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Breaking the Health Insurance Mold: The New Health Plan Playbook with Louis Bernardi [Ep. 176]

By Retirement Unlocked | May 21, 2025

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Health insurance is one of the largest expenses for many businesses, but are you getting what you’re paying for?

In this eye-opening episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, speaks with Louis Bernardi of BrightPath Benefit Advisors about the outdated and opaque nature of most employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Louis reveals how major carriers prioritize shareholder profits over actual care and explains how his PLAN system and data-driven strategies are helping employers cut costs while providing better healthcare options for employees.

From skyrocketing pharmacy costs to hidden MRI fees, Lou unpacks the waste baked into the system and provides actionable strategies to fix it. This is a behind-the-scenes look at an advanced strategy most employers haven’t even heard of.

Key discussions in this release include:

Why traditional health insurance models are broken
The hidden data behind skyrocketing healthcare costs
How Lou’s PLAN system (Prioritize, Leverage, Align, Navigate) helps optimize benefit design
Real-world savings on pharmacy and imaging costs
Options for companies of all sizes
And more!

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About Our Guest:

Louis Bernardi is the Founder & Benefit Optimization Officer of BritePath. Lou is the innovator behind BritePath, the benefit strategy that flattens the curve on health insurance costs. BritePath helps benefit decision makers reset their expectations with advanced analytics & insights that make them and their members more informed health care consumers capable of changing the trajectory of the cost and quality of their employer-sponsored health insurance plan. Pay More, Get Less is replaced by a High-Performance Health Care Plan that allows them to finally start winning.

Lou is proud to be among the first 150 advisors accepted into Health Rosetta; an eco-system of forward-thinking advisors and solution partners that share his passion for helping people and businesses customize health plans that enhance benefits, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Lou is also involved with Aspirational Healthcare, Free Market Medical and is a Forbes Business Council member.

Your 5-Year Retirement Countdown: Key Steps to Take Now [Ep.175]

By Retirement Unlocked | May 7, 2025

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What are some steps you should be taking 5 years before your retirement?

This question sets the stage for an engaging episode with Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA ®, where we delve into the crucial five-year countdown to retirement.

Larry emphasizes the importance of timely planning and actionable strategies to ensure a smooth shift into this new life phase. From building up cash reserves to maximizing 401(k) contributions, Larry walks us through a comprehensive guide tailored to those nearing retirement.

Larry covers topics such as:

Building cash reserves and why they’re crucial for a stable retirement [00:01:06]
Strategies to maximize your 401k contributions, especially for those over 50 [00:02:33]
Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and their significance in your retirement plan [00:06:23]
The concept of a ‘Retirement Lifestyle Dry Run’ to mentally and financially prepare for life after work [00:10:34]
And more!

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Understanding the Insurance Market Crisis: Higher Rates, Tougher Carriers, and Smart Moves with Gregg Knepper [Ep.174]

By Retirement Unlocked | April 16, 2025

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Wildfires. Hurricanes. Cyber Attacks.
How are today’s biggest threats reshaping the insurance industry—and what can you do to stay protected?

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Gregg Knepper, President of Integrated Coverage Group, to break down the rapidly changing insurance landscape. With more than 15 years of experience in risk management and personal insurance, Gregg shares expert insights into how natural disasters, inflation, and digital threats are driving up premiums—and what you can do about it.

From rising home and auto rates to the hidden gaps in your umbrella and cyber insurance, this conversation is packed with practical tips for protecting what matters most.

Key discussion points include:

Understanding personal insurance market challenges [01:00]
Impact of national disasters on local insurance premiums [02:45]
Adjusting policies with higher deductibles for cost efficiency [10:30]
The role of umbrella coverage and uninsured motorist protection [18:15]
The rise of cyber threats and the necessity for cyber insurance for individuals and businesses [24:00]
And more!

Connect with Gregg Knepper:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Gregg Knepper is an experienced Insurance Adviser specializing in helping businesses and individuals limit their risk. As the President of Integrated Coverage Group, a rapidly growing insurance brokerage, Gregg brings over 13 years of expertise in the industry. Unlike traditional brokers who work for specific insurance carriers, Gregg is dedicated to working solely for their clients, ensuring that each client receives a solution tailored to their unique needs.

With a focus on reducing risk, Gregg works closely with clients to craft personalized insurance strategies across a wide range of areas, including workers’ compensation, employee benefits, and cyber insurance. Known for their trustworthiness, knowledge, and honesty, Gregg partners with clients every step of the way to ensure that their risks are managed effectively.

