Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Most retirees worry about whether their money will last—but few understand the real variables that determine success. In this episode, we go beyond the usual “spend less, earn more” advice and unpack the math that truly drives a sustainable retirement: the rate of return you actually need, how to stress-test your portfolio against bear markets, and why flexible withdrawals can extend the life of your nest egg.

Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks through how a real financial plan uses Monte Carlo simulations, withdrawal sourcing strategies, and tax-smart distribution planning to give you confidence—even in volatile markets.

If you want your money to last as long as you do, this episode will give you the framework to make smarter decisions today and a stronger plan for tomorrow.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📉 Do You Know Your Required Return? Most people don’t — yet it determines your entire investment strategy.

📊 Sequence-of-Return Risk - What happens if you retire into a 2008-style crash?

🔍 Monte Carlo Simulations - Not a Formula 1 race — a tool that models thousands of possible retirements.

🧮 Retirement Smile Concept - Why your spending won’t stay the same over 30 years.

💸 Smarter Withdrawals - The order of withdrawals can save thousands in taxes.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 

Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN

Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 

Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

For many retirees, healthcare costs before Medicare can be one of the biggest financial shocks — often exceeding $25,000 a year. But with the right planning, that same $25,000 can turn into a tax credit instead of an expense.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP® dives into how the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Premium Tax Credits work, what is and what isn't expiring after 2025, and how affluent retirees can still qualify through smart income control. From understanding Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to leveraging Roth accounts and taxable savings, you’ll see how advanced tax planning can make a big difference in bridging the healthcare gap to Medicare.

Listen to learn:

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 

Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN

Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

In this episode of Retire Smarter, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how to gift smarter — whether your goal is to support family or give back to charity.

With the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) reshaping charitable deductions starting in 2026, now is the time to rethink your strategy. Tyler explains why cash may not be the best asset to give, how Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can maximize your tax efficiency, and what to know about new AGI floors and deductions.

If you want to make your generosity go further — for your loved ones, your favorite causes, and your long-term financial plan — this episode will help you do just that.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Cash isn’t king – Gifting appreciated assets can save you (and your kids) significant taxes.

🎁 Donor-advised funds – Get the deduction now, give later, and simplify your recordkeeping.

🙌 QCD advantage – Over 70½? Give directly from your IRA and reduce taxable income.

🧮 Annual limits – Gift up to $19,000 per person (or $38,000 per couple) tax-free each year.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family strategy – Thoughtful planning builds multi-generational wealth and avoids tax traps.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Most don't realize how important structure and strategy impacts an investment's tax efficiency.

Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how investment vehicles — from mutual funds to ETFs, Direct Indexing, and Tax-Aware Long/Short (TALS™) strategies — impact your after-tax returns.

Learn why mutual funds can surprise you with taxable distributions, how ETFs use in-kind redemptions to avoid them, what SMAs are and how they may help, and how modern innovations like long-short overlays unlock new levels of tax efficiency.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💼 Investment structure matters – How mutual funds, ETFs, and more advanced vehicles impact your tax bill.

📈 ETFs = efficiency – Learn how they avoid unwanted capital gains distributions.

🔄 Tax loss harvesting – The strategy behind realizing losses for long-term tax benefits.

🧮 Direct indexing – Owning individual stocks for customized control and better tax outcomes.

⚙️ Tax-aware long-short investing – The next evolution in creating ongoing, flexible tax advantages.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

It will soon be that time of year again … the fourth quarter. Before you get swept up in the holiday season, it’s the perfect time to take stock. Have you accomplished the financial goals you set for yourself this year? If not, there’s still time to act.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks you through True Wealth Design’s year-end tax and investment review process — our end of the year tax focused meeting to help families stay on track. You’ll hear what we look for in these meetings, the common year-end items you should be reviewing, and the key decisions that can save you money on taxes. We’ll also highlight why it’s just as important to look ahead — from contribution limits and healthcare enrollment to income targets for the coming year — so you’re prepared for 2026 and beyond.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

📑 Filing vs. planning – April files the return; December sets the strategy.

