Pension Analysis Services

I made some subtle changes to The Golden Albatross webpage the other day. First, on the home (aka splash) page, I added three paragraphs under a subsection called “Services” that briefly describe the paid pension analysis services I now offer. Those paragraphs also quickly explain why I’m charging for services. Second, I created a permanent page called Pension Analysis Services, where I provide an in-depth explanation of the range of services on offer. I also explain the technicalities of how hiring my services works.

In case you don’t want to click away, here it is.

Since “what I offer” got a web page, I wanted to circle back with an article about “why.” By doing so, I will have a permanent explanation for anyone who asks, nested under the “what I offer” page. More importantly, I want to explain “why” because paying me pension analysis is a marked departure from the original intent for The Golden Albatross website. In all, I provide five solid reasons, which I list below. 

#1: An Ad-Free Website Costs Money

I founded The Golden Albatross website in 2017 out of pocket. At the time, I was curious if I’d gain enough readership to make monetization worthwhile. I was OK with not knowing because the website was as therapeutic for me as it was helpful for those working for a defined benefit pension. With hard work and decent writing, readership came. Still, my first plan to make enough money to break even from Amazon affiliation didn’t pan out, mostly because I disliked the lowered tone it imparted on the website. So, I stopped placing links in my articles. I never brought Google advertising onto the website for the same reason.

Thus, with my principles somewhat intact, I decided to write a book. I had hoped that the royalties would sustain the website. After I published it in 2020, the royalties from the initial sales just covered the costs I had endured to date. While nice, the few royalties that trickled in quarterly since publishing have not covered the yearly fees. Thus, I looked for more revenue streams, which included adding the “Buy Me a Coffee” link to the website with the option to buy me beer. Turns out, though, people must not want me to drink beer … or coffee. Thanks, I guess? This is yet another example of the tragedy of the commons. 

#2: The Value of My Time

In late 2022, when I returned to work in order to gain a residence visa for my family in New Zealand, I found myself negotiating a salary for the first time in my adult life. Having joined the US military almost straight out of university, this was a new experience for me. As a military member, your rank and number of years served determine your pay. Salary negotiation was an experience that my retirement preparations were supposed to have readied me for, but I wasn’t. As a result, I undervalued my time. 

The same thing happened in mid-2023 after our visa plan succeeded. I negotiated part-time work with the same employer as a subcontractor. I wanted to stop traveling and work from home without burning bridges. They wanted to stop paying the taxes and other costs of employing me at a time of significant disruption in their industry. So, I lowballed it. I subsequently stopped working for that employer, but those two experiences were instructive because I learned the fair value of my time. 

Now, since I’m mostly retired again, you might think the fair value of my time is zero. But that isn’t necessarily the case. With kids, a house, and other commitments, there are always demands. Not only that, but the physical injuries I continue to nurse from my military career mean less time in front of a computer and more time exercising or rehabilitating, the better. As a result, I need a reason to sit down and analyze someone’s pension questions, more than just the warm and fuzzy feeling I get by helping them out. 

#3: “Pro Bono” Turned Into “Oh No” 

Speaking of answering people’s pension questions, you’d be correct if you pointed out that I used to conduct pension analysis for free. I did, and the only “payment” I asked for in return was the ability to anonymize the person’s situation and create an article around it. When I first started, it was a great way to help people while fleshing out the website with quality content that other people might find useful. It was a real “win-win,” as attested by the fact that several of those articles are still some of my most popular in terms of views. 

However, over the years, two things happened. The first is that I received the same pension analysis questions over and over. The second is that some questions got a lot more complicated. With regards to repetitive questions, it made for repetitive content. While that was OK for a while, especially for more popular topics like pension buybacks or lump-sum offers, there are only so many articles you can publish on the same topic that readers will consume. 

One of the more popular articles I’ve written based on a reader’s question.

As for the complexity of questions increasing, it typically made for difficult translation into an article. It also meant I was spending more time helping people out with little to show for it with regard to the website. Yes, I got good vibes for my efforts, but there’s only so much “pro bono” work you can do on someone’s behalf before you feel like they’re taking advantage of your kindness. The British have a term for it, called “taking the piss,” and it seems like an apt description for a few instances.

#4: Keeping the Website Free

Do you know what will remain the subject of my “pro bono” work? The Golden Albatross website. This website has always been a free resource for those who work in pensionable jobs. Throughout the years, I’ve shared dozens of tools, tips, philosophies, resources, methods, and examples for working through a myriad of pension-related financial situations. That will remain unchanged, and I will continue to post free content as I find time and subjects to write about. 

What this means is that I have no intention of transitioning to something like a Substack or Patreon model. You won’t have to pay to read anything. If you have access to the internet, you have access to the answers to your pension-related questions on this website. Alternatively, you have access to the tools, tips, and methods to conduct the pension analysis yourself. 

#5: DIY Ain’t For Everyone

That said, it’s the unease around the DIY scenario that often leads people to reach out and ask for help. For some, the math frightens them; for others, it’s the amount of time they’d have to spend figuring it out. I get it because I was in their shoes once, but there was no one to ask for help. So, I taught myself and then created a website to help teach others.

DIY pension analysis only works for some, though, and other folks would rather ask someone with more experience to take a look. And experience in analyzing various defined benefit pension situations is something I’ve got. As already stated, I’ve run this website since 2017 and have posted dozens of articles chronicling how I answered people’s pension analysis questions as accurately as possible. I’ve also written and published a book that equips readers with the ability to determine if staying for their DB pension is worth it. Not only that, but I even successfully submitted and defended a master’s thesis that analyzed which features within defined benefit pension plans helped retained workers the most. 

Insert mandatory book plug here!

Who’s Game?

While I freely admit I am not a certified financial planner or accountant, I am not some schlub off the street either. I cannot legally offer financial advice, but I can provide my expertise when analyzing people’s defined benefit pension situations. Whether it’s a Golden Albatross moment, a pension buyback opportunity, or a lump-sum offer, I’m willing to help at a fair price point that supports the website and accurately values my time. 

The most popular article I’ve written based on a reader’s question.

Whether or not people are willing to pay for my pension expertise, as opposed to just getting it for free, is now the question. I’ve already had a few people take me up on my value proposition. As a result, I am now happy to oblige anyone who is willing to pay. If that’s you, take a look at my Pension Analysis Services page and then reach out at grumpusmaximus@grumpusmaximus.com once you’re ready.