If most or even all of your savings are in pre tax accounts like 401(k)s or traditional IRAs, you are not alone. For many people, that is exactly how they were told to save. Defer taxes, let the money grow, and figure it out later. But later is now retirement, and that is where things can get tricky.
In this video, I walk through what really happens when your retirement income comes mostly from pre tax accounts, and how Required Minimum Distributions, Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA surcharges can all interact in ways that surprise even diligent savers.
You will learn:
Why every withdrawal from your 401(k) or IRA is taxed as ordinary income
How RMDs can unintentionally push you into higher tax brackets or Medicare tiers
The tax sweet spot window before Social Security starts and how to take advantage of it
When and when not to consider Roth conversions
How small, strategic moves today can lower your lifetime taxes and give you more flexibility later
Whether you have saved $300,000 or $3 million, the goal is not just to minimize taxes this year. It is to create a lifetime tax strategy that helps you enjoy the retirement you have worked so hard for.
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