Episode 15 of Retirement Tax Matters demystifies the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), a surtax that is increasingly trapping high-net-worth retirees due to income thresholds ($200,000 for singles, $250,000 for married couples) that have not been adjusted for inflation since 2013. We explain the specific “Lesser of" calculation used by the IRS, illustrating how this tax applies to your dividends, interest, and capital gains once your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) exceeds those fixed limits.

Episode 14 of Retirement Tax Matters explores the critical difference between being sold an insurance policy and actively engaging in comprehensive insurance planning, specifically tailored for high-net-worth retirees. We discuss why simply buying a product from an agent can leave you with policies you don't understand, versus working with a financial planner who integrates insurance into your broader tax and legacy goals. The conversation covers when life insurance is still necessary (such as for estate tax planning or special needs), why many retirees might not need it, and the importance of conducting a full inventory of your existing policies to identify redundancy.

Episode 13 of Retirement Tax Matters provides a financial planner's 101-level orientation to Medicare, breaking down the alphabet soup of Parts A (Hospital), B (Medical), and D (Drug). We explain the general concepts and common paths retirees consider, such as using a Medicare Supplement to create more predictable fixed monthly costs versus the 20% coinsurance.

Episode 12 of Retirement Tax Matters focuses on Social Security optimization for Hign-Net-Worth retirees, framing it as a critical spousal protection and legacy tool rather than a simple break-even calculation…

In Episode 11 of Retirement Tax Matters we discuss cash dilemmas for high-net-worth retirees: finding the right balance between necessary liquidity and optimizing your returns. While having readily accessible cash for emergencies is important, we explore the potential drawbacks of holding excessive amounts in multiple low-yielding bank accounts, which can add unnecessary complexity. Discover how recent T+1 settlement changes allow funds in conservative brokerage investments like money markets (sometimes yielding more) to be accessed typically by the next business day, challenging the need for overly large bank balances.

n Episode 10 of Retirement Tax Matters we tackle one of the most significant change to legacy planning in decades: the elimination of the Stretch IRA by the SECURE Act. Although this legislation took effect in 2020, its importance may have been easily missed in our fast-moving world, and new retirees are being reminded of its consequences.

n Episode 9 of Retirement Tax Matters we delve into the growing challenge of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for high-net-worth retirees with substantial Traditional IRA balances, particularly those in the $2M-$8M range. We establish that a six-figure RMD (beginning at just $2.65 million in an IRA for a 73-year-old in 2025) is a realistic scenario that continues to grow, often exceeding actual spending needs. Our conversation centers on the core dilemma: taking out money you don't need, which becomes fully taxable and can push you into higher tax brackets.

In Episode 7 of Retirement Tax Matters we tackle a critical, yet often emotionally challenging, aspect of HNW retirement planning: the significant tax bracket shock a surviving spouse can face. We reveal how a married couple's ~$250,000 taxable income, typically in the 24% bracket, can jump to a 35% bracket for a surviving spouse due to the shift from married filing jointly to individual rates, compounded by growing RMDs and even higher Medicare premiums.

In Episode 7 of Retirement Tax Matters we tackle a critical, yet often emotionally challenging, aspect of HNW retirement planning: the significant tax bracket shock a surviving spouse can face. We reveal how a married couple's ~$250,000 taxable income, typically in the 24% bracket, can jump to a 35% bracket for a surviving spouse due to the shift from married filing jointly to individual rates, compounded by growing RMDs and even higher Medicare premiums.

In Episode 6 of Retirement Tax Matters, we reveal what we believe is the #1 mistake most high-net-worth retirees make: treating your tax return as a once-a-year, historical document instead of a forward-looking tool to guide their investment and long-term financial plan. This podcast conversation explores why this reactive approach causes retirees to miss out on valuable, unused tax bracket space each year.

In Episode 5 of Retirement Tax Matters, we define the Golden Window — the critical years of temporary low income after you retire but before RMDs and Social Security begin. For high-net-worth retirees with large pre-tax IRA balances, this is an ideal time to manage what is likely your largest future tax liability.

Learn how the new tax law (OBBBA) makes the higher standard deduction permanent and what the new $31,500 amount for married couples means for your 2025 tax planning. We discuss the added complexity of new income phase-outs and why proactive planning is now more critical than ever.

The passage of the recent tax legislation, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), has created significant confusion around how Social Security will be taxed. Many retirees are asking if their benefits will now be tax-free. In this episode, Garrett Crawford breaks down the reality of the new law, explaining that the primary change is not to Social Security taxation itself, but the introduction of a new, substantial "Senior Deduction." We'll cover who qualifies for this deduction, the specific income phase-outs that could affect HNW retirees, and the critical planning dilemma it creates when considering strategic Roth conversions.

The passage of the recent tax legislation, One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), has created significant confusion around how Social Security will be taxed. Many retirees are asking if their benefits will now be tax-free. In this episode, Garrett Crawford breaks down the reality of the new law, explaining that the primary change is not to Social Security taxation itself, but the introduction of a new, substantial "Senior Deduction." We'll cover who qualifies for this deduction, the specific income phase-outs that could affect HNW retirees, and the critical planning dilemma it creates when considering strategic Roth conversions.

In our inaugural episode, Garrett Crawford, CFP®, and Adam Reed introduce the mission behind Retirement Tax Matters and our focus on providing advanced tax planning strategies for high-net-worth retirees.