Advertise on podcast: Retirement Unlocked

Are you approaching retirement and wondering whether paying taxes on your IRA now through a Roth conversion could help reduce your future tax bill? A Roth conversion can be an important part of retirement tax planning, but there’s no single approach that works for everyone. The timing, amount you convert, current and future tax brackets, Medicare costs, and even what you plan to leave to your children can all influence the decision. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains how Roth conversions work and what you should consider when deciding whether paying taxes today could create greater flexibility throughout retirement. Larry discusses: How Roth conversions work and why the converted amount becomes taxable income in the year you make the conversion Why lower-income years before Social Security or required minimum distributions may provide an opportunity to consider converting How current and future tax brackets can help determine when a Roth conversion may make sense Why Medicare IRMAA and other tax consequences should be considered when choosing how much to convert How Roth conversions and inherited IRA rules can affect the retirement assets you eventually leave to your children And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Watching a stock or business grow substantially can feel rewarding, until you start thinking about the tax bill that could come with selling it. For investors with appreciated stock, multiple account types, or proceeds from a major sale, investment decisions and tax decisions can quickly become intertwined. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, speaks with Angela R. Berkosky, CFA®, MBA, Director of Investment Strategy at Savant Wealth Management, about incorporating taxes into portfolio decisions. They explore how different investments may fit within taxable accounts, traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs, along with approaches for managing highly appreciated positions. Angela also covers direct indexing, tax-loss harvesting, charitable gifting, exchange funds, and long/short equity strategies that may be considered following a business sale or other significant liquidity event. Larry and Angela discuss: How taxes can influence investment selection and placement across different account types Ways to address highly appreciated stock while considering diversification and taxable gains How direct indexing may create additional opportunities to capture investment losses Options such as charitable gifting and exchange funds for managing concentrated holdings How long/short equity strategies may help address gains associated with a business sale And more! Connect with Angela Berkosky: Angela R. Berkosky, CFA®, MBA | Savant Wealth Management LinkedIn: Angela Berkosky LinkedIn: Savant Wealth Management Website: Savant Wealth Management Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® About Our Guest: Angela Berkosky serves as director of investment strategy, working out of our Lancaster and Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, offices. She has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, with a career rooted in disciplined investment strategy and long-term client outcomes. Angela began working at Savant in 2023 when Domani Wealth joined the firm. At Domani, she served as partner and chief investment officer beginning in 2010. She led portfolio strategy and investment decision-making across client relationships. Earlier in her career, she worked as an investment officer at a trust company and began her professional path as an associate at a boutique investment bank. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and remains actively involved in the profession as a member of both the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Philadelphia. Her work reflects a commitment to rigorous analysis, thoughtful risk management, and aligning investment strategy with client goals and cash flow needs. Angela also maintains strong ties to higher education. She serves on the advisory council for the Wood Honors College at Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, where she mentors honors students and helps guide curriculum and program development. She also serves as secretary of the congregation council at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shippensburg University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. An accomplished pianist, Angela lives in eastern Pennsylvania with her husband, Tom, and their family. They enjoy traveling, attending live concerts, and spending time with their collie, Samson. Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Are you approaching retirement and wondering whether your investments, spending, taxes, estate plan, and future goals are all working together? A retirement plan should do more than track portfolio performance. It should help you understand how your money can support the lifestyle you want, while accounting for income needs, taxes, market risk, family priorities, and changing circumstances. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains how to build a retirement plan around the life you want rather than letting investment returns drive your decisions. He shares how cash flow, time horizons, risk tolerance, tax planning, estate planning, and investment decisions can work together to support both near-term needs and long-term priorities. Larry discusses: Why retirement planning should begin with your goals, priorities, and vision for the years ahead How different time horizons can influence the way short-term and long-term assets are invested How creating a regular retirement paycheck can make the transition away from employment income feel more familiar Why taxes, Roth conversions, beneficiary designations, insurance, and estate planning need to be coordinated How retirement progress can be measured by lifestyle, financial flexibility, family priorities, and long-term goals And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

