Retirement Answers

The 2026 Social Security COLA has been announced! I will share what it is, who it applies to, how it's calculated, and why your Social Security claiming strategy impacts your future COLAs. 👉 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: h...

Are you sure you are taking Social Security at the right time? Well, in this episode, I share 5 common mistakes retirees make when claiming Social Security and what you should look out for. 👉 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:...

Are you making the same mistake many other retirees make? If so, you could end up missing out on a lot right now, and have more money that you ever need later in life. In this episode, I talk about the underspending epidemic among retirees and what causes it. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth...

Is a break even analysis or trying to get the maximum lifetime benefits from Social Security the wrong way to optimize your benefits? In this episode I share an different idea with you about your Social Security claiming strategy. 👉 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 O...

The OBBBA was passed back in July 2025, but now Roth conversions are more confusing for retirees. The new senior deductions might be helpful for some, but for those who were planning to do Roth conversions could have some tough decisions to make. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-imp...

The interaction between capital gains and normal income is often misunderstood, so in this episode, I share how capital gains affect your other income and how "income stacking" works. I also share some unintentional drawbacks of capital gains that you have to watch out for. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www....

Trying to retire before 60? Creating income for yourself can be tough and can cause penalties if you aren't careful... That's where the Rule of 55 can be helpful and allow you to take money from your employer retirement plan without early distribution penalties, if you satisfy all of the rules.  In this episode, I share what the Rule of 55 is, why it matters, the rules you need to know, and some a...

Is it possible to "over-save" for retirement? I'd argue it is possible and most people don't realize what it's costing them. So, in this episode, I'm sharing how over-saving happens, why it's such a problem, and what you can do to avoid this risk. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your questio...

Do you really need a Roth IRA in retirement? Personally, I don't think so if you create a good income plan, so in today's episode, I share how a couple with $1.2m can generate tax-free income in retirement without any money in Roth IRAs. Other episodes or videos mentioned:  Social Security Tax Video: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=g1qdLsCw-H9LMmYz Tax-Gains Harvesting Video: https://youtu.be/7Qz0...

Tax planning might be the most consequential part of your retirement plan... If you plan well, you could save yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. If you don't plan at all, you could give up a huge amount of your hard earned savings. In this episode, I share 5 of the most common tax planning mistakes that I see as a retirement planner. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.r...

Tax planning in retirement is about so much more than Roth conversions... In this episode, I share the components of a real tax plan and why it is crucial to understand this as you build your retirement plan. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: h...

There is a tax trap waiting on retired couples, but most don't know about it until it's too late. In this episode, I share what the Widow's Tax Trap is and how you can avoid this big retirement risk. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://ww...

There are so many little details and rules to know about as you head into retirement and today I'm sharing 8 rules that I think everyone should know about before entering retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth...

Getting close to retirement? Here are 5 things you should stop doing before you get started. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com L...

Wondering if you are behind on your retirement plan? You are probably more prepared than you think and these 18 signs are good indicators! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions Email: jacob@rivertreewealth....

Knowing the best time to retire is tough to figure out because of all the details involved, but if you can answer 'YES' to these 5 questions, it might be time to start thinking about it! 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewe...

There is an account that can give you ultimate flexibility and help you reduce taxes in retirement... and no, it's not a Roth IRA. It gives you the flexibility you've dreamed of when it comes to retirement income planning and tax planning. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to hav...

Are you making this mistake with your Roth conversions? In this episode, I explain why having some money in your Traditional IRA could save you thousands in taxes. Video on Social Security Taxation: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=-tF8oULLC7t7GmD7 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your questio...

Social Security survivor benefits are really confusing, but in this episode I break down everything you need to know about survivor benefits to help you make more informed decisions. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth...

Most retirees assume they are entitled to 50% of their spouse's Social Security, but that is not true... In this episode, I outline the rules for Social Security spousal benefits, how it works, and why your decision to take Social Security impacts your spousal benefits. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an ema...

Do you have after-tax money in your Traditional IRA? Well, when it comes time to make distributions or do Roth conversions, you could unknowingly pay more in tax that you otherwise have to if you aren't aware of the IRA Pro-Rata rule or how you can fix this issue before it becomes a problem.  In this week's Friday Q&A, I answer James' question on this specific topic. 👉 Book a call with me: ht...

The top retirees approach retirement completely different from everyone else. They have an abundance mindset and live with intentionally, and that's what I discuss in today's episode. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealt...

Roth conversions are a powerful tax planning opportunity for retirees, but the devil is in the details. Missing a couple small things could end up costing you. In this Friday Q&A, we answer the following questions: How are dividends taxed in different account types? If I do a Roth conversion, do I need to make estimated tax payments or can I just pay when I file my taxes? 👉 Book a call with m...

There are a few simple ways to save money in retirement and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket. In this episode, I share 10 hacks that will help you save money and reduce taxes in retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: ht...

What if the market tanks right after you retire? It's important to be prepared and have a plan in place for the 'what-ifs' that could happen. In this weeks Friday Q&A, I answer Carolina's question and share how I like to build portfolios that are recession-proof. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!...