Tag: Retirement Tax Planning
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/
Why Taxes Often Go Up in Retirement, and What Planning Ahead Can Change (Ep. 194)

Why Taxes Often Go Up in Retirement, and What Planning Ahead Can Change (Ep. 194)

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Many people enter retirement expecting their taxes to decline, but for many retirees, the opposite happens.

In this episode, Larry explains why retirement income often becomes more taxable over time and how a lack of coordination can quietly increase stress, healthcare costs, and long-term tax exposure.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses:

  • Why retirement is often not a low-tax phase of life
  • How required minimum distributions, Social Security, and taxable accounts interact
  • Common tax mistakes retirees make when planning starts too late
  • Why tax planning should be ongoing, not a once-a-year conversation
  • How income decisions can affect Medicare premiums and overall cash flow
  • Ways proactive planning may help retirees reduce surprises and stay in control
  • And more!

Connect with Larry Heller: 

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Top Retirement Tax Pitfalls to Avoid with Rob Premselaar (Ep. 180)

Top Retirement Tax Pitfalls to Avoid with Rob Premselaar (Ep. 180)

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Think you’ve done everything right for retirement? One overlooked tax detail could cost you thousands.

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, welcomes Rob Premselaar, CPA and founder of Premselaar CPA LLC, to shed light on the hidden tax pitfalls that can derail even the most carefully crafted retirement plans.

They explore the real impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), the surprise taxation of Social Security benefits, and the often-misunderstood IRMAA Medicare surcharge. Rob also shares proactive strategies for minimizing taxes in retirement, including qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), the pros and cons of Roth conversions, and key planning opportunities for business owners approaching or entering retirement.

Discussions in this release include:

  • The income thresholds that quietly increase your Medicare premiums (IRMAA)
  • Why Roth conversions are often misunderstood and underutilized
  • How to navigate RMD timing and avoid excise penalties
  • How Medicare surcharges can catch retirees off guard and what to do about them
  • Advanced planning opportunities using cash balance plans
  • And more!

Connect with Rob Premselaar:

Connect with Larry Heller: 

About Our Guest:

Rob is the Owner of Premselaar CPA LLC, managing a portfolio of small-to-medium sized businesses and high-net-worth individuals, providing tax planning, tax strategy, tax filing, and CFO business services. Premselaar CPA LLC provides outstanding service to its clients because of its dedication to the three underlying principles of quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.