Retire Smarter with Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®

Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®
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Planning Retirement Smarter. Living Retirement Better. With Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP® of True Wealth Design. #Retire #Stocks #Investing #401k #IRA #CFP #TrueWealthDesign. Contact at https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ or by calling 855-893-7526.

  1. 1D AGO

    Why Most Financial Plans Fail (And How To Build A Better One)

    Most people think a financial plan is a set of projections… a retirement number… or a long report that tells you whether you’re going to be okay. In reality, many of those plans end up as 60–90 page documents that sit on a shelf and rarely get used. But a real financial plan should do a lot more than that. In this episode, we walk through what a financial plan should actually do, especially for pre-retirees and retirees making important decisions around retirement, taxes, income, and long term planning. We cover: What most financial plans focus on and where they fall short How a real plan connects taxes, income, investments, healthcare, and estate planning Why spending and life transitions are critical to building a plan that actually works How a financial plan becomes a decision making tool, not just a report A real example of how planning helps navigate an unexpected life change Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    16 min

  2. APR 30

    What a First Meeting with a Financial Advisor Should Look Like

    Most people walk into their first meeting with a financial advisor expecting a presentation—charts, investments, maybe even a pitch. But a real discovery meeting shouldn’t feel like that at all. In this episode, we break down what a first meeting with a financial advisor should actually look like, especially for pre-retirees and retirees trying to make important decisions around retirement, taxes, income, and long-term planning. We walk through: What typically happens in a real discovery meeting What most people expect vs what actually happens How to tell if an advisor is taking a holistic financial planning approach or just focusing on investments Real client examples—from families who didn’t know where to start to those who had an advisor but weren’t getting coordinated advice The biggest red flags to watch for when meeting with a financial advisor Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    20 min

  3. APR 23

    5 Worst Money Moves to Avoid Before Retirement

    As you get closer to retirement, it’s usually not one big mistake that throws things off — it’s a handful of smaller decisions that can quietly add up over time. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP®, walks through five of the most common money moves near retirees make and what to be thinking about instead as you transition into retirement. We cover: Why your investment strategy needs to change as you shift from saving to spending How tax planning becomes more important once you’re no longer relying on a W-2 The impact of Social Security timing decisions, especially for married couples The risks of taking on more investment risk to “catch up” And how healthcare costs — both before and after Medicare — can affect your plan If you’re within a few years of retirement, this episode will help you avoid some of the most common pitfalls and make more intentional decisions with your money. Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    23 min

  4. APR 16

    Your Tax Return Is a Blueprint — Here's How to Use It for Better Planning

    Most people get their tax return back, sign it, and move on. But your 2025 tax return is more than a summary of last year — it’s a roadmap for smarter tax planning going forward. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP®, walks line-by-line through the key parts of your return and shows you exactly what to look for, including: Where interest income may be creating unnecessary tax drag How dividends and capital gains impact your tax bill (and what to do about it) Why your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) drives decisions like IRMAA, IRA eligibility, and Roth strategies When it makes sense to itemize vs. take the standard deduction How to use your taxable income to identify Roth conversion opportunities and manage tax brackets Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, this episode will help you turn your tax return into a planning tool — not just paperwork. If you have your return handy, follow along and see how these strategies apply to your situation. Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    23 min

  5. APR 9

    Backdoor Roth IRA Explained: How High Earners Avoid Income Limits

    Backdoor Roth IRA explained (2026): how high-income earners can legally contribute to a Roth IRA, step-by-step, and avoid the pro-rata rule tax trap.   If your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, the Backdoor Roth strategy is one of the most important ways to still build tax-free retirement income—but it has to be done correctly.   In this episode, we break down: 2026 Roth IRA income limits and contribution limits How the Backdoor Roth IRA works step-by-step How to make a non-deductible IRA contribution and convert it to Roth The pro-rata rule and how it can trigger unexpected taxes How to handle existing Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA balances When a spousal Backdoor Roth makes sense Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    22 min

  6. APR 2

    Trump Accounts Explained: $1,000 Free for Your Kids.... But Is There a Catch?

    Trump Accounts explained (2026): how they work, who qualifies for the $1,000 government contribution, and whether they’re actually worth using compared to a 529 plan, Roth IRA, or custodial account. Trump Accounts are a new investment account for kids created under 2025 legislation. The accounts promise $1,000 in initial funding from the government and allow up to $5,000 per year in contributions, but the tax treatment is very different from other strategies families are used to. In this episode, we break down: What Trump Accounts are and how they work Who qualifies for the $1,000 government contribution (2025–2028 births) Contribution rules, including employer and third-party funding How withdrawals are taxed (ordinary income vs capital gains) Trump Accounts vs 529 plans, Roth IRAs, and custodial brokerage accounts Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    19 min

  7. MAR 26

    Inherited IRA 10-Year Rule: Don’t Make This Costly Mistake

    Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth If you’ve inherited an IRA, the rules have changed — and getting them wrong can be costly. The SECURE Act replaced the old “stretch IRA” with a 10-year distribution rule for most non-spouse beneficiaries, creating new complexity around when and how withdrawals must be taken. Many beneficiaries don’t realize that in some cases, required minimum distributions (RMDs) still apply within that 10-year window. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFP®, CFA®, breaks down how the 10-year rule works, who it applies to, and the key mistakes that can lead to unnecessary taxes and penalties. Tyler covers: How the 10-year rule works for inherited IRAs When annual RMDs are required — and when they’re not Exceptions for eligible designated beneficiaries Key considerations when a trust is named as beneficiary Tax planning strategies to avoid bracket creep Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    20 min

  8. MAR 19

    Social Security Strategies for Couples: Timing Decisions Worth $100,000+

    Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth Social Security is often treated as a simple decision — pick an age and file. But for couples, it is much more than that. In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFP®, CFA®, explains how Social Security decisions should be coordinated between spouses and why the timing of those decisions can impact your retirement income by $100,000 or more. With growing concerns around system changes and long-term funding, making the right decision matters more than ever. Tyler covers: The three types of Social Security benefits couples need to understand Why the higher earner’s decision has the biggest long-term impact How to coordinate timing between spouses Key considerations like working while claiming and the earnings test   Have questions? Need help making sure your investments and retirement plan are on track? Click to schedule a free 20-minute call with one of True Wealth's CFP® Professionals. http://bit.ly/calltruewealth

    20 min
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4.4
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About

Planning Retirement Smarter. Living Retirement Better. With Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP® of True Wealth Design. #Retire #Stocks #Investing #401k #IRA #CFP #TrueWealthDesign. Contact at https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ or by calling 855-893-7526.

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