Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP®

On the Trust the Plan Podcast from Peak Wealth, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® open the episode with a conversation about Michigan football before shifting into a discussion on a recent Wall Street Journal article about changes to tax laws.

They explore how certain households, such as married couples with children or retirees, can end up in a zero percent federal tax situation through careful planning. The discussion covers strategies like managing income sources, using deductions, and timing withdrawals to take full advantage of the current tax code.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

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Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Jim Pilat, CFP®, of Peak Wealth started with some positive market news. The S&P 500 is up double digits year to date, which has happened about 30 times since 1950 and is usually a good sign for the rest of the year. They encouraged listeners to focus on data like this rather than emotions, especially with distractions such as potential government shutdowns.

The main topic of the episode was beneficiary IRAs and the strategy they recommend when taking withdrawals. They also discussed the investment risks involved and how proper planning can help manage them effectively.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® explore the concept of "What's your number?" This refers to the specific amount of money you need to feel comfortable retiring. They explain how identifying this number brings clarity to your financial planning and helps you focus on what truly matters to achieve your goals. It's about understanding what you need to live the life you want and being able to enjoy it guilt-free once you've reached that point. Nick and Jim outline practical steps to reach your number, including intentional saving, investing, and aligning your plan with your values and vision for retirement.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On today’s episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth discuss recent market data with a focus on international stocks. After years of underperformance, many investors began to ignore this area completely, often with no exposure at all.

So far in 2025, international equities have emerged as a leader, and Nick and Jim explain why they are feeling bullish. They share a chart showing the renewed strength in foreign markets and talk about the Fed’s August meeting in Jackson Hole, where potential rate cuts were mentioned, which could be a positive for international stocks.

As always, this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® of Peak Wealth shared exciting updates about their continued commitment to community impact through the Invest in Others Scholarship, now available at findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Jim Pilat, CFP® kick things off with some excitement as Michigan Football is back and the season is finally underway. There's plenty to be hopeful for on the field, and even more to look forward to in today's feel-good edition of the Trust the Plan Podcast.

We're turning our attention to an important topic: scam calls and suspicious emails. Nick shares a personal story about recently getting hacked, reminding us all how easy it is to fall victim and how important it is to stay vigilant. We've seen a rise in scammers pretending to be Charles Schwab representatives, calling clients to try and gather personal information. If you ever receive a call like this, don't engage. Hang up and give us a call directly. We're here to help.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP®, and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth dive into insights from the J.P. Morgan Guide to Retirement, offering practical ideas and concepts around getting started with saving, preparing for, and living in retirement.

They emphasize the importance of evaluating Roth contributions at various life stages, noting that younger investors often benefit most from Roth accounts due to lower current tax brackets, while those in peak earning years may need to weigh traditional vs. Roth options carefully.

The discussion encourages listeners to think strategically about retirement planning early on, adapting their approach as financial circumstances evolve.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this episode of Trust the Plan Podcast with Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth, the focus was on the rising availability of private investments within 401(k) plans. They discussed how options like private equity and private credit, while traditionally reserved for institutional investors, are slowly being introduced into retirement accounts through specialized structures. Although access is still limited and not open to all participants, regulatory changes and industry innovation are beginning to pave the way. Nick and Preston emphasized that while these investments can offer diversification and long-term growth potential, they come with added complexity and are best suited for well-informed investors with a long time horizon.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

In this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth explore the topic of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) and why they matter in long-term planning. They explain how CCRCs offer a range of living options within one community, allowing individuals to transition smoothly as their care needs change. Nick and Preston highlight key considerations like contract types, financial planning, and timing, stressing that understanding these elements early can help families make more confident and informed decisions about the future.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com

On this episode of the Trust the Plan Podcast, Nick Hopwood, CFP® and Preston Gee, CFP® of Peak Wealth discussed a Schwab survey that asked people how much money it takes to feel wealthy. They explored how people's perceptions of wealth are often tied to specific financial milestones, reflecting what they believe would provide comfort, security, and a sense of success.

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Peak Wealth Management is a financial planning and wealth management firm in Plymouth, MI. We believe by providing education and guidance, we inspire our clients to make great decisions so they can Retire With Peace of Mind.

Stay Connected With Us:

Podbean: findingtruewealth.podbean.com

YouTube: / @peakwealthmgmt

Apple: rb.gy/1jqp6 (Trust the Plan Podcast)

Facebook: Facebook.com/PeakWealthManagement

Twitter: Twitter.com/nhopwood1

www.peakwm.com