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Katana's Corner
Monthly Reflections from Katana Abbott
The Missing Piece of Retirement Planning: Why Building Wealth is Only Half the Story
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“The key to a successful retirement is retiring to something, not from something.”
I've been helping people plan for retirement for nearly four decades.
In fact, I became a financial advisor just six months before Black Monday on October 19, 1987—the day the stock market experienced the largest one-day percentage drop in history.
Since then, I've helped clients navigate the technology bubble, the Great Recession of 2008, the market volatility of 2020, and the unusual stock and bond market correction of 2022.
Each time, the headlines were different.
| | Growing Wealth is Important. Protecting it Matters Too. | |
By Sweta Singh, SWT Guest
When most people think about investing, they think about growth.
They think about stocks, market gains, and building wealth for the future.
But there is another side of investing that often gets overlooked—protection.
As women move through midlife and into retirement, many begin asking different questions:
"How do I protect what I've worked so hard to build?"
| |  | Why Social Security is Critical for Women | |
By Mary Beth Franklin, CFP®, SWT Guest
For most retirees, Social Security is a critical piece of the retirement income puzzle. It provides guaranteed income for life, no matter how long you live. And it is inflation-protected, increasing through annual cost-of-living adjustments in most years to keep up with inflation and preserve buying power. But Social Security was never designed to be the sole source of retirement income. To have a comfortable retirement, individuals need to have other sources of income such as a pension, retirement savings or other investments, home equity or even a part-time job.
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Growing and Protecting Wealth in a Changing World
with
Sweta Singh
Portfolio Manager and Co-Founder of City Different Investments
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What if market uncertainty didn't have to keep you up at night?
In this informative episode, Katana sits down with Portfolio Manager Sweta Singh to cut through the financial headlines and help women better understand today's changing economic landscape.
You'll discover:
- How to stay calm and confident during periods of market volatility
- The important role bonds and fixed income can play in today's economy
- Why diversification remains one of the most effective long-term investment strategies
- How women can make thoughtful financial decisions during uncertain economic times
- Why keeping a long-term perspective is often the key to building lasting wealth
Whether you're actively growing your investments or preparing for retirement, this conversation offers practical insights to help you better understand today's markets and feel more confident about your financial future.
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Maximizing Social Security: What Every Woman Needs to Know Before Claiming Benefits
with
Mary Beth Franklin, CFP®
Social Security & Medicare Expert
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What if one decision could increase your retirement income for the rest of your life?
In this eye-opening episode, Katana talks with nationally recognized Social Security expert and Certified Financial Planner Mary Beth Franklin.
You'll discover:
- When it may make sense to claim Social Security benefits—and when it pays to wait
- Special claiming rules every married, divorced, and widowed woman should understand
- The most common Social Security mistakes and how to avoid them
- Strategies that can help maximize your lifetime retirement income
- Why understanding your options before filing can make a significant financial difference
Whether retirement is just around the corner or still several years away, this conversation offers essential information every woman should know before making one of the most important financial decisions of her life.
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CHECK OUT LAST MONTH'S SMART WOMEN TALK GUESTS:
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CEO, Association of Women's Business Centers, Corinne Goble, shared how women are leading the new economy.
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Career Transition Coach and author, Shannon Russell, shared how to change your career and create a life you love.
Check these and other Smart Women Talk episodes on Smart Women Talk YouTube! And don't forget to WATCH, LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
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A STORY OF HOPE, COURAGE, AND SELF-ADVOCACY
Smart Women's Empowerment Founder and CEO, Katana Abbott, is honored to have her personal breast cancer story featured in the Summer 2026 issue of Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine, a publication of Pink Fund.
In You Are Your Own Advocate: A Breast Cancer Journey of Courage, Choice, and Hope, Katana reflects on the importance of asking questions, exploring treatment options, and surrounding yourself with a team that supports your journey.
Her message is simple but powerful: You are not powerless. You have choices. You have a voice. And you deserve to be heard.
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ABOUT KATANA AND
SMART WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Katana Abbott is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Retirement Income Coach, and the founder of Smart Women’s Empowerment, a nonprofit project of United Charitable. For more than 35 years, Katana has helped women gain clarity, confidence, and peace of mind around their money and their lives—guiding them through major transitions such as retirement, encore careers, caregiving, and legacy planning.
After retiring from her corporate advisory career, Katana brought together her lifelong passion for financial education, philanthropy, and women’s empowerment by creating Smart Women’s Empowerment. Through her long-running podcast Smart Women Talk, her inspirational ezine Smart Women Smart Choices, and her signature course Unlock Your Financial Power, Katana continues to educate, inspire, and support women around the world as they step into their next chapter with purpose and intention.
Katana believes there is no single “right” path—only the one that aligns your values, resources, and vision for the life you want to create.
To learn more or connect with Katana, visit www.katanaabbott.com.
Smart Women’s Empowerment is a project of United Charitable, a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 20-4286082). Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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