The Retirement Planning Podcast

Think estate planning is only for billionaires? Think again! In this episode of The Retirement Planning Podcast, Darrin McComas and Jason Fox of Evergreen Wealth Advisors break down why every adult over 18 needs an estate plan and how the right documents protect your family from unnecessary stress and probate delays. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The Age 18 Misconception: Why turning 18 legally cuts parents off from medical and financial decisions, making POAs vital. 
• Wills vs. Trusts: How revocable living trusts maintain privacy and bypass 18-month probate court delays. 
• Beneficiary Traps: Why account designations on 401(k)s and IRAs override your will—and why ex-spouses often accidentally inherit assets. 
• Tax & Gifting Myths: The real rules behind the $19,000 annual gift limit and why revocable trusts aren't tax shelters. 
• Actionable Checklist: 3 immediate steps to audit your estate readiness today. 

Resources & Links:

• Access our free estate planning guides or schedule a conversation: ewadvisors.com

Compliance Disclosure: Content presented in this video is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or personalized investment advice. Darrin McComas and Jason Fox are financial advisors, not licensed attorneys or CPAs. Estate planning laws vary by state; please consult a qualified estate planning attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation. 

Episode Description
Are you assuming your retirement spending will be a flat line every year? For most retirees, spending actually looks like a "Retirement Smile" that moves through three distinct phases: the Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go years.  In this episode, host Darrin McComas breaks down how your spending habits change throughout retirement and how to align your assets using the Bucket Plan Framework and Tax-Efficient Funnels. 

Learn how to protect your money from market volatility, self-fund potential healthcare costs, and strategically time Roth conversions to avoid tax traps like IRMAA. 

Key Takeaways
1. The 3 Seasons of RetirementThe Go-Go Years (Ages ~60–70): Maximum discretionary spending for travel, hobbies, cruises, and active lifestyle goals.  The Slow-Go Years (Mid to Late 70s): A slower pace focused on routines, family, and localized travel, resulting in lower overall discretionary spending.  The No-Go Years (Ages 80+): Spending shifts from lifestyle to healthcare, prescriptions, and support services.  2. The "Retirement Smile" CurveTraditional planning often assumes a flat annual spending line, which doesn't reflect reality.  Spending is typically higher in early retirement, drops during the slow-go years, and rises again late in life due to medical/caregiving costs.  
3. The Bucket Plan FrameworkNow Bucket (0–12 Months): Safe, liquid assets designed to cover immediate lifestyle expenses and planned events without worrying about market downturns.  Soon Bucket (5–10 Years): Conservative investments meant to replenish the "Now" bucket and buffer against sequence-of-returns risk.  Later Bucket (10+ Years): Growth-focused assets designed for long-term inflation protection, legacy, and self-funding healthcare or long-term care.  
4. Tax Funnels & Roth Conversion TimingBalancing assets across pre-tax, post-tax, and tax-advantaged (Roth) funnels prevents unintended tax bracket jumps, Social Security taxation, or IRMAA surcharges.  Roth Conversion Tip: Executing Roth conversions during the Slow-Go years (when spending and income drop) can allow you to convert IRA funds at lower tax rates.  

⏱️ Chapter Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & Vacation Recap  00:50 – The 3 Seasons of Retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, & No-Go Years  03:40 – Why Flat-Line Assumptions Fail: The "Retirement Smile"  05:10 – Applying the Bucket Plan System (Now, Soon, & Later Buckets)  10:15 – Balancing Risk: Short-Term Safety vs. Long-Term Inflation Risk  13:20 – The 3 Tax Funnels & Avoiding IRMAA Tax Traps  16:15 – When is the Best Time for a Roth Conversion?  18:30 – How to Connect with Evergreen Wealth Advisors & Wrap Up   

Resources & Links
Schedule a Free Consultation: ewadvisors.com  

Subscribe: Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more retirement strategies!  

