Americans now estimate they need a record $1.46 million to retire comfortably by age 65. Financial coverage highlights that 46% of U.S. adults feel unprepared, and impending Social Security trust fund shortfalls add urgency to personal savings strategies. With rising costs of everything, making smart money moves have become more important than ever.

Dale Smothers, founder of R.D. Smothers Wealth Management, joins Tonya Powers with the Evening Edit at Fox Business to share his best advice on how to enter your retirement in the best financial standing you can!

To speak with our team at RD Smothers Wealth Management: 📞 270.600.PLAN or schedule a complimentary 15 minute call below!

🌐 rdsmotherswealth.com/contact

#RetirementPlanning #HomesteadExemption #investing #foxbusiness #TaxStrategy #RetirementIncome

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Are you afraid of running out of money in retirement? In this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, Dale Smothers tackles that fear head-on- and share why having the confidence to actually spend what you've saved is just as important as saving it in the first place.

Plus: a Kentucky-specific tax strategy every retiree should know about- the state retirement income exclusion. If you live in Kentucky, this could save you real money. Not in Kentucky? Many other states offer something similar, and RDS Wealth Management works with clients nationwide to find the strategies that fit your state and situation.

Want to know how the homestead exemption and other tax strategies apply to your own retirement plan? 📞 270.600.PLAN or schedule a complimentary call below!

🌐 rdsmotherswealth.com/contact

#RetirementPlanning #HomesteadExemption #PropertyTaxes #KentuckyRetirement #TaxStrategy #RetirementIncome #investing

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

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On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, Dale Smothers brings in guest: Local PVA Chad Shively to break down the homestead exemption for Kentucky retirees and why listeners in every state should be paying attention too. Every state offers some version of this exemption; some save you more, some save you less, but almost all of them are underused simply because retirees don't know to ask.

In this episode:

• What the homestead exemption is and how it can reduce your property tax burden in retirement
• Why exemptions like this should be a standard part of any income-phase tax strategy not an afterthought
• How working with a retirement income specialist (versus a growth-focused advisor) changes the way your plan is built around saving you money in taxes
• Why Roth conversions make sense for some retirees and not others — and how to know which camp you're in
• How stacking these strategies puts more money back in your pocket without adding stock market risk

Want to know how the homestead exemption and other tax strategies apply to your own retirement plan? 📞 270.600.PLAN

🌐 rdsmotherswealth.com/contact

#RetirementPlanning #HomesteadExemption #PropertyTaxes #KentuckyRetirement #TaxStrategy #RetirementIncome

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Every dollar in your portfolio should have a job, but figuring out what that job is could be its own show. In this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we go beyond asset allocation to talk about giving your money real purpose for the long haul, plus how to keep more of your hard-earned money by paying less to the IRS. It's a tightly packed episode, so expect to walk away with more than you came in with.

📞 Have questions about your own retirement plan? Call our team at 270.600.PLAN or visit rdsmotherswealth.com/contact.

Enjoying the show? Leaving a review on your podcast platform of choice genuinely helps us reach more people who need this content- we'd be grateful if you took a minute to leave one.

#RetirementPlanning #TaxStrategy #RetirementIncome

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Think your taxes will be lower in retirement? For a lot of families, it's the opposite and by the time they realize it, the window to do anything about it has closed.

In this episode, Dale and Dalton break down why proactive planning around Roth conversions is one of the most powerful and most overlooked tools in a retirement plan.

They cover how the right team approach (not just one advisor working in isolation) helps you know when a Roth conversion actually makes sense, how it can lower the tax burden your beneficiaries inherit, and why waiting too long to convert can turn into a costly mistake.

They also walk through why Legacy is the fifth and final piece of the RDS Wealth Retirement Atlas and why a plan isn't truly holistic unless it addresses all five roadmaps: Income, Investment, Tax, Healthcare, and Legacy.

📞 Wondering if a Roth conversion makes sense for your situation?

Need a Second Opinion on your plan? Call us at 270.600.PLAN or visit rdsmotherswealth.com/contact

#RothConversion #RetirementPlanning #LegacyPlanning #TaxPlanning

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

What are the three biggest fears retirees face as they enter retirement? In this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, we discuss the most common concerns that can make or break your retirement success and why answering these questions before you retire can make all the difference.

If you're approaching retirement or beginning to think about your retirement income plan, this episode will help you prepare for the transition with greater confidence. Learn how thoughtful planning can help reduce uncertainty, protect your retirement lifestyle, and create a strategy designed for long-term success.

At RDS Wealth, we help individuals and families navigate every stage of retirement planning, from building reliable retirement income to tax planning, investment management, healthcare planning, and legacy planning.

