In this episode of the Smart Wealth & Retirement Podcast, financial advisors and retirement planners Jim Martin & Casey Bibb of Martin Wealth Solutions tackle a sensitive — but very common — retirement challenge: when one spouse is ready to retire and the other isn’t.

Jim and Casey discuss why this situation happens more often than people expect and how differences in identity, purpose, finances, and timing can create tension. They explore the emotional and practical considerations behind staggered retirements, how income planning changes when only one spouse stops working, and why communication and clarity are critical before making any big decisions.

If you or your spouse are approaching retirement and feeling unsure about taking that step together, this episode offers thoughtful guidance to help couples move forward with confidence and alignment.

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00:00 – Introduction: When retirement timing isn’t aligned 01:46 – Why this issue comes up so often with couples 03:12 – Emotional reasons one spouse may not want to retire 05:08 – Identity, purpose, and work beyond the paycheck 07:06 – Financial concerns behind staggered retirements 09:02 – How income planning changes when one spouse retires 11:14 – Social Security and benefit timing considerations 13:06 – Communication mistakes couples often make 15:02 – How to start the retirement conversation productively 17:04 – Planning options when spouses retire at different times 19:10 – Real-life client examples and lessons learned 21:12 – Final thoughts and closing

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