Retirement Answers

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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Intro00:35 Understanding HSA Contributions and Limits04:50 Scenario 1: Switching to an HSA Plan Mid-Year07:42 Scenario 2: Switching Out of an HSA Plan Mid-Year12:59 Scenario 3: Transitioning from HSA to Medicare18:27 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Introduction01:23 Federal Income Tax Brackets for 202602:10 Standard Deductions and Additional Deductions04:42 Long-Term Capital Gains Brackets06:37 Retirement Contribution Limits08:09 Roth IRA and Traditional IRA Rules13:07 Medicare Premiums and IRMAA Surcharges16:20 Social Security Taxation19:16 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Intro00:43 Updated Contribution Limits for 202601:25 Special Catch-Up Contributions for Ages 60-6302:16 IRA Contribution Limits for 202603:13 New Rules for High Earners05:22 Nuances and Exceptions11:03 Strategizing Your Contributions15:51 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Introduction01:48 Fear #104:55 Fear #210:33 Fear #315:00 Fear #418:56 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Welcome00:51 Special Announcement: 2026 Important Numbers Data Sheet01:36 Meet Joe: A Real-Life Case Study04:12 The Rule of 55: Accessing Retirement Funds Early07:04 Tax Strategies for Early Retirement08:04 Health Insurance and ACA Subsidies16:25 Combining Strategies for a Tax-Free Retirement18:42 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 Introduction01:33 Belief #1: The Magic Number Myth02:59 Belief #2: Spending Less in Retirement05:45 Belief #3: Skipping the Financial Plan10:12 Belief #4: Playing It Too Safe14:12 Belief #5: Retirement Equals Happiness15:31 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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-numbersEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.

Is a break even analysis or trying to get the maximum lifetime benefits from Social Security the wrong way to optimize your benefits? In this episode I share an different idea with you about your Social Security claiming strategy.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbersOther episodes mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lGNMCcz8U7wyWSdNS0kNA?si=8fcecfdd482445cdSubmit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 OBBBA was passed back in July 2025, but now Roth conversions are more confusing for retirees. The new senior deductions might be helpful for some, but for those who were planning to do Roth conversions could have some tough decisions to make.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbersOther episodes mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lGNMCcz8U7wyWSdNS0kNA?si=8fcecfdd482445cdSubmit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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 interaction between capital gains and normal income is often misunderstood, so in this episode, I share how capital gains affect your other income and how "income stacking" works.I also share some unintentional drawbacks of capital gains that you have to watch 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-numbersOther episodes mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lGNMCcz8U7wyWSdNS0kNA?si=8fcecfdd482445cdSubmit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.

Trying to retire before 60? Creating income for yourself can be tough and can cause penalties if you aren't careful... That's where the Rule of 55 can be helpful and allow you to take money from your employer retirement plan without early distribution penalties, if you satisfy all of the rules. In this episode, I share what the Rule of 55 is, why it matters, the rules you need to know, and some alternatives.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ Get your Important Numbers 2025 PDF here: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/2025-important-numbersSubmit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.

Is it possible to "over-save" for retirement? I'd argue it is possible and most people don't realize what it's costing them. So, in this episode, I'm sharing how over-saving happens, why it's such a problem, and what you can do to avoid this risk.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.

Do you really need a Roth IRA in retirement? Personally, I don't think so if you create a good income plan, so in today's episode, I share how a couple with $1.2m can generate tax-free income in retirement without any money in Roth IRAs.Other episodes or videos mentioned: Social Security Tax Video: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=g1qdLsCw-H9LMmYzTax-Gains Harvesting Video: https://youtu.be/7Qz0FD4XeN8👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.

Tax planning might be the most consequential part of your retirement plan... If you plan well, you could save yourself hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. If you don't plan at all, you could give up a huge amount of your hard earned savings.In this episode, I share 5 of the most common tax planning mistakes that I see as a retirement planner.👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-startedSocial Security Tax Video: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=g1qdLsCw-H9LMmYz✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questionsEmail: jacob@rivertreewealth.comWebsite: https://www.rivertreewealth.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobdukeJacob 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.