Hiring a Financial Advisor: What to Ask & What to Watch For

Most people don’t schedule a retirement checkup because something went wrong—they do it because it’s finally time. In this episode, the team discusses why so many pre-retirees approach retirement without a written plan and what changes when income replaces a paycheck. The conversation covers common assumptions about “winging it,” why even experienced professionals often lack their own plans, and the difference between accumulation-focused advice and income-focused planning. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choosing a financial advisor can feel overwhelming. Especially when you’re not sure what questions actually matter. In this episode, Mike Canet & Ryan Herbert discuss how investors can better evaluate an advisor or firm before moving forward. The conversation covers what to ask about services provided, planning deliverables, experience with retirement-focused clients, compensation structures, and whether you’ll work with one advisor or a team. They also explain the difference between asset growth and retirement distribution planning, along with why written plans and ongoing implementation matter. This episode is designed to help listeners think more critically about fit, expectations, and the role an advisor should play during retirement. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Retired and still surprised by a tax bill you didn’t see coming? In this episode, Ryan Herbert breaks down why many retirees continue writing checks to Uncle Sam and what’s often being overlooked along the way. From first-year retirement income surprises to how extra IRA withdrawals can trigger higher taxes on Social Security, the conversation unpacks common misconceptions about taxation in retirement. You’ll hear real-world examples of how income sources like pensions, TSPs, brokerage accounts, and Roth assets are taxed differently, and why withholding “defaults” can fall short. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The market can be up 160% over a decade and still feel unsettling when short-term losses show up. In this episode, Mike Canet & Ryan Herbert dig into why market volatility feels so different depending on where you are in life. They discuss long-term growth versus retirement realities, how risk tolerance changes when income matters now, and why percentages don’t always tell the full story. From sequence-of-returns risk to the role of secure income sources, this conversation explores how perspective, planning, and timing shape financial decisions. It’s a practical discussion about understanding risk, translating market swings into real dollars, and why having a plan can change how volatility impacts your retirement outlook. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there really a “perfect” age to convert retirement dollars? Or is that the wrong question entirely?In this episode, Ryan Herbert & Lawrence Kiely break down the often-misunderstood idea of Roth conversion “sweet spots” and why timing alone doesn’t equal strategy. They discuss how tax brackets, Medicare IRMAA, account balances, and life events all shape conversion decisions. The conversation highlights the risks of picking arbitrary numbers, relying on advice in isolation, or only thinking about taxes once a year. Instead, the focus is on coordination, context, and building a plan that adjusts as income, retirement timing, and cash flow change. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market drops grab headlines, but they’re rarely the biggest challenge facing retirement plans. On this episode, Ryan Herbert & Lawrence Kiely break down the difference between routine market corrections, bear markets, and rare major downturns, while also discussing why short-term volatility often gets more attention than long-term planning realities. They explain how retirement strategies can be structured to separate income needs from market swings, helping investors stay focused on monthly cash flow rather than daily headlines. The conversation also explores why market timing creates challenges, how recent volatility shows up in client conversations, and where tax strategies like Roth conversions tend to surface during down markets. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your retirement plan worked more like a GPS: clear directions, planned stops, and updates when conditions change? In this episode, Mike Canet & Ryan Herbert use a road-trip analogy to explain why retirement planning shouldn’t rely solely on probabilities and projections. They discuss the value of having a written, step-by-step income roadmap that accounts for taxes, inflation, Medicare considerations, and changing milestones. You’ll hear why ongoing reviews matter, how detours can affect long-term outcomes, and what separates a basic simulation from a full financial plan designed for real life transitions. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the way you’re told to save for retirement isn’t the smartest option on the table?A recent comparison between the U.S. retirement system and Australia’s sparks a deeper discussion about taxes, required minimum distributions, and long-term planning. The team breaks down how traditional 401(k)s, Australian-style retirement savings, and Roth 401(k)s handle taxation—both now and later—and why timing matters more than most people realize. Along the way, they explore how taxes can quietly reshape income, Social Security, and investment risk throughout retirement, and why assumptions about being in a “lower tax bracket later” deserve a closer look. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Herbert & Katherine Groce break down common misconceptions about retirement income, taxes, Medicare premiums, and investment returns. They explore why a 401(k) balance isn’t entirely yours, how Social Security can be taxed, why Medicare costs can rise based on income, and how fees quietly erode returns. Through real examples and plain‑spoken explanations, the episode highlights how taxes, healthcare costs, and fees shape what retirement money actually looks like. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Super Bowl commercial sparks a conversation that could quietly reshape how families think about long‑term wealth. Mike and Ryan explore the new “Trump accounts,” a government‑seeded savings option for children that blends features of IRAs with long‑term compounding potential. The discussion breaks down who can open these accounts, contribution limits, tax treatment, and how parents and grandparents might use them alongside or instead of 529 plans. Mike and Ryan also compare flexibility, legacy planning considerations, and why starting early changes the math in dramatic ways. It’s a timely look at a new tool entering the family financial planning landscape. Want to begin building your retirement and tax plan? Click Here to Schedule a 15-minute Discovery Call Follow us for more helpful insights: 🖱️ Facebook- https://bit.ly/3PmJcSt 🖱️ LinkedIn- https://bit.ly/44T88a9 🖱️ X - https://bit.ly/3PHxqDJSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.