Skip to main content
  • Thrivent.com
  • MyThrivent
  • Broker Check
Thrivent logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Solutions
  • Insights
  • Events
Contact Me
  • Home
  • About
  • Solutions
  • Insights
  • Events
  • Contact Me
  • Thrivent.com
  • MyThrivent
  • Broker Check

Insights

I've got valuable information and resources to share. Explore away! And check back often.

Image Read Post

You lost your top employee last year and still don’t offer any benefits? 80% of employees say they’d stay longer if they had retirement benefits — and it’s one of the most affordable retention tools out there. You’re not a bad boss… you just need a better strategy. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: MetLife Employee Benefit Trends Study 🔗 Read here See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

You lost your top employee last year and still don’t offer any benefits? 80% of employees say they’d stay longer if they had retirement benefits — and it’s one of the most affordable retention tools out there. You’re not a bad boss… you just need a better strategy. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: MetLife Employee Benefit Trends Study 🔗 Read here See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

You're telling me you gave the IRS a $40,000 tip last year... on purpose? That’s what happens when business owners don’t leverage retirement plans or advanced tax strategies. SEP IRA. Solo 401(k). Defined Benefit Plan. You’ve got options. You’re working too hard to just hand that money over. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Up to $69,000/year in deductible contributions available. 🔗 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

You're telling me you gave the IRS a $40,000 tip last year... on purpose? That’s what happens when business owners don’t leverage retirement plans or advanced tax strategies. SEP IRA. Solo 401(k). Defined Benefit Plan. You’ve got options. You’re working too hard to just hand that money over. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Up to $69,000/year in deductible contributions available. 🔗 IRS Retirement Plan Contribution Limits See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

Know a small business owner in your life? Maybe it’s your friend, sibling, or a gym buddy. ⚠️ 64% of small biz owners don’t have an exit plan. ⚠️ 34% say employee retention is their top challenge. I help business owners keep great people and lower their tax bill — without overcomplicating things. Happy to be a resource for anyone in your circle. Warm intros always appreciated. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Index See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Know a small business owner in your life? Maybe it’s your friend, sibling, or a gym buddy. ⚠️ 64% of small biz owners don’t have an exit plan. ⚠️ 34% say employee retention is their top challenge. I help business owners keep great people and lower their tax bill — without overcomplicating things. Happy to be a resource for anyone in your circle. Warm intros always appreciated. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Index See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

Small business owner? Here’s a tax hack you might be missing: ➡️ Offering a retirement plan like a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k) can save you up to $69,000/year in deductible contributions. ➡️ Plus: It helps attract and keep quality talent. Let me help you set one up — and keep more of what you’ve earned. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2025 — IRS.gov See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Small business owner? Here’s a tax hack you might be missing: ➡️ Offering a retirement plan like a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k) can save you up to $69,000/year in deductible contributions. ➡️ Plus: It helps attract and keep quality talent. Let me help you set one up — and keep more of what you’ve earned. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2025 — IRS.gov See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

Changing careers or stepping away from work? Make sure your money leaves with you the right way. ✔️ Old 401(k)s ✔️ Stock options ✔️ Pensions ✔️ Healthcare continuation Nearly 25% of Americans don’t know what happens to their retirement benefits after leaving a job. Let's fix that. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies — Full study here See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Changing careers or stepping away from work? Make sure your money leaves with you the right way. ✔️ Old 401(k)s ✔️ Stock options ✔️ Pensions ✔️ Healthcare continuation Nearly 25% of Americans don’t know what happens to their retirement benefits after leaving a job. Let's fix that. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies — Full study here See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

Thinking of retiring soon? You're not alone. 🔹 An estimated 4.1 million people retire each year in the U.S. 🔹 Yet 40% of retirees wish they had started planning earlier. The transition into retirement is more than just numbers. It’s strategy, taxes, timing — and confidence. Let’s get ahead of it together. First conversation is always complimentary. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, EBRI 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Thinking of retiring soon? You're not alone. 🔹 An estimated 4.1 million people retire each year in the U.S. 🔹 Yet 40% of retirees wish they had started planning earlier. The transition into retirement is more than just numbers. It’s strategy, taxes, timing — and confidence. Let’s get ahead of it together. First conversation is always complimentary. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, EBRI 2024 Retirement Confidence Survey See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post

Lost your job or planning to make a change? Did you know: ➡️ 29% of people cash out their 401(k) within the first year of leaving a job? ➡️ On average, this can cost you 35–40% in taxes and penalties. Don't leave your future up to chance or the IRS. Let’s protect and grow what you’ve already earned. I’ll show you how. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Vanguard, “How America Saves” — Read more See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Lost your job or planning to make a change? Did you know: ➡️ 29% of people cash out their 401(k) within the first year of leaving a job? ➡️ On average, this can cost you 35–40% in taxes and penalties. Don't leave your future up to chance or the IRS. Let’s protect and grow what you’ve already earned. I’ll show you how. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com 📊 Source: Vanguard, “How America Saves” — Read more See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post
Image

Required Minimum Distributions – Ready or Not… ⏳ At age 73, the IRS starts forcing you to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. (Source: IRS.gov – RMD Age Change) Didn’t plan for that tax hit? You’re not alone. And penalties for missing them? Up to 25%! ⚠️ RMDs can be managed strategically—with the right guidance. Let’s talk before Uncle Sam takes a bigger bite than necessary. #RMDsExplained #TaxSmartRetirement #MoneyMovesInRetirement See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image

Required Minimum Distributions – Ready or Not… ⏳ At age 73, the IRS starts forcing you to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from your retirement accounts. (Source: IRS.gov – RMD Age Change) Didn’t plan for that tax hit? You’re not alone. And penalties for missing them? Up to 25%! ⚠️ RMDs can be managed strategically—with the right guidance. Let’s talk before Uncle Sam takes a bigger bite than necessary. #RMDsExplained #TaxSmartRetirement #MoneyMovesInRetirement See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post
Image

Longevity – Retirement Might Be Longer Than You Think 👴👵 A healthy 65-year-old couple has a 50% chance that one of them lives past 90. (Source: Society of Actuaries Longevity Illustrator) That’s potentially 30+ years of retirement to plan for. Your retirement isn’t a finish line—it’s the start of a new chapter. Are you financially ready for Act Two? 🎯 Let’s stress-test your plan for a long, confident retirement. Call me at (651)-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com #LongevityPlanning #RetireWithConfidence #PlanTo90AndBeyond See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image

Longevity – Retirement Might Be Longer Than You Think 👴👵 A healthy 65-year-old couple has a 50% chance that one of them lives past 90. (Source: Society of Actuaries Longevity Illustrator) That’s potentially 30+ years of retirement to plan for. Your retirement isn’t a finish line—it’s the start of a new chapter. Are you financially ready for Act Two? 🎯 Let’s stress-test your plan for a long, confident retirement. Call me at (651)-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com #LongevityPlanning #RetireWithConfidence #PlanTo90AndBeyond See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image Read Post
Image

Retirement Healthcare Costs – The $315,000 Surprise 🏥 The average 65-year-old couple retiring today will need $315,000 for healthcare expenses in retirement. (Source: Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, 2023) And that’s not including long-term care. Retirement isn’t just about having enough— It’s about planning for the curveballs too. 📊 Let’s review how your plan stacks up. A second opinion never hurts. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com #RetirementReality #HealthcarePlanning #FidelityStats See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Image

Retirement Healthcare Costs – The $315,000 Surprise 🏥 The average 65-year-old couple retiring today will need $315,000 for healthcare expenses in retirement. (Source: Fidelity Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate, 2023) And that’s not including long-term care. Retirement isn’t just about having enough— It’s about planning for the curveballs too. 📊 Let’s review how your plan stacks up. A second opinion never hurts. Call me at 651-661-4930 or email me at michael.kruse@thrivent.com #RetirementReality #HealthcarePlanning #FidelityStats See thrivent.com/social for important disclosures.

Licensing is available through your State Insurance Department’s website, which can be located through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website.

Thrivent and its financial advisors and professionals do not provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Consult your attorney or tax professional.

Thrivent financial advisors and professionals have general knowledge of the Social Security tenets. For complete details on your situation, contact the Social Security Administration.

Thrivent provides advice and guidance through its Financial Planning Framework that generally includes a review and analysis of a client’s financial situation. A client may choose to further their planning engagement with Thrivent through its Dedicated Planning Services (an investment advisory service) that results in written recommendations for a fee.

Thrivent is the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance products issued by Thrivent. Not available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., a registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC, and a subsidiary of Thrivent. Licensed agent/producer of Thrivent. Registered representative of Thrivent Investment Management, Inc. thrivent.com/privacy-and-security/disclosures.

Insurance products, securities and investment advisory services are provided by appropriately appointed and licensed financial advisors and professionals. Only individuals who are financial advisors are credentialed to provide investment advisory services. Visit Thrivent.com or FINRA’s Broker Check for more information about our financial advisors.

Designations

For additional information on professional designations and the requirements to earn them, visit https://www.thrivent.com/designations

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

Thrivent logo

Copyright: © 2025 Thrivent. All rights reserved.