Month: October 2025

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Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Your TIAA Wealth Advisor (Ep. 4)

Top 5 Questions You Should Ask Your TIAA Wealth Advisor (Ep. 4)

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Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with complex products and advice that may not always align with your best interests.

In this episode, Greg Shepard breaks down five essential questions every TIAA participant should ask their advisor. He explains how to spot hidden fees, evaluate income strategies, and make informed choices that keep your money working for you. Greg also stresses the importance of education, transparency, and staying proactive about your retirement plan.

Key takeaways:

  • The importance of clarifying an advisor’s true investment philosophy and whether it aligns with your goals
  • Why relying solely on lifetime income could expose you to inflation risk
  • What to know about advisor fees, expense ratios, and trading costs
  • How to prepare for income changes in evolving interest rate environments
  • Tax efficiency strategies, including Roth conversions and planning for withdrawals
  • And more!

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Why 10 Years Out Matters for Your TIAA Plan (Ep. 3)

Why 10 Years Out Matters for Your TIAA Plan (Ep. 3)

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Ten. It is a simple number, but when it comes to your TIAA retirement plan, it can make all the difference.

In this episode of TIAA Simplified, Greg Shepard shares why preparing at least ten years before retirement is critical for higher-ed professionals with TIAA accounts. Through real client stories and clear explanations, Greg breaks down the importance of understanding liquidity, portfolio allocation, and the unique rules around TIAA Traditional.

Greg discusses:

  • Why waiting until the last minute can limit your retirement choices
  • The role of TIAA Traditional in your income strategy
  • How to rebalance your portfolio as you approach retirement
  • Common mistakes people make with too much or too little in Traditional
  • And more!

Connect with Greg Shepard: 

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