Keen On Retirement

At Keen Wealth, we often describe tax-planning as an ongoing process, not just something we help folks accomplish every spring. And while Tax Day is certainly circled in red on our annual planning calendars, the end of the year is also an important deadline for some moves that could lower your tax bill. On today's show, we discuss three financial strategies that you and your advisor should consider before December 31st. Please note that we recorded this episode before Election Day. We'll give you our thoughts on how the new U.S. political environment could affect your financial planning in the weeks ahead.

If there's one thing we know that the financial markets like, it's certainty. And since the 2024 presidential election was settled overnight -- rather than the weeks it took to count votes in 2020 -- the markets have reacted to the certainty of our new political reality with very strong returns. But as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House, there are still many lingering questions about how the economic vision he laid out on the campaign trail will or won't materialize. On today's show, we explore some of President-elect Trump’s policy proposals and how they could affect your retirement planning.

"Tax season" is year-round at Keen Wealth. As we meet with folks throughout the year and help them respond to life's ups and downs, we're constantly reevaluating their portfolios, budgets, and goals to look for more efficient and advantageous tax planning strategies. However, there are certain tax moves that you have to lock in by December 31st in order to apply them to your tax filings the following April. As we head into the fourth quarter of 2024, be sure to talk to your financial advisor and your tax professional about these 10 topics.

Social Security can be one of the most flexible tools in your retirement toolkit. Some seniors will depend on it. Some will use it to achieve or even upgrade bucket list goals. Some might treat it as an additional investable asset. And others might make their survivor's benefits a central part of their estate planning. But I think all seniors will agree that no one wants their Social Security benefits to trigger unwelcome surprises at tax time. As you're weighing when to take Social Security and how to use your benefits, discuss these four topics with your financial advisor. You may have several options to lower your tax liability and maximize the value of your benefits to your comprehensive financial plan.

Between the 24/7 news cycle and the two-year election cycle of our government system, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels like our country is in a permanent state of campaigning. And that means some folks who do follow politics and their investments closely are often hearing our leaders talk about tax policy every time they turn on the news. However, it's very important to distinguish between what candidates propose on the campaign trail, what's being debated in Congress, and what actually has a chance of becoming law. On today's show, we separate the facts and the fiction from sound bites on capital gains taxes that you might have heard in recent weeks -- and that you're likely to hear a lot more as we head into the final month of the 2024 campaign.

At Keen Wealth, "tax season" is never really over. Our checklist-driven, comprehensive planning process is constantly taking in new information about the folks we work with and changes to tax law. By staying ahead of tax issues, we believe we can help limit surprises when April does roll around, especially for retired seniors who are living on a fixed income. I'm glad to see that there are folks in our audience who are staying on top of their taxes throughout the year as well. On today's show, we answer listener tax questions about gold, correcting mistakes on your tax return, and a form you might have received in the mail a couple of months ago.

As a retiree, you might be done cashing a regular paycheck. But, as far as the IRS is concerned, you probably aren't done earning income or, in most cases, paying taxes. In fact, without precise planning around how and when you start tapping into your nest egg, you could open yourself up to higher tax liabilities in retirement than you had when you were working full time. Here's a very basic example of a retirement withdrawal strategy checklist that we use at Keen Wealth to help retirees minimize their taxes and maximize their resources for living a full and rewarding retirement.

We spend a lot of time on Keen on Retirement discussing how retirement is changing, from new laws and rules to generational shifts in how seniors work and live. But one constant in the retirement planning process is the importance of the age of 65. Many folks still feel like turning 65 means you've hit "retirement age," even though the government's definition is a bit different. And even if you continue to work well into your 70s, at age 65 there are some important decisions that should be coordinated as your vision for your Golden Years comes into focus. On today's show, we discuss why the age of 65 will be an especially important transition point for the next couple of years. We also answer listener questions about charitable contributions and required minimum distributions that might factor into your tax prep this spring.

If you go back and skim the 200-plus episodes we've recorded of Keen on Retirement, you'll notice that every year or so, we devote an episode to the latest financial frauds and scams that are making the rounds. Especially as we head into tax season, it's important that folks remember the IRS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Social Security Administration are never, ever going to call you and ask for your banking info. We also regularly caution folks against clicking on suspicious emails or text message links, or making investments that seem too good to be true with the Bernie Madoffs of the world. On today's show, we talk about another type of financial "fraud" that's perfectly legal but potentially just as dangerous to your financial security: taking bad advice from unaccredited financial commentators and celebrities trying to further their own best interests, not yours.

