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You’ve hit 62 and you’re ready to clock out, but Medicare doesn’t start until 65 and COBRA coverage costs more than your first car. What now? In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies explains how to bridge the gap between early retirement and Medicare without draining savings or triggering surprise taxes.

You’ll learn how to blend your three retirement money buckets (pre-tax, Roth, and taxable) for maximum flexibility, keep your ACA subsidies intact, and avoid income traps that can shrink them. Discover how smart Roth conversions, capital-gain timing, and debt decisions can lower both health-care premiums and lifetime taxes. Phillip also shares a detailed case study of “Tom and Lisa,” showing how coordinated withdrawals and ACA planning can save tens of thousands in pre-Medicare years.

Perfect if you’re searching “retire before Medicare,” “ACA subsidy strategies,” or “early retirement health insurance options.”

Chapters

00:00 Teaser
00:18 Intro
00:48 Roadmap for today’s episode
01:15 The 3-to-5-year health-care gap explained
02:04 The three retirement money buckets (tax buckets)
03:23 How to balance pre-tax, Roth (tax-free), and taxable income
05:13 ACA subsidies and the modified AGI “sweet spot”
06:03 COBRA coverage vs. marketplace options
07:31 Avoiding subsidy clawbacks and “bear traps”
08:23 Social Security timing and Roth conversions
09:42 The debt payoff dilemma
10:29 Smart ways to bridge health coverage before Medicare
12:25 Case study: Tom and Lisa retire at 62
18:02 Using HSAs as stealth tax-free income
20:18 Action steps to smooth income and stay subsidy-friendly
21:17 Closing and key takeaways

Action Step:
Estimate your pre-65 health costs, coordinate withdrawals from all three tax buckets, and plan your income window before Medicare begins.

For more insights, visit TidepoolWealth.com and subscribe on YouTube @TidepoolWealth for more retirement planning content created for professionals in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

#RetirementPlanning #RetireBefore65 #MedicarePlanning #ACASubsidies #AboutToRetire #TaxPlanning #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.

Send us a text

Cash feels safe—until it quietly starts working against you. In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies explores why “cash is king” can be both comforting and costly for people about to retire or recently retired. You’ll learn how too much cash can lose value to inflation, trigger extra taxes, and delay smart decisions like investing or Roth conversions. Phillip explains how to find your personal “sleep-well number”—the right balance between liquidity, growth, and peace of mind.

Using a simple tidepool analogy, he shows how cash acts like still water: it protects you during low tide but stagnates if it never refills. Whether you just sold a business, rolled over a 401(k), or are sitting on a large savings balance, this episode helps you build a plan that keeps your money working for you. Perfect for searches like “how much cash to keep in retirement,” “inflation and retirees,” or “retirement income strategy.”

Chapters

00:00 Cash is king… until it’s not
00:23 Why retirees love cash—and why that’s risky
00:45 Three key ideas for a healthy cash balance
02:07 Inflation: the quiet thief of purchasing power
03:05 The tax drag dilemma—when 4.5% becomes 3.5%
03:33 The liquidity trap: waiting for “the right time”
04:20 How much cash is enough? A simple framework
05:12 The tidepool analogy—balance vs. stagnation
06:01 Large cash positions and redeployment planning
06:51 Three action steps to optimize your cash flow
07:42 Closing: make your cash serve your plan

Action Step:
Review all your cash accounts, calculate your “sleep-well” number, and put the rest to work through a thoughtful, tax-smart income strategy.

Explore more at TidepoolWealth.com and watch companion videos on our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth, where we help professionals in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest retire with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

#RetirementPlanning #CashInRetirement #Inflation #AboutToRetire #RecentlyRetired #TaxPlanning #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.

Send us a text

Have you heard the pitch: “Use whole life insurance, borrow tax-free, and be your own bank”? In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies breaks down the truth behind the “infinite banking” trend and what it really means for people about to retire or recently retired.

Learn how policy loans actually work, why early costs and commissions can drain returns, and how missteps can trigger taxable income right when you need retirement cash flow. You’ll also hear when this strategy might make sense, when it definitely doesn’t, and which tax-smart retirement planning alternatives offer more flexibility—like Roth conversions, brokerage savings, and straightforward life insurance for protection instead of profit.

If you’re searching “infinite banking explained,” “whole life vs Roth IRA,” or “be your own bank pros and cons,” this episode helps you see through the hype and keep more control over your financial future.

