Retirement Answers - podcast cover

Retirement Answers

Jacob Duke, CFPยฎโ€ขwww.retirementanswers.net
Retirement Answers is a podcast built to help you succeed in retirement. The thought of retirement can be overwhelming and downright scary for many... but it doesn't have to be! The goal of this podcast is to provide thoughtful insights and strategies to give you the confidence you need to retire successfully. At the end of the day, my ultimate goal for my clients and podcast listeners is to live a fulfilling retirement. Follow along as I publish a new episode each week covering everything from retirement income planning, tax planning, Social Security, insurance planning, investing, and much more. Here's to learning everything you need to know to live out your dream retirement!

Episodes

6 Financial Goals to Reach By Age 60

If you can have these 6 things figured out by the time you are 60, your retirement will be that much more successful and enjoyable. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Submit your question here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/ask-a-question โœ… 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/ask-a-question Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rive...

Mar 04, 2025โ€ข24 minโ€ขEp. 100

How To Avoid The RMD Tax Trap

If you aren't paying attention, a huge tax bomb could arise later in retirement. This tax bomb comes in the form of RMDs... But finding ways to minimize your RMDs will help lower your lifetime tax bill. Most people only look at RMDs at surface level, but these forced distributions impact other items such as Social Security taxation and IRMAA, to name a couple. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Submit your question here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/ask-a-ques...

Feb 25, 2025โ€ข28 minโ€ขEp. 99

Every Retirement Plan Has This MAJOR Problem

As you approach retirement, you likely want to have everything planned out perfectly... When you are going to start taking Social Security? When to do Roth conversions? How to use tax-gain harvesting? What your portfolio allocation should be? And so on The good news is you aren't alone in your desire to have it all figured out before you jump in retirement, but here's the bad news... You're plan will be wrong... I know, probably not what you want to hear, but it's the truth. In today's episode, ...

Feb 19, 2025โ€ข14 minโ€ขEp. 98

5 Hidden Costs That Catch Retirees Off Guard

Do you ever wonder what you might be missing as you plan for retirement? There's so much to think about and plan for that certain things can easily slip through the cracks. In this episode, I share 5 hidden costs that catch retirees off-guard based on what my clients have told me. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… 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.c...

Feb 11, 2025โ€ข17 minโ€ขEp. 97

The Complete Guide to Backdoor Roth IRA Contributions (And Common Mistakes to Avoid)

The Backdoor Roth might be the greatest tax loophole for high income individualsโ€ฆ But 99% of people have no idea how to do it correctly. So, in this episode, Iโ€™m going to tell you exactly how to do a backdoor Roth contribution without messing it up. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobd...

Feb 04, 2025โ€ข23 minโ€ขEp. 96

6 Common Tax Mistakes Most Retirees Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Taxes could very easily be your largest expense in retirement. So, having a strategic tax plan might prove to be the most important thing you can do. In this episode, I share 6 common tax mistakes retirees make around withdrawals, Roth conversions, capital gains, & Social Security. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedI...

Jan 28, 2025โ€ข28 minโ€ขEp. 95

Create Up To $126k of TAX-FREE Income in 2025 Using Tax-Gain Harvesting

Wait... You're telling me I can sell $126k of gains in my brokerage account and pay no tax on those gains? Yes! (And the best part is... it's legal) Join me as I share how tax-gain harvesting works so you can learn how to implement this tax savings strategy yourself. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.link...

Jan 21, 2025โ€ข12 minโ€ขEp. 94

Every Good Retirement Plan Includes These 6 Things

How do you know if your retirement plan is good or not? And what are the different things you need to include in your plan? That's what I discuss in this episode because I share 6 things that every good retirement plan includes. ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, ...

Jan 14, 2025โ€ข28 minโ€ขEp. 93

If You Want to Retire in 2025, Do These 5 Things First

As you prepare for you upcoming retirement, there a few thing you can do to give you the best chance at the retirement of your dreams. In this episode, I share 5 things (plus a bonus tip) that you should BEFORE you retire to help you make the most of your new adventure and rest at night knowing your money is taken care of. Enjoy! ๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Web...

