Plain-English notes on
retirement, written down.
Short, useful essays on retirement income, Social Security, taxes, and managing investment risk — written for households thinking about retirement, not for other advisors.
One Dollar Over: The Medicare Surcharge That Surprises Retirees
Medicare premiums are set by your income from two years ago. See how IRMAA works, how one dollar over a threshold can cost thousands, and how to plan for it.
MedicareIRMAATax PlanningRoth ConversionsSocial Security
Roth Conversions Before Retirement: The Window Most People Miss
Retiring and turning 73 bookend your lowest-tax window. Here's how Roth conversions work, and the trap most married couples never see coming.
How to Protect Your Retirement Savings from a Market Crash
Protecting your retirement savings isn't just about avoiding losses — it's about avoiding losses at the wrong time. Here's how to think about market risk, sequence of returns, and the tools available to protect what you've built.
market riskwealth preservationretirement income
When Should You Claim Social Security?
Choosing when to claim Social Security is one of the highest-impact retirement decisions you'll make — and it shapes your taxes, your survivor benefit, and your whole plan.
social securitytax planningretirement income