Paying taxes on purpose sounds backwards...until you understand why Roth conversions are one of the most talked-about retirement planning strategies for people nearing retirement.

In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith explains what a Roth conversion actually is, why some retirees use them to reduce future taxes, and when they make sense (and when they don’t). This is a no-hype, plain-English walkthrough designed for people getting close to retirement (and those recently retired) who want clarity, not pressure.

We cover how Roth conversions work, how they show up on your tax return, the five-year rules that confuse almost everyone, and how conversions fit into a broader retirement income, Medicare, and legacy planning strategy. This episode is especially relevant if you’re retiring in Oregon (or another state with income tax) and are thinking about RMDs, Social Security timing, or tax diversification.

If you’ve searched “what is a Roth conversion,” “should I do a Roth conversion,” “Roth conversion explained,” or “how to reduce taxes in retirement,” this episode is for you.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Why paying taxes on purpose feels wrong
01:48 – What a Roth conversion is and is not
02:44 – How Roth conversions actually work
03:24 – Paying taxes now vs later
04:51 – The five-year rules explained clearly
06:12 – Why retirees use Roth conversions
07:35 – RMDs, Medicare, and tax control
09:16 – When Roth conversions may not make sense
10:13 – The best timing windows for conversions
11:04 – Transfers vs rollovers vs conversions
13:17 – How to execute a Roth conversion correctly
14:19 – A real-world tax example
16:32 – Common Roth conversion mistakes
18:14 – How to think about conversions long-term
18:43 – Action steps and next moves

More resources at TidepoolWealth.com and on YouTube @TidepoolWealth.

#RothConversion #RetirementPlanning #TaxPlanning #RetirementTaxes #howtoretire #OregonRetirement #RothIRA #RMDPlanning #MedicarePlanning #TidepoolWealth

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan, and remember: it's not about having the smartest financial advisor, the most money saved, or the highest probability of retirement success. The perfect retirement plan, for you – is the one you act on.

Phillip Smith, CRPC AIF | Financial Planner
Tidepool Wealth Strategies
450 Country Club Road, Suite 350 | Eugene, OR | 97401

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Disclosures:
The opinions contained in this material are those of the author, and not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell investment products. This information is from sources believed to be reliable, but Cetera Wealth Services, LLC cannot guarantee or represent that it is accurate or complete.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful.

The hardest part of retirement isn’t saving the money. It’s knowing how to withdraw income for 30+ years without constantly worrying about market swings, taxes, or running out too soon.

In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith breaks down retirement withdrawal strategies that work in real life, not just on paper. We unpack why the popular 4% rule became so appealing, where it falls short, and how dynamic withdrawal strategies with guardrails can help retirees adapt through market volatility, changing tax rules, and different phases of retirement.

This conversation is especially relevant if you’re about to retire, recently retired, or retiring in Oregon, and wondering:
• How much can I safely withdraw each year?
• What happens if markets drop early in retirement?
• How do taxes and account types affect withdrawals?
• Is there a better approach than a fixed withdrawal rate?

Rather than relying on rigid rules, this episode shows how flexibility, planning ahead, and behavior-aware strategies can create more durable retirement income.

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Why withdrawing money is harder than saving it
02:07 – The rise (and limits) of the 4% rule
05:13 – Sequence of returns risk explained simply
08:21 – What dynamic withdrawal strategies really mean
09:42 – Income guardrails and how they work
13:18 – Why guardrails can support higher starting income
15:49 – Taxes, account types, and income sourcing
17:17 – Adjusting withdrawals through retirement phases
18:16 – Practical action steps for retirees

More retirement planning resources at TidepoolWealth.com and on YouTube @TidepoolWealth.

#RetirementWithdrawalStrategies #RetirementIncome #SequenceOfReturns #RetiringInOregon #RetirementPlanning #DynamicWithdrawals #GuardrailsStrategy #AboutToRetire #RecentlyRetired

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan, and remember: it's not about having the smartest financial advisor, the most money saved, or the highest probability of retirement success. The perfect retirement plan, for you – is the one you act on.

Phillip Smith, CRPC AIF | Financial Planner
Tidepool Wealth Strategies
450 Country Club Road, Suite 350 | Eugene, OR | 97401

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Disclosures:
The opinions contained in this material are those of the author, and not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell investment products. This information is from sources believed to be reliable, but Cetera Wealth Services, LLC cannot guarantee or represent that it is accurate or complete.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful.

You can do all the math and still miss retirement if the pieces are out of order. In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith explains why retirement success is less about formulas and more about coordination, timing, and rhythm. Using a simple layup analogy, we explore how Social Security timing, IRA withdrawals, pensions, Medicare, and housing decisions need to work together, not in isolation.

This conversation is built for people who are about to retire, or who have recently retired, especially those who feel confident about their savings but uneasy about how everything fits together. You’ll learn why good decisions made in the wrong order can increase taxes, inflate future RMDs, raise Medicare premiums, or create unnecessary stress. We also connect the dots to recent episodes on retiring before 65 and the psychology of retirement income, showing how emotional readiness and income sequencing go hand in hand.

If you have searched “retirement income sequencing,” “when should I take Social Security,” “how to withdraw from retirement accounts,” or “retirement planning Oregon,” this episode brings clarity without complexity.

Key takeaways
• Why coordination matters more than clever math
• How timing affects taxes, Medicare, and income stability
• Questions to ask before making any retirement move
• How to build rhythm instead of chasing perfection

More resources at TidepoolWealth.com and on our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth.

#RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #SequenceOfReturns #SocialSecurityPlanning #MedicarePlanning #AboutToRetire #RecentlyRetired #OregonRetirement #TidepoolWealth

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan, and remember: it's not about having the smartest financial advisor, the most money saved, or the highest probability of retirement success. The perfect retirement plan, for you – is the one you act on.

Phillip Smith, CRPC AIF | Financial Planner
Tidepool Wealth Strategies
450 Country Club Road, Suite 350 | Eugene, OR | 97401

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Disclosures:
The opinions contained in this material are those of the author, and not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell investment products. This information is from sources believed to be reliable, but Cetera Wealth Services, LLC cannot guarantee or represent that it is accurate or complete.
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful.