Retire Well, Live Fully. Why Wellment Financial Is More Than a New Name

Episode 069
Aired on January 3, 2026

“Retirement is not a one time event. It is the period of life where you have the most responsibility and the most opportunity to control your taxes.”

Retirement planning is not just about reaching a number. It is about stepping into a new chapter with confidence, clarity, and purpose.

In this episode of Retire Well, Josh Bretl explains why his firm’s recent rebrand from FSR Wealth Strategies to Wellment Financial is more than a name change. It is a reflection of how retirement planning has evolved and what retirees actually need today.

Why the Name Changed, and Why It Matters

FSR began in 1988 as a CPA firm founded by Josh’s father. Over the decades, the firm naturally shifted as clients approached retirement and needed more than tax preparation.

They needed guidance on income planning, Social Security, healthcare, investments, and taxes over a lifetime. The new name, Wellment Financial, blends wellness, momentum, and retirement into a single idea.

Retirement should not feel like an ending. It should feel like a turning point.

Josh explains that the rebrand was driven by one simple question. What truly sets the firm apart? While tax expertise is a major differentiator, it is not the only one. The firm focuses on helping clients feel prepared, supported, and confident through one of life’s biggest transitions.

The Three Pillars of Wellment Financial

At the heart of the conversation are the three pillars that guide everything the firm does.

  • Smart tax focused retirement planning. Taxes impact retirement more than almost any other variable. With in-house CPAs, the team focuses on minimizing taxes not just this year, but over a lifetime.
  • Your entire financial life under one roof. Retirement planning works best when investments, income strategies, insurance, and taxes are coordinated instead of handled in silos.
  • A community where you belong. Retirement is not only a financial shift. It is an emotional and social one. Wellment emphasizes connection, education, and shared experiences among clients.

Why Taxes Deserve More Attention in Retirement

Much of the episode focuses on taxes, because modern retirement is built around IRAs and 401(k)s instead of pensions. Josh explains how required minimum distributions can create surprise tax bills later in life, even for retirees who felt they were paying very little in taxes early on.

He also breaks down how Social Security taxation works, why up to 85 percent of benefits can be taxable, and how decisions around income sources directly affect Medicare premiums. The message is clear. Retirement is often the time when you have the most control over taxes, but only if you plan ahead.

“I always thought Uncle Sam was going to get his money back through dead people, because nobody seems to care how much we tax them.”

Planning for Change, Including the Unexpected

Josh highlights several changes that catch retirees off guard. The SECURE Act eliminated the stretch IRA, creating larger tax burdens for heirs. The death of a spouse can trigger one of the biggest tax increases a retiree will ever face, simply by moving from married to single tax brackets. These are not hypothetical issues. They are common and costly if ignored.

The discussion also touches on Roth conversions, long-term care planning, and the importance of revisiting strategies every year as tax laws evolve. Retirement planning is not a one time event. It is an ongoing process.

Throughout the episode, Josh returns to the same idea. Retirement should be the best part of life. With thoughtful planning, education, and support, it can be.

Ready to talk? Call (630) 478-9599 to schedule your complimentary 15-minute call with a Wellment advisor.