One of the reasons my team at Keen Wealth puts so much care into personalizing our comprehensive planning process is that there's no one path to a successful retirement. Yes, we often incorporate some tried-and-true strategies and tools, like diversification, downside volatility protection, and Monte Carlo simulations. But as we discuss on today's show, even professional financial advisors have to sort through a wide array of options to help folks find their optimal plan. When you're managing your finances on your own, those options can be overwhelming and, in some cases, a little dangerous for your money. After discussing four listener questions, I'd also like to share some exciting personal news and thank my alma mater, the University of Central Missouri.

When we fall behind on our holiday shopping lists, there are usually some last-minute deals and expedited shipping options that can help us catch up. But if you fall too far behind on your annual financial planning checklist, you might miss out on some important rule changes or time-sensitive strategies that could impact your retirement next year. Based on the questions we've been fielding lately from Keen on Retirement listeners and readers, I'm glad that so many folks are making time during the holiday hustle and bustle to think about some important issues and get a jump on their 2024 financial planning. On today's show, we discuss popular questions about next year's tax brackets, a controversial video about retirement withdrawals that's been making the rounds on social media, and how seniors should be planning for long-term care.

It's worth celebrating just about any time our leaders on both sides of the political aisle can meet in the middle. But seniors in Kansas City, MO should all be smiling now that, starting in 2024, they’ll get to enjoy a little bit more of their Social Security benefits. Thanks to a broadly bipartisan vote, Missouri is set to become the 39th state to make Social Security payments exempt from state taxes. Of course, that also means many folks in our audience will have to factor in a new variable when they're deciding when to take Social Security. Luckily, Matt Wilson, Keen Wealth's Chief Investment Officer and President, recently hosted a comprehensive webinar on Maximizing Social Security Benefits that you can rewatch on our website. Today, we're going to discuss some follow-up questions Matt received from attendees.

Without careful analysis and planning, taxes can become one of the biggest expenses for retirees -- if not the biggest. Matt Wilson, Chief Investment Officer and President of Keen Wealth Advisors, recently hosted a webinar discussing the tax issues you could face at four stages of retirement. Today's podcast episode hits on some of Matt's key points and answers important follow-up questions from webinar attendees. Together, this content provides a full picture of how Keen Wealth integrates both annual tax preparation and long-term tax planning into a comprehensive financial plan.

Why are we talking taxes on today’s episode, when the 2022 tax season is already over? Because taxes are a constantly evolving part of a comprehensive financial plan. The rules around tax planning and retirement change. Your taxable income changes. And, most importantly, your life changes. Today, we discuss some of the tax items on our checklist-driven planning process at Keen Wealth that keep every part of a financial plan in sync throughout the year.

The numbers are finally out! And that means, if you haven't already started, it's time to get serious about working with your advisor to update your financial plan for 2023. On today's show, we discuss the changes coming to your Social Security and Medicare benefits next year, as well as an important clarification on the rules for inheriting IRAs that could impact how you and your family members think about legacy and tax planning.

On our last episode, we ran through the changes to Medicare and Social Security that will affect seniors' benefits next year. Today, we're going to complete our 2023 planning picture by discussing tax brackets and contribution limits for retirement accounts. We also examine whether or not gold and real estate should factor into your financial planning given the current levels of inflation.

"Ben" and "Shirley" are 62 years old and married. Shirley retired at the beginning of 2022. Ben is still working, earning $130,000 per year and taking home about $7,000 every month. If Ben retired right now, he'd be eligible for $24,000 per year in Social Security; Shirley could collect $20,000. Ben has a 401(k) worth $1.1 million; Shirley's 401(k) is worth $300,000. They have $45,000 in Roth IRA accounts and $50,000 spread across their checking and savings. Their home is worth $400,000. In 2021, they refinanced the $100,000 balance on their mortgage for 30 years at 2.75%. They have $500,000 in life insurance coverage on Ben, and they're paying $13,000 a year in annual premiums. In part, they're paying those premiums because they have a special needs son, and Ben recently had a stent put in. At Keen Wealth, we call these financial details a person or couple's "case facts." And on today's show, we use these facts to help this couple answer the number one question on their minds, and on the minds of many of our listeners: If "Ben" retires this year, will they be able to replace the $7,000 post-tax income they have been living on and ultimately – will they be OK?

