Knowledge hub

Retirement resources built for real life

Guides, articles, and tools to help you plan with confidence — whether you are just starting or already in retirement.

Featured articles

Tax Planning6 min read

Understanding Tax Risk in Retirement

Most retirees are surprised by how much of their savings goes to taxes. Required Minimum Distributions, Social Security taxation thresholds, and Medicare IRMAA surcharges can erode your income more than you planned. Learn how to identify and reduce your tax risk before it is too late.

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Social Security5 min read

Social Security Timing Strategies

Claiming at 62, 67, or 70 — the difference can be tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. We break down the key factors: health, spousal benefits, other income sources, and tax implications.

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Medicare7 min read

Medicare Basics: What You Need to Know

Medicare has four parts, multiple enrollment windows, and penalties for late sign-up. This plain-language guide walks you through Parts A, B, C, and D — and how to avoid costly mistakes.

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Estate Planning5 min read

Estate Planning 101

Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. A will, beneficiary designations, power of attorney, and healthcare directive protect your family no matter the size of your estate. Here is where to start.

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Retirement Income8 min read

Retirement Income Distribution Strategies

Which accounts do you draw from first — and in what order? The sequence of withdrawals from taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts can significantly impact how long your money lasts.

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Tax Planning6 min read

The Widow's Penalty: What Surviving Spouses Must Know

When a spouse passes, the surviving partner often faces a dramatically higher tax bill. This little-known tax trap can be planned around — but only if you act before it happens.

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Tax Planning5 min read

OBBBA & Social Security Taxes

Recent legislative changes affect how Social Security benefits are taxed. Understand what the One Big Beautiful Budget Act means for your retirement income and what steps you can take now.

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Retirement Planning10 min read

Journal of Accountancy: Guarding Your Retirement

A deep dive into the strategies CPAs and financial advisors use to protect retirement assets from tax erosion, market volatility, and longevity risk — published in the Journal of Accountancy.

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Get organized

Practical tools and checklists to help you get your financial house in order before — and during — retirement.

Personal Financial Inventory

Document your assets, liabilities, and income sources in one organized place. A complete picture is the foundation of every good retirement plan.

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Beneficiary Checklist

Make sure your accounts and policies go to the right people. Outdated beneficiary designations are one of the most common — and costly — estate planning mistakes.

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Estate Planning Documents

Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives — know what you need, why you need it, and how to get it done.

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Retirement Income Worksheet

Map out all your income sources for retirement: Social Security, pensions, RMDs, annuities, and investment withdrawals. Know your number before you retire.

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Tax Planning Calendar

Key tax deadlines and planning windows throughout the year — so you never miss an opportunity to reduce your retirement tax bill.

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Retirement Readiness Assessment

A guided self-assessment to help you understand where you stand today and what gaps need to be addressed before you retire.

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Have questions about your retirement plan?

Schedule a no-cost conversation with David O'Bryan, CPA. We will review your situation and help you identify your biggest risks and opportunities.

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