💰 Max out contributions – 401(k), HSA, IRA, and catch-up opportunities.

🎁 Charitable giving – Donor-advised funds and bunching strategies can cut your tax bill.

🏥 Healthcare choices – Open enrollment decisions can save thousands.

🧾 Legislative updates – New senior deduction and higher SALT cap change the math in 2025.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

In today’s episode, we’re tackling the big question: Can you really retire with $1 million? 

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do I really have enough to retire?” this episode will help you cut through the noise, understand the numbers, and feel more confident about your retirement readiness.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

What do ultra-wealthy families prioritize when it comes to their money — and how is that relevant to your own retirement plan?

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the top three concerns that shape how the wealthiest families plan — and why those same issues are just as important for families with $1–$5 million of wealth.

You’ll learn:

Whether you’re five years from retirement or already in it, this episode will help you think more clearly, act more confidently, and plan like it really matters.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Deferred compensation plans can be a powerful retirement tool — but they’re often misunderstood and carry unique risks. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down how these plans work in 2025, from 409A rules to 457(b) and 457(f) plans that are especially common in the healthcare industry. We’ll cover why so many executives and physicians use them, how payout rules can trigger unexpected tax bills, and what happens when your employer is acquired — including timely insights for those in Northeast Ohio as Summa Health transitions from nonprofit to for‑profit under a private equity firm.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🧾 Know the fine print – Rules on payout timing are strict and often irreversible.

⚠️ Watch for triggers – Job changes or company buyouts can force unexpected distributions.

📉 Subject to credit risk – If your employer fails, you could lose your deferred comp.

📊 Plan your income – Coordinate payouts with your tax strategy to reduce the hit.

💡 Advanced tools – Strategies like TALS can help offset large taxable events.

Part 1: The Long and Short on Tax-Aware, Long-Short (TALS) Investing - https://www.truewealthdesign.com/podcasts/part-1-the-long-and-short-on-tax-aware-long-short-tals-investing/

Part 2: The Long and Short on Tax-Aware, Long-Short (TALS) Investing - https://www.truewealthdesign.com/podcasts/part-2-the-long-and-short-on-tax-aware-long-short-tals-investing/

Part 3: The Long and Short on Tax-Aware, Long-Short (TALS) Investing - https://www.truewealthdesign.com/podcasts/part-3-the-long-and-short-on-tax-aware-long-short-tals-investing/

Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 

Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN

Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — the biggest tax overhaul since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — and it could change the way you plan for retirement. From a brand‑new $6,000 senior deduction to new rules for charitable giving and major shifts in healthcare subsidies before Medicare, the law creates both new opportunities and new pitfalls for retirees and pre‑retirees.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, unpacks what the changes really mean for you. We’ll explore how to take advantage of the charitable giving rules before new floors kick in, how to manage Roth conversions to maximize the senior deduction, and what to watch for as ACA subsidies become less generous starting in 2026. Whether you’re five years from retirement or already living it, this episode will help you understand the risks, the opportunities, and how to keep your plan on track under the new law.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

💸 Above-the-line charitable deduction coming in 2026

📦 SALT cap expanded = more families itemizing again

📉 New ACA subsidy cliff could cost early retirees $10K+

🔁 Roth conversions just got trickier, but they’re still powerful

Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 

Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN

Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 

Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is over 800 pages long and packed with tax changes that impact retirees, individuals, and small business owners. From expanded standard deductions and new senior tax breaks to permanent small business deductions and the end of many green energy credits, this bill reshapes key parts of the tax code — at least for the next few years.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down what’s actually in the bill and what it means for your planning. You’ll learn:

Whether you’re already retired or planning ahead for your business and family, this episode will help you understand the real implications — without having to read 800 pages of tax law yourself.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1