The Social Security Fairness Act is shaking up the retirement landscape, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for millions of retirees. These long-standing provisions have impacted Social Security benefits for public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers—until now.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP® dive into what the changes mean, how retirees can expect retroactive payments, and the broader impact on the Social Security system.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Background on the Social Security Fairness Act that was signed into law on January 5.
• The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offsets (GPO) reduce regular Social Security benefits.
• Affected retirees stand to gain significant financial relief.
• The benefits come with a cost so what it does it mean for the long-term solvency?

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

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In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores the key financial and psychological factors driving early Social Security claims. Discover how a well-optimized strategy could boost your lifetime spending by more than 10%.

Your Social Security decision isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s a critical piece of your retirement puzzle. Join us to learn how to sidestep common pitfalls, maximize your benefits, and secure a more confident, fulfilling retirement.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• What research and stats tell us about the benefits that get left on the table.
• What’s the motivation behind the decision to claim early.
• Will Social Security still be around when it’s time for you to claim?
• What if President Trump stops taxes on Social Security?
• The benefits of waiting to take it later in life.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

Remember in 2022 when both stocks and bonds fell in lockstep? Did you think diversification failed? Want to build a more diversified, resilient portfolio to better grow and protect your hard-earned dollars?

Hear Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA discuss how the TALS strategy adds unique sources of returns to your portfolio outside of traditional stocks and bonds.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• How this strategy helps with asset allocation and tax efficiency.
• The strategy involves long and short positions in a basket of stocks.
• Who are the clients that would benefit the most from this?

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

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Have a sizable brokerage account? Have unrealized capital gains? Pay income taxes at the highest rates? Want to pay your fair share but no more? If so, this is an episode not to miss.

In part 1 of this series, Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA explored why adding the TALS strategy may yield significant investing and tax benefits. He described how TALS can help you defer, avoid, and potentially eliminate your capital gains.

For the most successful investors that meet the definition of an SEC Qualified Purchaser, generally one with $5m+ of investments, there is another leg to the TALS strategy that can help you solve your ordinary income tax problems too. Whether derived through your business or from non-business income such as wages, interest, non-qualified dividends be sure to tune in and listen closely.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Why should you care about this investing strategy?
• The tax benefits to TALS and the keys to smart trading and executing.
• Applications of how realizing capital losses can be beneficial.
• The TALS separately managed account and limited partnerships strategy.

 

Learn more about tax strategies and tax-aware investing here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/part-2-the-long-and-short-on-tax-aware-long-short-tals-investing/

 

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

For successful investors and high-income earners, this is an episode not to miss...

Sure, you can own an S&P 500 ETF or mutual fund.

You could also own the 500 stocks individually, a strategy nowadays called direct indexing. Direct indexing aims to capitalize on individual stock volatility and add tax benefits by harvesting losses.

Or you may choose to go a step farther up the complexity ladder to own the 500 stocks individually with a tax-aware, long-short overlay. Let's call that TALS for short. Here you expect to obtain the return of the S&P 500, add an extra return from the overlay, increase diversification, and provide significantly more tax benefits than direct indexing. It's a mouthful, but it sure sounds good!

Have a sizable brokerage account? Have unrealized capital gains? Be sure to listen to Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA explore why adding the TALS strategy can help solve these good problems to have.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The Q4 focus for our clients and an office update.
• These strategies are bit more complex so they broadly apply more for successful investors.
• The risks associated with TALS.
• The 3 key building blocks for this strategy.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

 

Tax-Loss Harvesting: Wall Street’s New Strategy Cuts Rich Americans' Bills – Bloomberg - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-10-24/tax-loss-harvesting-wall-street-s-new-strategy-cuts-rich-americans-bills

 

Watch Wall Street Finds Another Workaround With Taxes, Losses – Bloomberg - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2024-10-25/wall-street-finds-another-workaround-with-taxes-losses-video

Is diversification dead? Over the last decade, putting all your eggs in the S&P 500 basket has outperformed diversified strategies.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explore why the U.S. market has been on an unprecedented run, why the global market portfolio hasn't kept up, and whether diversification is really the best move for long-term investors. We dive into the rise of ETFs, global market trends, and why the "SPY or die" mentality might not hold up in the future. Learn why diversification should still be a priority despite the recent performance gap.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Taught diversification is fundamental to the investing process.
• Why diversification has been a bad idea for the last decade.
• The reasons why people would want to move beyond the S&P 500.
• The changes globally that have impacted investing.

