Retirement Answers

Latest Episodes:

Why This Account Changes Everything in Retirement Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

There is an account that can give you ultimate flexibility and help you reduce taxes in retirement... and no, it's not a Roth IRA. It gives you the flexibility you've dreamed of when it comes to retirement income planning and tax planning.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Why Converting Everything to Roth is a MISTAKE May 28, 2025

Show notes

Are you making this mistake with your Roth conversions? In this episode, I explain why having some money in your Traditional IRA could save you thousands in taxes.

Video on Social Security Taxation: https://youtu.be/fvrpISbRVak?si=-tF8oULLC7t7GmD7

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

What Most Retirees Don't Know About Social Security Survivor Benefits May 20, 2025

Show notes

Social Security survivor benefits are really confusing, but in this episode I break down everything you need to know about survivor benefits to help you make more informed decisions.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Social Security Spousal Benefits - Avoid These Common Mistakes May 13, 2025

Show notes

Most retirees assume they are entitled to 50% of their spouse's Social Security, but that is not true... In this episode, I outline the rules for Social Security spousal benefits, how it works, and why your decision to take Social Security impacts your spousal benefits.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

What You Can Do To Avoid The IRA Pro-Rata Rule May 09, 2025

Show notes

Do you have after-tax money in your Traditional IRA? Well, when it comes time to make distributions or do Roth conversions, you could unknowingly pay more in tax that you otherwise have to if you aren't aware of the IRA Pro-Rata rule or how you can fix this issue before it becomes a problem.

In this week's Friday Q&A, I answer James' question on this specific topic.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

What The Top 1% of Retirees Do Differently From Everyone Else May 06, 2025

Show notes

The top retirees approach retirement completely different from everyone else. They have an abundance mindset and live with intentionally, and that's what I discuss in today's episode.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Why Your Roth Conversion Could Trigger Unexpected Tax Penalties May 02, 2025

Show notes

Roth conversions are a powerful tax planning opportunity for retirees, but the devil is in the details. Missing a couple small things could end up costing you.

In this Friday Q&A, we answer the following questions:

How are dividends taxed in different account types?
If I do a Roth conversion, do I need to make estimated tax payments or can I just pay when I file my taxes?

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

10 Retirement Hacks That Will Save You Money Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

There are a few simple ways to save money in retirement and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket. In this episode, I share 10 hacks that will help you save money and reduce taxes in retirement.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Recession-Proof Your Portfolio By Doing THIS Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

What if the market tanks right after you retire? It's important to be prepared and have a plan in place for the 'what-ifs' that could happen. In this weeks Friday Q&A, I answer Carolina's question and share how I like to build portfolios that are recession-proof.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.

Why You Should STOP Doing Roth Conversions Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Roth conversions might be causing you to pay more in taxes compared to simply not doing any Roth conversions. In this episode, I explain how RMDs and your future tax rate could be much lower than the tax rate you would pay today on any Roth conversions you do.

Roth is great, but it isn't always better.

👉 Book a call with me: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/get-started

✅ If you want the Important Numbers 2025 PDF, send me an email!

Submit your question to have it answered on the podcast: https://www.rivertreewealth.com/questions

Email: jacob@rivertreewealth.com
Website: https://www.rivertreewealth.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobduke

Jacob Duke, CFP, MBA is the founder of Rivertree Wealth and the host of the Retirement Answers podcast.

DISCLAIMER: This should not be taken as tax, legal, or investment advice. All content is for educational purposes only.