Retire Smarter with Kevin Kroskey, CFP® & Tyler Emrick, CFA® CFP®

If the recent market drop has you feeling uneasy, you’re not alone — but sharp swings are regularities you need to navigate. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have both taken hits this year, but history shows that intra-year declines like these are common and something long-term investors have weathered time and again.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down recent market moves, highlights where diversification is working, ...

Big tax changes could be coming soon!

On February 25, the House passed a budget resolution setting a $4.5 trillion cap for a new tax bill that could replace the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) before it expires at the end of 2025. But what will the new law look like, and how will it impact your financial plan?

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the key debates in Congress, what changes might be coming, and how you ...

Are you leaving money on the table?

For families weighing their options when choosing a financial advisor, Vanguard’s Advisor Alpha study has long been the go-to guide—and now, fresh research from SmartAsset echoes the sentiment that the right advisor could boost your net returns by over 2% annually.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, reveals why many advisors miss that extra edge and how True Wealth Design’s holistic appro...

Retirement isn’t just about your savings—it’s also about where you choose to live.

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores WalletHub’s 46-factor framework for ranking states for retirees, examining everything from tax rates and cost of living to leisure opportunities and healthcare access. We also unpack the key financial and personal considerations, such as state taxes on Social Security and the importance of staying...

Can money really buy a longer, healthier life?

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, dives into the surprising connection between wealth and longevity, uncovering how financial freedom can unlock better health, reduced stress, and more fulfilling retirement years.

We also tackle the challenges of cognitive decline, exploring its impact on financial decision-making and how a trusted financial advisor can help safeguard your inv...

The Social Security Fairness Act is shaking up the retirement landscape, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) for millions of retirees. These long-standing provisions have impacted Social Security benefits for public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers—until now.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP® dive into what the changes mean, how retiree...

In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explores the key financial and psychological factors driving early Social Security claims. Discover how a well-optimized strategy could boost your lifetime spending by more than 10%.

Your Social Security decision isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s a critical piece of your retirement puzzle. Join us to learn how to sidestep common pitfalls, maximize your benefits, and secure a more con...

Remember in 2022 when both stocks and bonds fell in lockstep? Did you think diversification failed? Want to build a more diversified, resilient portfolio to better grow and protect your hard-earned dollars?

Hear Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA discuss how the TALS strategy adds unique sources of returns to your portfolio outside of traditional stocks and bonds.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

• How this strategy helps w...

Have a sizable brokerage account? Have unrealized capital gains? Pay income taxes at the highest rates? Want to pay your fair share but no more? If so, this is an episode not to miss.

In part 1 of this series, Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA explored why adding the TALS strategy may yield significant investing and tax benefits. He described how TALS can help you defer, avoid, and potentially eliminate your capital gains.

For the most succ...

For successful investors and high-income earners, this is an episode not to miss...

Sure, you can own an S&P 500 ETF or mutual fund.

You could also own the 500 stocks individually, a strategy nowadays called direct indexing. Direct indexing aims to capitalize on individual stock volatility and add tax benefits by harvesting losses.

Or you may choose to go a step farther up the complexity ladder to own the 500 stocks individuall...

Is diversification dead? Over the last decade, putting all your eggs in the S&P 500 basket has outperformed diversified strategies.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, explore why the U.S. market has been on an unprecedented run, why the global market portfolio hasn't kept up, and whether diversification is really the best move for long-term investors. We dive into the rise of ETFs, global market trends, and why the...

The clock is ticking on the 2017 Tax Cuts, and big changes are looming.   In this episode, Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, breaks down the complexities of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its upcoming expiration in 2025.   We dive into the original intent behind these cuts, what changes were made, and the impact on your bottom line. Learn how the expiration could lead to a significant tax hike unless new legislation is passed. We h...

This episode explores the disconnect between retirement expectations and reality, referencing a recent Gallup report that shows most retirees live comfortably despite fears about running out of money.

Hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss why non-retirees may be more fearful than needed, the role of Social Security, and how age-based spending patterns contribute to the relative success of sustaining a retirement lifestyle. And be ...

Over the last few years, significant changes have been made to how retirement accounts are managed after death, especially with new RMD rules. In July, the IRS issued its new Final Regulations regarding the SECURE Act’s provisions.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, break down the key provisions, including the 10-Year Rule for beneficiaries and updates to RMD timelines, and how these changes impact your retirement and ...

Here’s some of what...

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss why meticulous budgeting isn’t necessary for most people approaching retirement. Discover how understanding your lifestyle spending and anticipating future changes can lead to more effective financial planning.

Learn about the "Retirement Spending Smile" concept and why focusing on your lifestyle expenses is more beneficial than a line-by-line budget. Plus, we’ll explore how y...

It's almost Election Day in the US, and opinions are flying. But should elections sway your long-term investment strategy?

Find out in this episode as Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, cuts through the political noise exploring historical market performance in past election years and Presidential terms. Sharing how you can use this data to set your emotions aside and make more informed investment decisions.

Here’s some of what we discuss...

Our brain uses mental shortcuts to help us solve problems. While they can be quite helpful, in some areas they may harm our decision-making. Social Security claiming is often one of these negatively impacted areas.

In this episode, hear Tyler Emrick, CFA®, CFP®, discuss the mental shortcuts (aka cognitive biases) at play when deciding to take your Social Security benefits. Being cognizant and acting with a more prudent decision-mak...