Episodes

Navigating the Social Security filing process as a single individual can be a daunting task. The considerations you need to make differ from those of married couples. In this episode, we aim to simplify this process and provide you with the essential...

In this week's episode of the Big Picture Retirement podcast, we dive deep into the world of Direct Indexing. As a fairly new approach in the investment ecosystem, it promises tailored portfolio customization and potentential tax optimization. But are...

The sequence that you use to withdraw your money in retirement can make a massive difference in the amount of taxes you pay AND how long your money lasts. In today's episode, we're talking about an alternate way to think about taking withdrawals that...

Roth conversions have become a trending topic, and for good reason. After paying taxes throughout one's life, it's desirable to strategically reduce taxes during retirement, if feasible. Nevertheless, the viability of a Roth conversion depends on...

While divorce may mark the end of a marriage, it is also a critical juncture in a person's financial and estate planning, as it can significantly impact their future wealth, retirement, and inheritance. In this context, divorce attorneys who fail to consider the bigger picture of estate and financial planning may unwittingly leave their clients vulnerable to financial pitfalls and missed opportunities. If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast,” please consider rating and re...

Saving for retirement is a lifelong process that unfolds through various stages. While the steps may differ based on individual circumstances, a general framework can be outlined. Each stage requires a different approach to ensure a secure and...

The calculation the IRS uses to determine how you pay taxes on retirement income creates a danger zone where taxes can be SIGNIFICANTLY amplified and take you by surprise. And if you fall into this danger zone, you could pay a MUCH higher tax rate on some of your retirement income. In this episode, we'll discuss how you can avoid the pitfall of paying way too much in taxes on that income.

The big news lately has been about bank failures. Since the banking industry is closely tied to the investment business, this has raised the question, “are my investments safe?” What happens if my brokerage company or asset custodian goes out of...

For those with a pension, the retirement planning decision is not as cut-and-dried as it seems on the surface. Should you take a lump sum, should you wait about taking it, and what are the rules specific to your pension plan? In today’s episode...

Every year, the "Dirty Dozen" list is compiled to warn taxpayers of common scams that they may encounter at any time. However, many of these fraudulent schemes tend to increase during the tax filing season when individuals are preparing their tax...

For many people, the thought of retirement brings up images of relaxation and happiness. However, retiring can also be a time of great challenge. In this episode, we'll discuss the four major challenges that retirees face and provide actionable tips...

In this episode, we explore the rapidly evolving field of AI and its potential impact on the world of professional advising. Can a machine like ChatGPT truly replace the expertise and personal touch of a human advisor? Today we put AI to the...

Answering listener questions is becoming our favorite episode to record. Today we go back to the voicemail to answer several questions on Social Security.  Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit and look for the tab on the right...

Finding the right tax advisor can be a frustrating experience. Today, we talk to Steven Jarvis, CPA about the steps you should take when looking for a new advisor to help you with taxes.  Steven is the owner of and aims to bridge the gap between...

Today we go to the voicemail and answer some of our listeners questions. If you want to leave ask a question, visit and look for the tab on the right-hand side that says, "Send A Voicemail."  Although this show does not provide specific tax,...

For the second time in three years, a new law has changed many of the rules about retirement planning. In today's episode, we'll dive into the headline items of this new law and then talk about some of the important pieces that aren't making the...

For a long time, 62 was the most popular age to file for Social Security benefits. But in the past several years, data has shown that it has become a less common age to file. There are three main reasons for this and in today's episode we'll dive in...

The value of a title policy, when it's needed, cannot be understated. There are some missteps that lead to not being able to get this insurance.  Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin...

Managing taxes in retirement may have a greater impact than any other single cost-saving measure you take.  Today, we're joined by Andy Panko for a deeper dive into tax loss harvesting, and one that doesn't get a lot of attention...tax GAIN...

Today's episode is all about answering our listener's questions.  Join the thousands who have already joined Devin's online workshop, How To Choose the RIGHT Time to File for Social Security. Get registered here Contact Devin’s team...

If you’re a real estate investor, you need to understand the 1031 exchange.  This IRS rule allows for the chance to reinvest the profits from the sale of a property without having to pay capital gains tax. As long as you replace one investment...

With all the attention given to the latest Social Security COLA, we’ve been getting lots of questions. Among the questions is about the alleged "donut hole" for Social Security inflation adjustments for individuals 60 and 61 years of age. Some in...

Do annuities deserve the bad publicity they receive? Today we'll do a crash course on the different types of annuities and talk about when one may be right for you.  Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice,...