Blog and Podcast

Ep 62: Pension Lump Sums: 2021 May Be The Best Year Ever

Pension lump sums will be much higher in 2021 than 2020. Listen to Kevin discuss timing considerations on how to optimize your pension benefits by understanding the key variables that determine your lump sum.

Company pension plans specifically discussed include Akron Children’s Hospital, Bridgestone, FirstEnergy, Goodyear, Mercy Health, and Rockwell Automation. Continue reading

Lump-Sum Pensions Much Higher In 2021

Many baby-boomers have earned pensions over their working careers and are confronted with the complex decision of how best to optimize it. Some plans offer the choice of a lump sum that can be rolled over pre-tax to an IRA instead of a lifetime monthly payment. Next year, 2021, will likely be an optimal year to elect the lump sum for many. Continue reading

Ep 61: Welcoming Ron Wyatt, CFP® as a New Partner

We’re excited to make a big announcement on this episode of Retire Smarter. Kevin is joined by True Wealth Design’s newest partner, Ron Wyatt, who brings more than 25 years of financial planning experience to the firm. A lot of existing listeners will be hearing from Ron for the first time, so we’ll spend some time getting to know his background and professional journey. And new listeners will also get to learn more about Kevin’s experiences. Continue reading

Ep 60: Why The Cheapest Investment Option May Not Be The Best

The purchase price of your car is one factor to consider. But the Total Cost of Ownership — adding in costs for insurance, fuel, maintenance and repairs, as well as the residual value upon sale — is a better way to evaluate financial aspects of a car purchase.

Same too goes for selecting investments. Many solely use the expense ratio to determine what fund to buy. But while the expense ratio is important, it does not tell the whole story. In fact, it may tell only a small part. Continue reading

How to Get A $16,168 Tax Credit On Obamacare Even If You Are Affluent

Many early retirees find they must utilize Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) policies to bridge the gap from employer-provided health insurance to Medicare at age 65. ACA policies are expensive but even affluent families may be able to obtain significant tax credits to offset premiums. Continue reading

Ep 59: Retiree Health Insurance Part 2: Pre-Medicare

Listen to learn about your health insurance options from the time you retire to before you can begin Medicare at age 65. Should you take COBRA? What types of plans are available for Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) plans, and how much do they cost? How do ACA tax credits work, and how valuable are they? Continue reading

Ep 58: Retiree Health Insurance Part 1: Medicare

Healthcare is a primary concern, especially for retirees. Transitioning from employer-provided coverage you’ve been on for decades is stressful. Good news is Medicare is a good deal, but you need to make smart decisions. Listen to learn about Medicare, it’s costs, pros and cons of supplemental and advantage plans, and much more. Continue reading

Mobile App & Client Vault Updates

We have a few announcements related to your client vault and improvements in your experience, security, and flexibility in sharing data. Mobile App Updates We are happy to announce we have a new mobile app available for your smart device … Continue reading

Politics & Investing: Perceptions & Reality

As a financial advisor, many com­monly believe I deal with technical or mathematical issues around financial planning, investing, and taxes. While that is true, dealing with the emotional mat­ters that surround money is often just as important as and, in … Continue reading

Medicare Reviews During Open Enrollment

As your Annual Notice of Change arrives in your mailbox, you may have questions about those changes.  Or perhaps you aren’t sure if the Medicare plan that you have is still meeting your needs.  Your prescription drugs may have changed, and your Drug Plan may not be as suitable as it once was. These items and other questions can be addressed during the complimentary review. Continue reading