Andy and Adam tackle two critical topics every investor should understand: the new tax legislation and why chasing dividend income might be costing you money.

Fresh off Adam's solo deep dive into the 900-page tax bill, they break down the key changes that matter most to clients. Then Andy explains why he gets fired up about dividend-focused investing strategies and shares a real client example that illustrates the problem.

Adam & Andy close out the episode with a key question around retirement: How do you know when you're ready to retire? Adam breaks down retirement readiness into three essential questions that go far beyond just having enough money saved.

Whether you're wondering if you're ready to retire or trying to understand the latest tax changes, this episode provides practical insights for making better financial decisions.

We cover:

• The three biggest tax changes from the new legislation
• Why dividend income isn't the same as portfolio income
• The hidden costs of covered call "premium income" funds
• How to create flexibility in your retirement income strategy
• The three-question framework for retirement readiness: Should I, Can I, How do I retire?
• Why retirement planning goes beyond just having enough money saved

⏱️ Timestamps:

• (00:00) Opening discussion on tax bill complexity
• (02:42) Main takeaways from the new tax legislation
• (08:19) Why dividend-focused investing drives Andy crazy
• (15:49) The math behind dividends vs. price appreciation
• (17:12) Real example of problematic "premium income" funds
• (21:09) The flexibility problem with income investing
• (28:44) Retirement readiness: Should I retire?
• (33:12) Retirement readiness: Can I retire?
• (36:47) Retirement readiness: How do I retire?

#RetirementPlanning #RetirementReadiness #TaxPlanning #DividendInvesting #WealthManagement

Resources:

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Adam’s article about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

The Burney Company is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Burney Wealth Management is a division of the Burney Company. Registration with the SEC or any state securities authority does not imply that Burney Company or any of its principals or employees possesses a particular level of skill or training in the investment advisory business or any other business. Burney Company does not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice, but offers it through third parties. Before making any financial decisions, clients should consult their legal and/or tax advisors.