None of us can control a war, inflationary concerns, natural disasters, or market volatility. If you're worrying about how global events are going to affect your financial plan, try to focus on things you can control. As we discuss on today's show, right now that means efficient tax preparation so that you avoid some common filing mistakes before Tax Day on April 18th.

"Wealthy" is another category that's a lot more relative than people may realize. Sure, we talk about "the 1%" a lot in our society. Others might point to the IRS' tax brackets to gauge wealth. But Charles Schwab's Modern Wealth Survey 2022 shows that people want more from their money than just wealth -- they want to be able to live a life that aligns with what's most important to them.

One reason we advise our clients not to overreact to election results is that the plans candidates propose on the campaign trail often look very different once they've worked through the U.S. lawmaking process. President Biden's agenda has struggled with that very reality in recent weeks. As Congress continues to debate and negotiate the Build Back Better Plan, perhaps the central topic of discussion has been balancing ambitious spending with changes to tax codes that would be necessary to pay for that spending.

Folks who follow a well-defined financial plan usually have some important dates circled on their calendars. At the beginning of the year, you probably plot out some annual goals. In the spring, you gather last year's info for tax season. In the summer, parents start budgeting for family vacations and the upcoming school year.

President Biden and Congress continue to float some pretty significant tax proposals, including last week’s package focused on corporate tax rates. On today’s show, we dig into items aimed at individuals, particularly some potential changes that could affect retirees this time next year.

The American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) doesn’t sound quite as catchy as the SECURE Act or the CARES Act. But the government’s new trillion-dollar plan to accelerate our country’s recovery from COVID-19 is no less consequential.

On today’s show, we offer some timely and helpful advice on things we see the most in our firm during tax season. This episode will be especially helpful if you’re new to the various 1099 forms.

On today’s show, we try to sort out the facts from the what-ifs, and make some considered observations about what President Trump may mean for taxes. Which proposed reforms are most likely to become law? Will there be a compromise with the Democrats? And what should you be doing to prepare yourself and your money for the next four years?

On today’s show, we tackle this and other common retirement questions submitted by you, our clients and listeners. We do our best to provide expert analysis on the challenges and opportunities facing retirees.

Tax season may – finally! – be behind us, but taxes are still very much on the minds of our listeners, and my clients at Keen Wealth. President Trump recently unveiled a new tax plan, the consequences of which are still being unpacked and analyzed. And changing taxes is just one part of the broader Trump economic plan that the president and Congress are trying to convert from campaign promises into actual legislation.

Retirement planning isn’t just about fueling up for the flight to that dream destination. A lot of my clients at Keen Wealth also want to plan the most tax-efficient and responsible ways to set aside resources now that will support their kids and grandkids as they get started on their financial journey. That may mean a college education, buying a first home, or even giving them a head start on their retirement planning.

By the end of February, your financial institutions should have sent you all your relevant tax documents for 2017, like earning statements on your investment accounts, interest earned on savings, etc. If you’re missing anything important, you might want to get in touch with those institutions and make sure the info you need is on its way.

My team at Keen Wealth has been hard at work pouring over the new tax bill that President Trump signed into law at the end of 2017. There’s much to unpack and a few details that still haven’t settled into place, but I know that my listeners and clients have questions. So while this probably won’t be our only episode this year on what might be the biggest change to the tax code in decades, today we will look at some of the most important changes this bill introduces. Hopefully this discussion will help folks cut through all the political clamor, and start thinking about the potential impact on their financial planning.

I suspect that a month or two from now, your inbox and social media feeds will be full of year-end tax-planning checklists and advice articles. But one of our mantras at Keen Wealth is, “get out ahead of issues as early as we can.” So on today’s show, we help our listeners get a jump on year-end tax planning. If you put off addressing these important items, you’re not just wasting time. You could be losing money.