How do you sell a trade business and turn decades of work into retirement income? If you’re a contractor, electrician, plumber, landscaper, HVAC professional, or another skilled-trade owner thinking about retirement, the decisions you make before the sale may affect what your business is worth, how much you keep after taxes, and how the proceeds support your retirement.  In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains what business owners should consider before selling a trade business. He covers how buyers may determine a company’s value, why clean financial records and documented processes can support a sale, and how reducing owner dependence may make the company easier to transfer. Larry also examines how the sale structure, capital gains taxes, installment payments, retained equity, retirement income planning, and estate considerations work together. Beyond the financial questions, he explores how owners can prepare for their identity, purpose, and daily life after leaving the company. Larry discusses:  How far in advance you should begin planning to sell a trade business What buyers may review when determining how much a business is worth Why clean financial records and documented processes can support a future sale How owner dependence may affect business value and the transition to a new owner And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Are you approaching retirement and wondering whether your spending, investments, taxes, insurance, estate plan, and retirement lifestyle are all working together? A retirement plan should do more than help you reach a savings goal. It should support the life you want while preparing for changing markets, rising costs, healthcare needs, and a retirement that could last 30 years. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, shares a six-part retirement planning checklist designed to help people approaching retirement or already retired review the financial and personal decisions that can shape their future. Larry discusses:  How much you may be able to spend in retirement without constantly worrying about running out of money Why taxes, insurance, and estate planning deserve regular review How purpose and lifestyle planning can be just as important as your finances How tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and Roth conversions may help reduce taxes throughout retirement Why reviewing your estate plan, insurance coverage, and life after work can help you retire with greater confidence And more! Resources: Mastering Retirement Withdrawals: Expert Tips for Smart Distribution Planning (Ep. 169) Retirement Unlocked: Managing Sequence of Returns Risk (Ep. 171) Why Taxes Often Go Up in Retirement and What Planning Ahead Can Change (Ep. 194) From Net Worth to Cash Flow, Rethinking Retirement Strategy (Ep. 197) IRMAA Explained, How Income Decisions Today Can Increase Medicare Costs Tomorrow (Ep. 199) Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

A lot of people think their estate planning is complete once the legal documents are signed. But for retirees and families with complex assets, those documents may not be enough if trusts, beneficiary designations, account ownership, and tax planning aren’t coordinated. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, speaks with Dominick J. Parillo, JD, CFP®, Director of Wealth Transfer at Savant Wealth Management, about the estate planning details families often overlook. They explain how an unfunded revocable living trust can still lead to probate, why beneficiary designations may override a will, and how account ownership can affect New York estate tax planning. They also discuss powers of attorney, healthcare documents, inheritance protection, trustee selection, and why your estate plan should continue to evolve as your family, finances, and wishes change. Larry and Dom discuss: Why signing estate planning documents doesn’t mean the planning is finished Why funding a revocable living trust is important for avoiding probate How beneficiary designations and account ownership may override a will What married couples should know about New York estate tax planning How continuing trusts and trustee selection may help protect an inheritance And more! Resources:  Is It Time to Update Your Estate Plan? Why State Estate Tax Planning Matters Connect with Dominick J. Parillo: Dominick J. Parillo, JD, CFP® | Savant Wealth Management LinkedIn: Dominick J. Parillo LinkedIn: Savant Wealth Management Connect with Larry Heller: (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® About Our Guest: Dominick “Dom” J. Parillo, JD, CFP®, is Director of Wealth Transfer at Savant Wealth Management. Based in Manassas, Virginia, he helps high-net-worth families and business owners coordinate estate planning, trust administration, wealth transfer, and legacy decisions.  Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

