Retirement Education Foundation: Empowering Individuals for a Secure Future
The Retirement Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing accessible and comprehensive retirement education to individuals and families. Through courses, workshops, and community outreach, the Foundation equips people with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of retirement planning and achieve financial security in their post-workforce years.
Mission and Purpose
As a charitable organization, the Retirement Education Foundation has a singular purpose of giving back to our communities. The Retirement Education Foundation's goal is making advanced financial education accessible to everyone. It achieves this by offering retirement education courses for those in and approaching retirement and offering financial literacy courses. Understanding that confidence in retirement starts with education, the Foundation strives to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their financial future.
Educational Programs and Initiatives
The Retirement Education Foundation offers a range of educational programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its audience. These programs include:
Advanced Retirement Course
The cornerstone of the Foundation's offerings is the Advanced Retirement Course, an in-depth program that covers key aspects of retirement planning. This eight-hour course, held inside a collaborative classroom environment, the Master’s level Retirement Education Course covers five financial topics key to helping you get the most out of your post-workforce years. Regardless of which financial professionals you choose to work with, the course is designed to give you the clarity and confidence to make well-informed decisions about your retirement.
The 8-hour advanced retirement course covers:
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- Income Planning: Strategies to Withdraw Retirement Income, When to Take Social Security, Pensions Versus Lump Sum Options, Planning for Inflation.
- Investments: Sequence of Returns Risk, Managing Volatility and Risk, What are ETFs, Understanding Mutual Funds, Types of Annuities, Life Insurance
- Tax Planning: Income Taxes, Tax Tables, Planning for Surviving Spouses, IRA to Roth Conversions
- Estate Planning: Trusts/Wills/Other Ancillary Estate Planning Documents, the Probate Process
Participants gain valuable insights into topics such as income planning, investment strategies, tax optimization, and estate planning. The course is designed to provide clarity and confidence, enabling attendees to make well-informed decisions about their retirement. This is a lot of information and overwhelming at times, but comprehensive. This is the first time I've seen a plan that takes into account everything and puts in all together.
The course is taught at most major universities in Michigan, Missouri and online. These advanced courses are appropriate for ages 50+ with a minimum of $250K of investable assets. Be prepared to commit the full day to the course.
Financial Literacy Courses
In addition to its retirement-focused programs, the Retirement Education Foundation also offers financial literacy courses. These courses aim to equip individuals with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to manage their finances effectively at all stages of life.
Community Outreach and Partnerships
The Retirement Education Foundation actively engages with the community through outreach events and partnerships with local organizations. On MLK Day, we had the opportunity to join Sistahs Reachin' Out (SRO) for their first annual Family Financial Fitness Fair. Throughout the day, we shared educational resources with families and individuals and hosted two breakout sessions focused on retirement education. Support from local partners like Apple Spice helps us stretch our resources and expand access to educational programming for the community. These collaborations enable the Foundation to reach a wider audience and provide valuable financial education to those who may not otherwise have access to it.
Addressing Retirement Challenges
The Retirement Education Foundation recognizes the challenges individuals face when planning for retirement. One of the key challenges is the complexity of turning accumulated assets into a sustainable income stream. People show up having done a solid job saving. They were disciplined. Accumulating assets is one phase. Turning those assets into income that has to last the rest of your life is another. Taxes start to matter more. Market risk shows up differently. Health care decisions carry financial consequences. That’s usually when people decide they want help. Reasonable.
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Overcoming the Accumulation vs. Distribution Phases
Kirk Cassidy and Michael Masserant break down what the financial service industry often gets wrong about retirement. They explore how the accumulation stage, which involves building retirement savings while working, has been overcomplicated by unnecessary products. Meanwhile, the distribution phase, which is about turning savings into income, has been dangerously oversimplified by outdated rules of thumb. This reversal, they explain, tends to benefit the industry rather than the retiree.
The Foundation emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of the distribution phase, where taxes, market risk, and healthcare decisions play a significant role.
Dispelling Misconceptions and Clichés
The Retirement Education Foundation actively challenges common misconceptions and clichés surrounding retirement planning. Episode 242: Many people delay retirement not because they lack money, but because what they call a plan does not give them confidence to stop working. In this episode, Kirk and Paul explain why you do not need to know everything to retire, while also identifying the key questions a real retirement plan must answer.
By providing evidence-based education and personalized guidance, the Foundation empowers individuals to make informed decisions based on their unique circumstances.
Sequence-of-Return Risk
Through our Retirement Education Course you’ll discover tools needed to have the best retirement possible. You’ll also learn how to avoid many of the mistakes other retirees and pre-retirees make, such as sequence-of-return risk - one of the biggest threats to a Baby Boomer’s retirement - and allowing short-term market events to impact your spending and investing decisions.
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Charitable Contributions and Partnerships
As a fiscally sponsored program of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity, the Retirement Education Foundation is committed to giving back to the community. We also have always contributed proceeds from our Retirement Education Course's $29 tuition and conducted fundraising for charitable partners through our Charitable Alliance. In 2026, we are pleased to announce that our Charitable Alliance is with Alzheimer's Association®. Through the generous donations of many community members, we were able to raise over $66,000 for them in 2024. We look forward to partnering with them again as we expand our programming. Tuition is $29 Proceeds from Courses go to CharityThrough our Retirement Education Course you’ll discover tools needed to have the best retirement possible.
