With over 70 million freelancers in the U.S., freelancing obviously appeals to a lot of workers and offers a lot of benefits to those who wish to work for themselves. However, it doesn't offer a 401(k) program, and that means saving for retirement is not as easy as filling out a form and giving it to HR. In fact, freelancers are essentially their own HR department, and that adds some complexity.On this episode of Financial Decoder, host Mark Riepe speaks with Susan Hirshman, a director of wealth management for Schwab Wealth Advisory and the Schwab Center for Financial Research. They discuss the challenges freelancers face in their financial lives, as well as the options they have to invest for retirement and get the most out of their savings.To read the study Mark references about the effect of visualization on risk-taking, Check out "Imagining Risk Taking: The Valence of Mental Imagery Is Related to the Declared Willingness to Take Risky Actions" in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making.Follow Financial Decoder for free on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit Schwab.com/FinancialDecoder. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. Important DisclosuresThe information provided here is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. All expressions of opinion are subject to changes without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic, and geopolitical conditions.Data herein is obtained from what are considered reliable sources; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.All corporate names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.​This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal, or investment planning advice. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, you should consult with a qualified tax advisor, CPA, Financial Planner, or Investment Manager.Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.Schwab Wealth Advisory™ ("SWA") is a non‐discretionary investment advisory program sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"). Schwab Wealth Advisory, Inc. ("SWAI") is a Registered Investment Adviser and provides portfolio management for the SWA program. Schwab and SWAI are affiliates and are subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab CorporationThe Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co.There are certain eligibility requirements for working with a dedicated Financial Consultant. Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.Google Podcasts and the Google Podcasts logo are trademarks of Google LLC.Spotify and the Spotify logo are registered trademarks of Spotify AB.1123-3WNB