This week on The Retirement Readiness Podcast, Tim Regan welcomes Laura Rudzinski, a 31-year veteran of her company and long-time participant in its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Together, they explore what it really means to be an employee-owner, how an ESOP can play a unique role in retirement readiness, and the key planning considerations for those participating in such plans.

Laura shares her experience with her company’s transition to an ESOP 20 years ago, the impact it’s had on her and her family’s financial future, and the practical pros and cons of having a significant portion of retirement wealth tied to a single company. Tim and Laura also discuss the importance of transparency, risk management, and what it’s like to make retirement decisions when you’re both an employee and an owner.

“Every day that I’m working, I’m thinking to myself, I’m helping myself by helping our clients grow—you know, you’re helping yourself be able to grow your wealth,” Laura explains.

Whether you’re already part of an ESOP, considering joining one, or just looking for ways to strengthen your retirement strategy, this episode offers a candid look at how employee ownership can shape not just your retirement, but your mindset at work.

3 Key Takeaways

• ESOPs can create significant wealth for employees, but come with unique risks and considerations, especially the concentration of assets in one company’s stock.
• Transparency and annual valuations play a critical role in the ESOP experience, affecting both engagement at work and retirement planning.
• Actively participating in an ESOP—and seeking expert advice—can help employees make the most of this unique benefit and tailor their financial plan accordingly.

Listen in for a practical, first-hand perspective on ESOPs and retirement planning, and be sure to explore our past episodes for more insights.