Count The Future Ducks

“Remember That Retirement Letter from Social Security?”

You know the one. 😏

You were maybe 18 — working your summer job at the mall or a local restaurant — and a letter showed up from the Social Security Administration with your name on it. It detailed your estimated retirement benefits, based on those minimum wage hours you clocked after school. You probably laughed, tossed it in a drawer, and never thought about it again.

Now fast forward: You're 35 to 45. That drawer is long gone — but retirement is not.

Why Retirement Isn’t a Distant Concept Anymore

Most Americans in their mid-thirties to mid-forties are in a pivotal financial moment. According to the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, nearly 70% of people in this age group report that they “could be saving more for retirement” — but many feel behind, unsure, or just overwhelmed.

And understandably so.

The classic three-legged stool of retirement — pension, Social Security, and personal savings — has changed drastically. Pensions have all but vanished for most private sector workers. Social Security is projected to reduce benefits by 2035 if no reforms are made. And savings? Let’s be honest — many of us are still recovering from:

• Credit card mistakes in our 20s

• Income instability in our 30s

• And for many, the pandemic drained what we did have

But here’s the truth that many essays and financial thought leaders are finally putting front and center:

The top pillar of retirement today is guaranteed income — not guesswork, not gambling, and not hype. As economist Teresa Ghilarducci writes in her essay “Our Ridiculous Approach to Retirement,” Americans are asked to navigate retirement like trained money managers — with little to no real financial education. The result? We’re told it’s our job to pick the right stocks, time the market, and predict the future — on top of working, raising families, and paying off debt.

So What Should Retirement Look Like Now?

Retirement is no longer a one-size-fits-all age or dollar figure — it’s a strategy of freedom built over time. That strategy must include:

✔️ Understanding your income needs — not just in theory, but in real numbers

✔️ Recognizing your expenses — housing, healthcare, food, and the things you actually want to do

✔️ Building passive income paths — because relying solely on one source, like Social Security, leaves you exposed

✔️ Evaluating timing — when to make key decisions about housing, work, and lifestyle

It also means recovering from financial mistakes without shame and without feeling like you're too far behind to catch up. You are not.

Where Can Passive Income Come From?

The phrase “passive income” is everywhere — but what does it actually look like for our age group?

• Real estate income: Renting out a room, managing short-term rentals, or investing in REITs

• Small business or digital income: Turning a skill, knowledge, or service into a side business

• Creative assets: Royalties from writing, music, design, or online courses

• Pension alternatives: Some people explore annuities or income-generating accounts (though these require licensed financial pros)

Even downsizing debt and expenses is a kind of “income” — because every dollar you no longer owe is a dollar you control.

So Where Do You Start?

You don’t have to figure out the market. You don’t need to decode investment lingo. You just need a plan that makes sense for your life.

At The Jones Group of Western New York, we work with individuals and families who are building (or rebuilding) their retirement outlook — not by selling products, but by asking the right questions, helping you organize, and connecting you with trusted professionals when needed.

We help you:

• Review your Social Security estimates and retirement timeline

• Develop realistic retirement income strategies based on your actual life

• Create recovery plans from financial missteps

• Find opportunities for long-term stability and peace of mind

No Shame. No Pressure. Just Strategy.

If you're 35–45, it’s not too late. But it’s time to stop leaving retirement to chance. You’ve got years ahead to work smarter — not harder.

Let’s talk about what your future could really look like:

👉 www.thejonesgroupwny.com