"This sounds too good to be true, but you've got to believe in those that are looking at it for you and trusting in the people with Pacific Life email addresses that are sending you the documents."

So many stories of financial fraud and mismanagement boil down to statements just like this one. All too often, the folks who are losing large sums of money are hardworking folks working 9-to-5s who don't have a team of professionals looking out for them, and whose finances may never recover.

But, in this case, the quote above is from racecar driver Kyle Busch, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion whose net worth is estimated to be around $80 million. Earlier this month, Busch and his wife Samantha sued Pacific Life insurance company for $8.5 million, alleging that Pacific Life misrepresented how a policy worked and lost almost $10.4 million that the Busches thought they were safely investing for retirement.

On today's show, we draw three important lessons from the Busches' lawsuit that could help you steer clear of a similar financial crash.

"Risk" and "uncertainty" are similar concepts. But your financial plan has to be prepared to cope with both.

I think that mix is what's making some folks a little uneasy right now. In addition to the typical risks that all investors accept, we're also dealing with uncertainty around the government shutdown and what the effects on the economy will be until our leaders get back to the negotiating table.

And, despite strong market returns this year, some observers are uncertain about the outsized impact that big tech companies might be having on portfolios.

On today's show, we try to clear away some of the fog around the shutdown and the latest market data so that folks can start clarifying their plans for 2026.

Change is in the air every fall – not just in the leaves and weather, but in your financial planning.

At this time of year, the federal government announces some important rate adjustments that affect tax planning and retirement benefits for the year ahead.

And complicating matters this fall is a government shutdown that has many seniors worried about the benefits and services that they've earned, and that they rely on.

On today's show, we answer questions from some very astute listeners in the Keen on Retirement audience who are already looking ahead and wondering what they need to prepare for as we move towards the end of the year.