Investment Management

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!

Connect with Larry Heller:

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:

Connect with Larry Heller:

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:

Connect with Larry Heller:

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.

Connect with Larry Heller:

Divorce Without Drama: Understanding Collaborative & Mediation Options with Andrea Vacca [Ep. 159]

By Retirement Unlocked | August 21, 2024

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Divorce is rarely easy, but what if there were alternatives to the adversarial process of litigation that could lead to more peaceful resolutions?

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA® is joined by Andrea Vacca, Founder of Vacca Family Law Group, to define and explore two powerful divorce alternatives: mediation and collaborative law.

From choosing the right attorney to the importance of strong communication skills, Andrea provides tips and resources for transitioning between mediation and collaborative law, ensuring you have the support you need every step of the way. If you’re facing a divorce or simply curious about your options, this conversation could be the key to finding a less stressful, cost effective, and more collaborative path forward.

Key Points Covered:

The definitions and differences between Mediation and Collaborative Law and how these processes address both the emotional and practical needs of both people
How these methods give couples more control over their own divorce process, often leading to clearer agreements and fewer post-divorce regrets
The positive mindset these methods reinforce with their focus on problem-solving and mutual agreement
Practical tips such as choosing the right attorney and emphasizing clear communication between spouses
The benefits of having a team working on your case versus a solo attorney
And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Andrea Vacca:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Andrea Vacca graduated from SUNY College at Buffalo with a B.A. in Journalism and received her J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University. Andrea was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1993 and to the Federal Bar, N.D.N.Y. in 1994. She earned a Certificate in Positive Psychology in 2013.

Whether you are ending a relationship or trying to prevent potential problems in your current relationship, Andrea wants to help you reach your goals with minimal conflict. Andrea gets to know her clients, their concerns, and their goals for their future so that she can assist them by crafting solutions to meet specific needs before, during, or at the end of a marriage.

As an attorney in the collaborative process, Andrea is a strong advocate for her clients without being adversarial, and without inflaming the strong emotions that can arise during divorce. When serving as a mediator, she helps both parties understand each other’s concerns, bridge their differences, and arrive at an agreement that works for both.

New Laws, New Opportunities: Secure Act 2.0 Changes to 529 Plans [Ep. 158]

By Retirement Unlocked | August 7, 2024

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Could your children or grandchildren’s 529 plan be the key to their future retirement success?

In this insightful episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores the new provisions of the Secure 2.0 Act that allow 529 plan rollovers to Roth IRAs. Larry outlines the conditions and strategic benefits of this new rule, offering listeners practical advice on optimizing retirement strategies.

Key Points Covered:

Understanding the traditional benefits of 529 plans for tax-free educational savings
Exploring the new rules for 529 plan rollovers to Roth IRAs:
Strategic benefits of overfunding 529 plans to maximize retirement savings for beneficiaries
Illustrating potential growth of rolled-over funds with examples showing substantial retirement savings growth
And much more!

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Unlocking Real Estate Wealth: 1031 Exchanges and DSTs with Stephen Davis [Ep. 157]

By Retirement Unlocked | July 24, 2024

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Ready to transform your real estate assets into a tax-efficient retirement plan?

Want to maximize your real estate wealth without the headache of property management?

Join host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, as he explores the world of 1031 exchanges with Stephen K. Davis, President and CEO of Safe Harbor Asset Management. With over 40 years of experience in financial services, Davis discusses the benefits and intricacies of 1031 exchanges and DSTs, offering valuable insights for property owners and investors.

Key Points Covered:

Understanding 1031 exchanges and their role in deferring capital gains taxes
Significant tax advantages of 1031 exchanges, including indefinite deferral of taxes
How 1031 exchanges reduce property management responsibilities
The benefits of Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) for diversifying investments
Practical success stories illustrating the benefits of DSTs
The importance of tailoring DST investments to meet specific liquidity needs
The expected wealth transfer in the real estate market over the next 15 years
And much more!

Resources:

Connect with Stephen K. Davis:

LinkedIn: Stephen K. Davis
Website: SafeHarborAssetManagement.com

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Stephen Davis, President and CEO of Safe Harbor Asset Management, specializes in tax avoidance strategies, particularly 1031 exchanges. With extensive experience in financial services, Davis provides guidance on transitioning to passive investments and maximizing tax deferral benefits through DSTs. His deep knowledge and practical insights help clients navigate complex real estate transactions and achieve financial security.

Corporate Benefits to Cash Management Plans: A Deep Dive Into How We Work with Business Owners (Ep. 156)

By Retirement Unlocked | July 10, 2024

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How can business owners keep their financial strategies effective for long-term success?

In this informative episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, reveals the intricacies of corporate benefits and cash management tailored for business owners. Learn how regularly updating 401k plans, optimizing cash reserves, and leveraging professional networks can alter your business. Obtain actionable insights on attracting and retaining employees, maximizing tax advantages, and implementing successful financial planning strategies.

Key Points Covered:

Enhancing employee retention and tax benefits by updating 401k plans
Ensuring a robust, tax-advantaged retirement plan to provide the business significant savings while attracting and retaining top talent
Simplifying employee investment decisions with model portfolios
Optimizing cash management and utilizing high-yield strategies for better returns
Saving additional funds through strategic cash balance plans
Leveraging a network of experts for comprehensive business support
Larry’s hands-on experience and credible advice for business owners
And More!

Tune in to transform your business’s financial strategy and achieve long-term success.

Resources:

► Services Triangle

► Our Approach

Connect with Larry Heller:

ESOPs Explained: Bridging the Wealth Gap with Chris Coates [Ep. 155]

By Retirement Unlocked | June 19, 2024

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What if your employees could help drive your business to new heights while investing in their own financial futures?

Uncover the power of ESOPs now!

Join host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, as he discusses the intricacies of ESOPs with Chris Coates, a skilled professional in business transition strategies. With over 30 years of experience, Coates offers an in-depth look at how ESOPs work, the benefits they provide, and why they are a compelling option for many business owners.

Key Points Covered:

Understanding ESOPs, including their basics and role as retirement benefits for employees
Significant tax advantages of ESOPs for both C and S corporations, including potential legislative changes
Ways ESOPs foster employee loyalty and incentivize employees to act like owners
The role of ESOPs in leadership succession and long-term business sustainability
How ESOPs enhance employee retirement benefits alongside existing 401k plans
A balanced look at the pros and cons of ESOPs for business owners and employees
Plus, additional insights into maximizing the benefits of ESOPs!

Connect with Chris Coates:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Chris Coates:

In his role as Vice President, Chris advises companies, owners and other stakeholders on business transition strategies, with a particular focus on ESOP ownership transactions. He has extensive deal shaping, negotiation and operational management experience that provide him with a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of companies seeking to implement employee ownership.

Prior to joining SES ESOP Strategies, Chris was a Managing Director with Accenture, a global consulting firm. During his 30-year career he has worked with various industries, including life sciences, utilities, consumer products, financial services and health and public service. In his most recent role as Commercial Director, Chris oversaw all operational aspects of sales and delivery to large, complex and global clients. This included oversight for the financial, legal, human resources and business operations aspects of the relationship.