Want to spot tax-saving opportunities your competitors miss? Looking to stay ahead of tax law changes without getting overwhelmed? Join host Kalem Mackey, Executive Vice President at C2P, and guests, Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, President of Prosperity Capital Advisors and Alison Wealth Management, and Scott Kaup, CFP®, head of Kaup’s Financial Advisors, Inc., as they break down the benefits of staying sharp with your tax management expertise. Learn practical ways to turn complex tax strategies into clear client conversations that win business and deepen relationships. Whether you work with business owners, high-net-worth clients, or retirees, you'll walk away with fresh insights to help your clients save money while growing your practice.

Resources:

• Tax Management Concepts: The Tax Trilogy
• Training: The Tax Management Journey®

Statistics:

• 40% of Americans currently pay taxes on Social Security benefits
• Super catch-up contribution availability for ages 60-63 starting 2025
• QBI deduction impact on effective tax rates (up to 20% reduction)

In this episode of the Bucket Plan On-Demand Podcast, Dave Alison, CFP®️, EA, BPC, President and Founding Partner of C2P Enterprises, sits down with Dr. Daniel Crosby, Chief Behavioral Officer at Orion. They discuss Dr. Crosby's presentation "The Mind and the Market" and dive into how advisors think, how to help clients navigate the volatility in the market, and how to manage and maximize their investments. Dave and Dr. Crosby also discuss the behavioral aspect of The Bucket Plan and how emotions tie into the process.

Resources 

• Books referenced: The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the secret to investing success, The Behavioral Investor, The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement 
• Software referenced: Orion planning software  
• Conference referenced: Ascent Conference 
• Podcast referenced: Standard Deviations with Dr. Daniel Crosby 

Only 36% of Generation Z consider themselves financially literate. Fortunately, there are resources and programs available for these younger generations to improve their net worth and avoid the pitfalls that come from a lack of financial education and guidance. Join guest host Kirsten Schlumbohm, Vice President, Head of Annuity Sales at C2P, with guest Joe'Mar Hooper, CEO of 3rd Decade, as they explore an innovative approach to serving young adults through financial education and mentorship. Learn how advisors can enhance their communication skills with younger demographics while building relationships with potential future clients.

Sources:

• 43% of millennials are considered financially illiterate
• 50% of millennials are living paycheck to paycheck
• Current demographic breakdown: 18% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Asian, 58% White

Resources:

• Website Referenced: 3rd Decade

In a market flooded with conflicting investment advice, how do you deliver portfolio strategies your clients can trust? Join host Jason L Smith and special guest Dr. Apollo Lupescu, Vice President of Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), for an insightful discussion on investment fundamentals and market dynamics. Informally known as the "Secretary of Explaining Stuff," Lupescu breaks down complex investment concepts into actionable insights, from global diversification to the psychology of market timing. Listen as they take a deep dive into portfolio construction, risk management, and the empirical evidence behind successful long-term investment strategies. Learn why having a solid investment philosophy and systematic approach is crucial for both advisor success and your clients’ peace of mind.

Resources:

• Research Referenced: The Matrix Book (DFA investment research publication)
• Methodology/Book Referenced: The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement

Statistics:

• U.S. stock market represents 61% of global market value 
• Japan's stock market represents 6% of global market value 
• 53% of trading days are positive in the S&P 500 
• $1 invested in S&P 500 in 1926 grew to $14,000 by 2023 
• 78% of annual returns have been positive over the past 50 years 

For many women, Social Security represents their largest retirement asset. Join host Kirsten Schlumbohm and guests Ash Ahluwalia, CFP®, MBA, NSSA®, CSSCS, head of Security Planning at OneTeam Financial, and Julie Manning, RICP®, CFF, a top advisor at C2P and the founder and CEO of Keystone Wealth Management, as they unveil essential strategies for maximizing Social Security benefits for women. Learn practical approaches for incorporating Social Security planning into your practice, discover valuable resources for mastering this specialty, and gain insights into marketing these services to women clients. Whether your female clients are married, divorced, or widowed, this episode provides the knowledge you need to enhance your retirement planning services and grow your practice. 

