We got a great question from a listener: “How do I get my spouse more involved in our retirement planning?” It’s a common challenge, and usually not about understanding the numbers, but about interest and engagement. The goal isn’t to turn your partner into a financial expert; it’s to get aligned on what actually matters. Taylor walks through a better way to approach the conversation so both of you feel confident, informed, and on the same page.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🎯 Spouse Involvement: One partner often leads, but both should be included

🧭 Start with Purpose: Build the plan around what matters to each spouse

🧩 Keep It Simple: Know where money is, who to call, and how income works

🤝 Neutral Advisor Role: A third party helps remove tension and set boundaries

📲 Stay Aligned: Simple tools can keep both partners engaged without stress

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

You’ve managed your own money for years and done well. So why would you need a financial advisor now? It’s a fair question, and one more people are asking as access to tools and information continues to grow. But what once felt straightforward can quickly become more complex, with higher stakes and less room for error. Today, Taylor explores why the transition into retirement introduces a new set of challenges and where professional guidance can make a difference.  

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🧗 Retirement Transition: Moving into retirement introduces new challenges

🧭 Advisor Role: Turning complexity into a clear plan

🧩 Complexity Grows: Taxes, healthcare, and income strategies all interact

📊 Professional Value: Experience can uncover missed opportunities

📞 Take Action: Exploring your options can provide clarity and confidence

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Most people with a 401k, Social Security, and pension claim them in the order that feels safest — but that sequence can quietly cost six figures in taxes you never needed to pay.

Taylor breaks down the three tax traps that punish you for claiming in the wrong order, why the conventional sequence is backwards, and the phased strategy that can save you $100,000+ over your retirement — while still protecting you if life doesn't go according to plan.

📌 TOPICS COVERED
→ How 401k withdrawals trigger hidden taxes on your Social Security benefits
→ The provisional income formula and why thresholds set in 1983 still catch retirees off guard
→ IRMAA: the Medicare premium surcharge linked to your income from two years ago
→ The Net Investment Income Tax and the $250K threshold for married couples
→ How to use a Roth conversion window to defuse all three tax traps
→ The Social Security triangle: quantitative, qualitative, and survivorship angles
→ Why claiming Social Security early isn't always the wrong call
→ Spousal coordination strategies for couples with different ages and timelines
→ How to build flexibility into your retirement income sequence

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - How a $40K withdrawal creates $70K+ in taxable income
0:40 - Meet Greg and Linda — the couple who almost made a $100K mistake
2:00 - Tax Trap #1: The Social Security torpedo (and why 1983 still haunts your tax return)
4:04 - Tax Trap #2: The Medicare surcharge that shows up two years later
5:03 - Tax Trap #3: The 3.8% surtax most people don't see coming
5:54 - Why the sequence that avoids all three feels like the wrong move
6:34 - The two-phase strategy that flips the conventional wisdom
7:48 - Three angles of the Social Security triangle (most people only know one)
9:12 - What changes when there's a big age gap between spouses
10:17 - Why the best retirement plans have a built-in ripcord
11:26 - What happened when Greg and Linda redesigned their sequence
12:38 - What this means for your situation

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Social Security claims are up 16% — and most people are making this decision based on one angle. In this video, Taylor breaks down the three angles of the Social Security Triangle: quantitative, qualitative, and survivorship. It's that third angle — the one almost nobody considers — that changed everything for one of Taylor's clients.

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 — Why millions are rushing to claim early
1:15 — George and Karen's story
2:00 — Angle 1: The quantitative case for delaying
4:10 — Angle 2: Why claiming early has real merit
5:05 — Angle 3: The survivorship angle nobody talks about
7:00 — What George and Karen decided
7:45 — The flexibility most people miss

📌 Key topics covered:
— Why your monthly benefit could be 77% larger by waiting until 70
— The break-even age and when claiming early actually wins
— How the widow's penalty hits surviving spouses from three directions
— Why the surviving spouse can pay $4,000+ more in taxes on less income
— How one claiming decision sets the floor for your spouse's financial stability
— What OASDI actually stands for (and why it matters)

