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.