Roth Conversion Strategy: Tax Brackets, Medicare Premiums, and Hidden Retirement Planning Risks
A Roth conversion can be a valuable tax strategy, or a very expensive lesson in unintended consequences.
A Roth IRA is a retirement account funded with after-tax dollars, where investments can grow tax-free and qualified withdrawals in retirement are generally tax-free. There is a lot of Roth conversion FOMO (fear of missing out) out there. Like if you are not converting retirement assets into a Roth IRA, you are somehow missing the boat.
Adventure After Retirement: Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc
Some retirement dreams take shape over decades. For one of our clients, David Scott, his lifelong love of backpacking led to a 100-mile trek through the Alps and an unforgettable journey around Western Europe’s highest mountain: Mont Blanc.
Are Covered Call Income ETFs Worth It? What Investors Should Know
You’ve probably noticed a surge in Covered Call Income ETFs lately. Here’s why it matters. The strategy has gone from niche to mainstream, with assets in options-based income strategies growing from roughly $7 billion in 2020 to around $150 billion by 2025, alongside record investor inflows and increasing institutional adoption. They’re often marketed as a way to generate additional income beyond dividends without selling shares, and who wouldn’t like that? But how do they work, and are they a practical strategy for retirement planning?
Should You Cancel Life Insurance Before Retirement? What to Consider First
As retirement approaches, many households face a question: Is it still worth paying for life insurance? If the kids are grown and retirement savings are accumulating, folks may begin to wonder whether the money allocated to insurance premiums could go elsewhere—like a 401(k). However, deciding whether to cancel a policy isn’t always straightforward.
Should You Switch to a Roth 401(k) Right Before Retirement?
Future retirees often wonder when it’s worth moving money into a Roth IRA from some other type of account. After all, Roth IRAs are after-tax money, meaning the funds can eventually be withdrawn tax-free. All things equal, that may sound like an optimal situation, but it often depends on taxes today vs. taxes tomorrow. Should You Switch to a Roth 401(k) Right Before Retirement? The decision really comes down to what tax bracket you’re in today versus what you’re likely to face in retirement.
Client Spotlight: They Almost Didn’t Retire, Now They’re Exploring Scotland
Charles and Dawn Norfolk were originally hesitant to retire, but because they had the means and the desire, Jason Gove, one of our Phoenix team members, encouraged them to make the leap. One of their customers purchased their business, providing a clear path to step away. They stayed on for four years to help ease the transition, then moved from Texas to Tennessee.
The Dry Powder Principle
The Dry Powder Principle is not defensive in spirit. It is disciplined in design. It allows you to pursue long-term growth while protecting your near-term lifestyle. And most importantly, it ensures that when volatility inevitably returns, you are not reacting.
How to Buy Your Next Home Without a Mortgage
Sometimes good planning is not about doing something flashy. It is about avoiding the mistakes that quietly erode wealth over time.
What Indiana Jones Taught Me About Early Roth Withdrawals and Roth 401(k) vs Roth IRA Rules
Financial planning is part art, part science, part archaeology. Sometimes you’re dusting off IRS rules buried under 20 years of assumptions. Other times, you’re sprinting out of a collapsing temple with a bag of tax-free dollars in your hands.
Client Spotlight: From Fords to Ferraris- Frank Harms’ Guide to Driving Your Retirement Dreams
With each opportunity to spotlight a client’s achievements, we inevitably learn something valuable. The hope is to spread that knowledge and joy to inspire others in their own retirement journeys. Today, the spotlight shines upon Frank Harms and his love for cars.
