The Retirement Power Hour

If you're sitting on $10 million to $25 million or more, you've probably heard all about GRATs, SLATs, and estate tax strategies. But how often do you actually stop and think about how you want to use your money?

In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, walks through four ways high-net-worth individuals can think about spending, gifting, and giving, from covering living expenses and long-term care to leaving a legacy through charitable giving. This isn't about the technical implementation. It's about figuring out what you actually want your money to do for you, your family, or your community, before you bring in the attorneys and CPAs.

Topics covered:

-What "enough" really looks like for high net worth households
-Why estate tax planning matters (and which states have their own exemptions)
-The pros and cons of spending more on experiences, travel, and things
-How gifting to family, friends, and even strangers can bring unexpected fulfillment
-Using charitable giving and donor-advised funds to leave a lasting impact

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... and enter the details of your question.

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Resources
https://carsonallaria.com/2026/06/12/...

Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as individualized investment, financial, tax, legal, or estate-planning advice. The examples discussed are hypothetical and use simplified assumptions for illustration. References to spending needs, Social Security benefits, investment growth, travel expenses, long-term care costs, gifting, charitable contributions, and federal or state estate-tax thresholds are general estimates and may change over time. Actual results will vary based on individual circumstances, investment performance, inflation, tax status, residency, applicable law, and other factors.

Gifts to individuals are generally not deductible for income-tax purposes and may use a portion of the donor’s annual or lifetime gift and estate-tax exclusion. Charitable and donor-advised fund strategies are subject to eligibility requirements, deduction limits, fees, and other restrictions. Contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable, and the sponsoring organization maintains legal control of the assets while the donor generally retains advisory privileges regarding investments and grant recommendations. DAF assets may fluctuate in value.

Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable but has not necessarily been independently verified. Before implementing any investment, gifting, charitable, tax, or estate-planning strategy, consult the appropriate investment, tax, and legal professionals regarding your individual circumstances. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

If you're planning to retire in the St. Louis area, one of the biggest questions you'll face is whether to settle in Illinois or Missouri. In this episode, Joe Allaria, CFP ®, breaks down seven key categories, including retirement income tax, estate tax, personal property tax, real estate tax, gas and sales tax, and home prices, to score each state and find out which one comes out ahead.

But the results come with a twist. While Missouri wins more categories overall, the two biggest factors, income tax and estate tax, can pull retirees in opposite directions depending on your specific financial picture. Joe walks through how to figure out which state makes more sense for you based on your own retirement income and estate size.

Topics covered in this episode:

-Retirement income tax differences between Illinois and Missouri
-How Illinois estate tax could impact larger estates
-Personal property tax and real estate tax comparisons
-Gas, fuel, and sales tax differences
-Home price considerations across Metro East and Missouri suburbs
-Why the "best" state depends on your personal financial situation

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website, and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Resources
Retirement Planning for Pre-Retirees in the St. Louis Metro East: What to Focus on at 55+

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

How much can you actually spend in retirement? In Episode 44 of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down six retirement spending questions every retiree needs to answer before locking in their income plan.

Joe covers:

• What's a safe withdrawal rate, and does age change the answer?
• Is the classic 4% rule still useful?
• How to plan for one-off expenses like a new roof, HVAC, or vehicle
• Why your spending should change year to year
• How tax rates and IRMAA surcharges affect your real withdrawal rate
• The single biggest risk to a retirement plan (and how a bucketed investment approach helps protect against it)

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Resources
How to Create a Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

Saving for retirement and living off retirement savings are two very different skills. In Episode 43 of Retirement Power Hour, host Joe Allaria walks through seven critical questions to help you build a retirement income plan that actually holds up — including how to structure withdrawals across taxable, IRA, and Roth accounts; when to take Social Security; whether an annuity makes sense for your situation; and the most common investment mistake retirees make once they start drawing income.

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Resources
How to Turn Your Savings Into Reliable, Tax-Efficient Retirement Income

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

 How much can you contribute to your 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, HSA, or SIMPLE IRA in 2026? In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the latest retirement contribution limits, catch-up rules, income phase-outs, tax deduction changes, and key updates from recent legislation so you can make smarter decisions about saving for retirement. 

 If you’re wondering whether you’re contributing enough or where your money should be going this episode will help you understand the numbers and stay on track toward your retirement goals. 

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Resources

•  IRA/Roth IRA contribution limits
• Tax Brackets
• Standard Deductions
• Simple IRA

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

The new year always brings a wave of stock market forecasts… but how accurate are they really?

In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, and Jay Waters break down the biggest 2026 market predictions from major financial institutions and review how accurate their predictions were in 2025. The results may surprise you.

This annual episode isn’t about telling you where the market is going… it’s about showing why building your financial plan around predictions is risky and why a personalized investment strategy matters more than headlines.

