Charleston's Retirement Coach

Hosted by Brandon Bowen

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Episodes

312

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Welcome to "Charleston's Retirement Coach," hosted by Brandon Bowen, seasoned financial advisor and founder of Bowen Wealth, LLC. Each week, join Brandon as he unpacks the complexities of planning for retirement with straightforward, actionable insights tailored specifically to help you achieve financial peace of mind. In Charleston and beyond, retirement planning can seem daunting. Brandon brings over two decades of experience directly to you, covering everything from investment strategies and estate planning to tax considerations and insurance options. Whether you're an early-career professional beginning to save, or you're nearing retirement age and need to refine your plans, this show has something valuable for you. Brandon's down-to-earth approach makes financial concepts accessible to all, no matter your level of financial knowledge. "Charleston's Retirement Coach" strives to equip listeners with the knowledge they need to navigate their retirement journey confidently. Tune in to transform how you think about retirement. Secure your future with Brandon Bowen, and take the first step towards a retirement filled with freedom and stability. Subscribe now to never miss an episode of Charleston's Retirement Coach. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today 👉 https://bit.ly/3WoNJZT Also on Facebook and YouTube .

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 25, 202610 min

Could One Market Drop Change Your Retirement Plans?

Could a market downturn at the wrong time have a greater impact on your retirement than you expect? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses sequence of returns risk and why market losses can be especially challenging for retirees who are drawing income from their portfolios. He explains how strong market performance can sometimes create a false sense of security, the importance of balancing growth with income planning, and why investors nearing retirement may want to evaluate their risk exposure. Plus, Brandon shares a real-world example of how market volatility affected a retiree’s portfolio and the lessons it offers for retirement planning. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 18, 202611 min

Are These Common Retirement Assumptions Putting Your Plan at Risk?

Could one of the biggest retirement mistakes be assuming everything is already taken care of? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses several common assumptions that can create challenges for retirees and pre-retirees. Topics include evaluating whether your investment strategy still aligns with your goals, understanding the role of estate planning beyond high-net-worth households, and recognizing when a financial plan may need updates. The conversation explores how costs, taxes, beneficiary designations, and long-term planning decisions can affect retirement outcomes and why periodic reviews remain an important part of the planning process. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 11, 202613 min

Could Your Estate Plan Handle a Family Crisis?

What happens when a family crisis exposes gaps in an estate plan? On this episode, Brandon Bowen shares a real-life client story that highlights the importance of having a trust, clear estate documents, and a coordinated retirement strategy. As health challenges, long-term care expenses, and family disagreements emerge, Brandon explains how proper planning can help provide direction during difficult situations. He also discusses the role of financial advisors, trusts, beneficiary designations, and retirement planning in protecting assets and helping families navigate major life transitions. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 4, 202611 min

Are You Entering Retirement’s Third Quarter Without a Plan?

Are you entering retirement’s third quarter without a clear game plan? In this episode, Brandon Bowen discusses why midyear can be an important time to review retirement savings, evaluate spending habits, reduce debt, and put idle cash to work. He explains how small adjustments today may affect your retirement readiness and shares a real-world example of building toward a long-term retirement goal through consistent planning and disciplined saving. Learn what questions to ask as retirement approaches and why regular plan reviews can help keep your strategy aligned with your objectives Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 28, 202612 min

Are You Approaching Retirement Without a Real Plan?

Retirement may be the biggest trip of your life—but have you planned the journey or are you hoping everything works out when you arrive? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains why retirement planning requires more than simply reaching a savings goal. The conversation covers Social Security timing, tax strategies, investment allocation, retirement income planning, and common blind spots that can catch retirees off guard. Learn how having a well-defined retirement roadmap can help you evaluate key decisions before leaving the workforce and why preparation often matters as much as the destination itself. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 21, 202610 min

Could Your First Year of Retirement Change Everything?

What if the first year of retirement sets the tone for everything that follows? On this episode, Brandon Bowen explores the emotional and financial challenges many retirees face during their transition from work to retirement. Through a real-life client story, he discusses the balance between spending and saving, the impact of health and stress on retirement decisions, and how having a clear retirement strategy can help bring greater confidence to life after work. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 14, 202611 min

Are You Following the Right Roadmap to Retirement?

What if retirement planning is less about reaching a destination and more about knowing which turns to take along the way? Brandon Bowen explains how key retirement milestones like Social Security, Medicare, pensions, and paying off debt can shape your retirement timeline. Through a real-life client story, he shows how a flexible retirement plan can adapt when life circumstances change, helping retirees evaluate their options as goals and priorities evolve. The conversation highlights the importance of having a personalized roadmap that accounts for both financial resources and the unexpected changes that often come with retirement. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

July 7, 20269 min

The Three Tax Buckets Every Retiree Should Understand

Could the way you've saved for retirement create an unexpected tax problem later on? In this episode, Brandon Bowen explains the three primary tax buckets—tax-deferred, taxable, and tax-free accounts—and why having a mix of each can create more flexibility in retirement. He discusses common challenges retirees face when most of their savings are concentrated in one account type, along with strategies to consider when planning withdrawals and managing taxes. Learn how thoughtful tax diversification can play an important role in an overall retirement income plan. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 30, 202614 min

Should You Chase the Next Big IPO?

Excited about the next big IPO? That excitement could lead to costly decisions if not managed carefully. Brandon Bowen discusses the hype around high-profile IPOs and why investors nearing retirement may need to approach them cautiously. He explains how emotions like FOMO can influence decision-making and highlights the importance of maintaining a disciplined investment strategy. The episode also explores diversification, reducing single-stock risk, and aligning investments with income needs. If market headlines are shaping your choices, this conversation offers perspective on staying focused on your long-term plan. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

June 23, 202612 min

The Hidden Leak in Your Retirement Plan

A hidden leak nearly flooded his backyard—and it mirrors a financial issue many retirees overlook. In this episode, Brandon Bowen reacts to Jamie Dimon’s take on tackling problems early, using a real-life story to highlight why delays can lead to bigger complications. From managing debt to prioritizing health and addressing estate planning gaps, the conversation focuses on organizing what may be scattered across accounts and advisors. Hear how coordination between professionals—and clear communication—can help bring structure to retirement planning and legacy considerations. Like what you hear? Get a second opinion today: bowenwealth.com Follow us on social media: YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.