My Keen Wealth team can help you make well-informed decisions for your retirement. We can help you figure out how much to save and invest. We can help you figure out an annual withdrawal rate that will keep you happy and active without breaking the bank. We can put you in touch with the right tax and health care pros. We can help get your estate in order. Heck, we’ll even sit down with your children and explain to them the importance of starting their own financial plans as early as possible.

If you’ve started to receive 2018 tax info from your financial institutions and can already feel a sense of dread building, let me try to put a more positive spin on this process. At Keen Wealth, we like to remind clients that, to some extent, taxes are a problem of prosperity. Sticking with disciplined savings and investment strategies, even during volatility, could help generate wealth and security for your family in the long run. Taxes are just part of the price tag that comes with achieving that dream retirement scenario.

Now that we’re in tax season we thought it would be appropriate to take a look at income and taxes in the United States. How are they distributed? Is it fair? What does it take to be in the top 1%?

On today’s show, we discuss how charitable giving factors into your year-end tax planning preparation. A little forethought and some guidance from a financial professional can help you maximize your generosity – which could make a big difference in another person’s life this holiday season. According to experts, giving could give your own health and happiness a big boost as we head into the new year.

As we discussed earlier this year, 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the IRA and the 20th anniversary of the Roth IRA. For decades, Americans have been using these investment accounts to take control of their retirement planning and provide their families with favorable wealth building vehicles. The Roth in particular has become extremely popular thanks to its tax-free accumulation. And, as more and more seniors are working in retirement, the ability to keep making contributions for as long as you’re earning income is attractive as well.

You work hard for your money so it only makes sense to work just as hard to keep it from the clutches of Uncle Sam. Here are 5 ways high earners can save money on taxes.

Few people would argue with the idea that a college education is one of the best investments you can make. But who should pay for that education? Mom and dad? The student? The government through our taxes? Some combination?

Greg Valliere has 40 years of experience following Washington issues for institutional and retail investors. He’s widely quoted in the national media on political and current events, federal reserve policy and tax and spending issues. If you’ve tuned into any of the political news recently, you may have seen him on CNBC, Fox Business, CNN, or CBS Radio to name a few. Greg is currently the Chief Political Strategist at Horizon Investments.

One piece of advice we give our clients at Keen Wealth Advisors is to make a financial plan that attempts to minimize surprises in retirement. Without a plan, many retirees get their first big surprise in the second week of April. And it’s not a fun surprise: when you stop receiving a paycheck and start living off your assets and investments, your tax filings can change dramatically.

In my last few blogs and podcasts, I’ve discussed how a good financial advisor, operating to the fiduciary standard, can help co-pilot your financial journey into retirement, and prepare you for accompanying changes to your taxes.

Less than a month to go until Tax Day! I know many of you out there are feeling the crunch, especially if you’re preparing your taxes on your own. But even if you do work with a tax professional, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how the IRS determines your taxable income this year, and an understanding of the new laws going into effect next year.

I’m really happy that clients and other friends of Keen Wealth have continued to ask us questions about their financial planning over the past month or so. Those questions tell me that even as we’re dealing with all of the uncontrollable stresses surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, folks are keeping at least one eye on the things they can control

Believe me, I understand that your checklist for the month of December is probably spilling onto another page already. And it’s not much fun to sit around the fire and think about filing taxes in April. But there’s less than two weeks left to consider some moves that could have a major impact on how you wrap up 2019 and progress into 2020.

So much of our focus this year has been on Covid-19 that you might have missed a major milestone that we passed recently. We are now less than 100 days away from what promises to be a very contentious and impactful presidential election. The economic side of the debate has started to take shape now that former Vice President Joe Biden has released some new tax proposals.

This time last year, the big story in finance was gearing up for our first go around with the new tax laws that were passed at the end of 2017.

There’s more to crafting a sensible estate plan than just deciding what assets you want to leave to your loved ones. That’s a big part of the process, of course. But your estate plan might also include establishing a trust that safeguards your assets for beneficiaries. You might set up a charitable fund that benefits a favorite cause. You’ll need to file all your important documents in one easy-to-find spot. You’ll need to make decisions about how you want to be cared for at the end of your life. And you’ll need to coordinate with attorneys and tax experts.

Retirement means that you're done working full time, but it doesn't necessarily mean that you're done making money.