Retirement Insights
Making sense of taxes, markets, and retirement planning.
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11 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before You Hire One
/ April 9th, 2026
Choosing the wrong financial advisor can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in retirement. One bad recommendation — the wrong tax strategy, a poorly timed Social Security claim, or an unnecessary annuity — can do irreversible damage to your financial future. The problem? There are more than 300,000 financial professionals in the U.S., and
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Investment Policy Statement (IPS): Everything You Need to Know
/ April 2nd, 2026An Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is the single most important document standing between you and a costly investment mistake. Your IPS spells out exactly how your money gets invested — your goals, your risk tolerance, your asset allocation… all of it. And if you work with a financial advisor? Your IPS tells them exactly what
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Letter of Instruction: How to Write One in 2026 (Free Template)
/ April 1st, 2026A Letter of Instruction is one of the most important estate planning documents you’ll ever create… yet most people have never heard of it. Here’s the deal: your will and trust cover the legal side of your estate plan, but they don’t tell your family how to actually manage things if something happens to you.
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What Does Per Stirpes Mean? A Simple Guide With Examples
/ April 1st, 2026Today I’m sharing everything you need to know about Per Stirpes. In fact, this confusing Latin word recently saved our client from sending over $500,000 to the wrong beneficiary. (And she didn’t need an attorney to take action!) If you want to ensure the right people inherit your hard-earned money, you’ll enjoy today’s article. What
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QCDs Explained: Tax-Smart Giving From Your IRA After 70½
/ February 28th, 2026If you’re over 70½ and still writing checks to charity from your bank account, you could be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year. Here’s why: A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) lets you send money directly from your IRA to a charity — and that amount doesn’t count as taxable income. That means
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2026 Tax Changes Explained: 5 Things Retirees Need to Know
/ February 12th, 2026If you’re retired or planning to retire in the next decade, Congress recently made decisions that directly affect you and your financial future. On July 4th, 2025, lawmakers passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”—an 870-page economic package that touches nearly every aspect of your financial life: This legislation has sparked intense debate, but as
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Avoid IRMAA Surcharges: A 2026 Medicare Premium Playbook for Retirees
/ February 10th, 2026
Most retirees budget for Medicare premiums. What they don’t budget for is paying 2–3x more than their neighbor for the exact same coverage. That’s what IRMAA does. If your income crosses certain thresholds, Medicare adds a surcharge to your Part B and Part D premiums—sometimes totaling $10,000+ per year for a married couple. The worst
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California Capital Gains Tax: A Comprehensive Guide
/ February 1st, 2026California Capital Gains Tax works just like income tax—the state treats profits from selling stocks, bonds, real estate, or other assets as ordinary income. Unlike the federal government, which separates short-term and long-term capital gains, California makes no distinction. Whether you held an asset for 10 days or 10 years, your profit is taxed using
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The 7 San Diego Financial Advisors to Consider (2026 Updated)
/ February 1st, 2026
In this article, I share seven San Diego Financial Advisors to consider in 2026. I also provide dozens of free resources to help local retirement savers find a qualified professional. So, if you need help finding a financial advisor in San Diego (who has the right expertise for your situation!), this guide is for you.
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California Retirement Taxes: What High-Income Retirees Need to Know
/ January 5th, 2026
Living in California can be the payoff after a long career, yet California retirement often looks different once paychecks stop. You may have fewer levers than you did during your working years, while your mix of accounts, investments, and housing costs can still push your numbers around in surprising ways. Your focus shifts toward keeping
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