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website, The Retirement Power Hour, and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit The Retirement Power Hour to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

2026 Predictions Resources

1. 2025 Stock Market Predictions 

2. Will 2026 Be a High-Wire Act for Markets? 

3. Will Mortgage Rates Go Down in 2026?

4.  J.P. Morgan: The Inflation Outlook

5. The Global Economy Is Forecast to Post 'Sturdy' Growth of 2.8% in 2026

6. 5 Predictions for the Stock Market in 2026- And Which Stocks Will Soar the Most If They're Right   

7. Top 5 Market Predictions for 2026   

8.  The 2026 Bear Market Nobody Sees Coming (Except This Wall Street Veteran)

9.  Why US Stocks Will Outperform International in 2026, Says Fidelity's Chisholm  

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/

In this episode of the Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the key differences between Roth and Traditional retirement accounts so you can make smarter, more tax-efficient decisions with your savings. 

 We’ll cover:
 🔹 The real tax advantages of each account
 🔹 Who should choose Roth vs who should choose Traditional
 🔹 How your income level and future tax bracket affect your decision
 🔹 Why some people benefit from using BOTH
 🔹 What the Backdoor Roth IRA is and when it makes sense 

This is Episode 2 in our 401(k) Series. If you missed Episode 1 "How Much Should You Contribute to Your 401(k)?", and Episode 2, "How Should I Invest My 401(k)?" be sure to check them out first!

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

According to a 2023 SurveyMonkey study, 46% of 401(k) investors don’t know what they’re actually invested in. If that’s you — don’t worry, you’re not alone.
In this episode of The Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down the most common 401(k) investment options and helps you answer one of the most important retirement questions: "How should I invest my 401(k)?"

We’ll cover:
✔️ Target date funds: pros, cons, and how to adjust
✔️ DIY investing: building your mix of large cap, small cap, international, and bond funds
✔️ The truth about high-yield (“junk”) bond funds
✔️ Passive vs. active management inside your 401(k)
✔️ What managed account services really offer
✔️ Hidden fees to watch out for
✔️ When to consider a self-directed brokerage account
✔️ Whether an in-service rollover to an IRA makes sense for you

This is Episode 2 in our 401(k) Series. If you missed Episode 1 "How Much Should You Contribute to Your 401(k)?", be sure to check it out first!

Resources Mentioned in the Show:
The Evolution of Qualified Default Investment Alternatives
Go Global for Diversification that Travels Well

Submit Your Questions To submit a listener question, visit our website,  https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas..., and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcas... to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. 

Disclaimer: All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/ 

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

According to the 2025 Intuit Prosperity Index, 68% of Americans aren’t confident they’ll ever be able to retire. One big reason? Most people don’t know how much they should contribute to their 401(k).

In this episode of The Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down exactly how much you should be contributing to your 401(k)—based on your age, income, and personal situation. You’ll learn:

-Why getting your employer match is non-negotiable
-The “rules of thumb” for 401(k) contribution percentages at different ages
-How to know if you’re on track with your retirement savings
-Simple strategies to increase your contributions (even if you feel behind)

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
1. Nearly Half of American Households Have No Retirement Savings
2. How Much Do I Need To Save To Retire?
3. Are You On Track?
4. Retirement Insecurity 2024: Americans' View of Retirement

Submit Your Questions
To submit a listener question, visit our website, and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review
Visit our website to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Disclaimer:
All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria is an Investment Adviser Representative of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at https://carsonallaria.com/

Invest Wiser & Retire Better!

Are tariffs about to hit your wallet and your investment portfolio? In this episode of Retirement Power Hour, Joe Allaria, CFP®, breaks down exactly what tariffs are, how they work, and most importantly—what they mean for your retirement savings and day-to-day expenses.

From the latest moves by the U.S., China, Canada, and Mexico to expert opinions from PIMCO, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and more, we’re giving you a balanced look at what’s happening and what it could mean for your financial future.

 Check out our article on this topic: How Tariffs Could Impact Your Investments, Retirement, and Everyday Expenses

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our podcast 2025 Stock Market Predictions https://youtu.be/S39zw8sMUqI

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
-Trump suspends tariffs on small packages from China
-Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Canada and Mexico but not on China
-China's tit-for-tat tariffs on US take effect
-What the U.S. Tariffs Mean for Investors
-How Will Tariffs Affect Your Investments?
-How investors looking for good returns can navigate Trump tariffs
-Tariffs rattle stock markets, but what’s the long-term impact?
-Tariffs on the rise: Implications for your portfolio
-Trump tariffs will cost U.S. households $830 a year, study says
-Trump's tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China would cost the typical US household over $1,200 a year
-What are tariffs and why is Trump using them?

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to check out our podcast 2025 Stock Market Predictions

Submit Your Questions
To submit a listener question, visit our website, and enter the details of your question.

Leave a Review
Visit https://www.retirementpowerhourpodcast.com/ to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Disclaimer:
All material discussed on this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as individual tax, legal, or investment advice. Investing involves risk of loss, and investors should be prepared to bear potential losses. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Joe Allaria & Jay Waters are Investment Adviser Representatives of CarsonAllaria Wealth Management, Ltd., a Registered Investment Advisory firm. The information discussed on this podcast may be derived from third parties that are believed to be reliable, but CarsonAllaria Wealth Management does not control or guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of such information and disclaims all liability for damages resulting from such sources. Any references to third parties are provided as a convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Learn more about CarsonAllaria Wealth Management at http