In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Maddy Roche, Chief Growth Officer at Childfree Trust, to discuss estate planning, care planning, and legacy planning for people who do not have children. They explore why traditional estate planning assumptions may not always fit childfree adults, especially when there are no obvious heirs or family members expected to step in during an emergency.

The conversation also covers the key documents everyone should consider having in place, including trusts, powers of attorney, and medical decision-making documents. Maddy also explains how Childfree Trust helps members think through who will handle their affairs, how fiduciary support can work, what happens during cognitive decline or medical emergencies, and how childfree individuals can create a meaningful legacy beyond leaving assets to children.

Childfree Trust: https://www.childfreetrust.com

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Benjamin Brandt, CFP® to discuss how retirees and pre-retirees can think about balancing both life and money throughout retirement. They explore the role diversification and portfolio rebalancing can play in managing market volatility, along with the challenges of dealing with concentrated stock positions and highly appreciated investments.

The conversation also covers key retirement planning decisions such as when to begin mapping out a retirement plan, strategies around claiming Social Security versus drawing from investments first, and how pensions and Social Security can shape the role of a retirement nest egg. Ben also shares thoughts on transitioning into retirement with part-time work, the emotional and lifestyle considerations that come with it, and how AI may impact the future of DIY retirement and tax planning.

Benjamin Brandt, CFP®:  https://retirementstartstoday.com

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, Jason breaks down how pensions, 401(k)s, and Social Security are taxed in retirement at both the federal and Hawaii state levels. He explains some of the biggest retirement tax misconceptions in Hawaii, including why pension income and 401(k) withdrawals are often treated differently for state tax purposes.

He closes by highlighting how the mix of retirement income sources can have a major impact on your after-tax cash flow and overall retirement strategy.

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Rachel Inafuku, PhD of UHERO to break down key insights on Hawaii’s economy, including inequality, job opportunities, and the evolving role of education. They discuss why Hawaii appears more equal than other states despite its high cost of living, and how the state’s unique economic structure shapes wages and career outcomes.

The conversation explores the impact of job training programs like Good Jobs Hawaii, which industries are seeing the strongest wage growth, and how AI is reshaping the value of education by emphasizing critical thinking, adaptability, and non-routine skills. They close with a discussion on Hawaii’s housing market and insights from the UHERO Housing Factbook.

Rachel Inafuku, PhD:  https://uhero.hawaii.edu/people/rachel-inafuku/

UHERO: https://uhero.hawaii.edu

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Darcy Smoot, CFA to break down how market and economic cycles work and why they matter for investors. They discuss the key differences between markets and the economy, what drives each, and why markets tend to move ahead of economic data.

The conversation highlights why timing cycles is so difficult and how investor behavior often leads to costly mistakes. They close with practical takeaways around staying diversified, rebalancing, and maintaining a disciplined, long-term mindset.

Nelson Capital Management:  https://www.nelsoncap.com

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Jim Saulnier, CFP® to focus on the core building blocks of a sound retirement plan. They discuss the importance of secure income to cover basic needs, maintaining a buffer for unexpected health and long-term care expenses, and the idea of a “fun number.”

The conversation also highlights how spending can evolve throughout retirement and why it often makes sense to prioritize enjoyment earlier on, when health and flexibility are at their peak. They also touch on the future of the financial planning profession and the growing impact of AI.

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, Jason breaks down the IRS “Dirty Dozen” tax scams and the common tactics scammers use to create urgency, fear, and confusion. From phishing emails and AI-driven phone calls to fake charities and misleading social media tax advice, he explains how these schemes can lead to costly mistakes, audits, and penalties.

He closes with simple, practical steps to protect yourself, emphasizing the importance of slowing down, verifying information through IRS.gov, and working with a trusted professional when something doesn’t feel right.

IRS News Release:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2026-irs-reminds-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by estate planning attorney Stacy Takekawa to explain how probate works and how assets transfer after death. They discuss what probate is, when it’s required, and the key steps involved in the process, including the roles of personal representative, creditors, and the court.

They also cover how probate works specifically in Hawaiʻi, common misconceptions about the process, and how proper estate planning, such as coordinating wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations, can help simplify things for families.

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, host Jason Cutitta, CFP® is joined by Andy Panko, CFP® to break down permanent life insurance, advisor credentials, and the flood of DIY retirement planning content online. They kick things off by explaining how Indexed Universal Life (IUL) works and why it’s so often misunderstood and oversold. They also touch on Infinite Banking, the overload of advisor designations and licenses, and how listeners can filter signal from noise in today’s finfluencer-driven world.

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In this episode of The Hawaii Retirement Show, Jason steps back from the headlines to make sense of gold, what it is, why people care about it, and how it has actually behaved across different economic environments. Using history as the guide, he explains how gold has performed during inflationary periods and financial crises, and why it can underperform for long stretches when confidence in markets is strong.

Jason closes by framing gold realistically within a portfolio, emphasizing that it is best understood as insurance or a diversifier, not a growth asset. He explains why gold often disappoints in calm markets and why portfolio construction and risk management matter far more than chasing any single asset.

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