financial questions, each of our members are equipped to help you! Getting connected is easy. Click this text to learn more. To connect with me, go to https://calendly.com/bondfinancialgroup/speak-with-gene.

In February 2023, I spoke at a Super Conference for financial advisors in Denver, CO. I was also the Featured Guest for "The Retire Happy Hour" show hosted by financial expert Brad Smith. Three-quarters of Americans agree that the country is facing a retirement crisis. Covering today’s retirement planning questions, “The Retire Happy Hour” helps give direction to navigate from the working years to the golden years. In a format that’s informative and conversational, Brad Smith shares insights through his interviews with a nationwide group of independent financial advisors. As questions are answered, the audience goes away with some of the best practices to avoid the many pitfalls faced in retirement. Brad is not only the host of the “Retire Happy Hour,” he is also a financial coach and practicing Advisor. He has seen firsthand some of the best practices that can be instituted to guide someone to a safe and secure retirement. During the interview, Brad asked questions to learn more about how I help my clients. We also discussed how important it is to know the questions to ask. The impact of taxes in retirement could be the biggest danger to your money, to your likelihood of having a secure financial future. During the interview, we discussed the impact of taxes, the volatility of the stock market, proper Social Security benefit planning, and the fact that a portion of your Social Security could be taxed if proper planning is not done. Double taxation is a real problem in over 40% of the households that are receiving Social Security benefits.

On September 6, 2024, I was interviewed during a livestream by Amos Bracewell. Amos is the Founder of the Facebook Group ENTV: Empowerment & Networking - Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, Coaches. After the interview was over, Amos titled the interview "Protecting Your Financial Future with Smart Retirement Planning: Gene Bond's Mission." Click here to learn more about how I help my clients, what I do, and why I do it. You will also be able to learn the connection between a SWAN and retirement income planning.

A video of me being interviewed by Doug Andrew, the author of "The LASER Fund" book after passing my certification as a Certified IUL Professional. In addition to having to do the course work, I had to take a 130 question test and I could not miss any of the questions. The test consisted of IRS rules and regulations regarding life insurance as a whole and Indexed Universal Life (IUL) more specifically, as well as having to properly structure the premium payments and withdrawals for 50 scenarios involving hypothetical clients of varying ages, tax brackets, and for varying reasons the hypothetical clients were looking to use a life insurance policy.

Are you confused by all the initials some financial professionals list behind their name in an effort to impress you by their education or certification? You are not alone! It seems like every time I turn around, another set of initials pops up out of nowhere. According to Forbes Magazine, the long and growing list can be overwhelming. In this article, Forbes discusses the Top 10 certifications. You can access the article by clicking here.