Resources: 

• Software Referenced: Social Security Solutions 
• Certification Mentioned: NSSA (National Social Security Advisor 
• Government Resources: Social Security Administration 

Discover how leading financial advisors are revolutionizing their estate planning services with the Wealth.com platform and technology. Join host, Kalem Mackey, CFP®, BPC, to learn successful implementation strategies and client outcomes from guests, Sarah Soria, CFP®, CEO of Encompass Financial Planning, Anthony “Tony” Engrassia, LUTCF®, NSSA®, CFF ®, Owner of Wealth Management Strategies, and Dave Alison, CFP®, EA, BPC, President of Prosperity Capital Advisors and Alison Wealth Management. Learn how these advisors are charging for this service, streamlining the estate planning process, and using it to build multi-generational relationships. From practical implementation tips to revenue opportunities, tune in to learn how to enhance your practice with modern estate planning solutions.

Resources:

• Platform Referenced: Wealth.com
• Online Service Referenced: Notarize
• Process Referenced: The Bucket Plan®

Discover how leveraging simple analogies and relatable examples can transform your client communication and help prospects better understand the value of financial planning.

Join host Dave Alison as he sits down with Greg Hammer, CEO and President of Hammer Financial Group, as they break down core communication strategies essential to implementing The Bucket Plan® process effectively.

Resources:

• The Bucket Plan® book
• The Bucket Plan® audiobook
• The Bucket Plan® 1.0Training
• The Bucket Plan® 2.0 Training

Transform Social Security from a basic retirement benefit into a powerful planning tool with advanced COLA strategies and creative applications. Join host Kalem Mackey, CFP®, BPC, as he interviews Ash Ahluwalia, CFP®, MBA, NSSA®, CSSCS, Head of Social Security Planning at One Team Financial, for an in-depth discussion on maximizing your clients’ Social Security benefits. Learn about the 2.5% COLA increase for 2025, discover advanced planning strategies for high-net-worth clients, and understand how to integrate Social Security planning into your holistic financial practice. From leveraging spousal benefits to creating tax-efficient retirement income streams, this episode provides actionable insights for advisors looking to enhance their Social Security planning expertise.

Resources:

• Mastermind Collegium Appearance Referenced: Debunking Social Security Myths: How to Help Clients Maximize Their Benefits│Part 1
• Software Referenced: Social Security Solutions
• Certification Mentioned: NSSA (National Social Security Advisor
• Government Resources: Social Security Administration

Statistics:

• 2025 COLA increase: 2.5%
• 20-year average COLA: approximately 2.5%
• Previous COLA increases from 2022-present

Struggling to present complex financial plans in a way that resonates with clients and drives action? Join hosts Jason L Smith, Dave Alison, and guest Bryan Bibbo, AIF, NSSA, BPC, President and CFO of JL Smith Holistic Wealth Management as they explore the Deliver phase of The Bucket Plan® process. Learn practical strategies for presenting comprehensive plans, organizing client documents through the Family Estate Organizer, and implementing tax-efficient retirement strategies. From communicating the three phases of retirement to maintaining fee transparency, this episode provides the framework you need to confidently deliver financial plans that create substantial value for your clients. Tune in to transform your client delivery process and drive better outcomes.

Resources:

• Previous episodes referenced: Step 1, Discover, Step 1, Discover Part 2, Step 2, Design
• Book Referenced: The Bucket Plan®: Protecting and Growing Your Assets for a Worry-Free Retirement
• Training Referenced: The Bucket Plan® 1.0

How might the 2024 presidential election affect your clients' finances and their emotional response to market volatility? Join guest host Kalem Mackey, Executive VP at C2P, and Dave Alison, President and Founding Partner at Prosperity Capital Advisors, as they discuss proven strategies for guiding clients through election-year uncertainty. Learn how historical market data, proactive communication, and The Bucket Plan® philosophy can help maintain client confidence regardless of election outcomes. Discover practical approaches to portfolio diversification, tax planning opportunities, and managing concentration risk in today's market. Whether your clients lean left, right, or center, this episode provides valuable insights on maintaining trusted advisor relationships while helping clients stay focused on their long-term financial goals during politically charged times.

Resources:

• Analytics Platform Referenced: Kwanti
• Market Research Referenced: Dimensional Fund Advisors' studies on presidential market returns
• Client Communication Platforms Referenced: Loom, BombBomb

Statistics:

• Stock market has historically returned about 10% per year on average
• Government Spending is 40% over budget in previous 12 months