Robert Bennett, CFP

01/05/2026

Why is January an important month for your RMD strategy?

Most retirees treat Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) like a year-end chore. They wait until December, scramble to calculate the amount, and then take a lump sum.

If you’re 73 or older, waiting until December could be the least tax-efficient way to handle your retirement accounts.

Here is why you should look at your RMDs this week:

1. Avoid the "Market Timing" Trap - If you wait until December to take your RMD, you are forced to sell regardless of where the market is. By planning now, you can set up automated monthly or quarterly distributions. This "dollar-cost averaging" approach protects you from being forced to sell at a market low just to meet a deadline.

2. The QCD Advantage (Qualified Charitable Distributions) - If you are charitably inclined, the "First Dollars Out" rule is critical. The IRS considers the first money leaving your IRA as your RMD. If you want to use a QCD to send money directly to a charity tax-free, it’s much cleaner to do it at the start of the year before you accidentally trigger a taxable distribution. This helps to manage your AGI.

3. Clarity on Your 2026 Tax Bracket - Calculating your RMD now gives you a clear picture of your "floor" income for the year. Once you know your RMD, you can make better decisions about: Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and withholding adjustments to avoid underpayment penalties

4. The "Secure 2.0" Buffer - The rules have changed significantly over the last few years (like the shift to age 73 for RMDs). Checking in now ensures you aren't following outdated advice or missing a deadline that carries a 25% penalty.

Don't let the IRS dictate your December. Use this week to calculate your 2026 requirement (based on your Dec 31, 2025 balances) and decide if a monthly or early-year distribution fits your cash flow better.

Do you prefer taking your RMD in one lump sum or spreading it out over the year? Discuss in the comments.

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12/08/2025

I see smart people telling me they want to do a Roth Conversion.

They make too much money to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, so they try the "Backdoor Roth" strategy.

They plan to put money from their bank account into their Traditional IRA and immediately convert it to their Roth, thinking it will be tax-free.

First you need to ask yourself... Do you have any IRAs that have pre-tax dollars? ANY. IRA. SIMPLE? SEP? Traditional? Rollover from an old job?

If so, you might want to rethink the backdoor Roth idea.

Think of all your IRA money as a cup of black coffee.

This represents all the pre-tax money you have saved or rolled into an IRA over the years.

Now, you pour in some cream. This represents the $7,000 after-tax contribution you want to make to convert into a Roth.

Once you pour the cream in the coffee, try taking just the cream out.

You can't.

It's mixed. If you try to spoon it out, you will get mostly coffee (taxable assets) and only a small amount of cream (after-tax assets).

Let's say the mixture is 93% coffee and 7% cream. Even though you put in after-tax dollars (money you already paid tax on), 93% of that conversion is taxable in the year you make it.

Even worse? Most of the cream (your tax-free basis) is left stuck in the cup of coffee.

The Solution? Pour the cream into an empty cup.

Before you contribute, move your old IRA money into your current 401(k). Once the IRA bucket is empty (no pre-tax in any IRA), you can add your cream and convert it tax-free.

12/04/2025

Estate planning often gets overlooked because many believe it's only for people with millions of dollars. The truth is, it's for anyone who wants clarity, control, and less chaos for their family.

If you own a home, have children, a bank account, or even a car, an estate plan keeps decisions out of strangers hands and puts them in yours.

A will prevents guesswork.

A healthcare directive protects your wishes.

Beneficiary designations move assets smoothly.

A simple trust can avoid probate headaches.

Power of Attorney gives someone you trust the ability to act for you if you cannot.

You do not need millions for those tools to matter.

If you want to make sure what you built (no matter the value) ends up where you want it, start the conversation now. Estate planning is not about how much you have. It is about protecting what matters to you.

12/03/2025

Retirement sounds simple on paper. You stop working, use the money you've saved, and enjoy life. The reality gets messy fast if you are not careful.

That's where I step in.

Turning a portfolio into reliable income that lasts. Pensions are not what they used to be and Social Security rarely covers the whole picture.

Tax efficiency that keeps more money in your pocket each year. Withdrawals and RMDs are not something to guess on.

Investment management built for stability, not adrenaline. A downturn hurts more when you are no longer earning a paycheck.

Estate and legacy planning so assets transfer cleanly to the next generation without confusion or chaos.

Simplifying accounts, statements, and decisions. No retiree needs financial clutter.

Retirement should feel secure, organized, and calm. If you are retired or getting close, a conversation could save you from costly mistakes later.

Send a message if you want your money working with a plan, not guesswork.

12/02/2025

The end of the year is when small financial tasks either get handled or forgotten. Handle them now.

Review your portfolio for losses you can harvest. If something is down and no longer fits your plan, take the loss and use it to offset gains.

Check your retirement contributions. Make sure your 401k/403B/457, IRA, and HSA are funded the way you intended. If you expect to owe taxes, increasing contributions can help.

Consolidate old accounts. Stray investment accounts and outdated insurance policies add risk and confusion. Clean them up before the year ends.

Verify your tax withholding and estimated payments. If your income changed this year, make adjustments now to avoid a surprise come tax season.

Finalize charitable giving. If giving is part of your plan, do it with a strategy. A donor advised fund or direct gifts can reduce taxes if done before year end.

Simple steps, real value. Most people skip them. If you want help tightening things up before the calendar flips, I am here to help.

Send a message to learn more