The Big Beautiful Bill
The David Lukas Show
In this episode, David Lukas breaks down the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of tax legislation signed into law by President Trump. While headlines promise tax-free Social Security and permanent tax cuts, the truth is more nuanced. For retirees, especially those who’ve saved between $500K and $3 million, this bill creates a four-year window of opportunity for serious tax planning. David dives into: What the bill actually changed, and what it didn’t How the standard deduction and senior bonus deduction could shield up to $46,700 from taxes Why Social...
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The Retirement Tax Trap – And How to Avoid It
The David Lukas Show
will go down. Spoiler alert—they often don’t. In fact, many retirees find themselves paying more in taxes than when they were working. David walks listeners through the difference between mandatory and optional taxes, reveals why Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can cause major tax headaches, and explains how Social Security can be taxed up to 85%—unless you plan ahead. He introduces the Thrive Planning Framework, which includes proactive strategies like: Strategic Roth Integrations Avoiding the Tax Torpedo Planning around the Widow’s Penalty Shifting from micro tax prep...
info_outlineIn this episode, David Lukas breaks down the newly passed “Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping piece of tax legislation signed into law by President Trump. While headlines promise tax-free Social Security and permanent tax cuts, the truth is more nuanced. For retirees, especially those who’ve saved between $500K and $3 million, this bill creates a four-year window of opportunity for serious tax planning.
David dives into:
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What the bill actually changed, and what it didn’t
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How the standard deduction and senior bonus deduction could shield up to $46,700 from taxes
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Why Social Security is still taxable for most high savers
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Strategies like Roth conversions, donor-advised funds, and estate planning to protect your wealth
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How to avoid hidden tax traps like IRMA surcharges and the widow’s penalty
If you're between ages 60–75, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to use the Thrive Planning Framework to respond strategically, before the window closes.