Retire Smarter with Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Most investors focus on returns. Smart investors focus on what they keep after taxes. In this episode of Retire Smarter, we break down how two portfolios can earn the same return—and still produce dramatically different tax outcomes. This isn’t about predicting markets or chasing performance....

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth In this episode of Retire Smarter, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks through a practical Retirement Planning Checklist for 2026, focused on the financial moves that matter most in the first few weeks of the year. From front-loading 401(k) and HSA contributions to planning Roth conversions, setti...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Over the past month, we released a six-part video series breaking down how ultra-wealthy investors think about taxes, and more importantly, how they legally minimize them. In this episode, we’ve stitched the entire Tax-Aware, Long-Short (TALS™) Strategy series together to allow you to hear the...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s are powerful tools — but most people use them without a clear strategy. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how to think about Roth accounts before retirement, after retirement, and even how they impact your spouse and your legacy. We’ll explore ho...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Most retirees worry about whether their money will last—but few understand the real variables that determine success. In this episode, we go beyond the usual “spend less, earn more” advice and unpack the math that truly drives a sustainable retirement: the rate of return you actually need, how...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth For many retirees, healthcare costs before Medicare can be one of the biggest financial shocks — often exceeding $25,000 a year. But with the right planning, that same $25,000 can turn into a tax credit instead of an expense. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP® dives into how the Afforda...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth In this episode of Retire Smarter, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how to gift smarter — whether your goal is to support family or give back to charity. With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reshaping charitable deductions starting in 2026, now is the time to rethink your strategy....

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Most don't realize how important structure and strategy impacts an investment's tax efficiency. Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how investment vehicles — from mutual funds to ETFs, Direct Indexing, and Tax-Aware Long/Short (TALS™) strategies — impact your after-tax returns. Learn why mut...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth It will soon be that time of year again … the fourth quarter. Before you get swept up in the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to take stock. Have you accomplished the financial goals you set for yourself this year? If not, there’s still time to act. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CF...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth In today’s episode, we’re tackling the big question: Can you really retire with $1 million?  We’ll look at what the data says about how much people actually have saved How other assets like Social Security and pensions fit in, why your spending patterns matter more than you think Then we will...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth What do ultra-wealthy families prioritize when it comes to their money — and how is that relevant to your own retirement plan? In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the top three concerns that shape how the wealthiest families plan — and why those same issues are just as impor...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Deferred compensation plans can be a powerful retirement tool — but they’re often misunderstood and carry unique risks. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how these plans work in 2025, from 409A rules to 457(b) and 457(f) plans that are especially common in the healthcare i...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the biggest tax overhaul since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — and it could change the way you plan for retirement. From a brand‑new $6,000 senior deduction to new rules for charitable giving and major shifts in healthcare subsidies before Medi...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is over 800 pages long and packed with tax changes that impact retirees, individuals, and small business owners. From expanded standard deductions and new senior tax breaks to permanent small business deductions and the end of many green energy credits, this bill...

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Retirees are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals — and the scams are getting more sophisticated. From fake emails and stolen phones to account takeovers and SIM card fraud, even cautious investors can be at risk. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, shares a real story of an attempte...

Some retirement mistakes are obvious. Others are silent — slowly eroding your plan year after year without setting off alarms. From investing the same old way to ignoring tax planning and claiming Social Security without a strategy, these missteps can cost you more than you think. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks through five of the most common — and avoidable — financial mistakes...

Warren Buffett announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the company’s 2025 annual meeting — marking the end of one of the most legendary investing careers in history. But his lessons aren’t just for billionaires or portfolio managers. They’re surprisingly relevant for anyone approaching retirement or looking to live more intentionally with their wealth.   In this episode, Tyler Emr...

When you're 12 months away from retirement, everything starts to feel real. From hard deadlines like pension elections and Medicare sign-ups to emotional shifts around identity and purpose, this final year before retirement can feel like a perfect storm.   In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores the unique challenges clients face in this transition — and how the financial planning proc...

Not all Roth dollars are created equal—especially during times of market volatility. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, unpacks when Roth contributions, conversions, or pretax savings make the most sense, and how recent market declines may present timely Roth conversion opportunities. You'll learn how to be strategic with what assets you convert, when conversions might come with risks, and...

Markets have been shaken by a sharp selloff, with the S&P 500 down around 15% and the Nasdaq nearly 20% year-to-date. Much of the recent volatility is being driven by escalating trade tensions and a new round of tariffs that took effect on April 9. In this episode, Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, and Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, unpack what’s driving the recent market moves — from global supply chain disrup...

If the recent market drop has you feeling uneasy, you’re not alone — but sharp swings are regularities you need to navigate. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have both taken hits this year, but history shows that intra-year declines like these are common and something long-term investors have weathered time and again. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down recent market moves, highlights...

Big tax changes could be coming soon! On February 25, the House passed a budget resolution setting a $4.5 trillion cap for a new tax bill that could replace the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) before it expires at the end of 2025. But what will the new law look like, and how will it impact your financial plan? In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the key debates in Congress, what ch...

Are you leaving money on the table? For families weighing their options when choosing a financial advisor, Vanguard’s Advisor Alpha study has long been the go-to guide—and now, fresh research from SmartAsset echoes the sentiment that the right advisor could boost your net returns by over 2% annually. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, reveals why many advisors miss that extra edge and how...

Retirement isn’t just about your savings—it’s also about where you choose to live.   In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores WalletHub’s 46-factor framework for ranking states for retirees, examining everything from tax rates and cost of living to leisure opportunities and healthcare access. We also unpack the key financial and personal considerations, such as state taxes on Social Sec...

Can money really buy a longer, healthier life? In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, dives into the surprising connection between wealth and longevity, uncovering how financial freedom can unlock better health, reduced stress, and more fulfilling retirement years. We also tackle the challenges of cognitive decline, exploring its impact on financial decision-making and how a trusted financial...