Joe Knows Retirement

It's common to hear that you'll be in a lower tax bracket in retirement, but that likely won't be the case if you're part of the 2% Club, which means you're retiring with a pension and $1 million or more saved. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares why members of the 2% Club should expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, as well as offers strategies they can use to increa...

The 4% Rule and Guardrails income strategy are helpful tools for many retirees when it comes to income planning in retirement, but as Joe explains in this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, if you have a pension and $1 million or more saved, they might not be adequate for your financial situation. Instead, Joe lays out tailored ways members of the 2% Club can build an income plan and give their mone...

Should you stay or should you go? In this episode of Joe Know's Retirement, Joe provides a comprehensive breakdown of the costs and tax rates across different states to help you decide if you should move in retirement. He looks at different considerations including estate planning and tax planning, shares a case study, and breaks down the five most and least popular states to retire to. Are you in...

Have you ever been invited to a nice steak dinner where you were told that you need a life insurance retirement plan (LIRP)? In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks about why most Midwestern Millionaires (those with a pension and $1 million or more saved) don't need a LIRP, especially for tax-free income. He also shares reasons why it could make sense to get a LIRP like when not comes t...

If you've thought about Roth converting all the way into the 32% bracket, you might want to think again. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks about why Roth converting into the 32% bracket might not be a good idea, especially if you have a pension and $1 million or more saved. He shares different considerations that should go into your decision to Roth convert, as well as dives into...

If you're between the ages of 55-63 and will retire with a pension and $1 million or more saved, this video is for you. In this video, Joe talks about the two Roth conversion sweet spots that you'll want to pay attention to during this unique time before you retire. He talks about how many retirees in your shoes should expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, and shares ways to take mos...

The One Big Beautiful Bill introduced many changes when it comes to taxes and retirement, and one of those changes is an additional $6,000 deduction for those who are 65 and older. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe explain how this bonus deduction works and how it can affect your retirement planning, especially if you have a pension and at least $1 million saved. He also talks about how...

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is here and will have a big impact on many Americans, especially retirees with a pension and $1 million or more saved. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks through 14 of the most important points from the OBBB and shares how they can impact your retirement. From lower tax rates to the increased standard deduction to other types of deductions, you'll...

Widows and single retirees can face unique and harsh tax situations in retirement that can be devastating if not properly planned for. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks about the widow's penalty and how it can make widows pay nearly double the amount in taxes that they paid when married filing jointly. He talks about the different areas of retirement the widow's penalty can affect...

If you're retiring with a pension and $1 million or more saved, you're set up for success in retirement. But as Joe shares in this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, there are some common mistakes that retirees in your position make that can cost you time and money if you don't plan for them. Whether it's paying more in taxes than you need to or not understanding how much money you really have, Joe...

If you have a pension and $1 million or more saved, there are unique issues you need to plan for in retirement. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares five traps that members of the 2% Club commonly fall into and what they can do to avoid the traps. He provides strategies to help save money in taxes and Medicare premiums, as well as talks about the importance of giving purpose to your...

Just because you've worked with a financial advisor for a while doesn't mean they're the best advisor for you. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe lists ten things to be on the lookout for when finding an advisor, or if your current advisor doesn't do these things, ten things to look for in a new advisor. From the type of planning services the advisor offers to the amount of time they're...

Your pension can increase your tax burden in retirement if you don't plan properly. In this episode of Joe Knows retirement, Joe talks about how a pension and high net worth can affect taxes, and shares strategies for lowering your tax burden and increasing your tax savings. Are you interested in applying to receive expert help in planning for your financial future? If so, you can apply at  https:...

Have you ever considered the value of your pension as it relates to your overall net worth? In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks about pensions as an asset class and how you can view your pension as more than just a monthly income stream. He shares the pros and cons of having a pension and talks about ways you can give your pension purpose in retirement. Are you interested in applyin...

If you're a Christian and it's important for you to incorporate your faith into your financial planning, then it could be a great idea to work with a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®). In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe explains what a CKA®, what it takes to earn the CKA® credential, and how a CKA® can help you as you purposefully plan your retirement. Are you interested in applying to r...

If you're a Midwestern Millionaire, you might face unique challenges in retirement, but as Joe discusses in this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, they shouldn't be as scary as they seem. From the fear of running out of money to the fear of overpaying in taxes, Joe addresses these fears and shares how to plan for them. Are you interested in applying to receive expert help in planning for your finan...

If you're retiring with a pension and $1 million or more saved in 2025, your planning needs to be as unique as your financial situation. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks about the different areas of consideration for retiring with a pension, and shares strategies you can take advantage of to save money in retirement. From tax planning to purpose planning, Joe talks about it in th...

You may be considering waiting until retirement to do Roth conversions, but this might not be the best idea. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe explains how for the Midwestern Millionaire (someone with a pension and $1 million or more saved), their high income in retirement might make Roth conversions a better idea to do now. He shares a case study breaking down the income a Midwestern M...

If you have a pension and have been a diligent saver for the past 30-40 years, you could be in a great position to retire early. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe talks through different points of consideration for Midwestern Millionaires in the 2% Club who are thinking about early retirement. From how much money you'll need to live on to how to take from your investments without overpa...

If you have an old 401k or other savings vehicle, you may have wondered what happens to it once you retire. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares three things you can do with your old 401k and lists the pros and cons of each option. He talks about why moving it to an IRA is often the option he recommends, and stresses the importance of working with a professional team when making the...

Have you ever wondered how pension options are calculated? In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe discusses the factors that determine a pension's value and dives into different pension options like the lump sum option and survivorship option. He also talks about the pros and cons of taking a monthly pension versus taking the lump sum. Are you interested in applying to receive expert help in...

If you've dreamed of retiring early and you have a pension and $1 million or more saved, then early retirement could be a reality for you. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares a client case study where he shows how much value a pension has and how much money you might expect to have in retirement if you have a similar pension and savings. He also discusses other considerations for r...

You might have heard to not touch your Roth IRA so that your tax-free investments grow as much as possible. But in this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares 8 times when it actually does make sense to take out from your Roth, especially if you have a pension and $1 million+ saved. Whether it's to save money in Medicare premiums or Social Security tax, or just because you had an uncommonly h...

Being a Midwestern Millionaire means being frugal, hardworking, and a diligent saver, but it likely also means you love saving money any way you can, even in comical ways. In this episode of Joe Knows Retirement, Joe shares 40 relatable things you might say or do if you're a Midwestern Millionaire who loves saving money. From ordering water at restaurants to washing and reusing plastic dishes, the...

In this video, Peak Retirement Planning founder and CEO Joe Schmitz joins The Advisor Journey to talk about his journey as a financial advisor and the growth Peak Retirement Planning has seen. He talks about how they have grown and the team behind that growth, as well as shares who the Midwestern Millionaire is and why he loves working with them. Are you interested in applying to receive expert he...