Losing a spouse is one of life’s most difficult experiences, emotionally and financially. Many retirees are surprised to learn that widowhood can also create significant tax and retirement-planning challenges that may affect income, Medicare premiums, estate plans, and long-term financial security. 

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains why the loss of a spouse can create unexpected financial challenges for retirees, including higher taxes, rising Medicare premiums, and changes to retirement income. He discusses how required minimum distributions, Social Security survivor benefits, and IRMAA thresholds can affect a surviving spouse’s long-term financial picture. Larry also shares proactive planning strategies couples can consider before widowhood, including Roth conversions, tax-bracket management, beneficiary reviews, and estate planning updates. Through real-life examples, he highlights how thoughtful preparation can help surviving spouses avoid costly mistakes and navigate a difficult transition with greater confidence and clarity.

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Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

In this milestone 200th episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller reflects on the journey of building the podcast from an audio-only show into a growing multimedia platform focused on helping people make smarter retirement decisions. Joined by co-host Bill Tucker, Larry shares why the podcast was created, the lessons learned over 200 episodes, and how financial education can truly impact people’s lives. 

In this episode, Larry explores how he has always aimed to make financial planning more understandable as he continues to stay ahead of constant changes in tax laws, and retirement strategies. He expresses gratitude to his listeners, clients, and guests who have helped the podcast grow to nearly 50,000 YouTube views as it continues into its next chapter. 

Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses:

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Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Many retirees assume their Medicare premiums will stay consistent once they enroll. But that’s not always the case, especially for higher-income individuals.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down IRMAA, the income-related surcharge that can increase your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums based on income from two years prior. He explains how everyday financial decisions, from IRA withdrawals to capital gains and Roth conversions, can unexpectedly push you into higher premium brackets. 

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Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Retirement is often seen as a finish line, but in reality, the years surrounding it are where some of the most important decisions get made.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains the concept of the retirement “danger zone”, the five years before and after retirement when financial, tax, and lifestyle decisions can have long-term consequences.

Larry discusses:

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Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/.

Retirement can look solid on paper, but confidence doesn’t come from a number; it comes from how your money actually works for you.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP® breaks down why cash flow, not net worth, is the true driver of financial confidence in retirement. He explains how multiple income sources, tax considerations, and withdrawal strategies must be coordinated to create a sustainable plan. Larry also highlights the risks of relying on outdated strategies like “living off income” and why a more dynamic approach is needed. Through real-life examples and practical insights, he shows how structuring cash flow properly can reduce stress and support long-term lifestyle goals.

Larry discusses:

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Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures

Retirement often changes how your wealth is structured, distributed, and taxed, potentially exposing estate planning gaps that were easy to overlook during your working years.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores why retirement is a new phase of estate planning and what families, especially those with higher net worth, should be reviewing now.

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Most people think life insurance is only about what happens after they are gone. But what if part of your coverage could support you during a serious health event while you are still living?

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Richard “Big Daddy” Salgado to explore how life insurance has evolved beyond the traditional death benefit. Drawing from his experience working with professional athletes, Rich shares how career-ending disability coverage and life insurance with living benefits are designed to protect income, earning potential, and financial stability when the unexpected happens.

Richard discusses:

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About Our Guest: Richard “Big Daddy” Salgado is an insurance professional with more than 25 years of experience specializing in career-ending disability coverage and life insurance with living benefits. He has worked extensively with professional athletes, helping them protect future earnings and financial stability in the event of injury or serious health challenges. Rich focuses on education-first conversations, policy reviews, and ensuring clients understand how protection planning fits into their broader financial picture.

Many people enter retirement expecting their taxes to decline, but for many retirees, the opposite happens.

In this episode, Larry explains why retirement income often becomes more taxable over time and how a lack of coordination can quietly increase stress, healthcare costs, and long-term tax exposure.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses:

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Why does investing feel so emotional, even when the plan is solid? This episode explores how psychology, and not just numbers, shapes the way investors react to markets.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA, is joined by Scott Bosworth, CFA,  Head of Speakers Bureau and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors, to discuss how investor behavior and common behavioral biases influence long-term investment outcomes. Scott explains why emotions often feel more powerful than logic during market swings and how those reactions are deeply rooted in human psychology, not a lack of intelligence or discipline. 

The conversation also explores the tension between efficient markets and behavioral finance, and why understanding both is essential to staying invested through market cycles. Throughout the episode, Scott shares practical analogies and real-world examples that help investors better recognize their own biases and make more resilient decisions over time.

Scott discusses:

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About Our Guest:

Scott Bosworth, CFA, is Head of Speakers Bureau and Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors. He has been with the firm since 1996 and brings decades of experience as a portfolio manager, institutional and advisory consultant, and trusted resource for advisors navigating market behavior and long-term investing principles.

The start of a new year is one of the most valuable planning moments for retirees, not because everything needs to change, but because the right questions can shape better decisions all year long.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, walks through the key January questions retirees should be asking, covering taxes, withdrawals, cash management, portfolio alignment, and lifestyle planning, so small adjustments now can help reduce stress later.

Larry discusses:

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