St. John’s CFO Shares a Modern View of Retirement Planning in RBJ Article
“The best retirement plan is one that prioritizes independence,” writes Sabrina McLeod in a recent Rochester Business Journal bylined article. McLeod is executive vice president and chief financial officer at St. John’s, bringing 15 years of financial expertise to her role and the article.
In the article, “Retirement planning today: Preparing for independence, not just the future,” McLeod analyzes the trends and common questions she has noticed in the realm of retirement planning and finances. “I am seeing is the growing number of people who are preparing earlier,” she writes. “While traditional pensions have become less common, individuals are making use of hybrid insurance products and riders that add flexibility to their retirement strategies.”
McLeod notes that fewer and fewer people are relying solely on their Social Security and 401(k), but “are starting to think more creatively about how to build a diverse and resilient financial plan fit for their future.”
“There has been a noticeable change in how people in their 50s and 60s approach the idea of where they will live as they age,” McLeod says. She mentions that she is seeing older adults prioritize social connection and community-based living options with access to health services. “Today’s retirees are thinking about housing more intentionally.”
McLeod also writes about a common question she hears often: “Have I saved enough?” This question, and the complexities and uncertainty that its answers can bring, has plagued working adults in America for generations. McLeod suggests finding and partnering with a trusted financial planner “based on personal values, goals, and needs.”
“When done thoughtfully, retirement planning becomes not just about preparing for the end of something but creating the conditions for a fulfilling next chapter.”
