Retirement Answers

How do you know if your retirement plan is good or not? And what are the different things you need to include in your plan? That's what I discuss in this episode because I share 6 things that every good retirement plan includes. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Websi...

As you prepare for you upcoming retirement, there a few thing you can do to give you the best chance at the retirement of your dreams. In this episode, I share 5 things (plus a bonus tip) that you should BEFORE you retire to help you make the most of your new adventure and rest at night knowing your money is taken care of. Enjoy! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started...

There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when planning for retirement, so I want to warn you about 8 common mistakes that I see. We will talk about the importance of knowing your true spending number, understanding the impact of inflation on retirement spending, balancing investment strategies, planning for taxes, timing Social Security, evaluating the need for Roth conversions, preparing for...

👉 Book a call with me 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started __________________________________ ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Social Security taxation is confusing for most... "Am I being taxed on my Social Security benefits?" "WHY am...

In this episode of the Friday Q&A, Jacob discusses a listener's dilemma of choosing between taking a lump sum or opting for a monthly pension in retirement. With a detailed inquiry involving health concerns, survivor benefits, and financial flexibility, the discussion delves into various factors such as fixed income, monthly expenses, Social Security benefits, and personal circumstances like e...

Still trying to figure out when you are going to retire? Do you have a specific age in mind? It can be hard to decide and then actually go through with it because of the unknown and the "what-ifs" of retirement. But the biggest "what-if" in my opinion isn't what could go wrong in retirement... The biggest "what-if" is getting to the end of your life wishing you would have retired sooner so you cou...

In this Friday Q&A, we tackle a common question from a soon-to-be retiree who is anxious about taking the leap into retirement despite strong financial standing. Discover the psychological challenges and mindset shifts necessary for a smooth transition into retirement. Need help planning for retirement? 👉 Get started today: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started -------------------------...

When you turn 73 or 75, you will be required to begin taking money from your tax-deferred IRAs, 401ks, 403bs, etc. This is through what is called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). While RMDs aren't the worst thing ever, they can create some tax issues in the future if you don't plan accordingly. In this epsiode, I share 5 ways you can lower your RMDs to minimize their negative tax impact in t...

In the first episode of the Friday Q&A series,I address a viewer's question about whether to pay off their house before retirement. The husband is close to retirement and considers using his ESOP to pay off their recently purchased home. I discuss the pros and cons of this decision, including tax implications and the importance of maintaining liquidity. The episode offers valuable insights for...

One of the biggest factors in your ability to retire is whether or not you have debt. If you have no debt, retirement becomes that much easier. BUT does that mean you should pay off your mortgage before retirement at all costs? That's what I discuss in this episode. ——————————————————————————— Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Email: jacob...

"The market is at all-time highs! We are due for a recession! I'm going to wait for the next pullback..." These the statements we all tell ourselves, but we shouldn't follow our own hunches and opinions. This week, I am talking through a framework that you can use to help answer the question, "Is now a good time to buy stocks?" ——————————————————————————— Book a free consultation to get started to...

Most people only think about the money side of retirement. Do I have enough? When should I start Social Security? Which account should I pull money from first? These are all important questions, but the personal and emotional side of retirement often gets overlooked because the financial questions are top of mind. I encourage you to ask yourself, "What are you retiring to?" You know what you are r...

Trying to figure out when you should do Roth conversions? In this episode, I share the optimal times to do Roth conversions so that you get the most out of this important tax minimization strategy. ——————————————————————————— Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedI...

How aggressive or conservative you should invest your money in retirement is a constant question in retirees' minds. How much risk should I take? Should I just use a standard 60/40 portfolio? How much cash should I have on hand? In this episode, I address this common question and provide a framework you can use to determine how much cash you should have in retirement based on YOUR unique situation...

IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. In short, it is a surcharge that can be added to your Medicare Part B & D premiums IF you earn to much money. I talk about IRMAA here on the podcast and with my clients because it is something we have to pay attention to so that it doesn't catch us off guard, but I feel like many view IRMAA as something you MUST avoid. In this episode,...

Having a Roth IRA in retirement can be very powerful. It allows you to make tax-free distributions for retirement income and gives you flexibility around your tax brackets... But I've noticed one thing. I/we as financial planners often suggest taking from your Roth IRA last for income in retirement so it has more time to compound tax-free. While this is often a good idea mathematically, I have bee...

It's not secret that sudden market declines can cause fear and anxiety in investors' minds. Recently, we've seen some volatility enter the markets and you might be wondering if you should make any changes to your portfolio. In this episode, I provide a framework and steps you can follow to navigate the emotions and uncertainties market volatility throw at us. If you'd like an example of the Retire...

Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started I've seen a common theme in almost every portfolio review I have done lately for prospective clients... I share that investing mistake and 4 others with you in this weeks episode! ——————————————————————————— Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke...

Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Tax planning is a huge part of building a successful retirement plan. You often hear about Roth conversions or tax-loss harvesting, but there is a simple way that EVERYONE can reduce there taxes each year... ASSET LOCATION. ——————————————————————————— Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: http...

Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) aren't the worst thing in the world, but they could force you to pay taxes you don't want to pay. In this episode, I share 5 ways to reduce your RMDs and take back control of your tax bill in retirement. ——————————————————————————— Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.c...

Book a free consultation to get started today 👉 https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Not sure where to pull income from first in retirement? It can be a overwhelming to figure this out because of the impact your distributions have on other items in retirement such as Social Security taxes, RMDs, Medicare Premiums, and more. This week on the podcast I share some ideas around how to decide w...

Today, I'm sharing 7 reasons you shouldn't do Roth conversions... I hear about far too many people who are trying to do Roth conversions, but they shouldn't be doing any at all. Yes, Roth conversions are a power tax planning strategy for retirees, but it's not the best strategy for everyone. Creating a comprehensive plan that is unique to your situation is key. Don't just do Roth conversions becau...

Need a custom retirement plan? 👉 Get started today: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Wondering if you have enough money saved up to retire comfortably in 2024? In this video, I provide a framework you can use to evaluate how much you need to live a worry-free retirement. ——————————————————————————— Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke...

One of the biggest questions around Social Security is, "Will I pay income taxes on my Social Security benefits?" I answer this very question, walk through an example, and share some tips on how you can lower your Social Security taxes in the future. ——————————————————————————— Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the foun...

In recent years, there has been a growing concern around Social Security going insolvent. There are some truths to these concerns, but there are also many misunderstandings. The biggest misunderstanding is that Social Security will be going away entirely. The confusing part is that the Social Security trust fund could be running out in the future, but Social Security is a pay-as-you-go system. Thi...