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

You just received an inheritance. Now what?
Before you sell investments, take distributions, pay off debt, or make a major purchase, it's important to understand exactly what you've inherited and the tax rules that come with it.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, walks through the biggest financial decisions that can come with an inheritance and explains why some seemingly simple moves can create unintended tax consequences.
In this episode, Tyler covers:
What to do first after receiving an inheritance.
Why you shouldn't immediately liquidate inherited assets.
Tax considerations for inherited brokerage accounts, IRAs, Roth IRAs, annuities, and real estate.
How inherited IRA distribution rules can create tax planning opportunities.
Why you shouldn't automatically keep the investments you inherit.
How an inheritance can create an opportunity to rethink asset allocation and asset location.
How an inheritance could change your retirement, tax, estate, and spending plans.
 
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Do you need a trust, or is a will enough? And even if your estate documents are complete, are your accounts and beneficiary designations actually set up to follow your wishes?
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the estate planning basics retirees should understand. From beneficiary designations and transfer-on-death instructions to wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, and powers of attorney, Tyler explains how the pieces of an estate plan work together.
In this episode, Tyler covers:
Why beneficiary designations and account titling should be one of your first estate planning reviews.
What a will actually controls and why it doesn't avoid probate.
When a revocable living trust may make sense.
The key differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts.
Why simply creating a trust isn't enough if assets aren't properly coordinated with it.
The core estate planning documents retirees should consider.
Why communicating your estate plan with family can be just as important as creating it.
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.
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Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
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Most investors spend their time deciding what investments to own. Far fewer spend time thinking about where those investments should be held.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down one of the most overlooked tax planning strategies in retirement: asset location. Using research from Vanguard, Tyler explains how placing the same investments in different accounts—taxable, traditional IRA/401(k), and Roth—can improve after-tax wealth without taking additional investment risk.
In this episode, Tyler covers:
What asset location is—and why it's different from asset allocation.
Vanguard's research on improving after-tax returns.
Where different investments generally belong.
Why Roth accounts deserve special consideration.
Common mistakes investors make when organizing their portfolios.
Why asset location should evolve throughout retirement.
 
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
 
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Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth
Many retirees spend decades building wealth, only to struggle with using it once they retire. If you've ever wondered, "Can we really afford this?" or found yourself hesitating to spend despite being financially secure, you're not alone.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discusses why so many retirees struggle to spend confidently and how ongoing financial planning provides clarity around life's biggest financial decisions. Through real client stories, Tyler explains how retirement planning goes far beyond managing investments—it's about helping people confidently use the wealth they've spent a lifetime building.
In this episode, Tyler covers:
Why nearly 40% of retirees struggle to spend their savings.
The shift from saving for retirement to spending in retirement.
Real client stories about relocating and helping adult children financially.
Why regular planning reviews create confidence.
How a good advisor helps clients evaluate options and make better financial decisions.
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
 
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How much should you have saved for retirement?
It's one of the most common questions people ask, and new retirement savings data from Fidelity gives us a chance to see how Americans compare. But while the numbers are interesting, they don't answer the most important question: Will your resources support the retirement you want to live?
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP® reviews the latest retirement savings data, explains why averages can be misleading, and shares real-life examples of why income, lifestyle, and thoughtful planning matter more than simply comparing account balances.
We discuss:
What Fidelity's latest retirement savings data shows by age and generation
Why average and median tell two very different stories
Why retirement readiness is about much more than your 401(k) balance
How pensions and guaranteed income can significantly change the retirement equation
Why two families with similar account balances can have completely different retirement outcomes
A better way to measure retirement readiness than comparing yourself to everyone else
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 
 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
 
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Many people assume they have to wait until age 59½ before they can retire because that's when retirement accounts generally become available without the 10% early withdrawal penalty. But in reality, early retirement is often less about how much you've saved and more about how you access your money.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA, CFP® discusses the planning strategies that can help bridge the gap before traditional retirement account access, why saving across different account types creates flexibility, and how thoughtful income planning can make early retirement a realistic option.
We discuss:
Why age 59½ matters—and why it doesn't necessarily determine when you can retire
Planning opportunities including the Rule of 55, 72(t), and Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA)
Why taxable brokerage accounts, Roth IRA contributions, and cash reserves can create flexibility
Building a retirement income bridge before Social Security, pensions, and Medicare begin
Healthcare planning before age 65, including COBRA and ACA Marketplace coverage
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/
 
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How much money is enough to retire?
It may be the most common retirement planning question, but it isn't always the right one.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores why financial security is often more psychological than mathematical and why some retirees with millions of dollars still worry about running out of money.
Tyler discusses:
Why "enough" often keeps moving
Behavioral biases that affect retirement decisions
Why many retirees struggle to spend after decades of saving
The difference between financial independence and financial confidence
Practical ways to think differently about retirement
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Schedule your no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

More retirees than ever are choosing to work in retirement, whether for additional income, consulting opportunities, or simply because they enjoy staying engaged.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discusses the financial planning considerations that often accompany returning to work after retirement.
Tyler covers:
Social Security earnings limits
ACA health insurance before Medicare
Medicare and IRMAA considerations
How working affects retirement tax planning
Deciding whether working is financially and personally worthwhile
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.
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Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
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Many retirees have a unique period between retirement and the start of Social Security and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) when their taxable income may be significantly lower than it will be later in retirement.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explains why this retirement tax planning window may be one of the biggest opportunities affluent retirees have to improve lifetime tax efficiency.
Tyler covers:
Why taxes often increase later in retirement
Roth conversion opportunities before RMDs
Capital gains harvesting strategies
Social Security timing considerations
Medicare IRMAA planning
The widow's tax trap
Why waiting too long can permanently reduce planning flexibility
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
 
Our website:  https://www.truewealthdesign.com/ 
Phone: 855.TWD.PLAN
Contact our team: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/contact-a-financial-advisor/ 
Check out our other no-cost financial resources here: https://www.truewealthdesign.com/financial-resources/ 
Watch the show now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjENBHOti-IEJFqeydZm_Fg?sub_confirmation=1

Get your customized planning started by scheduling a no-cost discovery call: http://bit.ly/calltruewealth
The 2026 Social Security Trustees Report is out, and it is already creating headlines about the future of Social Security benefits.
In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down what affluent retirees and pre-retirees actually need to know about the new Social Security report, including the 2032 trust fund projection, the 2034 combined trust fund projection, and why Social Security is not “going bankrupt.”
Tyler covers:
What the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report says
Why benefits do not disappear if the trust fund is depleted
Why the retirement trust fund projection moved to 2032
How much of scheduled benefits may still be payable
The most likely Social Security fixes Congress may consider
Whether Social Security claiming strategies should change
What affluent retirees should focus on instead
 
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