2026 Changes You Can’t Ignore: Social Security, Tax Rules, and Withdrawal Realities, Ep #202
Release Date: 01/15/2026
Clearing Up Roth IRA Confusion, Ep #209
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
When it comes to retirement planning, understanding tax-advantaged accounts like Roth IRAs, knowing how to select a trusted advisor, and making optimal income choices are key building blocks for long-term financial confidence. On this episode of the Retirement Made Easy podcast, I’m digging into the details of Roth IRAs, Roth conversions, navigating advisor relationships, and the complex art of Social Security timing. With tax rules, income strategies, and advisor choices constantly evolving, continuous education and proactive planning are essential. If you’re part of the 80% of...
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Protect Your Retirement and Make Smarter Decisions in Uncertain Times, Ep #208
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
When markets feel unsettled, it can be hard not to worry. Headlines about war, inflation, falling retirement balances and political uncertainty can make even experienced investors feel uneasy. But as this episode of Retirement Made Easy highlights, volatility is not unusual — it is part of investing. The key is not to avoid every downturn. It is to respond in a way that supports your long-term retirement goals. From managing market dips to understanding survivor benefits, long-term care, and retirement income decisions, this episode covers some of the most important issues retirees...
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Demystifying HSAs, FSAs, and Social Security Benefits, Ep #207
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but understanding key benefits and strategies can help you make the most of your financial future. On the show this week, I tackle listener questions on Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), and Social Security. If you’re considering an HSA, are curious about contribution limits, or want to know how HSAs can work alongside FSAs, I break it down in simple, clear language. I also answer a wide range of Social Security questions, and discuss how your benefits are calculated, timing your claim, navigating survivor benefits,...
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Avoiding Retirement Regrets: What Retirees Say They’d Do Differently Ep #206
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
On the show this week, I draw on real-world experiences from current retirees to uncover the surprises, challenges, and valuable lessons they wish they’d known before stepping into retirement. If you're curious about the realities of social interaction after leaving the workforce, managing rising healthcare costs, or navigating company-specific 401(k) features, this episode is for you. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [00:00] Retirement lessons from retirees [08:23] Prioritizing tax planning in retirement [15:06] Retirement accounts &...
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Tax Planning Tactics and Life Insurance Questions, Ep #205
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
In today's show, I tackle two hot topics listeners have been asking about: tax planning in retirement and the role of life insurance in your golden years. Drawing from real questions and common scenarios. But that's not all: I also dig into the nuances of life insurance in retirement, explaining when it makes sense to keep or reconsider a policy, and how it can be a powerful tool for risk management, legacy planning, or supplementing income. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 06:03 Tax planning vs. preparation 11:17 Optimizing Roth conversions in...
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The ‘What If’ Scenarios of Retirement Planning, Ep 204
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
Retirement planning isn’t just about crunching numbers and sticking to a tight budget—it’s about envisioning what’s truly possible for your future. These hypothetical scenarios, often overlooked by retirees, can do more than just safeguard your financial well-being; they can enhance your happiness and help you discover opportunities you never thought attainable. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... 05:16 Encouraging Big Thinking in Retirement 10:15 Planning for Early or Delayed Retirement 11:50 Philanthropy and Charitable Giving in Retirement ...
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The Top Retirement Questions You Should Be Asking (But Might Be Missing), Ep #203
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
In this episode, I decided to do something a little different. Over the last two weeks, my team and I compiled a list of questions submitted by listeners and clients, some common, some obscure, and some that people simply don't know how to ask. I’ve got a legal pad in front of me with over 30 questions, ranging from "Am I saving too much?" to "Do I really need a trust?". We cover a lot of ground today, including the nuances of Roth conversions, the often-overlooked power of HSAs, and the "gas guzzler" analogy I use to explain tax-inefficient investing. I also address the fear of economic...
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2026 Changes You Can’t Ignore: Social Security, Tax Rules, and Withdrawal Realities, Ep #202
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
Welcome to 2026! A new year brings a fresh set of rules for your retirement savings, and not all of them are straightforward. With the turning of the calendar comes changes to contribution limits, Social Security adjustments, and new tax mandates that could catch you off guard if you aren't paying attention. In this first episode of the year, I break down exactly what is changing for 2026, from the "good news" of higher contribution limits to the "bad news" of Medicare premium hikes that might eat up your entire Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. I also dive into a controversial new...
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Making Your Money Last: A Smarter Approach to Retirement Income, Ep #201
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
How do you take the savings you’ve built over a lifetime and turn it into reliable income you can count on year after year? That’s a question I’ve been hearing more and more, and it makes sense, without a clear withdrawal strategy, retirees can unintentionally drain their accounts too quickly, trigger unnecessary taxes, or simply feel unsure about whether they’re doing things the right way. Making the shift from accumulating money to actually using it can feel uncomfortable, and my goal is to help people approach that transition with clarity and confidence. In this episode, I break the...
