Secure Your Retirement

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why the beginning of the year is one of the most important times for smart tax decisions and how early planning can prevent costly mistakes later. With the help of their Director of Financial Planning and Tax Strategy, Taylor Wolverton, they walk through practical smart tax strategies designed to support effective tax planning in retirement and help you stay ahead with a proactive tax planning checklist. From contribution rules to charitable strategies, this episode focuses on building a strong foundation for retirement tax planning that supports long-term confidence.
Listen in to learn about key decisions that impact your ability to plan for retirement, reduce unnecessary taxes, and ultimately secure your retirement. Whether you are still working, transitioning into Retirement, or already planning retirement income, these insights can help you align your retirement checklist with current rules, deadlines, and opportunities—so you can focus on retiring comfortably without last-minute surprises.
In this episode, find out:
How the 401k catch up rule works, including 401k catch up contributions and updated 2026 401k contribution limits
Why the IRA contribution deadline matters and how a Roth IRA contribution can still be made after year-end
How qualified charitable distribution strategies work, including important QCD rules
When it may make sense to donate stock to charity versus giving cash and how this affects your charitable deduction
How income choices impact a long-term Roth conversion strategy and overall retirement tax planning

Tweetable Quotes:
“The beginning of the year is where smart tax planning really starts—what you do now determines how much flexibility you’ll have later.” — Radon Stancil
“Tax planning in retirement isn’t just about deductions; it’s about choosing the right accounts at the right time.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding how the standard deduction, charitable strategies, and income planning work together is a critical part of Retirement Planning. From managing distributions to timing conversions, early awareness helps avoid mistakes that can limit your ability to secure your retirement and maintain tax efficiency throughout the year.
Resources:
If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!
To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss why Medicare 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful years for retirees and those approaching retirement. With major Medicare updates, rising Medicare costs 2026, and several Medicare new rules taking effect, understanding how these changes affect your overall Retirement Planning is more important than ever. From prescription drug reforms to premium increases and income-based adjustments, Medicare is not something you can afford to “set and forget” when you’re planning retirement and working to secure your retirement.
Listen in to learn about how Medicare Part B premium 2026 increases, IRMAA surcharges, and Medicare income limits 2026 can directly impact your cash flow in retirement. Radon and Murs also explore how Medicare planning fits into a comprehensive strategy to help you retire comfortably, avoid costly surprises, and align your healthcare decisions with your long-term retirement checklist and broader financial plan.
In this episode, find out:
How Medicare drug price negotiations and Medicare Part D changes 2026 are lowering costs for certain prescriptions
What the new Medicare out of pocket cap means for retirees with high prescription drug expenses
Why the increase in Medicare Part B premium 2026 matters for your monthly retirement income
How IRMAA surcharges and income from strategies like Roth conversions can affect your Medicare premiums
What Medicare does not cover, including the difference between a Medicare wellness visit and a traditional physical, plus updates on Telehealth Medicare

Tweetable Quotes:
“Medicare isn’t separate from your financial plan—it’s interconnected with your taxes, income, and investment strategy.” — Radon Stancil
“One decision, like a Roth conversion, can trigger higher Medicare premiums if you don’t account for IRMAA.” — Murs Tariq

Understanding Medicare 2026 is a critical part of Retirement Planning, whether you’re already enrolled or just beginning to plan for retirement. Staying informed about Medicare updates, knowing your coverage gaps, and proactively planning can make a meaningful difference in how confidently you approach Retirement.
Resources:
If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!
To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss a comprehensive market update 2025 recap and how lessons from last year can help investors confidently plan for retirement as we move into 2026. They reflect on policy changes, inflation trends, interest rate shifts, and how thoughtful portfolio risk management and managing market volatility can turn uncertainty into opportunity—especially for those focused on retiring comfortably and achieving true peace of mind.
Listen in to learn about how disciplined retirement investment strategies, including diversification, the three bucket strategy, and proactive tax planning, help create a resilient retirement portfolio. Radon and Murs break down how peace of mind investing isn’t about chasing returns, but about building systems that support income, growth, and stability—no matter what the markets bring—so you can confidently secure your retirement.
In this episode, find out:
How the Market update 2025 sets the stage for smarter investment strategies in 2026
Why managing market volatility matters more than chasing high returns in retirement
How the three bucket strategy balances income, safety, and growth bucket investing
The role of tax efficient investing, including direct indexing strategy, tax loss harvesting, and capital gains planning
How alternative investments can reduce volatility and strengthen a long-term retirement portfolio