Supporting Charitable Causes
Proceeds from the Retirement Education Course are donated to a wide array of important causes and charitable organizations, including Alzheimer’s Association, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Folds of Honor, and the Wounded Warrior Project. For 2026, we are partnered with the Alzheimer's Association and all proceeds will fund their mission of providing Alzheimer's education, care and support while advancing critical research. Your $29 tuition goes directly to this esteemed organization to support providing Alzheimer's education, care and support while advancing critical research.
Partnering with the Alzheimer's Association
Retirement Education Foundation is proud to announce a partnership with the Alzheimer's Association.
Expert Instructors and Financial Advisors
The Retirement Education Foundation's courses are taught by experienced financial instructors who are passionate about empowering individuals to achieve their retirement goals. Course instructors include financial advisors. Team members of C2 volunteer their time to support the Foundation, including teaching courses as financial instructors. Participation in its educational programs does not create or imply an advisory relationship with C2.
Kirk Cassidy
Kirk Cassidy is a nationally recognized speaker and educator. Kirk has also written a quarterly article for “Kiplinger,” is regular contributor on Fox 2 Detroit, and is the lead instructor for the Retirement Education Foundation. He has helped put thousands of people all over the country on a path to enjoying the type of retirement they’ve always dreamed of.
Dr. Paul Metler
DR. Dr. Paul Metler, Psy.D., MBA, has 20 years’ of experience in clinical, academic, administrative, and executive leadership positions in both public and private health care systems. Paul has developed and managed several businesses in both the private and public sector, serves as adjunct faculty at Western Michigan University, and has been a guest speaker and presenter on several topics related to aging within hospital, clinical, governmental, and business settings. Paul draws on his substantial experience working with retirees and their families, helping them cope with the financial challenges that come with aging and the retirement process.
Michael Masserant
Financial Instructor Michael Masserant, CFP® closed out 2025 on WJBK-TV FOX 2 Detroit with a year-end interview unpacking the biggest financial headlines of the year and offering practical tips for setting smarter goals as we step into 2026. Michael Masserant is a financial advisor.
Testimonials and Impact
The Retirement Education Foundation has had a profound impact on the lives of many individuals, empowering them to approach retirement with confidence and clarity.
Attendee Feedback
"This class literally changed our lives. I was so afraid to retire, worried about finances running out. The class showed what we need to do to make sure that we will be covered for at least 28 years after retirement."
"For anyone who is genuinely interested in learning about retirement planning, this class is outstanding. The insttion is professional and education-centric, like a college-level course."
"Very informative! Eight hours chock full of useful information! Definitely worthwhile for ANYONE approaching retirement, whether you are considering a financial advisor or planning your retirement finances yourself!"
"The class was very eye opening. I would suggested [sic] to everyone to attend a class. There is so much to learn. Even if you have a retirement planner go to a class to see if they are doing enough for you."
"My husband and I attended this retirement class and it was the BEST 8 hours we have ever spent. This course is fast paced, extremely informative and provides each participant with a much more comprehensive approach to their own retirement."
"I knew I didn’t know where to start with my retirement planning. But I didn’t know what I didn’t know until I took this course."
Course Benefits
Participants consistently praise the Retirement Education Course for its comprehensive content, engaging instruction, and practical tools. The best course I have ever seen on investing for retirement income. Touches on a large number or critical topics such as how to invest and take income without running out of money, how to avoid unnecessary & excessive fees, planning for effective management of money for a variety of market conditions, avoiding excessive tax payments, earning a higher income than expected, and securely retiring earlier than expected. How do I sign up to take it again…once was not enough! Chuck A. Very informative, overwhelming thought due to too much information to process, but in a good way. Michjoel This is a lot of information and overwhelming at times, but comprehensive. This is the first time I've seen a plan that takes into account everything and puts in all together. Patricia W. Fantastic course! So much information presented in the 8 hours. It was well worth the time Chris A. this class has been the most beneficial information on retirement that we have ever heard. Thank you so much for offering this vital info. Thank you for your passion to help us protect the money we have spent a lifetime building. Sara R. We have learned so much! The class is fast pace and we will need to go back to our notes for reminders. We think this should be a degreed course in college and a must take class for corporate. Highly recommend it! Monica & Alan W. I found it very valuable - chock full of information. So much so that I would like to attend the course again, because there is too much information to absorb even the time alloted is already pretty significant Scott W. Best $29 I’ve ever spent. So much important information learned. I will definitely be looking for “my team” after hearing everything involved with retiring. In person (Josh) and video along with booklet made the class easy to follow along. Thank you. Very beneficial!! Lynn H. Great information. Better than I expected. It is a complicated process. This is not the information you get from retirement or financial advisors. Thanks! it was a great investment of time. Tom S.
Attendees report gaining a deeper understanding of retirement planning principles, developing personalized strategies, and feeling more confident in their ability to achieve their financial goals.
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