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Receiving an inheritance can feel like a financial blessing, but when part of it comes from an IRA or retirement account, the tax rules can quickly get complicated. In this episode, Taylor breaks down the key factors that determine how inherited accounts are taxed and what beneficiaries need to know before making withdrawals. Understanding these rules can help you make smarter decisions and avoid costly surprises.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

💰 Tax Traps: Inherited IRAs carry complex rules and risks

🧩 Key Questions: Beneficiary, account type, and death timing matter

📈 Tax Impact: Traditional IRA withdrawals taxed as income

⏳ 10-Year Rule: Most beneficiaries must empty accounts within a decade

💼 Professional Help: Coordinating inheritance assets requires guidance

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

The 2026 health insurance subsidy cliff is back — and it could cost early retirees over $20,000 a year in unnecessary premiums. In this video, I break down the exact withdrawal strategy we used to drop a couple's health insurance premium from $28,000/year to under $5,000/year. Same plan. Same coverage. Same doctors.

If you're retiring before 65 and wondering how to afford ACA health insurance before Medicare, this is the most important number you need to understand: your MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income). I'll show you what counts toward MAGI, what doesn't, and the hidden income traps that catch even careful planners off guard.

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – $28,000 or $5,000: same plan, different strategy
1:30 – What is MAGI and why it controls your premium
3:15 – The 2026 subsidy cliff explained (KFF data)
4:30 – Tom & Susan's $3.4M early retirement problem
6:45 – The income you don't know you have (municipal bond trap)
8:00 – Why we paid full price in 2026 on purpose
9:15 – The blended withdrawal strategy ($140K spending, $60K MAGI)
10:45 – The trade-off: is it worth pulling from Roth early?
12:00 – What to do next

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

When your company stock has treated you well, buying more might feel like the obvious move. But investing decisions tied to your employer carry unique risks that many people underestimate. In this episode, Taylor walks through the psychology behind doubling down, the blind spots that creep in, and how to think more strategically about long-term retirement security

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

🏢 Company Stock Risk – Concentration inside retirement accounts

📩 Listener Question – Buying more after strong performance

⚖️ Over-Concentration – Paycheck and portfolio exposure

📊 Diversification Options – Alternatives beyond employer stock

🧾 Tax Planning – Account types and flexibility

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Your healthiest retirement years are also your best tax planning years, but many people miss this crucial window 🎯. This video explains how individuals often waste their health by working longer and their tax planning for retirees opportunities through rushed decisions. With eight years of experience, I've seen this pattern repeat, emphasizing the importance of proper retirement tax strategies to optimize your retirement income and avoid unnecessary retirement taxes.

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Becoming a grandparent changes everything, including how you think about money. For many families, the natural instinct is to help financially. But the “how” matters just as much as the heart behind it. In this episode, Taylor tackles a listener’s question about the best ways to financially support grandchildren. The key is to give in a way that doesn’t compromise your own retirement and strategy that aligns with your long-term goals.

Here’s what we discuss in today’s show:

💰 Grandparent Planning: Investing wisely for a newborn

🎓 529 & Brokerage: Education vs flexible investing

🇺🇸 Trump Accounts: Seed funding and employer contributions

📜 Trust & Gift Rules: Control and tax considerations

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

After helping hundreds of retirees, Taylor has discovered a dirty secret about wealth... net-worth does not equate to net lifestyle. 

Resources:

Website:  https://www.demarsfinancial.com/

Phone: (509) 536-9556

Schedule an introduction call with Taylor: https://bit.ly/demarspodcast

Check out Taylor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaylorMadeRetirement

Taylor's Newsletter: https://demars-financial-group.kit.com/827c64fe0e

Disclaimer: Since we don't know your specific situation, none of this information should be construed as tax, legal, financial, insurance, financial advice, or other advice and may be outdated or inaccurate. It is your responsibility to verify all information yourself. This content is prepared for entertainment purposes only. If you need advice, please contact a qualified CPA, attorney, insurance agent, financial advisor, or the appropriate professional for the subject you would like help with. Demars Financial Group, LLC or its members cannot be held liable for any use or misuse of this content. Advisory services offered through Demars Financial Group LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Demars Financial Group is not affiliated with LPL Financial.