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Retirement Realities: Tackling the Pain Points That Matter Most, Ep #200
RETIREMENT MADE EASY
In this 200th episode, I focus on the real pain points retirees face and the importance of planning ahead. Drawing from years of conversations with clients and listeners, today's discussion highlights how assumptions about retirement often don’t match reality, especially when it comes to taxes, lifestyle choices, and healthcare. Taxes remain one of the biggest surprises, as many retirees discover they’re not in a lower bracket after all. Withdrawals from 401ks, IRAs, and pensions are taxed as ordinary income, and Social Security can also be partially taxable. At the same time, couples must...
info_outlineWelcome to 2026! A new year brings a fresh set of rules for your retirement savings, and not all of them are straightforward. With the turning of the calendar comes changes to contribution limits, Social Security adjustments, and new tax mandates that could catch you off guard if you aren't paying attention.
In this first episode of the year, I break down exactly what is changing for 2026, from the "good news" of higher contribution limits to the "bad news" of Medicare premium hikes that might eat up your entire Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. I also dive into a controversial new rule from the Secure Act 2.0 that forces high earners to change how they save in their 401(k)s, removing the choice of pre-tax savings for many.
We also tackle some fantastic listener questions, including a look at why Target Date Funds had a "lucky" year in 2025 (and why I still don’t recommend them), and I dismantle a dangerous misconception about retirement withdrawals, the "Mayonnaise Jar" math that convinces retirees their money will last 20 years when, in reality, inflation and life have other plans.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- (00:23) Intro to 2026 Changes.
- (04:36) Social Security COLA vs. Medicare Premiums.
- (06:40) New IRA and 401(k) Contribution Limits.
- (10:24) The New "Roth Catch-Up" Mandate for High Earners.
- (18:57) New Charitable Deduction Rules.
- (20:03) Listener Q: Target Date Funds Explained.
- (29:12) Listener Q: The "Mayonnaise Jar" Withdrawal Mistake.
The "Fake" Raise: Social Security vs. Medicare in 2026
We start the year with what sounds like a win: a 2.8% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients. However, before you start budgeting that extra cash, you need to look at the other side of the ledger.
Medicare Part B premiums have jumped by nearly 9.67%, rising to $202.90 a month. For many retirees, this increase will come directly out of their Social Security check, effectively wiping out the "raise" they thought they were getting. It is a reminder that healthcare inflation often outpaces general inflation, and your plan needs to account for that reality, not just the headline numbers.
The $150k Trap: New Mandatory Roth Rules
One of the biggest changes for 2026 comes from the Secure Act 2.0, and it impacts high earners. If you earned $150,000 or more in FICA wages in 2025, you no longer have a choice on how you make your "catch-up" contributions.
Uncle Sam now mandates that your catch-up contribution (the extra $8,000 you can save if you are over 50) must go into a Roth 401(k). This means you lose the immediate tax deduction on those dollars. It is a way for the government to grab more tax revenue now rather than later, and for many savers, it removes the flexibility to design a tax strategy that fits their specific needs. If your employer doesn't offer a Roth option, you might be out of luck entirely.
Why "Cookie Cutter" Investing Still Fails (Even When It Wins)
A listener asked why their Target Date Fund performed so well in 2025. The answer lies in a rare alignment of international markets and bond performance that boosted these funds last year.
But one good year doesn't change my fundamental problem with these funds: they are "cookie-cutter." They treat every 65-year-old exactly the same, ignoring your personal goals, your risk tolerance, and your income needs. It’s like walking into a car dealership and being told you have to buy a minivan just because everyone else your age is buying one. You deserve a plan customized to your life, not a default setting based on your birth year.
The "Mayonnaise Jar" Math Mistake
Finally, I address a listener who believed he was set for 20 years because he could withdraw $50,000 a year from his $1 million nest egg until it hit zero. I call this "Mayonnaise Jar" math, assuming you can just pull cash out of a stagnant jar until it's empty.
This logic fails because it ignores inflation. As we saw in 2025 with beef prices jumping 20%, the cost of living does not stay flat. $50,000 today will not buy $50,000 worth of goods in ten years. If you don't have your money invested to grow and outpace inflation, you aren't planning for a 20-year retirement; you're planning to run out of purchasing power long before you run out of money.
Resources & People Mentioned
Connect With Gregg Gonzalez
- Email at: Gregg.gonzalez@lpl.com
- Podcast: https://RetirementMadeEasyPodcast.com
- Website: https://StLouisFinancialAdvisor.com
- Follow Gregg on LinkedIn
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