Chapters

00:00 Intro – The real meaning of “be your own bank”
01:12 Why this pitch appeals to pre-retirees
02:45 How whole-life policies really generate cash value
04:36 The hidden costs: commissions, loan interest, and liquidity limits
06:02 Tax traps: loans, lapses, and Modified Endowment Contracts (MECs)
08:17 Who this strategy can work for – and who should avoid it
10:01 Better alternatives: Roth conversions and flexible accounts
11:48 Key takeaways and action steps before you buy

Action Step:
Before signing anything, review the real costs, ask for a detailed illustration, and compare it to a Roth IRA or brokerage strategy inside your retirement plan.

Explore more insights at TidepoolWealth.com and watch related videos on our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth for guidance tailored to professionals nearing retirement in the Pacific Northwest.

#RetirementPlanning #InfiniteBanking #WholeLifeInsurance #RothIRA #AboutToRetire #TaxPlanning #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.

Send us a text

About to retire or recently retired and worried a market drop could derail your plan?

In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith explains how to build a retirement strategy that still works when stocks fall. You’ll learn how sequence-of-returns risk hurts new retirees, why a 3–4 year cash reserve buys time, and how flexible “guardrails” withdrawals, smart rebalancing, and tax moves (loss harvesting, Roth conversions) protect your income plan.

We also touch on Oregon PERS timing, Social Security, and IRMAA so your retirement planning is resilient in real life.

What you’ll learn
00:00 If your plan only works when stocks rise, it’s not a plan
00:56 Roadmap and why this matters now
01:15 Two-months-to-retire panic scenario
02:08 What counts as a crash and sequence risk
02:40 Recent drawdowns and recovery timelines
04:29 Why sequence risk is brutal for new withdrawals
05:15 Framework to make your plan “punch-resistant”
06:19 Build a 3–4 year reserve from cash and short bonds
07:58 Guardrails spending: small trims and raises
08:43 Rebalance to buy stocks “on sale”
09:05 Tax plays in down markets: TLH and Roth conversions
09:29 Coordinating with PERS, Social Security, and IRMAA
10:14 Contingency dials when markets fall
11:32 Action steps you can do this week

Action step
Define your reserve target, check allocation quality, and write simple guardrails before you need them. Connect with a financial advisor if you need guidance with any of these action steps.

More resources: TidepoolWealth.com and our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth.

#RetirementPlanning #AboutToRetire #RecentlyRetired #MarketCrash #SequenceRisk #Guardrails #TaxPlanning #OregonPERS #OPSRP #MedicareIRMAA

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.

Send us a text

[Should I Roll Over My Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA When I’m About to Retire?] – Clear, tax-smart guidance for people close to retirement

About to retire – or recently retired – and wondering if you should move Roth 401(k) dollars into a Roth IRA? In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith explains why a Roth 401(k) is great while you’re working, but why the rules at retirement can change taxes, timing, and flexibility.

We cover the different 5-year clocks, plan withdrawal limits, pro-rata taxation on non-qualified plan distributions, the 2024 RMD update for designated Roth accounts, and the Roth IRA ordering rules that can make a withdrawal fully tax-free.

What you’ll learn
00:00 Intro – 59½ milestone, plan “gotchas”
01:00 Today’s roadmap
01:27 Why Roth 401(k) shines during accumulation
02:17 The 5-year rule & non-qualified distributions
03:12 Plan constraints, menus, costs – plus the 2024 RMD change
05:06 When keeping money in-plan still makes sense (age-55 rule, low costs, creditor protection)
05:57 Why a Roth IRA often wins in retirement
06:29 One IRA 5-year clock and the contribution → conversion → earnings ordering rules
08:23 Coordinating MAGI for Medicare IRMAA; creditor-protection caveats
09:36 Case study – $50k withdrawal: plan vs IRA tax impact
12:46 Action steps
13:55 Closing

Action step
Verify your Roth IRA’s 5-year status, request your plan’s distribution rules, and choose a path that protects tax-free flexibility.

More resources: TidepoolWealth.com and our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth.
#RetirementPlanning #Roth401k #RothIRA #FiveYearRule #AboutToRetire #RecentlyRetired #TaxPlanning #MedicareIRMAA

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.

Send us a text

Medicare IRMAA can blindside people who are about to retire - and especially those who have recently retired. In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith (Financial Planner with Tidepool Wealth Strategies breaks down IRMAA in plain English and shows how smart retirement planning in your low-tide tax window can lower lifetime premiums and taxes.

