Episode 215: Are You Paying More in Retirement Taxes Than You Should?

In this episode of Retire with Style, hosts Alex Murguia and Wade Pfau discuss the launch of the third edition of the Retirement Planning Guidebook and respond to audience questions on tax planning and retirement strategy. They explain what’s new in the latest edition, explore tax-efficient planning concepts including Roth conversions, and unpack key issues such as drawdown strategies and preferential income stacking. The conversation also touches on potential future tax changes, offering practical insights to help listeners make more informed retirement planning decisions.

Takeaways

• The third edition of the Retirement Planning Guidebook is shorter and more affordable.
• Tax maps are included in the new edition of the book.
• Roth conversions can be beneficial even if taxes are paid from an IRA.
• Preferential income stacking can significantly impact tax rates.
• Future tax legislation is uncertain, and planning should follow current laws.
• Blending distributions from different accounts can optimize tax efficiency.
• Roth conversions should be considered based on individual tax situations.
• Beneficiary considerations can influence the decision to convert to Roth IRAs.
• It's important to understand effective marginal tax rates for better planning.
• Avoid pulling money from IRAs to invest in taxable accounts.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:44 Book Launch Insights 09:09 Tax Planning Questions Begin 11:26 Drawdown Order and Legacy Planning 12:41 Roth Conversions and Tax Implications 15:32 Preferential Stacking Explained 18:14 Future Tax Legislation Predictions 20:57 Roth Conversions and Tax Payments 23:29 Beneficiary Considerations for Roth IRAs 26:38 Strategic Drawdown Planning 30:12 Navigating Tax Strategies for Retirement Spending Links 📺 Webinar Replay Available: Tax Planning for Retirement in 2026 This episode is based on our recent webinar, Tax Planning for Retirement in 2026. You can watch the full webinar replay on YouTube for a deeper dive into the strategies discussed.

📘 New Release: The Retirement Planning Guidebook (3rd Edition) Wade Pfau’s must-read Retirement Planning Guidebook just got even better. The 3rd Edition is now available and packed with the latest updates to help you design your retirement strategy with confidence. Grab your copy on Amazon or your favorite book retailer: https://books2read.com/Retirement

📣 Want a heads up for the next Retirement Income Challenge? Join the waitlist and be the first to know when registration opens for this FREE 4-day event hosted by Retirement Researcher. Visit retirewithstyle.com/RIC to learn more and save your spot.

This episode is sponsored by McLean Asset Management. Visit https://www.mcleanam.com/retirement-income-planning-llm/ to download McLean’s free eBook, “Retirement Income Planning”