Retire SMART Podcast

David and Chip unpack the market’s response to the shutdown’s resolution and the concerning job trends that agencies haven’t been able to report. They dive into workforce shifts, the real story behind layoffs, and how taxes and policy decisions are influencing where businesses choose to call home. It’s a wide-ranging look at economic pressures from Wall Street to Main Street.

David and Chip dive into global headlines around the massive $80 trillion wealth transfer and what it could mean for future inheritance and estate taxes. They also spotlight a few surprising stories—from the former Fiserv chief’s $300 million move to government service to Diane Keaton’s alleged $5 million pet trust—before closing with a bullish look at market momentum heading into next spring.

What are the most effective methods to reduce mandatory spending? What tax increases will have the least negative impact on retirement income? And was President Trump teasing when he said we could solve our debt problem with a cryptocurrency transaction? David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

David sits down with advisor Charles Dzama, a guest from Southern California specializing in financial planning for federal employees. Together, they unpack the unique retirement challenges and opportunities facing this group, from managing TSP allocations to leveraging tax-efficient strategies like qualified charitable distributions and Roth conversions.

David and Chip celebrate their 400th episode with gratitude for listeners and a look at how recent elections could trigger major shifts in the U.S. economy. They cover everything from Texas’ investor-friendly tax amendment to global market moves in Europe, all while highlighting how policy decisions today could alter the financial world of tomorrow.

David and Chip explore two headlines that highlight America’s economic divide — California’s proposed wealth tax and Florida’s push to eliminate property taxes. Their discussion unpacks the idea of a “K-shaped economy,” where opportunity rises for some and falls for others, and ends with a look at how innovation and optimism continue to shape our future.

With the disconnect between record market returns and the weak job market, what is happening in this economy? Do we see a bust in AI due to no workforce to build data centers? And is there anything in the Big Beautiful Bill to allow Roth conversions without penalty?  David Brooks has answers to these questions in today’s Q&A episode.

In this episode, David and CPA Evan Marshall break down how the government shutdown is creating IRS backlogs while filing and payment deadlines remain unchanged. Evan also highlights key 2026 tax law changes affecting charitable giving and outlines timely year-end strategies for entrepreneurs focused on tax efficiency and exit planning.

Today, David and Chip tackle a full slate of economic headlines — the prolonged government shutdown, Fiserv’s massive stock drop, and a surprising boost for PayPal tied to OpenAI. They also break down the latest housing data and Social Security updates, connecting the dots on how each story could impact investors and retirees alike.

Today, David and Chip start with some good news, as Nebraska ranks among the happiest states in America despite high property taxes. From there, they discuss the latest on the U.S. budget deficit, tariffs, and the growing divide in the “K-shaped” economy before wrapping up with a look at rising education costs—and a funny story about smart beds gone wrong.