Retirement Examined

The weekly email that keeps you up to date on exciting Retirement topics in an enjoyable, entertaining way for free.

The Growing Financial and Emotional Burden on Spouses and Families in Long-Term Care

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

Retirement today doesn’t always mean rest and relaxation. For millions of Americans, especially those in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, retirement now includes something far more demanding — caregiving.

A new national report shows that more than 60 million Americans are currently caring for an aging or disabled loved one. And while adult children caring for parents make up a large portion of that group, a significant and growing number of caregivers are spouses — husbands and wives who never imagined their golden years would be spent managing medications, assisting with mobility, and providing full-time support for a partner in decline.

For many others, caregiving doesn’t just come from one direction. Members of the so-called sandwich generation — often in their 40s, 50s, or early 60s — are finding themselves caught between caring for aging parents while also supporting children or grandchildren at home. The emotional and financial pressure of juggling both sides is profound, and it can derail even the best-laid retirement plans.

When Your Partner Becomes Your Patient

Consider the story of Thomas and Linda, a couple from Dayton, Ohio, married for 42 years. When Thomas retired at age 68, he envisioned road trips, golf outings, and time with his grandkids. But within a year, Linda was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Life changed immediately.

Thomas now wakes up multiple times each night to help her to the bathroom. He prepares her meals, tracks her medication schedule, helps with bathing, and manages all their finances. “She used to handle the grocery list,” he says. “Now she doesn’t remember what a grocery store is.”

Thomas has become her full-time caregiver, logging nearly 60 hours per week. He no longer attends social events, and the couple’s retirement savings are being used to pay for limited in-home health aides so he can leave the house for brief errands. The emotional toll is crushing. “You lose your partner long before they’re gone,” he says. “But you still have to keep showing up.”

Stories like Thomas’s are becoming increasingly common. Spouses provide more hours of unpaid care than any other group. The intensity of this role is often invisible to others — there’s no paycheck, no benefits, and often, no breaks. It’s simply done out of love.

Caught in the Middle: The Sandwich Generation

For those who aren’t yet retired, or who are delaying retirement due to caregiving, the challenges can be even more complicated. The sandwich generation is made up of people caring for aging parents while still raising children or financially supporting adult kids.

Take, for example, a 55-year-old working mother caring for her father who has Parkinson’s while also trying to help her daughter through college. She may be using vacation time to take her father to medical appointments, paying for his prescriptions, and still covering her child’s tuition or rent. In many cases, the caregiver ends up sacrificing their own financial future to support two generations at once.

Nearly one-third of caregivers in this situation report stopping contributions to retirement savings. A quarter say they’ve fully depleted their short-term savings. Others reduce work hours or quit jobs entirely to meet caregiving demands, putting their own long-term security at risk.

Financial Planning for the Realities of Caregiving

Whether you’re a retiree, a spouse, or part of the sandwich generation, caregiving is a financial event. It changes your monthly budget, affects your earning potential, and can disrupt everything from estate plans to Social Security timing. The key is planning ahead.

Here are a few essential steps:

• Build a Caregiving Reserve Fund
  Treat it like an emergency fund — set aside money specifically to help with care-related expenses such as home aides, medical supplies, or time off work.

• Review Long-Term Care Insurance Options
  Even partial coverage can ease the financial burden and allow for professional help if a spouse or parent requires it.

• Consolidate and Simplify Legal Documents
  Ensure powers of attorney, health care directives, and estate plans are up to date and easy to manage if one spouse becomes incapacitated.

• Involve the Whole Family Early
  Talk with adult children about expectations. If you're part of the sandwich generation, it's crucial to define roles, responsibilities, and financial boundaries now.

• Connect With Community Resources
  Local Aging and Disability Resource Centers, along with national organizations like AARP, can provide guidance, training, and referrals for services like respite care.

A Labor of Love — But Also a Call to Prepare

For many, caregiving is an act of devotion. Whether caring for a spouse with dementia or supporting both a parent and a child, the experience often brings deep emotional meaning, but it also brings exhaustion, grief, and financial pressure.

The reality is that long-term care isn’t just something that “might” happen. It’s already happening in homes across the country, behind closed doors, often to people who never saw it coming.

If you’re nearing retirement or already there, don’t wait for a crisis to build your plan. Talk to a trusted financial advisor. Review your options. Understand what caregiving would mean for your household — emotionally, physically, and financially.

Because the truth is, even the strongest caregivers need support, and even the best retirement plan needs to account for the unexpected.

Reach out to us for a complimentary, 10-minute consultation call. A well-prepared retirement plan should do more than manage your investments — it should help you navigate the real-life challenges that come with aging, caregiving, and family responsibilities. Whether you're caring for a spouse, supporting aging parents, or balancing both while still providing for your children, we’re here to help you plan with confidence. Call 614-943-2265 to schedule your free consultation. A few thoughtful steps today can make all the difference tomorrow.

“We Never Planned for This”

A Candid Conversation About Caregiving and Retirement

by Eric Seyboldt, MBA

When Retirement Becomes Caregiving

Client:
Eric, I don’t even know how to begin. I thought we were ready for retirement. But now I’m caring for my husband full-time. His health is declining, and I feel like everything we planned is falling apart.

Eric:
I’m really glad you brought this up. Most people don’t. Caregiving isn’t part of the “retirement dream” we talk about, but for millions of Americans, it’s the reality. You’re doing more than you ever imagined, and it’s taking a toll. Let’s take a deep breath and work through this one step at a time.

