Freedom for Retirement™

Josh Duncan, CFP®
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Investing

Freedom for Retirement™ is the podcast designed to help you move beyond the fear of the complexity of finances so you can be financially free to achieve personal significance. Tune in with Josh Duncan each week to turn fear into fuel that drives you into Freedom & Significance.

  1. 1d ago

    Is Your Retirement Still on Track? 5 Things to Review Now

    Most retirement plans do not fail at year-end. They fall off track mid-year, when nobody stops to check. Markets move. Spending shifts. A Roth conversion, a property sale, an IRA withdrawal—each decision touches your taxes, your Medicare premiums, and the shape of your long-term plan. Waiting until December to sort it out means losing months of options. This episode walks through five things every retiree and pre-retiree should review right now, while there is still time to act. This episode covers: How your retirement income plan holds up when real spending diverges from the original projectionWhat portfolio drift looks like and when rebalancing is the right responseWhy retirees with multiple income sources are especially exposed to underpayment penaltiesHow to evaluate a Roth conversion if you are in a lower-income window before RMDs beginWhat IRMAA is, how the Medicare lookback period works, and why an income decision today can raise your premiums two years from nowCatch the small issues now. They are much easier to fix in July than in December. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional.

    16 min

  2. Jun 17

    When Your Spouse Dies, Your Taxes Go Up. Here’s Why.

    The death of a spouse triggers some of the most significant financial shifts a family will ever face. And for many, income falls at the exact moment taxes rise. In this episode, Josh Duncan walks through five changes that occur when the first spouse dies. Social Security income can drop by 40% overnight. A household receiving $5,000 per month may be left with $3,000. The surviving spouse moves to single filer tax brackets, often paying higher effective tax rates on income that hasn’t changed much. Medicare premiums can increase as IRMAA thresholds tighten for single filers. Required minimum distributions from inherited retirement accounts continue, adding taxable income in an already compressed bracket. And estate planning responsibilities that were once shared now fall to one person. As Josh notes, the families that navigate these transitions most smoothly are usually not the ones with the most money—they’re the ones who prepared. This episode covers: The Social Security survivor benefit rule and why one check disappearsThe widow’s tax trap: why less income can mean a higher tax rateHow IRMAA thresholds shift for single filers and what it means for Medicare premiumsWhy inherited IRAs and RMDs continue to create taxable income for the surviving spouseEstate planning responsibilities that transfer to one person and how to prepare nowThe best plans don’t just help couples retire together. They protect whichever spouse is left behind. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional.

    11 min

  3. Jun 10

    Are You Leaving Spousal Social Security Money on the Table?

    Most couples assume that once both Social Security checks are in the mail, the decision is final. For many, it isn’t. If one spouse’s benefit is significantly lower than half of the other’s full retirement age benefit, there may still be an opportunity to claim a spousal top-up — and most couples never ask. In this episode, Josh Duncan walks through exactly how spousal Social Security benefits work, what’s still possible after both spouses have filed, and the practical steps to find out if your household is leaving money on the table every month. This episode covers: How the 50% spousal benefit rule actually worksWhat deemed filing rules mean for anyone born in 1954 or laterHow to contact Social Security and what to bring when you doThe survivor benefit connection most couples overlook entirelyIf your spouse’s benefit is meaningfully higher than yours, this episode is worth your time before you assume nothing can be done. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional.

    9 min

  4. Jun 3

    Roth Conversions: Smart Tax Move or Expensive Mistake?

    Could a Roth conversion help reduce taxes in retirement or create an expensive mistake? Many investors hear that Roth conversions are one of the most powerful retirement planning strategies available. But what often gets overlooked is that every Roth conversion comes with tradeoffs. Converting too much can increase your tax bill, affect Medicare premiums, create cash flow challenges, and reduce the overall effectiveness of your retirement plan. In this episode, Josh Duncan explains how Roth conversions work, why they can be powerful, and the situations where they may backfire. You'll learn how to evaluate whether paying taxes today could improve your after-tax financial life tomorrow. Topics include: How Roth conversions fit into retirement planningWhen a Roth conversion may reduce future taxesHow required minimum distributions (RMDs) affect the decisionThe impact of Medicare IRMAA surchargesWhy tax bracket management mattersHow Roth conversions can affect spouses and heirsCommon Roth conversion mistakes investors make Whether you're approaching retirement or already retired, understanding the tax consequences of Roth conversions can help you make more informed financial decisions. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. #FinancialFreedom #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #F5Financial #RothConversion #RothIRA #TraditionalIRA #TaxPlanning

    18 min

  5. May 27

    Can You Retire at 60 with $1 Million?

