If you have enough to retire comfortably, should you? (7 19 26)

Happy Sunday! Here’s what we’re covering in today’s Clark Smart Investing newsletter:

If you have enough to retire comfortably, should you?
The overlooked 'Rule of 55' could unlock an earlier retirement
How to balance college savings and retirement
Q&A with Wes Moss: How do I choose the best five- or seven-year Treasury note to buy when faced with so many different options?

💵 If You Have Enough To Retire Comfortably, Should You?

Most retirement planning content answers one question: Do you have enough money? Run the numbers, check the withdrawal rate, stress test the portfolio. If the math works, you’re done.

Except you’re not. Plenty of people reach the finish line financially and then freeze. The savings are there. The mortgage is paid. The spreadsheet says yes. And they keep working anyway, sometimes for years, because a second question sneaks up on them that no calculator can answer.

Should you actually do it?

If you're sitting on a comfortable nest egg but still hesitate to pull the trigger, you aren't alone. Find the checklist you need to know if you're truly ready to walk away from the 9-to-5 in the full article.

Full Article: If You Have Enough To Retire Comfortably, Should You?

📚 Recommended Reading

The Overlooked 'Rule of 55' Could Unlock an Earlier Retirement

Thinking about retiring early but hate the thought of a 10% penalty? There’s a lesser-known IRS rule that could let you access your 401(k) or 403(b) penalty-free as early as age 55. Here’s what you need to know about the "Rule of 55" and how to see if you qualify. Read more.

How To Balance College Savings and Retirement

When it comes to funding your kids' college tuition vs. building your own retirement nest egg, which one comes first? Discover the golden rule of balancing these two massive financial goals—and why putting yourself first isn't actually selfish. Read more.

Sponsor

You Can Save Millions for Retirement. But Will You Be Happy?

Money can fund retirement, but it doesn't automatically create a fulfilling life. Learn why retirees with several "core pursuits," the activities they genuinely love, often report higher levels of happiness and purpose.

💬 Ask an Advisor

Ask an Advisor

with Wes Moss

Email | Website

Each week, Wes Moss answers real reader questions on money, investing, and retirement. Wes is Chief Investment Strategist at Capital Investment Advisors and a fee-only financial advisor. He hosts a weekly Ask an Advisor segment with Christa DiBiase on the Clark Howard Podcast and YouTube channel.

This week's question

Sue in Wisconsin asks:

"I would like to buy a five- or seven-year Treasury note and put it in a brokerage account at Vanguard, but there are many options with all different yields, prices, coupons, and maturities. How do I know which one is best?"

Wes's answer: It can be really complicated when you bring up a list of bonds and see all those different maturities, prices, and yields to maturity. To make it simple, I like to think of a bond at its par value. A thousand dollars for one bond at 5% makes it all very simple -- it pays you 5% a year, and at the end of five years, you get your $1,000 back, assuming the bond is held to maturity, and the issuer does not default. Unfortunately, when you actually pull up that page of bonds on Vanguard, you’re going to see some trading at $980 and others at $1,100. Naturally, you start to think, "Wait, what do I do? Do I buy the premium bond or the discount bond?"

The key to remember is that yield to maturity is ultimately what you may get over the life of the bond, assuming you hold it until maturity. If you have a bond trading at a discount, it usually means it was issued with a lower interest rate, so the price dropped to adjust. While you might get lower income throughout the term, that price is going to pull back up by the time it matures. If it’s trading at 95, remember that it is expected to return to 100 by the time it matures, which can be tax-advantageous if you're in a low tax bracket, but may have different tax implications depending on your individual circumstances. Buying individual bonds can be tricky and there is a lot to consider. However, if you're looking through that list, yield to maturity is your friend. That is ultimately the estimated annualized return, assuming the bond is held to maturity, and all scheduled principal and interest payments are made.

Submit a question for Wes

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Wes goes beyond traditional money advice to provide an easy-to-follow lifestyle blueprint that correlates to a 96 percent chance of lasting retirement happiness, based on his 2025 “Money and Happiness in America” study.

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✅ Poll: What’s Your Take?

Every week, we'll ask a new question to get your take on the latest financial trends and topics.

If you hit your exact retirement "magic number" tomorrow, would you actually hand in your resignation?

Last Week’s Poll Results

We asked: “If you could afford it, would you give your children their inheritance while you are still alive?” Here’s how you answered:

Yes - (68%)
No - (32%)

💸 Money Tip of the Week

❝

Check your payment apps: Storing hundreds or thousands of dollars in popular peer-to-peer payment apps could put your hard-earned money at serious risk. A recent federal warning highlights that unlike traditional banks, these app balances lack FDIC insurance to protect your cash if a company goes under. To shield your savings from evaporating overnight, Clark recommends sweeping your balances back into a secure bank or credit union immediately. Check your apps this weekend to see if you have excess cash to move.

☎ Need Money Help?

The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

This information is provided to you as a resource for informational purposes only and is not to be viewed as investment advice or recommendations. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved. This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Any company names shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The views and opinions expressed are for educational purposes only as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

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If you have enough to retire comfortably, should you? (7 19 26)