Advertise on podcast: Retirement Answers

Are you still trying to decide when to take Social Security? Well, in this episode, I am deviating from my normal stance to share 4 reasons you might want to take your benefits ASAP rather than delay. And be sure to listen to the end, because I share why using a traditional break even analysis in your decision making process is not a good idea. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Reason 1 03:07 Reason 2 04:19 Reason 3 06:10 Reason 4 07:51 The Flaws of Break Even Analysis 12:28 Conclusion

Are you anxious about an abrupt transition to retirement? In this episode of Retirement Answers, I share the concept of phased retirement, where you can gradually reduce work hours or stress levels instead of stopping work entirely. I explain the financial and emotional benefits, offering practical advice for a smoother, more comfortable path to retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Introduction 00:48 The Anxiety of Full Retirement 01:25 Phased Retirement: A New Approach 02:37 Changes in Retirement Landscape 04:04 Practical Steps for Phased Retirement 05:17 Employer Negotiations and Alternatives 07:53 Consulting and Part-Time Work Options 11:45 Financial and Health Benefits 15:39 Finding Purpose in Retirement 17:19 Conclusion

Have you ever wondered if your HSA contributions could cause unexpected issues as you approach retirement? In this episode, I highlight potential risks and mistakes that individuals near or in retirement might encounter with their HSAs.  Specifically around scenarios such as switching into an HSA plan mid-year, transitioning out of an HSA plan mid-year, and moving from an HSA plan to Medicare.  👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Intro 00:35 Understanding HSA Contributions and Limits 04:50 Scenario 1: Switching to an HSA Plan Mid-Year 07:42 Scenario 2: Switching Out of an HSA Plan Mid-Year 12:59 Scenario 3: Transitioning from HSA to Medicare 18:27 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Can you believe it's 2026 already?? Ready or not here we go! In this episode, I'm sharing the updated tax brackets, standard deductions, capital gains brackets, IRMAA brackets, provisional income brackets, and more. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Introduction 01:23 Federal Income Tax Brackets for 2026 02:10 Standard Deductions and Additional Deductions 04:42 Long-Term Capital Gains Brackets 06:37 Retirement Contribution Limits 08:09 Roth IRA and Traditional IRA Rules 13:07 Medicare Premiums and IRMAA Surcharges 16:20 Social Security Taxation 19:16 Final Thoughts

If you're 50+ and making catching catch-up contributions to your employer 401k plan, this episode is for you. In 2026, you might have to change how you save to your employer plan if you earn to much money. In this episode, I share what you need to know about these new rules and how you can save with intention. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Intro 00:43 Updated Contribution Limits for 2026 01:25 Special Catch-Up Contributions for Ages 60-63 02:16 IRA Contribution Limits for 2026 03:13 New Rules for High Earners 05:22 Nuances and Exceptions 11:03 Strategizing Your Contributions 15:51 Conclusion & Final Thoughts

Have you ever wondered why so many people dream of early retirement but never actually do it? In this episode, I dive into the most common fears that hold people back from their dream retirement. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Introduction 01:48 Fear #1 04:55 Fear #2 10:33 Fear #3 15:00 Fear #4 18:56 What's Next?

What if you could retire earlier than expected, access your savings without penalties, get health insurance subsidies, and pay no taxes for the first few years? Would you believe that's possible?  In this episode of Retirement Answers, I explain how it can be done using a case study of a client named Joe where I break down the strategies and financial maneuvers used to help him retire at 55. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2026 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2026-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Welcome 00:51 Special Announcement: 2026 Important Numbers Data Sheet 01:36 Meet Joe: A Real-Life Case Study 04:12 The Rule of 55: Accessing Retirement Funds Early 07:04 Tax Strategies for Early Retirement 08:04 Health Insurance and ACA Subsidies 16:25 Combining Strategies for a Tax-Free Retirement 18:42 Conclusion

Have you ever wondered if certain beliefs about retirement could actually jeopardize your future instead of securing it? In this episode of the Retirement Answers Podcast, Jacob Duke, a certified financial planner, delves into common assumptions that may seem harmless but can quietly derail your retirement plans. Tune in to learn how to identify and overcome these misconceptions for a secure and fulfilling retirement journey. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only. 00:00 Introduction 01:33 Belief #1: The Magic Number Myth 02:59 Belief #2: Spending Less in Retirement 05:45 Belief #3: Skipping the Financial Plan 10:12 Belief #4: Playing It Too Safe 14:12 Belief #5: Retirement Equals Happiness 15:31 Conclusion

Get the FREE Checklist Here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/pre-65-retirement-checklist 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

What ingredients make for the most optimal Roth conversions? In this episode, I explain what the Roth conversion sweet spot is and why this period of time is the best time to do conversions. 📋 Get Your FREE Checklist here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/roth-conversion-sweet-spot-checklist 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

You ever have something not be what expected it to be? Well, as a retirement planner who is helped over 100 clients, I have learned an important lesson that I think anyone who is preparing for retirement needs to understand. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Roth conversions might help you save on taxes in retirement, but that doesn't mean you only need Roth IRAs... In this episode, I share why it's actually tax-efficient to have money in a Traditional IRA. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

The 2026 Social Security COLA has been announced! I will share what it is, who it applies to, how it's calculated, and why your Social Security claiming strategy impacts your future COLAs. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Are you sure you are taking Social Security at the right time? Well, in this episode, I share 5 common mistakes retirees make when claiming Social Security and what you should look out for. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Are you making the same mistake many other retirees make? If so, you could end up missing out on a lot right now, and have more money that you ever need later in life. In this episode, I talk about the underspending epidemic among retirees and what causes it. 👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started ✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbers Email: [email protected]: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast. DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.