Month: June 2026

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Why Saving for Retirement Is Easier Than Spending in Retirement (Ep. 202)

Why Saving for Retirement Is Easier Than Spending in Retirement (Ep. 202)

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Many retirees wonder whether they can safely spend more money in retirement without jeopardizing their future. Questions about retirement income, withdrawal rates, market volatility, healthcare expenses, and the fear of running out of money often prevent retirees from enjoying the wealth they’ve accumulated. 

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses the often-overlooked challenge of transitioning from a saver mindset to a spender mindset in retirement and why many financially secure retirees struggle to enjoy the assets they’ve accumulated.

Larry discusses:

  • Why many retirees experience anxiety around spending, even when their financial plan supports it
  • The psychological shift required when moving from accumulation to distribution
  • Common fears about running out of money and how those concerns impact retirement decisions
  • How retirement income planning can help create confidence around spending
  • And more!

Connect with Larry Heller: 

Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/
How Widowhood Can Change Your Retirement Tax Picture (Ep. 201)

How Widowhood Can Change Your Retirement Tax Picture (Ep. 201)

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Losing a spouse is one of life’s most difficult experiences, emotionally and financially. Many retirees are surprised to learn that widowhood can also create significant tax and retirement-planning challenges that may affect income, Medicare premiums, estate plans, and long-term financial security. 

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explains why the loss of a spouse can create unexpected financial challenges for retirees, including higher taxes, rising Medicare premiums, and changes to retirement income. He discusses how required minimum distributions, Social Security survivor benefits, and IRMAA thresholds can affect a surviving spouse’s long-term financial picture. Larry also shares proactive planning strategies couples can consider before widowhood, including Roth conversions, tax-bracket management, beneficiary reviews, and estate planning updates. Through real-life examples, he highlights how thoughtful preparation can help surviving spouses avoid costly mistakes and navigate a difficult transition with greater confidence and clarity.

What to expect:

  • Why surviving spouses often face higher taxes after the loss of a spouse
  • How the widow and widower tax penalty impacts retirement income
  • The effect of IRMAA and rising Medicare premiums for single filers
  • How required minimum distributions can create larger future tax burdens
  • And more!

Connect with Larry Heller: 

Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/
200 Episodes of Retirement Unlocked: The Lessons That Matter Most (Ep. 200)

200 Episodes of Retirement Unlocked: The Lessons That Matter Most (Ep. 200)

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In this milestone 200th episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller reflects on the journey of building the podcast from an audio-only show into a growing multimedia platform focused on helping people make smarter retirement decisions. Joined by co-host Bill Tucker, Larry shares why the podcast was created, the lessons learned over 200 episodes, and how financial education can truly impact people’s lives. 

In this episode, Larry explores how he has always aimed to make financial planning more understandable as he continues to stay ahead of constant changes in tax laws, and retirement strategies. He expresses gratitude to his listeners, clients, and guests who have helped the podcast grow to nearly 50,000 YouTube views as it continues into its next chapter. 

Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses:

  • How Retirement Unlocked has changed over the years
  • Why retirement planning is more about cash flow than net worth
  • How taxes can become more complicated in retirement
  • Why financial planning should evolve as life changes
  • And more!

Connect with Larry Heller: 

Heller Wealth Management is now part of Savant Wealth Management. Savant is a Registered Investment Advisor. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.

Effective March 31, 2026, Heller Wealth Management joined Savant Wealth Management (“Savant”). A copy of Savant’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees is available at www.savantwealth.com/disclosure-brochures/