The Financial Strain of Spousal Care

Client:
We did everything right. Paid off the house. Saved consistently. No debt. But now we’re going through our savings fast — medications, supplies, part-time help — it adds up. And I haven’t been able to work at all.

Eric:
What you’re experiencing is more common than people realize. Over 60 million Americans are family caregivers right now. And among retirees, the most heavily impacted group is spouses. When one partner becomes the patient, the other becomes the full-time caregiver, with zero training, no income, and all the responsibility.

Facing the Hard Truth

Client:
I guess I’ve been thinking it’s just a rough patch. But... he’s not going to get better.

Eric:
That’s a hard realization, but an honest one. The moment you acknowledge that caregiving is now a part of your long-term reality, we can stop reacting and start planning. This isn’t about fear, it’s about building a framework that protects you both.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Client:
But what can we even do at this point? It already feels like I’m drowning.

Eric:
First, we’ll get clarity. We’ll sort through your spending — what’s necessary, what’s flexible, and where you’re overextended. Then we’ll look into outside resources — programs, tax relief, caregiver support options. A lot of families don’t know what’s available until they’re in crisis.

Next, we review your legal and financial documents. Powers of attorney, medical directives, and your estate plan all need to be current. If something were to happen to you, we need to know the next steps are already in place.

You’re Not Alone

Client:
I hadn’t even thought about that. I’ve been so focused on him, I forgot to think about myself.

Eric:
That’s exactly why we plan. You’re not just a caregiver, you’re now the household’s decision-maker. My job is to help you protect your future without burning out in the process. And for what it’s worth, you’re doing an incredible job under incredibly difficult circumstances.

Final Thoughts

Eric:
I bring this up with every client now, no matter how healthy they are. Because retirement isn’t just about investments and vacations. It’s about life, and life throws curveballs. The sooner we plan for the hard parts, the more freedom we have to enjoy the good ones.

If you’re a caregiver, preparing to become one, or just realizing that your retirement plan may not account for the unexpected, now is the time to start a conversation.

Call 614-943-2265 to schedule a complimentary 10-minute consultation.
A few thoughtful steps today can help protect your health, your finances, and the people you love.

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Fixed annuities can be an essential component of a well-rounded retirement strategy, offering security, predictability, and efficiency in financial planning.

These are current fixed annuity rates and their durations from Top A-rated carriers (subject to change at any time, not FDIC insured):

Rates Are Maxing Out! Don’t Wait To Lock These Fixed Annuity Rates In Today! 6.70% is possible now!

3-year: 5.50% (under $100k Deposited)

3-year: 5.75% (over $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.10% (under $100k Deposited)

5-year: 6.35% (over $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.35% (under $100k Deposited)

7-year: 6.65% (over $100k Deposited)

Please feel free to call Eric at 614-943-2265 if you’d like to ask any questions or request information on these fixed annuities or other retirement topics that are on your mind.

REAL ASSETS, Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy

Invest Like the Ultra-Wealthy: Why Smart Money Is Flocking to Real Assets Like Gold

Let’s call it like it is: the traditional retirement game plan is starting to look outdated. Inflation keeps climbing, the dollar doesn’t stretch like it used to, and central banks continue flooding the system with liquidity. Meanwhile, the markets? Still as volatile and unpredictable as ever.

That’s why today’s smartest investors aren’t sitting on the sidelines—they’re taking action.

They’re turning to gold—a timeless, tangible asset that doesn’t disappear when Wall Street stumbles. Gold has quietly built and preserved wealth through centuries of financial upheaval.

This isn’t just a hedge. It’s a proven strategy for uncertain times.

📌 Gold has stood the test of time as a store of value across every major crisis.
📌 It provides a reliable safeguard against inflation and currency devaluation.
📌 Unlike stocks or bonds, gold is a physical asset you can see, hold, and control on your terms.

When the future feels uncertain, gold offers stability, security, and peace of mind. Make it a cornerstone of your retirement strategy today.

During market chaos, real assets don’t flinch. They thrive. History proves it. While equities tumble, hard assets often surge—shielding portfolios and delivering asymmetric returns when they're needed most.

And even in calm times? They add powerful diversification. That’s why the ultra-wealthy use them as a cornerstone—not a sideshow—in their wealth strategy.

Ask yourself:

🧠 Are you truly diversified?
🧠 What happens to your retirement if inflation stays elevated?
🧠 If the dollar weakens, what asset in your portfolio gets stronger?

If you don’t have a good answer, it’s time for a new conversation.

Allocating funds into the asset class known as “Real Assets” may be a strategy that you should consider.

Ask us how to Rollover a portion of Your IRA or 401k To a GOLD IRA (see link below) and:

• Safeguard your assets from the collapsing dollar

• Incorporate the ‘REAL ASSET’ class into your portfolio like the ultra-wealthy

• Hedge against the current high-inflation conditions

• Protect your retirement assets against economic crises

Just get in touch. We make it easier than ever.

Feedback or Questions?

You’re invited to get in touch with us if you’d like to find out how the Novus Financial Group can help you on your journey to a happy, fulfilling life in Retirement. 

Office: 614-943-2265

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Investment advisory services are offered by duly registered individuals on behalf of CreativeOne Wealth, LLC a Registered Investment Adviser.

The content we provide here isn’t financial advice and cannot be taken as such. Please speak to your financial advisor before making any investment decision. Also, note that every investment comes with its risks and drawbacks. Lastly, we would like to remind you that past results cannot guarantee future returns.

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