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

The clock is ticking on the 2017 Tax Cuts, and big changes are looming.
 
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the complexities of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its upcoming expiration in 2025.
 
We dive into the original intent behind these cuts, what changes were made, and the impact on your bottom line. Learn how the expiration could lead to a significant tax hike unless new legislation is passed. We highlight key strategies—like maximizing retirement accounts under lower rates and leveraging deductions—so you can prepare for the changes on the horizon.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Recapping the details around the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act.
• Why were tax changes needed in the first place?
• The permanent change that took place and the ones that will revert back in 2026.
• How the income tax brackets break down.
• The tax deduction was substantially increased and maximizing itemized deductions.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

 

This episode explores the disconnect between retirement expectations and reality, referencing a recent Gallup report that shows most retirees live comfortably despite fears about running out of money.

Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss why non-retirees may be more fearful than needed, the role of Social Security, and how age-based spending patterns contribute to the relative success of sustaining a retirement lifestyle. And be sure to pay attention to how working with the right financial advisor can help you achieve financial independence earlier (data suggests up to three years earlier) by measuring and modeling your current spending and retirement goals more appropriately.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Why is there a disconnect between retirement expectations and more positive outcomes?
• More people depend on Social Security for their retirement income than they expected to.
• The disconnect in spending when people get into retirement.
• A good advisor can help clients gain confidence and overcome their healthy sense of doubt.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

 

Check out the Social Security episode referenced in this show: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/social-security-timing-reframing-your-thinking-for-better-decision-making/ 

Over the last few years, significant changes have been made to how retirement accounts are managed after death, especially with new RMD rules. In July, the IRS issued its new Final Regulations regarding the SECURE Act’s provisions.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, break down the key provisions, including the 10-Year Rule for beneficiaries and updates to RMD timelines, and how these changes impact your retirement and estate planning.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• What the SECURE Act changed when it passed in 2019 and what’s been updated since?
• Which accounts are impacted by this and how does it impact taxes and estate planning?
• Who are designated beneficiaries and what are the differences between eligible and non-eligible?
• The 10-year rule for inheriting these accounts and what you need to know.
• The new RMD rules that will begin in 2025.
• Additional rules dealing with the surviving spouse, successor beneficiaries, and RMD ages.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, reviews the rich insights from Fritz Gilbert's blog post, "Six Lessons From Six Years of Retirement." Exploring the complexities of retirement that go beyond financial concerns, highlighting how true fulfillment often lies in navigating the non-financial aspects of this life stage.   Join us as we unravel the lessons that can guide you to a more satisfying retirement.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• Background on The Retirement Manifesto Blog and the blog post we’re discussing.
• The complexity of non-financial issues and why these lead to our true happiness.
• Your retirement will be different than you expect.
• Retirees find that their priorities change as they move through retirement.
• Retirement can be the best years of your life but it’s up to you.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

There is no such thing as a free lunch – or is there?    Discover the world of buffered ETFs, a fast-growing segment in financial markets designed to offer investors defined outcomes with built-in downside protection.   In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, dive into the mechanics, benefits, and potential drawbacks of these complex financial instruments. And be sure to listen to the comparisons of buffered ETFs against traditional investment options and how each may fit (or not) in your diversified investment strategy.

 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• The rapid growth we’ve seen in Buffer ETFs.
• Defining and explaining the Bufffer ETF or Defined Outcome ETF.
• Why are investors using these and what are the benefits compared to structured notes and annuities?
• What you need to know that they aren’t telling you.
• Our overall feelings on this investment and whether they work in a long-term portfolio.

 

Have questions?

Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 15-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals.

http://bit.ly/calltruewealth