Episodes
If you have a specific subject on your mind, you can use our complete episode index, organized by topic, to find the conversation you're looking for.
Social Security Trust Fund Depletion: What It Means for $2M to $8M Retirees
Episode 50 of Retirement Tax Matters reviews the numbers behind the latest Social Security Trust Fund report and what the possible projected 2032 reserve depletion means for retirees between $2M and $8M. Garrett Crawford, CFP® and Adam Reed walk through the report details, noting that while trust fund reserves are projected to run out in the fourth quarter of 2032, ongoing payroll tax revenues may still cover approximately 78% of scheduled benefits.
How a $534K Income Can Still Leave You in the 12% Ordinary MFJ Tax Bracket
A live Holistiplan tax planning case study showing how a married couple with $534,200 in total income stays in the 12% ordinary marginal tax bracket. Garrett Crawford, CFP® and Adam Reed break down Form 1040 tax stacking, long-term capital gains, Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT), and multi-year Roth conversion strategies for high-net-worth retirees.
Why Your 30-Year Retirement Plan Report Feels Underwhelming
Long-term retirement planning is a necessity, but it must be balanced with yearly execution. Episode 42 explores why a static 30-year trajectory feels underwhelming without proactive tax planning, and how tactical adjustments to your tax return provide real-world confidence as the future unfolds.
The Two Most Underrated Social Security Features for High-Net-Worth Married Retirees
Episode 37 of Retirement Tax Matters breaks down why high-net-worth married retirees with portfolios in the $2M–$8M range often look past critical elements of their Social Security filing strategy by prioritizing ROI instead of incorporating the risk-reducing benefits of the program.
Roth Conversions for Single Retirees: Feeling the Painful 32% Bracket Jump
Episode 34 addresses the high-net-worth Single Filer Retiree navigating the 32% tax bracket Roth Conversion decision. Learn why the $201,776 threshold in 2026 is an interesting crosshair for advanced tax planning, where the 32% bracket, NIIT surcharges, and IRMAA cliffs create a unexpected collision of taxes for successful Single Filers.
Reverse-Engineering A Six-Figure RMD Problem
Episode 33 of Retirement Tax Matters uses a reverse-engineering framework to reframe the six-figure RMD from a problem into a solvable puzzle. Learn how to levelize your lifetime tax liability and your heirs through proactive tax-return driven planning.
Evaluating the 22% to 24% Tax Bracket Jump for Strategic Roth Conversions for High-Net-Worth Retirees.
Episode 31 of Retirement Tax Matters analyzes the strategic logic of maximizing the 24% federal tax bracket for high-net-worth retirees who naturally fall into the 22% range due to modest spending.
Why April 16th is Opening Day of Tax Planning: Using Your 1040 as a Roadmap
Episode 30 of Retirement Tax Matters reframes the April 15th filing deadline as the Opening Day for a retiree’s 2026 tax planning strategy. For high-net-worth retirees and their families in the $2M–$8M range, Garrett Crawford, CFP® explains why the tax return is not a historical receipt but a roadmap that leads the upcoming year’s proactive planning .