Tag: Higher Education
TIAA Traditional Lifetime Income Pros vs Cons (Ep. 7)

TIAA Traditional Lifetime Income Pros vs Cons (Ep. 7)

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Retirement income decisions can be overwhelming, especially when converting TIAA Traditional balances into lifetime income.

In this episode, Greg Shepard breaks down one of his most frequently asked questions: “Should I choose lifetime income, and how much?” Greg shares real client stories and explains the pros, cons, and emotional factors behind this important decision. He also explains how TIAA lifetime income works, when it makes sense, and how to avoid costly mistakes when selecting it.

Greg shares:

  • The key differences between lifetime income and maintaining liquidity
  • The ideal scenarios where lifetime income might make sense
  • The 40% guideline for transitioning to lifetime income
  • Emotional and behavioral factors that influence retirement decisions
  • The importance of asking the right questions before locking in your plan
  • And more!

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TIAA Traditional: How Can I Balance Annuitization with Other Income Strategies? (Ep. 5)

TIAA Traditional: How Can I Balance Annuitization with Other Income Strategies? (Ep. 5)

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For many, the word “annuitization” can feel confusing or intimidating. But understanding it can unlock powerful retirement income strategies.

In this episode, Greg Shepard explains what annuitization really means, who it’s best for, and the key benefits and risks to be aware of. He also breaks down how it works within TIAA plans, when to consider it, and the hidden tax and inflation factors you need to keep in mind.

Key takeaways:

  • What annuitization means and how TIAA provides fixed lifetime income
  • How to combine annuitized income with flexible sources like rollover IRAs and Social Security
  • Why annuitization may benefit people who are less comfortable with managing money
  • The estate planning pitfalls of annuities and what beneficiaries need to know
  • The impact of inflation on annuities and why delaying annuitization may be more advantageous
  • And more!

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Understanding TIAA’s Hidden Nuances (Ep. 2)

Understanding TIAA’s Hidden Nuances (Ep. 2)

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Many higher education and medical professionals depend on TIAA for their retirement savings, yet most don’t fully understand the fine print.

From liquidity restrictions to overlooked contract details, the consequences of not asking the right questions can be costly.

This week, Greg Shepard breaks down the most common misunderstandings about TIAA Traditional and explains why a personalized approach is critical.

His mission is clear: simplify the complexities so you can make informed decisions well before retirement.

Greg discusses:

  • Why TIAA’s complexities often only become clear close to retirement
  • The importance of knowing whether your TIAA Traditional funds are liquid or illiquid
  • How over-concentration in TIAA Traditional can derail retirement plans
  • Why contract details are often missed and how to find them
  • The need for customized strategies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach
  • And more!

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Meet the Man Behind the Mic: Introduction to TIAA Simplified’s Greg Shepard (Ep. 1)

Meet the Man Behind the Mic: Introduction to TIAA Simplified’s Greg Shepard (Ep. 1)

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Most people believe their retirement plan is on autopilot. But what if the fine print in your TIAA Traditional account could derail everything at the finish line?

In the premiere episode of TIAA Simplified, Greg Shepard shares how helping higher ed professionals navigate their TIAA investments has completely reshaped his approach to advising. 

These aren’t just account balances and allocations. They’re emotional, high-stakes decisions often made without the right information. Greg dives into the real stories of confusion, frustration, and life-altering revelations that sparked his mission to bring clarity to this overlooked topic.

Greg discusses:

  • How years of traditional financial advising felt empty until he began helping TIAA participants with their most pressing questions
  • The overlooked restrictions inside TIAA Traditional and how they catch people off guard near retirement
  • Why even highly intelligent professionals struggle to understand the mechanics of their plan
  • What pushed Greg to start making videos and podcasts that became lifelines for people in need of answers
  • The urgency of asking the right questions well before retirement to avoid irreversible planning mistakes
  • And more!

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