    Can you retire at 60 with $1 million? The answer may surprise you. For many families approaching retirement, $1 million sounds like a comfortable target. But retirement planning is about far more than reaching a number. Your spending habits, healthcare costs, Social Security strategy, taxes, investment allocation, and estate planning all play a major role in determining whether early retirement is actually sustainable. In this video, Josh breaks down the real questions you should ask before retiring at 60. You’ll learn why two retirees with the exact same portfolio can experience completely different outcomes and why having a strategy matters more than simply accumulating wealth. This discussion covers: How much income your portfolio really needs to generateHealthcare costs before Medicare beginsThe impact of taxes and account structureSocial Security timing decisionsSequence of returns risk in retirementWhy estate planning and purpose matter in retirementIf you want to build a retirement strategy designed around long-term freedom and significance, this episode is for you. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. #FinancialFreedom #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #F5Financial

    11 min

  6. May 20

    7 Retirement Mistakes People Regret Most (and How to Avoid Them)

    Retirement planning is about far more than investments and account balances. In this episode, we break down the seven retirement mistakes people regret most and how to avoid them. (Only three are actually about money!) Many families spend decades building wealth, preparing for retirement, and focusing on financial security, yet still find themselves facing unexpected regret after leaving work. Why? Because successful retirement planning also involves purpose, relationships, health, lifestyle design, and making intentional decisions before time passes you by. We discuss critical retirement topics including: Social Security claiming strategiesRelationship changes in retirementRelocation mistakes retirees makeWhy delaying meaningful experiences can become a major regretIf you are within a few years of retirement or recently retired, this conversation will help you think more strategically about building a retirement that is financially secure and personally fulfilling. 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. #FinancialFreedom #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #F5Financial

    17 min

  7. May 13

    The Hidden Risks of Indexed Universal Life Insurance

    Indexed Universal Life insurance—often called IUL—is frequently marketed as a powerful retirement strategy with market upside, downside protection, tax-free retirement income, and a death benefit all wrapped into one product. But how much of the illustration is actually guaranteed? In this episode, we break down the hidden risks of indexed universal life insurance and explain why many high-income families and retirees misunderstand how these policies truly work. We cover the mechanics behind IUL policies, why “zero percent floor” does not mean you cannot lose money, how insurance company decisions impact long-term performance, and why policy illustrations can create unrealistic expectations. If you are evaluating advanced retirement and tax-planning strategies, this conversation is essential before making a long-term commitment to an IUL policy. You’ll learn: How indexed universal life insurance actually worksWhy policy illustrations may be misleadingThe dangers of policy loans and lapse riskWhat “tax-free retirement income” really meansWhy carrier behavior matters more than most people realizeWhat to do if you already own an IUL policy👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. #FinancialFreedom #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #F5Financial #IUL #IndexedUniversalLife #LifeInsurance

    19 min

  8. May 6

    Your Last Year Before Retirement: Avoid These 4 Mistakes

    You’re in the home stretch, just months away from retirement. The numbers look good. The plan feels solid. But here’s the reality: your last year before retirement may be the highest-stakes financial year of your life. In this episode, we break down 4 critical retirement mistakes that even well-prepared, high-net-worth families make and how to avoid them before it’s too late. From failing to stress-test your retirement income plan, to leaving earned employer benefits on the table, to overlooking a healthcare bridge strategy, and mismanaging the tax implications of your retirement date, these are not small oversights. They can cost you thousands of dollars over your retirement. You’ll learn why your last working year is your final safety net, how to test-drive your retirement budget before income stops, the hidden value in 401(k) matches, PTO, pensions, and equity, how to avoid a costly healthcare coverage gap before Medicare, and why your retirement date is a tax decision—not just a milestone 👉 Work with us at https://www.f5fp.com. About F5 Financial Planning: At F5 Financial Planning, we help individuals and families align their finances with what matters most so they can live lives of Freedom and Significance. We are a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm, meaning we don’t earn commissions or sell products — our only commitment is to our clients’ best interests. We provide comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax-efficient strategies, and retirement planning for families, corporate executives, and entrepreneurs. Our team serves clients nationwide through virtual meetings and from offices in Illinois, Georgia and Florida. At F5, our goal is simple: to help you gain confidence, clarity, and control over your financial future so you can focus on the people and passions that matter most.  Visit https://www.f5fp.com to learn more about our services and planning process. ***** Advisory services are offered through F5 Financial Planning, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing these videos does not create an advisory relationship with F5 Financial. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified professional. #FinancialFreedom #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #RetirementPlanning #F5Financial

    14 min
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About

Freedom for Retirement™ is the podcast designed to help you move beyond the fear of the complexity of finances so you can be financially free to achieve personal significance. Tune in with Josh Duncan each week to turn fear into fuel that drives you into Freedom & Significance.

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Duncan, CFP®
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Josh Duncan, CFP®
  • Show Website
    Freedom for Retirement™

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