What should you do after selling your business? Closing the deal is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning of a new chapter. Without a thoughtful plan, emotional decisions, tax surprises, and a lack of direction can undermine the financial freedom you’ve worked so hard to achieve. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores the most common mistakes business owners make after selling their business and shares practical guidance for turning a successful exit into a successful retirement. He discusses how to make intentional financial decisions, prepare for taxes, invest with purpose, and build a retirement that offers both financial security and personal fulfillment. Larry discusses: What business owners should do immediately after selling a business and why rushing financial decisions can create long-term challenges How to balance enjoying the proceeds from a business sale while avoiding lifestyle inflation that could threaten retirement security Why keeping too much money in cash after a liquidity event can be just as risky as investing too aggressively Capital gains tax planning opportunities business owners should consider before and after a sale, and why waiting until tax season may be too late And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Retirement today looks very different than it did even a decade ago. Managing your finances, protecting your identity, staying connected with family, accessing healthcare, and preserving your legacy are all becoming increasingly digital. While these advancements offer greater convenience and flexibility, they also introduce new risks that deserve careful planning. In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores how technology is reshaping retirement and why digital preparedness is essential to protecting your financial future. From cybersecurity and AI-powered scams to digital estate planning and everyday technology that supports independence, Larry shares practical insights to help you embrace innovation with greater confidence. Larry discusses:  Why retirement planning now includes cybersecurity, digital assets, and the protection of your online identity. How AI-powered scams, voice cloning, hacked emails, and identity theft are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and the practical steps retirees can take to protect themselves. The growing role of telehealth, wearable technology, and other digital tools in helping retirees maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. How technology is making it easier to travel, manage finances remotely, stay connected with family, and enjoy greater flexibility throughout retirement. Why organizing your digital assets, passwords, online accounts, and estate documents is becoming just as important as traditional estate planning. And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Many retirees wonder whether they can safely spend more money in retirement without jeopardizing their future. Questions about retirement income, withdrawal rates, market volatility, healthcare expenses, and the fear of running out of money often prevent retirees from enjoying the wealth they’ve accumulated.  In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses the often-overlooked challenge of transitioning from a saver mindset to a spender mindset in retirement and why many financially secure retirees struggle to enjoy the assets they’ve accumulated. Larry discusses: Why many retirees experience anxiety around spending, even when their financial plan supports it The psychological shift required when moving from accumulation to distribution Common fears about running out of money and how those concerns impact retirement decisions How retirement income planning can help create confidence around spending And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

Losing a spouse is one of life’s most difficult experiences, emotionally and financially. Many retirees are surprised to learn that widowhood can also create significant tax and retirement-planning challenges that may affect income, Medicare premiums, estate plans, and long-term financial security.  In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains why the loss of a spouse can create unexpected financial challenges for retirees, including higher taxes, rising Medicare premiums, and changes to retirement income. He discusses how required minimum distributions, Social Security survivor benefits, and IRMAA thresholds can affect a surviving spouse’s long-term financial picture. Larry also shares proactive planning strategies couples can consider before widowhood, including Roth conversions, tax-bracket management, beneficiary reviews, and estate planning updates. Through real-life examples, he highlights how thoughtful preparation can help surviving spouses avoid costly mistakes and navigate a difficult transition with greater confidence and clarity. What to expect: Why surviving spouses often face higher taxes after the loss of a spouse How the widow and widower tax penalty impacts retirement income The effect of IRMAA and rising Medicare premiums for single filers How required minimum distributions can create larger future tax burdens And more! Connect with Larry Heller:  (631) 248-3600 Schedule a 20-Minute Call Heller Wealth Management LinkedIn: Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, CPA YouTube: Retirement Unlocked with Larry Heller, CFP® Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice. Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/

In this milestone 200th episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller reflects on the journey of building the podcast from an audio-only show into a growing multimedia platform focused on helping people make smarter retirement decisions. Joined by co-host Bill Tucker, Larry shares why the podcast was created, the lessons learned over 200 episodes, and how … Read More Read More

Many retirees assume their Medicare premiums will stay consistent once they enroll. But that’s not always the case, especially for higher-income individuals. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down IRMAA, the income-related surcharge that can increase your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums based on income from two years prior. He explains … Read More Read More

Retirement is often seen as a finish line, but in reality, the years surrounding it are where some of the most important decisions get made. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains the concept of the retirement “danger zone”, the five years before and after retirement when financial, tax, and lifestyle decisions can have … Read More Read More

Retirement can look solid on paper, but confidence doesn’t come from a number; it comes from how your money actually works for you. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP® breaks down why cash flow, not net worth, is the true driver of financial confidence in retirement. He explains how multiple income sources, tax considerations, and … Read More Read More

Retirement often changes how your wealth is structured, distributed, and taxed, potentially exposing estate planning gaps that were easy to overlook during your working years. In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores why retirement is a new phase of estate planning and what families, especially those with higher net worth, should be reviewing now. … Read More Read More