Tweetable Quotes:
“If your portfolio is designed correctly, you don’t have to sweat market corrections—you can still sleep at night and enjoy retirement.” — Radon Stancil
“Peace of mind investing comes from managing risk and taxes, not swinging for home runs.” — Murs Tariq

From retirement planning basics and a practical retirement checklist to advanced strategies like direct indexing strategy and alternative investments, this episode ties together everything needed for effective planning retirement. Whether you’re years away or already retired, these insights help you build confidence, reduce stress, and move closer to secure your retirement.
Resources:
If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!
To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon Stancil and Murs Tariq discuss a major Vanguard announcement that signals a meaningful shift in retirement planning. For years, annuities were often dismissed by large investment firms, yet today we are seeing industry leaders embrace their role in guaranteed income in retirement. Vanguard’s move to introduce a 401k annuity option inside the Vanguard retirement plan validates what many retirees already need—predictability, income, and risk control as they plan for retirement.
Listen in to learn about why annuities in 401k plans are gaining traction, how fixed annuities can serve as a bond alternative, and why firms like Fidelity retirement, BlackRock retirement, and Vanguard are acknowledging the importance of retirement income planning in the face of ongoing market volatility. Radon and Murs explain how this evolution helps investors create your own pension, supports retiring comfortably, and strengthens efforts to secure your retirement.
In this episode, find out:
Why the Vanguard announcement is a turning point for annuities retirement strategies
How guaranteed income in retirement helps offset market volatility
What a 401k annuity option really means for retirement planning
When IRA rollover options may provide more flexibility than a company 401k
How the Three Bucket Strategy simplifies planning retirement and managing risk

Tweetable Quotes:
“As you approach retirement, predictability and reliable income matter just as much as growth.” — Radon Stancil
“Annuities aren’t about giving up growth; they’re about creating confidence and peace of mind in retirement.” — Murs Tariq

By combining growth assets with income-focused strategies, retirees can follow a clearer retirement checklist, reduce stress during volatile markets, and build a customized retirement planning approach. Whether inside a Vanguard retirement plan or through broader IRA rollover options, the goal remains the same: thoughtful planning, smarter risk management, and a strategy designed to help you plan for retirement with confidence.
Resources:
If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!
To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss a comprehensive year-end tax checklist designed specifically for those in or nearing retirement. As the calendar winds down, it’s easy to overlook critical financial decisions that can significantly impact your retirement income tax and long-term retirement planning. This conversation walks through the most important year-end financial checklist items to help you avoid costly mistakes, missed deadlines, and unnecessary taxes as you plan for retirement.
Learn how a proactive retirement checklist can help you move from simply reacting at tax time to intentionally planning retirement with confidence. From required minimum distributions and the RMD deadline to charitable giving strategies and health savings account strategy, this episode reinforces why year-end planning is essential for retiring comfortably and helping to secure your retirement.
Listen in to learn about the practical steps you should take before December 31st to align your retirement planning with tax efficiency. Radon and Murs break down complex topics like capital gains tax planning, tax loss harvesting, and donor advised fund strategies into clear, actionable guidance. Whether you’re already retired or still planning retirement, this episode helps you connect year-end decisions to long-term retirement success.
In this episode, find out:
How to avoid penalties by meeting the RMD deadline and properly handling required minimum distributions
Why tax loss harvesting and capital gains tax planning can play a major role in retirement income tax management
How charitable giving strategies, like a qualified charitable distribution and a donor advised fund can create powerful tax benefits
Why a health savings account strategy is one of the most overlooked tools in retirement planning
How a year-end financial checklist supports a smarter plan for retirement and long-term peace of mind

Tweetable Quotes:
“If you wait until the end of the year to think about taxes, you’re already behind—retirement planning works best when it’s proactive.” — Radon Stancil
“A simple year-end tax checklist can be the difference between unnecessary penalties and retiring comfortably with confidence.” — Murs Tariq

Resources:
If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!
To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.