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as individual financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

In this episode of The Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darren McComas and Jason Fox shift their focus from the technical side of retirement to the essential "return on life." They discuss the psychological shifts that occur when leaving a career, the "Peak 65" wave, and practical strategies to build a meaningful, purposeful life after work.1

Key Takeaways:

• The "Monday Morning Void": Discussing the loss of identity, social connection, routine, and purpose that many face after leaving the workforce.1
• The Four Phases of Retirement: Insights into the Vacation/Honeymoon phase, the Loss & Slump phase, Trial & Error, and ultimate Reinvention.1
• Mitigating the "Dip": Strategies for managing the emotional slump that typically occurs one to three years into retirement.1
• Actionable Strategies for a Successful Rewire:
  • Micro-volunteering: Testing new commitments in areas you are passionate about without immediate long-term pressure.1
  • Identity Audit: Identifying five traits you value about yourself that are independent of your previous job title.1
  • Social Anchors: Scheduling recurring weekly social events (e.g., meeting friends for coffee or the gym) to maintain connection.1
  • Physical Momentum: Prioritizing daily movement to stabilize mental health and cognitive function.1
• The Financial Foundation: Why the "Bucket Plan" system—maintaining a "Now" (12-month reserve), "Soon" (10-year horizon), and "Long-term" bucket—is the critical framework that provides the peace of mind necessary to focus on your psychological well-being.1

Connect with Evergreen Wealth Advisors:

• Website: ewadvisors.com
• Phone: 509-740-4183

The Hidden Danger of Sequence of Returns Risk
The Retirement Planning Podcast | Season 2, Episode 2

Hosts: Darrin McComas & Jason Fox

In this episode, Darrin and Jason tackle the "roller coaster" volatility currently hitting the markets in early 2026. With the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow all seeing significant pullbacks due to geopolitical uncertainty and inflation, the hosts explain why your "retirement math" changes the moment you stop saving and start spending. They dive deep into Sequence of Returns Risk—the danger of a market downturn occurring early in retirement—and how the Bucket Plan system acts as a shield for your nest egg.

Key Topics & Highlights

• The 2026 Market Landscape: A review of the "sea of red" across major indices and the impact of the conflict in Iran on oil and manufacturing costs.
• Stagflation and "Quad 3": Using the Hedgeye framework to explain why the current environment of high inflation and slowing growth creates a "choppy" market that drives investors nuts.
• The Math of Sequence Risk: A side-by-side comparison of "Mrs. Happy" and "Mr. Unhappy". Despite both averaging a 6% return over 10 years, the order of those returns results in a wealth gap of over $1.1 million.
• The RMD Trap: Why being forced to take Required Minimum Distributions at age 73 or 75 can permanently "lock in" losses if you haven't planned for market dips.

Strategic Defense: The Bucket Plan System

To mitigate Sequence of Returns Risk, the hosts break down the three-bucket approach:

1. The NOW Bucket: Safe, liquid money (cash, CDs, money markets) to cover emergencies and planned expenses for the first year or two so you don't have to sell stocks when they are down.
2. The SOON Bucket: Conservatively invested assets (using tools like buffered ETFs or fixed indexed annuities) designed to bridge the gap for years 2 through 10.
3. The LATER Bucket: Assets held for long-term growth (10+ years) that can afford to ride the market's "roller coaster" because they aren't needed for immediate income.

Connect with Evergreen Wealth Advisors

• Website: EWAdvisors.com
• Complimentary Strategy Session: Book a call to evaluate your specific risk tolerance and tax profile.

Expert Insight: "It’s not a matter of if volatility shows up during your retirement; it’s when. Are you in a good position before it happens, or are you on your heels trying to react?" — Darrin McComas

Sources & Tools Cited

• https://www.google.com/search?q=Hedgeye.com: Source for the Quad Map economic forecasting tool.
• IRS Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Tables: For updated ages (73 and 75) based on birth year.
• Historical Market Benchmarks: Analysis of the 2008 financial crisis and the "Lost Decade" (2000–2010).