Specializing in supporting quickly growing businesses with sophisticated insurance and risk management needs, Gregg has extensive experience in serving industries such as technology firms, medical practices, real estate, manufacturing, and restaurants and hospitality.

Whether a client is a small startup or a large, complex organization, Gregg Knepper provides the expertise and dedication to meet their specific insurance needs.

5 Tax Gotchas That High-Net-Worth Individuals Overlook [Ep.173]

By Retirement Unlocked | April 2, 2025

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What tax traps could derail your retirement plans?

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down five major tax “gotchas” that high-net-worth retirees must navigate to protect their wealth and retirement security.

From the impact of required minimum distributions to the looming expiration of the 2017 tax cuts, Larry sheds light on often-overlooked tax challenges. He also explores strategic solutions like Roth conversions and income planning to help retirees minimize surprises and maximize financial confidence.

Key episode discussions include:

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and their tax impact [03:09]
Expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act [04:04]
The “Widow Penalty” and implications for single retirees [07:37]
Gifting strategies and estate planning considerations [10:03]
The consequences of leaving large IRAs to children [11:05]
And more!

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Accounting Firm M&A: Trends, Valuations & Challenges with Geoff Bruskin [Ep.172]

By Retirement Unlocked | March 5, 2025

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It’s time to discuss the world of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in accounting.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA ® sits down with Geoff Bruskin, M&A specialist from White Tiger Connections, Inc., to discuss the bustling landscape of M&A, particularly within accounting. Geoff, with his extensive background in business brokerage and private equity, sheds light on why accounting firms have become hot commodities for private equity firms and other investors in today’s market.

They explore the emergence of PE interest in an untapped sector, revealing insights on operational optimization and technology’s transformative role. The conversation touches on AI’s potential to reshape professional services and offers a roadmap for navigating talent challenges in the industry.

Key conversations in this release include:

Why accounting firms are gaining traction in M&A
The impact of subscription-based and value-based billing
AI’s revolutionary role in professional services
Trends in small to medium-sized CPA firms
Tackling talent shortages and future strategies
And so much more!

Connect with Geoff Bruskin:

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About Our Guest:

Geoff Bruskin helps CPA firms and wealth management practices scale, merge, acquire, and ultimately realize the enterprise value they’ve built. As the founder of White Tiger Connections, Geoff operates at the intersection of M&A advisory, business brokerage, and strategic growth – whether organic or through acquisition.

Beyond the accounting and financial services sectors, Geoff works with firm owners and their clients across industries – construction, logistics, IT/MSP, marketing, manufacturing, and beyond – helping them navigate liquidity events, capital raises, and succession planning with precision.

Geoff also hosts The Nexus Point Podcast, where he sits down with industry leaders, investors, and operators to dimensionalize trends in M&A, private capital, and firm growth strategy.

At the core of everything: relationships. The best opportunities emerge from trust, alignment, and a clear understanding of what success looks like – today and years down the road.

Retirement Unlocked: Managing Sequence of Returns Risk [Ep.171]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 19, 2025

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What does it mean to face the ‘sequence of returns risk’ when you retire?

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses why the order of your investment returns matters as you enter retirement. Larry also breaks down this critical aspect of retirement planning and introduces strategies that can safeguard your financial future.

Key episode discussion points include:

The shift from “Life Unlimited” to “Retirement Unlocked”
How the sequence of returns can impact retirees
Historical examples of sequence of returns risk
The reservoir strategy for mitigating those risks
Insights on adjusting your withdrawal strategy
Behavioral finance and the psychological aspects of investing
And more!

Resources:

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2025 Tax Changes: What You Must Know to Protect Your Wealth with Bill Minoff [Ep.170]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 5, 2025

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Are You Prepared for the Biggest Tax Changes in Years?

The 2025 tax landscape is about to undergo a massive shift as key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. These changes could mean higher tax rates, fewer deductions, and major implications for your income, business, and estate.

In this episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with tax expert Bill Minoff to break down exactly what’s coming and what you can do now to protect your wealth. From the potential reduction in estate tax exemptions to adjustments in Social Security and corporate taxes, they uncover the critical updates that could reshape financial planning.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—understanding and preparing for these changes now could make all the difference.

Key episode discussion points include:

The significance of the 2025 tax year
Key provisions that might sunset, including the top tax rates and pass-through business deductions
Changes in estate tax exemptions and their impacts
The potential shift in state and local tax (SALT) deductions and ongoing negotiations.
The return of miscellaneous itemized deductions if no agreement is reached
And more!

