S2E1: 2026 Retirement Strategies - Moving Beyond Cookie-Cutter Portfolios

Episode Overview

As we head into 2026, the financial landscape is shifting. With market pundits split between "Dow 60,000" and "market crash" predictions, the "set it and forget it" strategies of the past are being put to the test. In this season premiere, Darrin and Jason discuss why traditional portfolio models—like the classic 60/40—may no longer be sufficient for those entering or currently in retirement.

The team dives into recent industry shifts, including a major Vanguard report suggesting a flip to a more conservative 40/60 model for retirees. They also break down the Bucket Plan® philosophy—a strategy designed to manage sequence of returns risk and provide peace of mind regardless of market volatility.

Key Discussion Points

• The Vanguard Shift: Why Vanguard's head of portfolio construction is moving toward a 40% stock / 60% bond weighting for specific retirement scenarios.
• Sequence of Returns Risk: How market volatility in the early years of retirement can devastate a portfolio when you are forced to sell assets in a down market.
• The Bucket Plan® System: A deep dive into segmenting assets by time horizon:
  • Now Bucket: Safe, liquid cash for the next 12 months of income and emergencies.
  • Soon Bucket: Conservative growth for years 1–10, accounting for RMDs and taxes.
  • Later Bucket: Long-term growth assets (10+ year horizon) to outpace inflation.
• The Three Tax Funnels: Understanding the critical difference between Pre-Tax (IRA/401k), Post-Tax (Brokerage), and Tax-Advantaged (Roth/HSA) accounts.
• The "Trinity" of Investing: Why no single product can simultaneously provide high returns, full liquidity, and zero risk.

00:00 – 2026 Retirement Outlook: Market Highs & Volatility

01:51 – Why the Traditional 60/40 Portfolio is Shifting

03:45 – Understanding Sequence of Returns Risk in Retirement

06:00 – The Bucket Plan®: A Strategic Framework for Income

07:13 – The "Now" Bucket: Liquid Cash & Emergency Funds

07:44 – The "Soon" Bucket: Planning for RMDs and Taxes

10:04 – The "Later" Bucket: Long-Term Growth & Market Recovery

12:15 – Vanguard’s New 40/60 Call for Retirees

14:02 – The Hidden Danger of Bond Market Declines

17:42 – Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) Strategies

19:25 – Is Your 401(k) Target Date Fund Actually De-risking?

23:45 – The Investment Trinity: Risk, Return, and Liquidity

26:45 – The Three Tax Funnels: Optimizing Your Net Income

28:30 – Holistic Wealth Management vs. "Winging It"

Featured Resources

• Vanguard Article: Vanguard - Why we are underweight in stocks
• The Bucket Plan®: Download our free white paper, The Bucket Plan Philosophy, to learn how we structure assets for a worry-free retirement.
• Prosperity Capital Advisors: Learn more about our partnership with Prosperity Capital Advisors, which provides us with national-scale resources and the Bucket Plan methodology.

Take the Next Step
If you are entering 2026 without a proactive income or tax plan, don't "wing it." Schedule a complimentary strategy session with our Spokane-based team to see if our holistic approach is right for you.

Visit us at: www.ewadvisors.com

Call our office: 509-740-4183

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox are joined by Kirsten Schlumbohm from C2P, to discuss the pressing topic of long-term care insurance. The conversation covers the high likelihood of needing long-term care, the evolution of insurance policies to provide better options than in the past, and the importance of planning and protecting oneself and family from the financial and emotional burden of long-term care. Kirsten shares personal stories and statistics, emphasizing the necessity of having a plan in place and debunking common myths, such as the misconception that Medicare will cover long-term care costs. The episode highlights the value of holistic wealth management and the importance of addressing long-term care as part of a comprehensive retirement plan.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:46 Introduction of Hosts and Special Guest

01:19 Debunking Myths About Long-Term Care

04:16 The Evolution of Long-Term Care Policies

07:55 The Financial Burden of Long-Term Care

13:13 Medicare and Medicaid Misconceptions

18:19 The Importance of Planning Ahead

22:22 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts

29:05 Podcast Outro and Disclaimers

Sources:

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html#increased-demand

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html#cost-of-long-term-care

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/health/long-term-care-statistics.html

https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/how-much-care-will-you-need

https://investor.genworth.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1030/long-term-care-costs-increase-in-washington-exceeding

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, host Darrin McComas, along with Jason Fox, explores crucial aspects of retirement planning with a focus on capital gains tax opportunities introduced by 'The One Big Beautiful Bill.' They discuss various tax funnels, emphasizing the benefits of Roth conversions and strategic portfolio liquidation. The episode includes detailed examples, explaining how retirees can leverage current tax laws to maximize their financial gains. Listeners are provided with actionable insights on how to utilize available deductions and opportunities to minimize their tax liabilities effectively. The hosts also offer free resources and consultations to help the audience better navigate their financial planning. To download your free guide to the One Big Beautiful Bill please go to our website: www.ewadvisors.com/guides

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast
00:47 Introduction to Today's Episode
00:58 Understanding Capital Gains Tax Opportunities
01:34 Exploring Tax Funnels
02:52 Deep Dive into the Post-Tax Funnel
04:48 Capital Gains Harvesting Example
09:07 Strategic Portfolio Liquidation Example
13:12 The Importance of Proactive Tax Planning
16:37 Free Resources and Final Thoughts
18:44 Podcast Disclaimer and Legal Information