The Great Retirement Debate with Ed Slott & Jeffrey Levine

Latest Episodes:

S5 Ep4: GRD055: What Are the Biggest Retirement Misconceptions? Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

"I'll just live on less." "Social Security will cover it." "I'll retire when I'm ready." Ed and Jeff bust the retirement myths that trip up even the most careful savers — and the assumptions that can lead to unexpected challenges.

Tune in for new episodes every other Thursday!

Ed Slott, CPA
Ed Slott and Company
irahelp.com
----------------------------------------
Jeffrey Levine, CFP®, CPA, PFS, CWS, AIF, RICP, ChFC®, BFA™
Focus Partners Wealth
focuspartners.com

Action Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/motivational-background-...
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

S5 Ep3: GRD054: How the SALT Deduction Can Impact Your Roth Conversion Decision Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

The SALT deduction cap doesn't just affect your tax return —it could have a bigger impact on your Roth conversion than you realize. Ed and Jeff break down the overlooked math connecting state taxes and conversion timing, and what high-tax-state retirees need to know before they convert.

Tune in for new episodes every other Thursday!

Ed Slott, CPA
Ed Slott and Company
irahelp.com
----------------------------------------
Jeffrey Levine, CFP®, CPA, PFS, CWS, AIF, RICP, ChFC®, BFA™
Focus Partners Wealth
focuspartners.com

Action Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/motivational-background-...
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

S5 Ep2: GRD053: Should You Convert Your Entire IRA — or Just Part of It? Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

Go all-in on a Roth conversion, or ease into it? Ed and Jeff square off on the math, the tax brackets, and the timing that separates a smart conversion from an expensive mistake — plus who should think twice before converting.

Tune in for new episodes every other Thursday!

Ed Slott, CPA
Ed Slott and Company
irahelp.com
----------------------------------------
Jeffrey Levine, CFP®, CPA, PFS, CWS, AIF, RICP, ChFC®, BFA™
Focus Partners Wealth
focuspartners.com

Action Rock by LesFM | https://lesfm.net/motivational-background-...
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

S5 Ep1: GRD052: Can AI Replace Your Tax Advisor? Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

ChatGPT can draft a will, explain a 1031 exchange, and answer your RMD question in seconds — but should you trust it with your retirement? Ed and Jeff put AI tax advice to the test and explain exactly where it shines, where it fails, and the one thing no algorithm can replace.

GRD051: Are Trump Accounts the Biggest Deal Ever? Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

In this special episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine discuss the new Trump Accounts and what they could mean for families.

They break down the basics, explain the much-talked-about $1,000 government contribution, and debate whether these new accounts are truly a game changer or simply another savings option.

S4 Ep12: GRD050: Tapping Your Retirement Account for a Home Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine explore the risks and rewards of using retirement savings to buy a house — and when it might make sense to do so.

S4 Ep11: GRD049: Is Net Unrealized Appreciation a Good Deal? Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine take a closer look at Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) — explaining how it works, when it can be a smart move, and when to steer clear.

S4 Ep10: GRD048: Why Don’t More People Use Financial Advisors? Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

Why do millions bypass financial advisors? In this episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine discuss the pros and cons of going solo versus getting professional help.

S4 Ep9: GRD047: Should You Invest Your IRA Differently than Your Taxable Account? Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine sit down to discuss IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, and whether or not you should invest in them differently.

S4 Ep8: GRD046: Early Roth Withdrawals - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Great Retirement Debate, Ed Slott and Jeff Levine weigh the pros and cons of tapping your Roth IRA early.