Connect with Bill Minoff:

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About Our Guest:

Bill Minoff is a dedicated and trusted tax executive with a proven track record of effectively managing the needs of a large family tax planning and compliance practice. With a focus on balancing the priorities of the family, Bill oversees a team responsible for preparing and reviewing a wide range of returns, including individual, fiduciary, small business, exempt organization, and business filings.

Bill collaborates closely with family members, company and outside counsel, family office executives, and other employees to provide expert tax planning and consulting in areas such as federal and state income tax, estate and gift tax, as well as executive compensation and benefits matters.

Mastering Retirement Withdrawals: Expert Tips for Smart Distribution Planning [Ep. 169]

By Retirement Unlocked | January 15, 2025

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Do you know the smartest way to manage your withdrawals in retirement?

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, shares expert strategies for managing retirement withdrawals to ensure financial stability and tax efficiency.

Larry covers essential steps for building a smart distribution plan, emphasizing pre-retirement planning and proactive wealth management. The episode explores the benefits of Roth conversions, the impact of the Secure 2.0 Act, and critical topics such as the widow penalty, annuities, and estate planning, all supported by real client insights.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or already retired, this episode offers practical tips to help you minimize taxes, optimize withdrawals, and protect your wealth and legacy. Don’t miss this valuable guide to mastering your retirement finances!

Key episode discussions include:

Strategic tax planning to minimize taxes before the distribution phase
Understanding different income streams like Social Security, pensions, and retirement accounts
Real client scenarios illustrating the impact of effective and missed strategies
The effects of federal and state estate taxes, plus planning for longevity
Integrating attorneys and other professionals for a holistic financial plan
And more!

Resources:

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Legal Recruiting Trends: Attract and Retain Top Talent with Shari Davidson [Ep. 168]

By Retirement Unlocked | January 8, 2025

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The legal industry is evolving, and law firms are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. In this episode of Life Unlimited, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Shari Davidson, founder and president of On Balance Search Consultants, to explore the shifting dynamics of legal recruiting and career transitions.

Shari brings over two decades of experience in legal search consulting, offering valuable insights into pressing issues like the ongoing talent shortage, succession planning, and the challenges smaller firms face in staying competitive.

Discover how clear communication, firm culture, and leadership impact career success, and gain actionable tips on navigating mergers, acquisitions, and career transitions in today’s legal landscape.

If you’re a law firm leader or a legal professional seeking to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with must-hear advice to help you thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

Key episode discussions include:

The nationwide talent shortage and its roots
Challenges in succession planning for law firms
The culture clash and its impact on legal firms
Advice for attorneys considering retirement or career transitions
And more!

Resources:

The 2024 Am Law Firm 200

Connect with Shari Davidson:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Shari Davidson is the founder of On Balance Search Consultants LLC & On-Balance Life Centers.

On Balance Search Consultants is a boutique search firm that specializes in finding top talent in the legal community. Shari has placed lateral partner attorneys, as well as group acquisitions and law firm mergers, and has assisted her clients in recruiting lateral associates, paralegals, and legal secretarial positions.

7 Costly Financial Planning Mistakes You’re Making (And How to Avoid Them!) [Ep. 167]

By Retirement Unlocked | December 18, 2024

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How well do you truly know your tax bracket? Did you know that not knowing enough could cost you thousands?

Get ready to learn some critical financial planning mistakes that might secretly derail your financial security.

This week on the Life Unlimited podcast, Larry Heller identifies the seven most common financial mistakes people make and how to avoid them—such as lacking knowledge about their tax bracket and neglecting estate planning updates.

Key conversations include:

Understanding Your Tax Bracket: Learn why knowing your tax bracket is essential for maximizing opportunities like Roth conversions and minimizing overpayments.
Zero Capital Gain Brackets: Discover how to take advantage of tax-free gains to grow your wealth.
Investment Pitfalls: Avoid the dangers of chasing past investment performance and align your strategy with your goals.
Estate Planning Essentials: Ensure your estate planning documents are up to date and reflect life’s changes.
Liability Insurance: Protect yourself and your family with adequate coverage, including an umbrella policy for uninsured motorist protection.
Heir and Spouse Preparedness: Steps to prepare your loved ones, including non-financial spouses, for managing wealth.
Spending and Withdrawal Strategies in Retirement: Avoid overspending while ensuring your savings last throughout your lifetime.

Actionable Takeaway: Through practical examples and insightful advice, Larry highlights the importance of staying informed and proactive with your finances.

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