Huntington, W.Va. – A multi-session seminar at Marshall University aimed at helping residents overcome financial uncertainty in preparation for retirement, providing in-depth instruction on topics ranging from risk management to long-term investment strategies.
The Retirement Planning Basics Course, led by financial advisors from Baird Wealth Management, will run for three consecutive weeks beginning in mid-April.
Each session will last approximately two and a half hours, with a total of more than seven hours of instruction.
According to Tyler Hutchison, vice president and financial advisor and program participant at Baird Wealth Management, the seminar is designed as a comprehensive overview for a wide range of participants – ranging from those who are just starting to think about retirement to individuals approaching retirement eligibility within the next few years.
“It’s a comprehensive course, but it breaks down things from retirement income and taxes to investing and estate planning to help answer those big questions,” Hutchison said.
At the center of those discussions is a question that many people struggle to answer, Hutchison said.
“At the highest level, a lot of people want to know if they have enough money to retire and what that really means,” Hutchison said. “It’s an individual thing. It depends on your lifestyle and expenses.”
For example, Hutchison said people with moderate incomes and fiscal spending habits may have significantly different planning and financial goals in retirement than higher-earning individuals with expensive assets.
No matter what current income or variability is, retirement planning and long-term finances should be considered by everyone.
The course will cover key financial fundamentals, including calculating retirement needs, managing investment risks, and planning income in retirement. It will also explore more detailed topics such as required minimum distributions, tax strategies, and common financial pitfalls.
These include misconceptions about income requirements, Social Security access, and compounding accounts, which organizers describe as “12 costly errors” people often make when preparing for retirement.
Hutchison said these concerns have become more pronounced amid the current economic uncertainty.
“It feels like it’s always something going on — inflation, current geopolitical tensions,” he said. “There’s always a reason to be worried, but through comprehensive financial planning, you can reduce some of that uncertainty.”
Hutchison said that while there are always matters to consider, such as last year’s tariffs and the current inflation rate, retirement planning accounts for those “what if” scenarios, again depending on each individual’s concerns or financial goals.
Hutchison said that although it is difficult to predict the economic future, it is possible to analyze most scenarios through money management. For example, Hutchison said his clients can create a budget for their retirement fund with current inflation forecasts in mind, but they should also have a plan in place if the inflation rate rises higher than expected.
Rather than focusing solely on those long-term projections, the seminar will emphasize understanding current financial habits as a foundation for future planning.
“You have to understand where your dollars are going,” Hutchison said. “It’s not necessary to create a budget, but at a minimum, you need a clear picture of your spending before planning for retirement.”
This awareness helps individuals identify opportunities to increase savings, adjust spending habits to open up cash flow, and better align financial decisions with long-term goals, he said.
The seminar also introduces participants to a range of retirement savings plans or accounts, including employer-based plans such as 401k accounts compared to individual retirement accounts such as traditional and Roth IRAs.
Hutchison said taking advantage of employer matches and starting early can have a significant impact on long-term outcomes through compound interest.
“People don’t always understand the importance of compounding and how much a dollar can add up to over time,” he said. “The sooner you start, the better off you will be.”
While the curriculum covers complex financial topics, the seminars are designed to be accessible and educational through real-world examples and commonly addressed concerns.
The course is open to people regardless of income or occupation, but Hutchison said the seminar is especially beneficial for those who are starting to make more immediate financial decisions between the ages of 50 to 70 or within five years of retirement.
Still, he stressed that planning ahead is one of the most important factors in long-term financial stability.
“Retirement planning is only important if you want to retire,” Hutchison said, noting that while many individuals rely on Social Security, future benefits can be uncertain and other retirement options are possible.
In addition to Hutchison, the curriculum will include workshops led by certified financial planners Alexandra Spangler, a financial advisor specializing in financial portfolio optimization, and CJ Jessup, an associate financial advisor with experience in money management and personal planning.
Seminar participants will receive a workbook with exercises and examples designed to help them apply the material to their own financial situations. Optional individual consultations with the instructor will also be available after the final session.
For in-person instruction, those interested in the seminar can register for three workshops from 6-8:30 pm on the following Mondays: April 20, April 27 and May 4 at the Brad D. Smith Center for Business and Innovation, 1425 4th Ave., Downtown Huntington.
A virtual option is also available the following Wednesdays: April 22, 29 and May 6 from 6-8:30 p.m.
The course requires pre-registration and costs $99 per person or per couple.
To register visit marshall.edu/microcredentials/ Retirement planning.