Jan 07, 2025โ€ข22 minโ€ขEp. 92

8 Common Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Retirement

There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when planning for retirement, so I want to warn you about 8 common mistakes that I see. We will talk about the importance of knowing your true spending number, understanding the impact of inflation on retirement spending, balancing investment strategies, planning for taxes, timing Social Security, evaluating the need for Roth conversions, preparing for long-term care, and creating a comprehensive estate plan. Other episodes mentioned: https://open.sp...

Dec 24, 2024โ€ข25 minโ€ขEp. 91

The TRUTH About Social Security Taxation: How It Actually Works

๐Ÿ‘‰ Book a call with me ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started __________________________________ โœ… If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email! Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Social Security taxation is confusing for most... "Am I being taxed on my Social Security benefits?" "WHY am paying tax on my Social Security?" "How is Social Security tax calculate?" These are the common ques...

Dec 17, 2024โ€ข23 minโ€ขEp. 90

Pension vs Lump Sum - Friday Q&A

In this episode of the Friday Q&A, Jacob discusses a listener's dilemma of choosing between taking a lump sum or opting for a monthly pension in retirement. With a detailed inquiry involving health concerns, survivor benefits, and financial flexibility, the discussion delves into various factors such as fixed income, monthly expenses, Social Security benefits, and personal circumstances like employment status and legacy planning. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get st...

Dec 06, 2024โ€ข6 min

4 Reasons to Retire ASAP

Still trying to figure out when you are going to retire? Do you have a specific age in mind? It can be hard to decide and then actually go through with it because of the unknown and the "what-ifs" of retirement. But the biggest "what-if" in my opinion isn't what could go wrong in retirement... The biggest "what-if" is getting to the end of your life wishing you would have retired sooner so you could enjoy more time with your family or go on your dream vacation while you had the health. In this e...

Dec 03, 2024โ€ข18 minโ€ขEp. 89

Friday Q&A: Why Am I So Anxious About Retirement?

In this Friday Q&A, we tackle a common question from a soon-to-be retiree who is anxious about taking the leap into retirement despite strong financial standing. Discover the psychological challenges and mindset shifts necessary for a smooth transition into retirement. Need help planning for retirement? ๐Ÿ‘‰ Get started today: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started --------------------------- Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Du...

Nov 29, 2024โ€ข6 min

5 Strategies To Lower Your Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

When you turn 73 or 75, you will be required to begin taking money from your tax-deferred IRAs, 401ks, 403bs, etc. This is through what is called Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). While RMDs aren't the worst thing ever, they can create some tax issues in the future if you don't plan accordingly. In this epsiode, I share 5 ways you can lower your RMDs to minimize their negative tax impact in the future. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www....

Nov 26, 2024โ€ข17 minโ€ขEp. 88

Friday Q&A: Should We Pay Off Our House?

In the first episode of the Friday Q&A series,I address a viewer's question about whether to pay off their house before retirement. The husband is close to retirement and considers using his ESOP to pay off their recently purchased home. I discuss the pros and cons of this decision, including tax implications and the importance of maintaining liquidity.The episode offers valuable insights for anyone contemplating similar financial moves in the context of retirement planning....

Nov 22, 2024โ€ข6 min

Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Before Retirement?

One of the biggest factors in your ability to retire is whether or not you have debt. If you have no debt, retirement becomes that much easier. BUT does that mean you should pay off your mortgage before retirement at all costs? That's what I discuss in this episode. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

Nov 19, 2024โ€ข26 minโ€ขEp. 87

Is NOW A Good Time To Buy Stocks?

"The market is at all-time highs! We are due for a recession! I'm going to wait for the next pullback..." These the statements we all tell ourselves, but we shouldn't follow our own hunches and opinions. This week, I am talking through a framework that you can use to help answer the question, "Is now a good time to buy stocks?" โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https:/...

Oct 31, 2024โ€ข18 minโ€ขEp. 86

Ask This Question BEFORE You Retire

Most people only think about the money side of retirement. Do I have enough? When should I start Social Security? Which account should I pull money from first? These are all important questions, but the personal and emotional side of retirement often gets overlooked because the financial questions are top of mind. I encourage you to ask yourself, "What are you retiring to?" You know what you are retiring from, but having a game plan for what you are going to do in retirement is crucial so you do...

Oct 23, 2024โ€ข11 minโ€ขEp. 85

Here's When You Should Do Roth Conversions

Trying to figure out when you should do Roth conversions? In this episode, I share the optimal times to do Roth conversions so that you get the most out of this important tax minimization strategy. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and...

