First Glimpse at Your Tax Bracket in 2026 (And What It Will Cost You)
Release Date: 05/08/2024
The Power Of Zero Show
Financial planning expert Rob Berger says the biggest challenge in retirement planning is one that no one can solve, since nobody knows how long retirement will last. David McKnight shares his disagreement, and explains why a financial product designed for exactly this problem – annuities – may be the answer. Show Notes In this episode, David McKnight responds to Rob Berger’s video The Retirement Problem No One Can Solve. Rob compares retirement to entering a race without knowing how long it is, how fast you can safely run, or when someone will tell you that you’ve reached...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Viral TikTok “finfluencer” Tyler Gardner claims his 76-year-old father can stay 100% in stocks. David McKnight breaks down exactly where that approach falls apart. Additionally, he reveals the retirement planning strategy that actually makes a 100% stocks allocation safe, so a market downturn doesn’t force you to sell at the worst possible time. Show Notes In this episode, David McKnight fact-checks a viral TikTok video from “finfluencer” Tyler Gardner explaining why his 76-year-old father is still invested 100% in stocks. David stresses that he doesn't have a problem with being...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
The five years before retirement are what David McKnight calls the Retirement Danger Zone, a window where a stock market crash could trigger Sequence of Returns Risk and even derail a well-designed plan. In this episode, he breaks down the retirement planning strategies that build an income floor, create a Volatility Shield, and protect your tax rate before it’s too late. Show Notes In this episode, David McKnight talks all things “Retirement Danger Zone”, the 5-year time window that precedes your retirement. When you’re 20 years from retirement and the stock market crashes,...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
If you've built up $1M in your IRA and $1M in taxable investments, David McKnight has a warning: every year that money stays put, the IRS gets to vote on your tax rate. He breaks down a retirement planning strategy for gradually converting your IRA to Roth – fast enough to beat rising rates, slow enough to avoid painful brackets. In this episode, David McKnight looks at what you should do if you have accumulated $1M in taxable investments, and $1M in traditional IRAs and are concerned about the possibility of higher taxes in retirement. He stresses that having money in IRAs...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
When is a good time to start your Social Security? David McKnight reveals why smart retirement planning means waiting until age 70 for reasons that have nothing to do with a bigger check… and everything to do with the years in between being your best window for Roth conversions. In this episode, David McKnight addresses one of the most common questions he gets from people approaching retirement: “When should I start taking Social Security?” David believes that there’s a compelling reason for having 70 as your default Social Security claiming age – and that isn’t so that...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Should you stop your Roth conversions at the 22% tax rate, or push into the 24% bracket? David McKnight responds to a viewer's detailed case for stopping early, revealing why optimizing this year's tax bill can be the wrong retirement planning move over a 30-year horizon. You'll discover his "rip the band-aid off" approach and why saving money on taxes today isn't a victory if it costs you more tomorrow. In a recent video, David McKnight explained why he believes the 24% tax bracket is the sweet spot in the current tax code for Roth conversions. In this episode, he addresses a...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Is putting your entire retirement planning strategy into 30-year treasuries really the safe bet it seems? David McKnight reveals why this approach could expose you to two hidden risks, and explains how the stock market and annuities might hold the real key to protecting your income. In this episode, David McKnight looks at whether putting your entire retirement portfolio into 30-year treasuries is the way to go. While it may seem like a pretty compelling argument, there’s a major problem with this strategy – and it comes down to two things: taxes and inflation. The U.S....
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Dave Ramsey says retirees can safely withdraw 8% a year from the stock market, but does his retirement planning math actually hold up? David McKnight breaks down why Ramsey’s approach overlooks a critical risk, and why annuities may be the missing piece to sustainably boosting your retirement income beyond the traditional 4% Rule. In this episode, David McKnight examines Dave Ramsey’s 8% withdrawal rate claim and why retirement planning may need annuities, and not just the stock market. For Ramsey, you can take 8% per year out of your stock market portfolio in retirement, despite what...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Most Americans hate annuities and would tell you to avoid them… But what if the version you’ve been warned about isn’t the only option for retirement planning? David McKnight breaks down a strategy that’s quietly helping retirees sleep better at night and safeguard themselves against the 3 biggest annuities-related problems. In this episode, David McKnight looks at three perfectly legitimate reasons why Americans have been reluctant to embrace annuities, as well as a solution. The first problem is liquidity. David points out that one of the biggest fears in retirement is...
info_outlineThe Power Of Zero Show
Should every dollar go into a Roth 401(k) if taxes will be higher? David McKnight reveals why that instinct could actually be one of the most expensive tax decisions a high-income earner can make when it comes to retirement planning. In this episode, David McKnight addresses two frequently asked questions: “If tax rates are going to be higher in the future, should I be putting every dollar into a Roth 401(k)?” and “Should I be converting as much of my IRA to Roth as quickly as possible?”. David believes that the current tax rates are as low as we’re likely to see in your...
info_outlineDavid talks about what tax brackets will look like starting from January 1st 2026.
One of the things that will change in 2026 are the actual tax rates – with an increased percentage of tax attached to a given range of income.
In 2026, tax rates will return to what they were in 2017.
David points out that some people online mistakenly believe that, in 2026, things will simply revert back to the same tax rates of 2017, with the same income ranges attached to those rates.
An important thing to note is the federal government will index the 2017 tax brackets for inflation, treating your 2026 tax bracket as if the tax cut had never happened.
David shares a fairly accurate way of determining what your tax brackets are likely to be and what it will end up costing you.
Those in the 24% tax bracket or lower will see a slight uptick in their taxes in 2026 – not because of tax bracket compression but due to their tax rate increasing.
David sees doing a Roth conversion as a huge planning opportunity to protect yourself.
The idea is to take advantage of the Trump tax cuts while they’re still around so that, by the time they expire, you’ll have safely transferred a portion of your retirement savings to Roth IRAs.
David believes that, even though tax rates will go up in 2026, they’ll increase even further in 2030 and 2031 to pay for interest on the national debt in Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Mentioned in this episode:
David's books: Power of Zero, Look Before You LIRP, The Volatility Shield, Tax-Free Income for Life and The Infinity Code
PowerOfZero.com (free 3-part video series)
@mcknightandco on Twitter
@davidcmcknight on Instagram
David McKnight on YouTube
Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com