S2E1: 2026 Retirement Strategies - Moving Beyond Cookie-Cutter Portfolios

Episode Overview

As we head into 2026, the financial landscape is shifting. With market pundits split between "Dow 60,000" and "market crash" predictions, the "set it and forget it" strategies of the past are being put to the test. In this season premiere, Darrin and Jason discuss why traditional portfolio models—like the classic 60/40—may no longer be sufficient for those entering or currently in retirement.

The team dives into recent industry shifts, including a major Vanguard report suggesting a flip to a more conservative 40/60 model for retirees. They also break down the Bucket Plan® philosophy—a strategy designed to manage sequence of returns risk and provide peace of mind regardless of market volatility.

Key Discussion Points

• The Vanguard Shift: Why Vanguard's head of portfolio construction is moving toward a 40% stock / 60% bond weighting for specific retirement scenarios.
• Sequence of Returns Risk: How market volatility in the early years of retirement can devastate a portfolio when you are forced to sell assets in a down market.
• The Bucket Plan® System: A deep dive into segmenting assets by time horizon:
  • Now Bucket: Safe, liquid cash for the next 12 months of income and emergencies.
  • Soon Bucket: Conservative growth for years 1–10, accounting for RMDs and taxes.
  • Later Bucket: Long-term growth assets (10+ year horizon) to outpace inflation.
• The Three Tax Funnels: Understanding the critical difference between Pre-Tax (IRA/401k), Post-Tax (Brokerage), and Tax-Advantaged (Roth/HSA) accounts.
• The "Trinity" of Investing: Why no single product can simultaneously provide high returns, full liquidity, and zero risk.

00:00 – 2026 Retirement Outlook: Market Highs & Volatility

01:51 – Why the Traditional 60/40 Portfolio is Shifting

03:45 – Understanding Sequence of Returns Risk in Retirement

06:00 – The Bucket Plan®: A Strategic Framework for Income

07:13 – The "Now" Bucket: Liquid Cash & Emergency Funds

07:44 – The "Soon" Bucket: Planning for RMDs and Taxes

10:04 – The "Later" Bucket: Long-Term Growth & Market Recovery

12:15 – Vanguard’s New 40/60 Call for Retirees

14:02 – The Hidden Danger of Bond Market Declines

17:42 – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Strategies

19:25 – Is Your 401(k) Target Date Fund Actually De-risking?

23:45 – The Investment Trinity: Risk, Return, and Liquidity

26:45 – The Three Tax Funnels: Optimizing Your Net Income

28:30 – Holistic Wealth Management vs. "Winging It"

Featured Resources

• Vanguard Article: Vanguard - Why we are underweight in stocks
• The Bucket Plan®: Download our free white paper, The Bucket Plan Philosophy, to learn how we structure assets for a worry-free retirement.
• Prosperity Capital Advisors: Learn more about our partnership with Prosperity Capital Advisors, which provides us with national-scale resources and the Bucket Plan methodology.

Take the Next Step
If you are entering 2026 without a proactive income or tax plan, don't "wing it." Schedule a complimentary strategy session with our Spokane-based team to see if our holistic approach is right for you.

Visit us at: www.ewadvisors.com

Call our office: 509-740-4183

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox are joined by Kirsten Schlumbohm from C2P, to discuss the pressing topic of long-term care insurance. The conversation covers the high likelihood of needing long-term care, the evolution of insurance policies to provide better options than in the past, and the importance of planning and protecting oneself and family from the financial and emotional burden of long-term care. Kirsten shares personal stories and statistics, emphasizing the necessity of having a plan in place and debunking common myths, such as the misconception that Medicare will cover long-term care costs. The episode highlights the value of holistic wealth management and the importance of addressing long-term care as part of a comprehensive retirement plan.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:46 Introduction of Hosts and Special Guest

01:19 Debunking Myths About Long-Term Care

04:16 The Evolution of Long-Term Care Policies

07:55 The Financial Burden of Long-Term Care

13:13 Medicare and Medicaid Misconceptions

18:19 The Importance of Planning Ahead

22:22 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

29:05 Podcast Outro and Disclaimers

Sources:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html#increased-demand

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html#cost-of-long-term-care

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html

https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/how-much-care-will-you-need

https://investor.genworth.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1030/long-term-care-costs-increase-in-washington-exceeding

