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What is a Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisor? (And How to Spot the Chameleons)
Discover what a fee-only fiduciary advisor truly means. Learn how to spot hybrid, fee-based chameleon advisors using our 5-star interview tip.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
May 174 min read


Shift Your Retirement Savings Into Tax Free Gear
One great strategy right now is a Roth IRA conversion. This means moving your money from a traditional retirement account

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Apr 153 min read


2026 Tax Window: Strategic Planning for Retirees under the New Tax Law
For people approaching retirement or over the age of 65, the tax landscape has shifted significantly for 2026.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Mar 223 min read


Retirement Tax Planning Just Got a Big Makeover
The transition into retirement can bring a lot of apprehension, and let’s be honest, uncertainty about tax and economic changes doesn't help the mood. But there is a silver lining for those of us nearing the retirement finish line in 2026.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Feb 164 min read


What Should You Do with Your Nest Egg When You Change Jobs?
Changing jobs or retiring is a big life transition. You have boxes to pack and new names to learn. In all that excitement, it is easy to forget about

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Jan 114 min read


Smart Year-End Tax Ideas for Retirees
As the year winds down, the clock is ticking on your wealth-protection windows. Discover the most straightforward, high-impact year-end tax moves for retirees. From optimizing your RMDs to making tax-free charitable gifts before December 31.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Nov 1, 20254 min read


Should You Name a Trust as Your IRA Beneficiary?
When it comes to planning what happens with your retirement accounts after you’re gone, the details matter. One decision many people overlook is whether to name a trust as the beneficiary of their IRA.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Sep 1, 20253 min read


Can I Get to My Roth Money If I Need It?
Think your Roth dollars are completely tax-free and available whenever you want? Not quite. From employer plan lockdown rules to the IRS 5-year conversion clock, discover the strict distribution rules retirees must navigate before tapping into a Roth 401(k) or Roth IRA.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Aug 1, 20253 min read


Retiring Early? What About Healthcare?
You’ve just handed in the office key card, the coffee mug with your name on it is boxed up, and you're ready to greet retirement at 62. Freedom feels fantastic, until you remember...that Medicare doesn’t start until age 65.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Jul 12, 20254 min read


Mid-Year Retirement Checkup: Smart Moves Before Summer Slips Away
June is halftime for your financial plan, and the scoreboard doesn't lie. From dodging future Medicare IRMAA surcharges to fixing sneaky tax withholding gaps and rebalancing your portfolio, discover the critical mid-year moves retirees should make before summer slips away.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Jun 28, 20253 min read


Tax-Smart Withdrawals: How To Keep More Of Your Retirement Savings
Retirement planning isn’t just about how much you save - it’s about how you take it out. Failing to use a tax-smart withdrawal strategy can trigger massive tax bills and spike your Medicare premiums. Discover the optimal sequencing rules for traditional IRAs, brokerage accounts, and Roth buckets to keep more of your hard-earned wealth.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
May 23, 20253 min read


🏠 Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement?
Paying off your home before you retire feels great emotionally, but does it make financial sense? From avoiding liquidity traps to navigating sudden tax bracket spikes and Medicare IRMAA surcharges, discover the critical factors retirees must weigh before sending in that final mortgage payment.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
May 17, 20253 min read


You Filed Your Taxes Now What?
Tax season is officially in the rearview mirror, but your tax return's real work is just beginning. From mapping out strategic Roth conversions during low-bracket windows to fixing sneaky withholding traps before they trigger penalties, discover three high-impact moves retirees should make while the IRS sleeps.

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Apr 20, 20254 min read


2024 Year End Tax Ideas
As we approach the end of the year, it's time to review tax strategies that could benefit your financial situation. While not an...

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Oct 14, 20243 min read


Tax-Loss Harvesting: Using Losses to Your Advantage
It's always important to reduce taxes, and one way that may help is a process called tax-loss harvesting. This involves selling...

John Piershale, CFP®, AEP®
Nov 5, 20223 min read
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