Oct 01, 2024โ€ข13 minโ€ขEp. 84

How Much Cash Should I Hold in Retirement?

How aggressive or conservative you should invest your money in retirement is a constant question in retirees' minds. How much risk should I take? Should I just use a standard 60/40 portfolio? How much cash should I have on hand? In this episode, I address this common question and provide a framework you can use to determine how much cash you should have in retirement based on YOUR unique situation. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertree...

Sep 17, 2024โ€ข17 minโ€ขEp. 83

Stop Avoiding IRMAA!

IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. In short, it is a surcharge that can be added to your Medicare Part B & D premiums IF you earn to much money. I talk about IRMAA here on the podcast and with my clients because it is something we have to pay attention to so that it doesn't catch us off guard, but I feel like many view IRMAA as something you MUST avoid. In this episode, I share a brief overview of IRMAA and tell you why you shouldn't avoid IRMAA at all costs. In fact,...

Sep 11, 2024โ€ข17 minโ€ขEp. 82

6 Reasons to Spend Your Roth IRA in Retirement

Having a Roth IRA in retirement can be very powerful. It allows you to make tax-free distributions for retirement income and gives you flexibility around your tax brackets... But I've noticed one thing. I/we as financial planners often suggest taking from your Roth IRA last for income in retirement so it has more time to compound tax-free. While this is often a good idea mathematically, I have been asking myself this question: "Everyone is told to save to a Roth IRA so they have tax-free income ...

Aug 27, 2024โ€ข31 minโ€ขEp. 81

Navigating Market Volatility in Retirement

It's not secret that sudden market declines can cause fear and anxiety in investors' minds. Recently, we've seen some volatility enter the markets and you might be wondering if you should make any changes to your portfolio. In this episode, I provide a framework and steps you can follow to navigate the emotions and uncertainties market volatility throw at us. If you'd like an example of the Retirement Income Buckets, shoot me and email and I will send it right over! โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” B...

Aug 13, 2024โ€ข21 minโ€ขEp. 80

Watch Out for These 5 Investing Mistakes!

Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started I've seen a common theme in almost every portfolio review I have done lately for prospective clients... I share that investing mistake and 4 others with you in this weeks episode! โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLA...

Jul 30, 2024โ€ข19 minโ€ขEp. 79

Tax-Savvy Retirement: Asset Location Explained

Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Tax planning is a huge part of building a successful retirement plan. You often hear about Roth conversions or tax-loss harvesting, but there is a simple way that EVERYONE can reduce there taxes each year... ASSET LOCATION. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the ho...

Jul 18, 2024โ€ข26 minโ€ขEp. 78

5 Ways to Reduce Your RMDs (& SAVE BIG)

Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) aren't the worst thing in the world, but they could force you to pay taxes you don't want to pay. In this episode, I share 5 ways to reduce your RMDs and take back control of your tax bill in retirement. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree ...

Jul 02, 2024โ€ข22 minโ€ขEp. 77

Where Should I Pull Funds From First in Retirement?

Book a free consultation to get started today ๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Not sure where to pull income from first in retirement? It can be a overwhelming to figure this out because of the impact your distributions have on other items in retirement such as Social Security taxes, RMDs, Medicare Premiums, and more. This week on the podcast I share some ideas around how to decide where to pull income from first in retirement. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.river...

Jun 25, 2024โ€ข16 minโ€ขEp. 76

7 Reasons NOT To Do Roth Conversions

Today, I'm sharing 7 reasons you shouldn't do Roth conversions... I hear about far too many people who are trying to do Roth conversions, but they shouldn't be doing any at all. Yes, Roth conversions are a power tax planning strategy for retirees, but it's not the best strategy for everyone. Creating a comprehensive plan that is unique to your situation is key. Don't just do Roth conversions because it's what everyone is talking about! โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.rivertreewe...

Jun 11, 2024โ€ข22 minโ€ขEp. 75

How Much Money Do You ACTUALLY Need To Retire?

Need a custom retirement plan? ๐Ÿ‘‰ Get started today: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started Wondering if you have enough money saved up to retire comfortably in 2024? In this video, I provide a framework you can use to evaluate how much you need to live a worry-free retirement. โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€”โ€” Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podc...

Jun 04, 2024โ€ข16 minโ€ขEp. 74