In this episode, Dave Grant and Heather Townsend break down The Retiree’s Wealthy Playbook for 2026, including how to plan your spending, manage taxes, and actually enjoy the money you worked so hard to build.  

What you’ll learn…

• The real foundation of a “rich retiree” plan: priorities, monthly needs, and the bucket list

• The hardest trade off in retirement: spending enough now vs preserving assets for later

• Why underspending can be a bigger threat than running out of money

• How to think about inflation, and why health insurance can blow up your projections (especially early retirees)

• The “why” behind big purchases (cars, trips, second homes) and how to plan them without wrecking your tax bracket

• 2026 tax items to know (charitable deductions, standard deduction boosts for 65+, and more)

• Roth conversions in the “gap years”, plus how timing (like market dips) can help

• When simplifying accounts can make your tax season way less painful

• IRMAA in plain English, and how to think about it without letting it run your life

• Q&A: IRMAA letters, funding big trips, and planning for a large inherited IRA

Chapters

00:00 Setting up 2026 for retirees

00:49 The foundation: priorities, monthly needs, and bucket list planning

03:24 Peace of mind, inflation, and the risk of underspending

04:44 Health insurance reality check (especially pre Medicare)

06:09 Big purchases: the “why” test, trade offs, and keeping your plan intact

10:09 Is your plan actually designed for the life you want this year?

11:10 Health planning and the “go go years”

14:11 2026 tax updates retirees should know

16:06 Roth conversions: when, why, and how to avoid tax bracket mistakes

20:10 Simplify accounts, simplify taxes

21:37 IRMAA explained, plus when to appeal

25:30 Q&A: IRMAA letter, big trips, and inheriting an IRA

30:41 Highlights (personal and professional)

33:08 Wrap up

33:33 Disclaimer

I’m here to make wealth planning and retirement simple, clear, and approachable. No jargon, no fluff... just real talk about what matters most to your financial future.

On this channel, we cover everything from Social Security and tax strategies to IRAs, 401(k)s, job changes, inheritance, and so much more. My goal is to help you feel confident about your retirement plan, so you not only have enough, but you're also prepared for the risks that could affect your money along the way.

Let’s take the mystery out of retirement and build a plan you can feel good about.

For more about Retirement Matters, or to contact us, visit our website: https://www.retirementmatters.co/