Jeff Kowal and Joe Still discuss things you should consider before retirement, examine the pros and cons of early retirement, and share common reasons why families argue over inheritances and how to avoid them.

The Retirement Clinic-9-28-24 – Considerations Before Retirement

"Keep What's Yours” with Jeff Zufall" is a podcast hosted by Jeff Zufall, the senior tax strategist and wealth advisor with Capital Advisory Group and Josh Gilbert at KTRS Radio. The show covers various aspects of tax preparation and financial planning, offering practical advice for managing taxes efficiently. In this episode, they discuss the importance of having all necessary tax documents before filing, the implications of preliminary 1099 forms, and the complexities of the tax code. They also touch on the benefits of professional tax services, such as identifying potential savings and ensuring compliance with IRS regulations. Additionally, the conversation explores the impact of inflation and interest rates on the economy, the strategic acceleration of income for tax benefits, and the importance of integrating tax and wealth management. The episode emphasizes the value of expert guidance in navigating the ever-changing tax landscape to maximize financial well-being.

The IRS reports that small businesses overpay their taxes every year. Stop overpaying - Call Capital Advisory Group at 636-394-5524 today!

2025-02-15 Keep What’s Yours

Jeff Kowal and Chaunsy Weisensel examine the additional services and resources offered through Creative Planning and the events that push people to meet with a financial advisor, Jeff discusses some common IRA questions, and shares things you can do now to make your estate simpler for your heirs.

The Retirement Clinic-2-22-25 – Common IRA Questions

In this powerful episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Arrin Wray uncover advanced tax strategies designed to help retirees keep more of what they’ve earned. From Roth conversions that could save you over $1 million in taxes, to estate planning tools that preserve your legacy, this episode is packed with real examples and actionable advice.

You'll learn:
✔️ How Roth conversions can reduce future tax liabilities
✔️ The power of Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
✔️ Ways to mitigate estate taxes with Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs)
✔️ How to freeze business value to pass future growth tax-free
✔️ The role of AB Trusts in estate planning
✔️ Accelerated depreciation for rental income savings
✔️ Tools to avoid capital gains on high-value assets

📞 Ready to see how these strategies apply to your plan? Call Decker Retirement Planning for a free consultation at (833) 707-3030 or visit https://deckerretirementplanning.com/

Unlocking Tax-Smart Strategies for a Safer Retirement | Episode 127

Aaron Spitzner and Tom Krueger discuss the new landscape for retirement, share insights on Roth IRAs, Roth Conversions, and taxes, and examine tax benefits or lack thereof when relocating.

The Retirement Clinic-4-26-25 – Tax Considerations

In this episode of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP(R) break down the myths and mistakes of traditional retirement strategies—and show you what to do instead.

You’ll learn:

Why the 4% rule often fails in flat or volatile markets

How sequence of return risk can derail your income

The three key ways Decker Retirement Planning reduces risk

How momentum strategies protect your investments during downturns

Why Roth conversions and smart tax placement can save you six figures in retirement taxes

Whether you’re already retired or planning to retire in the next 5–10 years, this episode gives you actionable insights to protect your nest egg and retire with confidence.

👉 Learn more or schedule your free visit: https://deckerretirementplanning.com
📞 Call today: 833-707-3030



Risk Reduction in Retirement: Why the 4% Rule Fails and What to Do Instead | Episode 131

In Episode 133 of Safer Retirement Radio, Brian J. Decker and Marc Knauss, CFP(R) explore a suite of advanced estate planning strategies designed to help you protect, preserve, and pass on your wealth efficiently:

State & Federal Estate Tax Planning: Using AB trusts, portability, and lifetime gifting exemptions to minimize state and federal estate taxes.

Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts (ILITs): Prepay potential tax liabilities and avoid fire-sale scenarios by holding life insurance outside your taxable estate.

Qualified Personal Residence Trusts (QPRTs): Shift your home’s value outside your estate over time while retaining the right to live there.

Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts (GRATs): Freeze today’s value on highly appreciated assets and transfer future growth to the next generation.

Dynasty Trusts & Generation-Skipping Transfer: Sidestep the 48% generation-skipping tax and incent responsible behavior across multiple generations.

QDROs & Intra-Family Loans: Leverage qualified domestic relations orders and structured loans for tax-efficient wealth transfers.

Up-Gifting Techniques: Use step-up in basis by gifting appreciated assets “up” the generational line.

Roth IRA Conversions: Compare tax-deferred vs. tax-free growth scenarios and unlock one of the most powerful strategies to reduce lifetime taxes.

📥 Download Free Safer Retirement Education Tools (checklists, the Decker Approach book, Social Security guides, and more):
https://deckerretirementplanning.com

📞 Schedule a No-Cost Review with Brian and the team at Decker Retirement Planning:
833-707-3030

Disclosure: Investment advisory and insurance services offered through Decker Retirement Planning, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always consult a qualified tax advisor before implementing estate planning or tax strategies.

Advanced Estate Planning Strategies to Protect Your Legacy | Episode 133

Jeff Kowal and Aaron Spitzner share new reporting updates for 2025 qualified charitable distributions, discuss how much Americans are saving for retirement and determining how much they may need in retirement. Then Jeff and Aaron wrap things up by touching on five common financial mistakes people make when getting divorced.

The Retirement Clinic-6-14-25 – Are your saving enough for retirement?

Jeff Kowal discusses how sudden wealth can lead to financial mistakes and what you can do to manage it. Then touches on Americans using their 401k as an emergency fund, required minimum distributions, and social security. And wraps up the show with the dispute over Jimmy Buffett’s estate.

The Retirement Clinic-7-26-25 – How to Manage Sudden Wealth

As the Fed flirts with rate cuts, many retirees face shrinking savings and money-market yields. In this episode, Brian Decker and Brad Geddes, CFP(R) break down DRP’s Cash Plus portfolio—built for 0–5 year dollars that need liquidity and low volatility, yet can aim higher than plain cash. They also cover how AI is changing principal-guaranteed indexes and the timing inside momentum models, plus a simple checklist for a rock-solid retirement plan.

What you’ll learn

Why falling rates can punish “safe” cash—and what to do about it

How a diversified cash sleeve (short-term Treasuries, market-neutral, dividend equities) targets steadier yield with 100% liquidity

“Upside/Downside capture”: keeping more of the good, less of the bad

Where AI already fits: principal-guaranteed index designs and trade-timing in momentum strategies

Six keys to a resilient retirement plan (taxes, risk control, income optimization, fees, and more)

Call us: 833-707-3030
More resources: DeckerRetirementPlanning.com → Safer Retirement Education (free downloads)

Smarter Cash: Liquidity, Yield & Lower Volatility | Episode 137

Safer Retirement Radio is where you can get the transparency you deserve®. Whether you are currently retired or plan to retire soon, this show is full of retirement tips that can help you get thousands of extra dollars in and out of your retirement.



Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP®️ certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™️ certification mark, and the CFP®️ certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

With retirement just around the corner, you need a partner you can trust to help navigate the ins and outs of retirement planning.  Whether you’re looking for a final push heading into your retirement, retirement asset management and consolidation, or assistance in transferring business assets to retirement assets, our team’s focus is on helping you realize your vision.

You can listen to the Kowal Investment Group - now Creative Planning, "Retirement Clinic" podcasts, with retirement and investment planning tips and news right here on Soundcloud. **This is a previously recorded show.**

New tracks tagged #Roth conversion