Retirement Answers

Why haven't you sold that investment that has made you a lot of money? What's stopping you? I'm hearing the question "What should I do with my big winners?" a lot more lately, so I wanted to give you some ideas on how to think about this. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-n...

Are you worried that required minimum distributions (RMDs) could force unnecessary taxable income and shrink your hard-earned retirement savings? In this episode of Retirement Answers, Jacob Duke explains when RMDs become a real problem, offers a quick rule of thumb based on how much you hold in tax-deferred accounts, and walks through five ways to reduce future RMDs. 👉 Book a call with me: https...

Have you ever wondered if certain beliefs or rules of thumb about retirement could actually jeopardize your future instead of secure it? In this episode, Jacob breaks down the 4% and why it doesn't make sense in real life. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: ja...

You've got the savings, the spreadsheet, maybe even the perfect retirement date circled on your calendar, so what's actually holding you back? In this episode, I get honest about the real reason so many people delay retirement, and it's not the money. I share two personal stories and the mindset shift that can help you finally step forward. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-star...

You've spent decades saving for retirement, but are you about to make the same mistakes thousands of retirees only spot when it's too late? In this episode, I walk through the five biggest regrets I see in my work as a retirement planner, and exactly what you can do right now to avoid them. Tune into this episode to find out: (01:14) Regret #1 – Claiming Social Security too early costs you (01:44)...

You're saving for retirement, but are you saving too much into the wrong accounts? Most retirees don't realize this common issue until it's too late. In this episode, I explain why having all of your retirement savings in pre-tax accounts is major risk and how you can begin to fix things. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: http...

Have you ever wondered if chasing “more” could actually make retirement harder instead of better? In this episode of Retirement Answers, Jacob is sharing how “more is not better, better is better” applies to retirement...  More money can create fear, over-optimizing can steal joy, more stuff adds complexity and decision fatigue, and more time without purpose can lead to dissatisfaction. Tune in to...

Some of the biggest retirement mistakes don’t show up until it’s too late to fix them. Today, I’m breaking down 8 costly mistakes I see over and over again and how to avoid them before they impact your income, taxes, and long-term freedom. A few small adjustments here can make a massive difference later. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 202...

Not sure when to take Social Security? Well, in today's episode, I am sharing 5 reasons you shouldn't take your benefits early and the hidden risks of doing so. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com Link...

If you don't get things right during this important window of time, your retirement likely won't be what you hoped... This 10 year period of time will determine the trajectory of your entire retirement. Prepare correctly and you will enjoy a fulfilling life without worry. Little preparation and poor execution and you will be wishing you could get a do over... Only problem is, you get one shot at r...

Confused by the Roth IRA 5-year rule? Did you know there are two different 5-year rules? Well, it can get quite confusing, so this episode is meant to be your complete guide for everything around the Roth 5-year rules. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertr...

Are you sure your retirement plan is optimized for the right things? In this episode, I discuss what the true mark of a successful retirement plan is and why most people's plans will fail, just not in the way they expected. 👉 Work With Us: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@ri...

Is the brokerage account the secret to a fun and tax-efficient retirement? It might be a requirement, but it definitely helps. In fact, the brokerage account is my favorite account type and in this episode, I share 7 benefits that anyone can use to their advantage in retirement. 👉 See If You're a Fit: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https:/...

Are you still trying to decide when to take Social Security? Well, in this episode, I am deviating from my normal stance to share 4 reasons you might want to take your benefits ASAP rather than delay. And be sure to listen to the end, because I share why using a traditional break even analysis in your decision making process is not a good idea. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.c...

Are you anxious about an abrupt transition to retirement? In this episode of Retirement Answers, I share the concept of phased retirement, where you can gradually reduce work hours or stress levels instead of stopping work entirely. I explain the financial and emotional benefits, offering practical advice for a smoother, more comfortable path to retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rive...

Have you ever wondered if your HSA contributions could cause unexpected issues as you approach retirement? In this episode, I highlight potential risks and mistakes that individuals near or in retirement might encounter with their HSAs.  Specifically around scenarios such as switching into an HSA plan mid-year, transitioning out of an HSA plan mid-year, and moving from an HSA plan to Medicare.  👉...

Can you believe it's 2026 already?? Ready or not here we go! In this episode, I'm sharing the updated tax brackets, standard deductions, capital gains brackets, IRMAA brackets, provisional income brackets, and more. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@riv...

If you're 50+ and making catching catch-up contributions to your employer 401k plan, this episode is for you. In 2026, you might have to change how you save to your employer plan if you earn to much money. In this episode, I share what you need to know about these new rules and how you can save with intention. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Importan...

Have you ever wondered why so many people dream of early retirement but never actually do it? In this episode, I dive into the most common fears that hold people back from their dream retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Web...

What if you could retire earlier than expected, access your savings without penalties, get health insurance subsidies, and pay no taxes for the first few years? Would you believe that's possible?  In this episode of Retirement Answers, I explain how it can be done using a case study of a client named Joe where I break down the strategies and financial maneuvers used to help him retire at 55. 👉 Bo...

Have you ever wondered if certain beliefs about retirement could actually jeopardize your future instead of securing it? In this episode of the Retirement Answers Podcast, Jacob Duke, a certified financial planner, delves into common assumptions that may seem harmless but can quietly derail your retirement plans. Tune in to learn how to identify and overcome these misconceptions for a secure and f...

Get the FREE Checklist Here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/pre-65-retirement-checklist 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA...

What ingredients make for the most optimal Roth conversions? In this episode, I explain what the Roth conversion sweet spot is and why this period of time is the best time to do conversions. 📋 Get Your FREE Checklist here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/roth-conversion-sweet-spot-checklist 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF...

You ever have something not be what expected it to be? Well, as a retirement planner who is helped over 100 clients, I have learned an important lesson that I think anyone who is preparing for retirement needs to understand. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email:...

Roth conversions might help you save on taxes in retirement, but that doesn't mean you only need Roth IRAs... In this episode, I share why it's actually tax-efficient to have money in a Traditional IRA. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: jacob@rivertreewealth....