Big Picture Retirement®

Taxing the richest's unearned income—why should it matter to you? This episode peels back the complexities of the proposed legislation targeting billionaires' unrealized capital gains to examine its broader consequences. We get into how this potential tax shift could create waves that may lap at the financial foundations of everyday investors.

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We're adding new content every week and if you're not following there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says "Send A Voicemail."

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

The calculation the IRS uses to determine how you pay taxes on retirement income creates this danger zone where taxes can be SIGNIFICANTLY amplified. And if you fall into this danger zone, you could pay a MUCH higher tax rate on some of your retirement income. In this encore episode, we talk about how you can avoid the pitfall of paying way too much in taxes on that income.

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

How about this for a New Year's resolution - PROTECT YOUR ASSETS! In today's show, we bring back one of our most downloaded episodes where John covered the details on what to do with your personal property that could be exposed to creditors and ambulance-chasing attorneys.

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

In today's encore episode, we're talking about how to avoid the six most common Social Security mistakes. Some of these mistakes can be easily corrected. However, others can result in long-term or even permanent damage.

In today's episode, John and I talk about:

• Small missteps that cause overpayment notices
• Miscalculating spousal and survivor benefits
• Avoidable earning's record errors
• The Social Security tax bomb
• Relying on the SSA for your advice
• Using software to make decisions

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/ Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Another special encore episode just in time for year end. Managing taxes in retirement may have a greater impact than any other single cost-saving measure you take. Today, we're replaying our epsiode with Andy Panko for a discussion into tax loss harvesting, and one that doesn't get a lot of attention...tax GAIN harvesting.

Visit Andy's Facebook group Taxes In Retirement https://www.facebook.com/groups/495122561395942

Listen to Andy's podcast Retirement Planning Education at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/retirement-planning-education-with-andy-panko/id1605251516

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Today we're bringing back a fan favorite from 2022. The Fine Print of Beneficiary Designations.

This is something that seems straightforward at first glance - just fill out a form naming the people you wish to inherit your account in the event that you pass away.

Seems simple enough, right?

What lurks in the background is some nuance contained within these designations that may result in unexpected outcomes.

Two examples:

-Not properly designating per stirpes vs. pro rata can actually lead to accidentally disinheriting members of your family that you had NO intention of cutting out

-Leaving a trust as the beneficiary can be the perfect solution or the worst solution (depending on the language in your trust)

In this episode, John and Devin discuss how to ensure your assets will be passed in accordance with your desires (without leaving a tax bomb as a parting gift).

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review."

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

Today we're bringing back one of our most downloaded episodes: The Three Reasons for Roth Conversions.

We released this back in May of 2023 and it's already shot up to be one of the most listened-to episodes we've ever recorded. That's really no surprise because Roth conversions have become a hot topic, and for good reason too. After paying taxes for all the years you've worked, who doesn't want to try to reduce the taxes they'll pay in retirement? But…a Roth conversion doesn't make sense for everyone and after reviewing hundreds of Roth conversion plans, we've observed three primary reasons why a Roth conversion may be beneficial. In this episode, we'll explore each of these reasons.

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We're adding new content every week and if you're not following there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now!

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

In today's episode, we discuss an eye-opening study from Vanguard, a leader in the DIY investing space. In this report, they cover how partnering with a financial advisor could potentially amplify your average annual return by a notable 3%. (Hint…it's more than just "doing your investments.")

We'll break down the methodology behind this report and explore the nuances of the value an advisor brings to the table.

To get on the same page, you can find the report here: https://advisors.vanguard.com/insights/article/putting-a-value-on-your-value-quantifying-adv isors-alpha

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We're adding new content every week and if you're not following there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says "Send A Voicemail."

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

In 2021, the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was enacted with the goal of unveiling hidden ownership structures and counter illicit financial undertakings. Yet, while its implications are far-reaching, the conversation has largely missed a pivotal audience: owners and operators of LLCs and small businesses. These groups, despite being at the heart of the Act's purview, have received little guidance or clarity on the changes ahead. With the CTA's effective date of January 1, 2024, rapidly approaching, the need for understanding and preparation has never been more pressing. In this episode, we dive deep into the CTA's impact on LLCs and small enterprises.

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We're adding new content every week and if you're not following there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says "Send A Voicemail."

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

In this episode, we open the phone lines and talk directly with our listeners to answer their burning questions.

Kristen from California is at a crossroads post-retirement. At 61, she's contemplating drawing from her Social Security benefits but is held back by the perplexing windfall provision. Dive in as we shed light on its legislative history and the possible shift to the Public Servant Fairness Formula.

Blair in Florida, a proud dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., kicks off his call with some heartwarming appreciation for hosts John and Devin. Then he brings out an intricate issue surrounding the Social Security Totalization agreement and pensions from both countries. Get ready for a deep dive into international pensions, the windfall elimination provision, and the labyrinth of filling out the right forms.

Chris from Arizona calls in with a dilemma on Roth conversions while juggling medical subsidies.

And then last but certainly not least...

Bill from Nevada seeks guidance on maximizing survivor benefits for his beloved wife. Bill, navigating Social Security decisions can be a daunting task, especially when thinking about our loved ones.

If you're thinking "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast" please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the "ratings and reviews" section, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven't done so already, follow the podcast. We're adding new content every week and if you're not following there's a good chance you'll miss out. Follow now!

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and look for the tab on the right side that says "Send A Voicemail."

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devin's team at https://www.carrolladvisory.com/

Contact John's team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/