You’ll learn about the 2025 IRMAA income thresholds, the 2-year lookback, how Roth conversions and one-time income can trigger the surcharge, and practical ways to set income buffers, time conversions, harvest gains on purpose, and appeal to Social Security with SSA-44 after qualifying life events. If you are an Oregon PERS retiree or OPSRP member, we cover how IRMAA fits into a PERS strategy so your Medicare costs don’t erode your income plan.

00:00 IRMAA shock: why your Medicare bill jumped
00:24 Who this helps and how IRMAA shows up
00:55 Today’s roadmap
01:19 IRMAA basics in plain English
01:43 Two-year lookback and 2025 premiums
02:29 Cliffs, thresholds, and single-filer halves
02:50 The low-tide tax window
03:13 Strategy playbook overview
04:02 Set bracket buffers for Roth conversions
04:25 When to convert: early, throughout, year-end
04:50 Harvest gains and pair with deductions
05:21 SALT cap timing and coordinated deductions
06:01 Muni interest counts; SSA-44 appeal option
06:25 Common pitfalls to avoid
07:12 The widow(er) tax bomb
07:41 Case study: results and lessons
08:16 Action steps this week

Subscribe for more retirement planning content, and explore additional videos at @TidepoolWealth or visit TidepoolWealth.com.

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.

Send us a text

Running a consultancy, LLC, or S-Corp in the Pacific Northwest and getting close to retirement? This episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan? is built for you. Phillip Smith, Financial Planner with Tidepool Wealth Strategies, shows late-career small business owners how a Solo 401(k) can cut today’s taxes, accelerate savings in your final 5–7 working years, and stay flexible when income is lumpy.

We cover 2025 Solo 401(k) contribution limits, stacking employee deferrals with employer profit sharing, age-50 catch-ups and the enhanced 60–63 super catch-up, plus pretax vs Roth vs after-tax dollars (including when a “mega backdoor Roth” makes sense). You’ll also hear Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA vs SIMPLE IRA trade-offs for Oregon/Washington owners, S-Corp wage considerations, key setup and funding deadlines, plan loans, rollovers, and practical SECURE 2.0 updates. If you’re searching “Solo 401k for consultants,” “SEP vs Solo 401k,” or “late-career retirement planning for business owners,” start here.

Chapters
00:00 Intro and why this matters when you're nearing retirement
00:29 Solo 401(k) overview for sole proprietors
01:13 Roadmap for the episode
02:07 Solo 401(k) basics and eligibility
02:39 2025 contribution limits, catch-ups, deadlines
04:19 Pretax vs Roth vs after-tax, mega backdoor Roth
06:28 Solo 401(k) vs SEP IRA vs SIMPLE IRA
11:42 Loans and rollover considerations
12:26 SECURE 2.0 updates to note
14:18 Action steps for this quarter
15:08 Closing and disclosure

Subscribe for more on retirement income, tax efficiency, and investment strategy. Explore additional content on our YouTube channel @TidepoolWealth and visit TidepoolWealth.com.

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.

Send us a text

5 Mistakes to Avoid as You Get Close to Retirement – Clear, Tax-Smart Guidance for People Close to Retirement

Are you close to retirement – or recently retired – and wondering how to dodge the biggest (and priciest) errors people make in their final working years? In this episode, Phillip Smith, CRPC®, financial planner at Tidepool Wealth Strategies, breaks it down in plain English.

What you’ll learn

00:30 Intro – why this topic matters now

01:24 Mistake #1 – getting aggressive too late

02:58 Mistake #2 – Ignoring Sequence-of-Returns risk

04:25 Mistake #3 – Overestimating retirement income

06:02 Mistake #4 – Waiting to Long to Deal With Taxes

08:46 Mistake #5 – Not Planning LIFE after Retirement

10:18 Wrap-Up and Closing

By the end, you’ll have a practical, tax-smart retirement strategy you can use right away.

Helpful Links

• Schedule a 20-minute call – https://www.tidepoolwealth.com/contact
• More videos and podcast episodes – https://www.youtube.com/@tidepoolwealth

#retirementplanning #closetoretirement #abouttoretire #taxsmartretirement #retirementadvice

_________________________________________________________________________________

Sources:

1. Center for Retirement Research at Boston College – “Do Retirees Want to Consume More, Less, or the Same as They Age?”
   https://crr.bc.edu/do-retirees-want-to-consume-more-less-or-the-same-as-they-age/
2. Kiplinger – “How to Avoid the Widow’s Penalty After the Loss of a Spouse”
   https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/how-to-avoid-the-widows-penalty-after-the-loss-of-a-spouse
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Consumer Expenditures by Age Group
   https://www.bls.gov/cex/

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.