5 Keys to a Tax-Efficient, Longevity-Proof Retirement
How to Create a Tax-Smart Income Plan Designed to Stretch Wealth over Your Lifetime
💣 Your Retirement Account May Be a Tax Bomb
Most retirees think the biggest threat to their financial future is the stock market. But in reality, it’s the IRS. If you’ve been diligently saving in tax-deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s, you’ve also been building a future tax liability. At age 73, the government forces you to start withdrawing—and taxing—your savings whether you need the money or not.
🗣️ Client Review
“Brett is knowledgeable, professional, and incredibly helpful. He took the time to understand our unique situation and provided tailored advice that made a real difference.”
Without proactive tax planning, your retirement accounts can become a ticking tax time bomb—exploding just when you need that money the most.
🔑 The #1 Retirement Pain Point: “Will I Outlive My Money?”
You’ve saved and invested wisely. But now that you’re approaching or living in retirement, the real challenge begins: How do you turn your savings into income that lasts—without getting eaten alive by taxes?
That’s where I come in.
“I help retirees create a tax-smart income plan designed to stretch their wealth over a lifetime.”
🗣️ Client Review
“Working with Brett has been a game-changer for our retirement planning. His tax strategies are insightful and have saved us a considerable amount.”
🧩 The Tax-Focused Framework
📊 Retirement Tax Pitfall Checklist
- Are your IRA withdrawals pushing you into a higher tax bracket?
- Will RMDs trigger Medicare premium increases?
- Have you accounted for taxes on Social Security?
- Are you taking advantage of the Roth conversion window?
1. Optimize Income Streams to Minimize Tax Drag
Not all retirement income is taxed the same. Without careful coordination, you can trigger unnecessary taxes on Social Security, pay higher Medicare premiums, and push yourself into a higher tax bracket.
A smart strategy staggers income across different account types:
- Withdraw from taxable accounts early to take advantage of low capital gains rates.
- Let tax-deferred accounts grow until you can make strategic withdrawals.
- Tap into Roth IRAs later in retirement to keep income low and tax-free.
The goal is to smooth income across retirement—not spike it—so you reduce your overall tax burden and keep more of your money.
2. Roth Conversion Strategy During the “Tax Window”
Between the time you stop working and when Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73, there's often a sweet spot: a window of low-income years that allow you to convert pre-tax IRA assets into Roth IRAs at a reduced tax cost.
These Roth conversions:
- Lower future RMDs and taxes
- Create tax-free income for later retirement
- Hedge against the risk of higher future tax rates (especially post-2025)
🧓 CLIENT SNAPSHOT
Bill and Karen retired at 65 with $1.2M in IRAs. By converting $60,000 annually to Roth IRAs between ages 65–72, they reduced their projected lifetime tax bill by over $150,000—and avoided IRMAA surcharges altogether.
🗣️ Client Review
“Thanks to Brett’s guidance, we executed a Roth conversion plan that significantly reduced our future tax liabilities. His expertise in this area is unmatched.”
3. RMD Management & Distribution Planning
Required Minimum Distributions are non-negotiable—and if ignored, they come with a penalty of 25% on the amount you should have withdrawn.
But with the right planning, you can minimize their impact:
- Reduce IRA balances early through Roth conversions or strategic withdrawals
- Use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to meet RMDs tax-free if you’re charitably inclined
- Coordinate RMDs with Social Security and Medicare timelines
Don’t let RMDs dictate your tax outcome—take control before they start.
🗣️ Client Review
“Brett helped us navigate the complexities of RMDs with ease. His proactive approach ensured we avoided unnecessary taxes and penalties.”
💡 Did You Know?
Once you start RMDs, they can increase your tax bill, cause up to 85% of your Social Security to be taxed, and push you into higher Medicare premiums.
4. Legacy & Estate Tax Planning
Without proper planning, your heirs may face a heavy tax burden on inherited retirement accounts—especially now that most non-spouse beneficiaries must deplete inherited IRAs within 10 years.
A tax-efficient legacy plan might include:
- Roth conversions to reduce taxable income for heirs
- Gifting strategies to reduce estate size over time
- Using a combination of trust planning and step-up in basis rules to minimize taxes
It’s not just what you leave behind—it’s how tax-efficiently you pass it on.
5. Healthcare & Long-Term Care Tax Strategy
Healthcare will likely be one of your largest retirement expenses—but with a tax plan, it doesn’t have to be the most painful.
Key strategies include:
- HSAs: The only triple-tax-free account. Use them for tax-free healthcare spending in retirement.
- Deducting medical expenses: Plan large medical spend years to exceed the 7.5% AGI threshold.
- Long-term care planning: Consider tax-deductible LTC premiums and coordination with retirement income.
A proactive plan can soften the blow of rising healthcare costs and keep more income in your pocket.
🧠 Final Thought: You’ve Done the Hard Part—Now Optimize What You’ve Built
You’ve spent decades saving, investing, and preparing for retirement. Now it’s time to make sure that money works as hard for you as you did to earn it. Tax planning isn’t just about saving a few dollars—it’s about building a strategy that protects your income, preserves your assets, and gives you peace of mind for the long run.
🗣️ Client Review
“Scheduling a complimentary retirement tax assessment with Brett was the best financial decision we've made. His insights are invaluable.”
With a proactive, tax-smart approach, you can transform your retirement from uncertain to unshakable.
🎯 Complimentary Retirement Tax Assessment
In just one 30-minute session, I’ll help you:
- Uncover hidden tax traps in your current retirement plan
- Determine if a Roth strategy could lower your long-term tax bill
- Design a tax-smart withdrawal approach that extends your income
🗓 Reserve your Retirement Tax Review now — before the 2026 tax sunset makes it more expensive to wait.
👉 Click to Book Your Review
📍 Office: 1515 Riverview Terrace, Wilmington, NC
📞 Phone: 910-310-5599
Brett Tushingham
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