Kentucky Retirement Planning: Why You Need to Know What You Own

Episode Air Date: July 19, 2025

The Hidden Dangers of One-Size-Fits-All Retirement Portfolios

Are you approaching retirement with a portfolio you don’t truly understand? In this week’s Financial Hour, Kentucky retirement planning experts Tom Dupree and Mike Johnson reveal why knowing what you own could be the difference between a secure retirement and financial uncertainty.

Why Modern Retirement Planning Requires a New Approach

Retirement as we know it is changing dramatically. As Tom explains, “Retirement, as it’s defined today, really didn’t come about until the 1930s to 1970s.” With people living longer and facing late career job losses, the traditional retirement model no longer works for many Americans.

Key Insights from This Episode:

• The emotional side of retirement planning that engineers and analytical minds often overlook
• How Morningstar style box changes are secretly increasing your portfolio risk
• Why separate account management can beat mutual funds for retirement investors
• The critical difference between personalized investment management and mass-market approaches

Personalized Investment Management vs Fisher’s Mass-Market Approach

Unlike large firms that assign you to an “investment counselor,” Dupree Financial Group provides direct access to portfolio managers who understand your unique situation. As Tom emphasizes:

“When we’re looking at a company, we’re not owning it because it’s a large growth stock. We’re owning it because we like the company. It’s got characteristics, the cash flow of the investment.”

The Dupree Difference:

• In-house research conducted personally by the Dupree team
• Individual stock ownership rather than co-mingled mutual funds
• Complete transparency – you see exactly what you own
• Cash flow-focused investments for reliable retirement income

The Hidden Risks in Your Current Portfolio

Many pre-retirees don’t realize their “conservative” investments have become riskier due to recent Morningstar style box reclassifications. Mike Johnson explains how supposedly stable large blend funds now carry higher volatility:

“Large blend funds have become more like a growth fund. Value funds have become more like a blend fund, which means you actually have higher volatility.”

This means your retirement portfolio may be taking on more risk than you realize.

Why Separate Account Management Beats Mutual Funds

The mechanics of mutual funds work against long-term retirement investors. When you own individual stocks through separate account management:

• No unwanted tax consequences from other investors’ actions
• Complete ownership of your specific investments
• Direct access to your money without going through fund managers
• Customized portfolios tailored to your retirement timeline

As Tom notes: “Your money is always your money, and there are no penalties to get it back.”

Planning for Retirement’s Emotional Challenges

The numbers are only half the retirement equation. Tom shares insights about clients who were financially prepared but emotionally unprepared for retirement:

“They hadn’t been planning for the emotional part of it. They looked at it like it was an engineering problem. But it wasn’t. It’s a human being problem.”

Essential Retirement Planning Elements:

• Financial preparation through proper asset allocation
• Emotional readiness for identity changes
• Flexibility to adapt as markets and life circumstances change
• Understanding the ‘why’ behind your investment strategy

Take Action: Schedule Your Personalized Portfolio Analysis

Don’t retire with a portfolio you don’t understand. At Dupree Financial Group, we provide complimentary portfolio reviews to help you understand exactly what you own and whether it aligns with your retirement goals.

Why Choose a Local Financial Advisor:

• Lexington, Kentucky-based advisors who understand regional economic factors
• Personal relationships built over decades of service
• Customized strategies not available through national firms
• Direct access to decision-makers managing your money

Ready to take control of your retirement planning?

Schedule Your Free Consultation | Call (859) 233-0400

Recommended Resources:

• Personalized Portfolio Analysis – Discover what you really own
• Kentucky Retirement Planning Services – Local expertise for local retirees
• Investment Philosophy – Learn our cash-flow focused approach
• Market Commentary Archive – Access all Financial Hour episodes

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