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, host Darrin McComas, along with Jason Fox, explores crucial aspects of retirement planning with a focus on capital gains tax opportunities introduced by 'The One Big Beautiful Bill.' They discuss various tax funnels, emphasizing the benefits of Roth conversions and strategic portfolio liquidation. The episode includes detailed examples, explaining how retirees can leverage current tax laws to maximize their financial gains. Listeners are provided with actionable insights on how to utilize available deductions and opportunities to minimize their tax liabilities effectively. The hosts also offer free resources and consultations to help the audience better navigate their financial planning.  To download your free guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill please go to our website: www.ewadvisors.com/guides

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast
00:47 Introduction to Today's Episode
00:58 Understanding Capital Gains Tax Opportunities
01:34 Exploring Tax Funnels
02:52 Deep Dive into the Post-Tax Funnel
04:48 Capital Gains Harvesting Example
09:07 Strategic Portfolio Liquidation Example
13:12 The Importance of Proactive Tax Planning
16:37 Free Resources and Final Thoughts
18:44 Podcast Disclaimer and Legal Information

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox celebrate Life Insurance Awareness Month by discussing the vital aspects of life insurance with Stoyan Petev, VP of Advanced Markets at C2P. The episode delves into the differences between term and cash value life insurance, alongside detailed explanations of living benefits, tax advantages, and effective financial planning tools. Real-world case studies are examined to highlight the applications and benefits of integrating life insurance into a holistic financial plan. This episode is packed with thoughtful insights, practical tips, and strategies designed to help listeners build and preserve wealth while ensuring their loved ones are protected financially.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:47 Introduction of Hosts and Special Guests

02:24 Understanding Life Insurance: Term vs. Cash Value

05:42 Tax Benefits and Living Benefits of Life Insurance

09:17 Holistic Financial Planning and Life Insurance

14:48 Case Studies: Real-Life Applications of Life Insurance

15:06 Myths and Misconceptions About Life Insurance

38:03 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.

OBBB: Maximizing Tax Efficiency for Retirement with Roth Conversions and More

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox offer expert insights into optimizing retirement planning with a focus on Roth conversion strategies. They discuss important concepts like the different tax treatment of various income sources and illustrate how Roth conversions can preserve wealth while minimizing tax burdens. Real-life examples highlight the impact of tax-efficient strategies, including bracket-topping and aggressive Roth conversion sprints, as well as the benefits of using life insurance as an IRA replacement. They also emphasize the importance of proactive tax planning to protect both oneself and one's spouse from significant tax liabilities in retirement. Join the conversation to explore actionable tips for a secure financial future.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:46 Introduction to Today's Episode

01:10 Understanding Roth Conversion Strategies

02:06 Tax Funnels Explained

05:39 The Importance of Tax Efficiency in Retirement

06:36 Proactive Tax Planning

13:59 Roth Conversion Examples

22:25 Life Insurance as an IRA Replacement

25:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox are joined by social security expert Heather Schreiber (IRMAACP™, RICP®, NSSA®). They discuss the complexities of retirement planning, including investment strategies, risk management, and maximizing social security benefits. Heather shares insights on changes in social security laws, common misconceptions, and the importance of optimizing benefits rather than simply maximizing them. The episode also covers key considerations for spousal and survivor benefits, tax implications of early social security claiming, and the impact of legislative changes on retirement planning. Heather emphasizes the need for personalized financial advice and the risks associated with relying solely on social security for retirement income.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:47 Meet Your Hosts and Special Guest

01:16 Heather Schreiber's Expertise in Retirement Income Planning

03:33 Understanding Social Security Benefits

07:23 Common Mistakes in Social Security Planning

12:32 Claiming Strategies for Near-Retirees

17:27 The Tax Implications of Social Security

21:06 Understanding the Senior Deduction and Provisional Income

23:49 Impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) on Taxes

26:11 Navigating Spousal and Survivor Benefits

34:08 Addressing Social Security Insolvency Concerns

39:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.