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The Joy of Missing Out
Retirement promises freedom, but without boundaries, that freedom can quickly vanish. Coffee dates, volunteer roles, and favors pile up until you’re just as busy as before, only this time it’s unpaid. Saying no isn’t selfish; it’s how you protect the life you worked decades to build.
For many people, saying no feels uncomfortable because we learned early that approval equals safety. As adults, guilt reinforces that fear, leading to people-pleasing and chronic over commitment.
Retirement makes boundaries even more important. Free time doesn’t mean availability. Without intention, your calendar becomes everyone else’s convenience.
The solution is simple but not easy: build your days around what matters most and say no to what doesn’t. Treat your time like a castle—you control the drawbridge. Pause before committing, skip the apologies, expect pushback, and hold steady.
A well-chosen no makes room for a joyful yes—and that’s what retirement is meant to offer.
Click here for CAPTRUST at Work’s full article on The Joy of Missing Out.
The Importance of Updating Beneficiaries
A beneficiary is a person or organization you name to receive the money in your retirement account after you pass away. Many individuals name a primary beneficiary and a contingent beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the first person or organization that is entitled to your assets. The contingent beneficiary is essentially the backup. They will be entitled to your assets if the primary beneficiary predeceases the account holder or passes away before the proceeds are dispersed.
Naming a beneficiary on your retirement account may be the most important financial move you can make that takes the least amount of effort. That’s because, if no beneficiary is named on your account, the money will typically need to go through probate court before it’s distributed to your heirs according to your will (or according to state law if you have no will).
Simply put, the fastest, most efficient, and least frustrating way to ensure that the people (and potentially organizations) you love have access to this money is to name them as your beneficiaries.
For full details on The Importance of Beneficiary Designations, read TIAA’s full article by clicking here.
Engagement Corner
TIAA: Help boost your financial know-how with TIAA’s live webinars — see the flyer below for topics and dates. To see currently scheduled live webinars or previously recorded on-demand webinars, visit www.tiaa.org/webinars2025.