📞 Ready to build your retirement plan? Call (270) 600-PLAN to schedule a conversation with our team. Or visit https://rdsmotherswealth.com/contact/ to scheudle!

Topics Covered:

• The biggest retirement fears
• Retirement income planning
• Preparing for retirement
• Financial planning for retirees
• Creating confidence in retirement
• Retirement strategies that work

#RetirementPlanning #Retirement #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #RetireWithConfidence #RetirementMatters #WealthManagement #RetirementPodcast #RetireSmart #RDSWealth

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Whether you're still building wealth or already living off your portfolio, compound interest plays a different, but critical role in your retirement plan. On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, Dale Smothers breaks down how compound interest works across both the growth phase and income phase of retirement, and why understanding the difference could change how you plan.

If you're in the growth phase, stick around until the end for a deeper dive into how compounding builds long-term wealth. If you're already in the income phase, jump to the middle of the episode where we discuss how to think about compound interest once you're drawing income.

No matter where you are on your retirement journey, this episode will help you understand how this powerful financial concept applies to your specific situation.

📞 Ready to talk through your own Income, Investment, Tax, Healthcare, or Legacy Map? Call 270.600.PLAN or visit rdsmotherswealth.com/contact to schedule a conversation.

#RetirementPlanning #CompoundInterest #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

As America celebrates 250 years of independence, this episode explores another kind of freedom- financial independence in retirement. Learn why taxes can become one of your biggest retirement expenses, how poor tax planning can force retirees to pay far more than necessary, and why having a proactive retirement tax strategy is just as important as your investment plan.

Discover the common mistakes retirees make with IRA withdrawals, Roth conversions, retirement income planning, and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). We also discuss why the years between age 59½ and 65 can be a valuable window for tax planning and how a customized retirement income strategy can help reduce your lifetime tax burden.

Whether you're approaching retirement or already retired, this episode explains why successful retirement planning goes beyond investments- it requires a coordinated tax strategy.

In this episode:

• Celebrating America's 250th Independence Day
• What financial independence really means in retirement
• Why taxes are often your biggest retirement expense
• Common retirement tax planning mistakes
• How Roth conversions can help or hurt- without a plan
• Why ages 59½ to 65 are critical for retirement tax planning
• Building a retirement income strategy that helps minimize lifetime taxes

If you're preparing for retirement, this episode will help you understand how thoughtful tax planning can protect more of your retirement income and help you retire with greater confidence.

#RetirementPlanning #RetirementTaxes #TaxPlanning #FinancialIndependence #RetirementIncome #RothConversion #RetirementStrategy #RetireTheWayYouDesire #RDSWealth #401k #IRA #PersonalFinance

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Taxes can quietly erode your retirement savings if you don't have a plan in place. On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, Dale breaks down Roth conversions every pre-retiree should be thinking about- helping you keep more of what you've saved and avoid costly surprises down the road. He also weighs in on why chasing hot stocks like SpaceX isn't the same as having a real retirement plan, and why knowing what you own matters just as much as knowing your tax picture.

If your advisor isn't talking to you about tax strategies like Roth conversions, we're here to help. Give us a call at 270.600.PLAN or visit rdsmotherswealth.com/contact to schedule your free consultation.

#RothConversion #TaxPlanning #RetirementStrategy #KentuckyRetirement

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Most people walk into retirement with a portfolio but no plan.

On this episode of the Retirement Matters Podcast, Dale breaks down the Five Maps that RDS Wealth Management builds for every client and goes deep on two of them!

Here's what's covered:

The Income Map- How to coordinate Social Security, pensions, and portfolio withdrawals so your paycheck never stops.

The Investment Map- How to construct your portfolio around income first, growth second, and protection always- because losses hurt more than gains help.

The Tax Map- How smart tax planning can add real value to your retirement portfolio. (This one surprises people.)

The Healthcare Map- Navigating Medicare, long-term care, and everything in between.

The Legacy Map- Making sure the money you don't spend ends up exactly where you want it.

When these five maps work together, retirement stops being something you worry about and starts being something you enjoy.

📞 Ready to build your five maps? Call 270.600.PLAN or visit rdsmotherswealth.com/contact

#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPodcast

Retire the Way You Desire™

DISCLOSURE: R.D. Smothers Wealth Management is a state-registered investment adviser under the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply any level of skill or training. Insurance products and services are offered and sold through RDS Insurance Group. R.D. Smothers Wealth Management and RDS Insurance Group are affiliated but separate entities. The oral and written communications of an adviser provide you with information about which you determine to hire or retain an adviser. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name. This presentation has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.