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

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox celebrate Life Insurance Awareness Month by discussing the vital aspects of life insurance with Stoyan Petev, VP of Advanced Markets at C2P. The episode delves into the differences between term and cash value life insurance, alongside detailed explanations of living benefits, tax advantages, and effective financial planning tools. Real-world case studies are examined to highlight the applications and benefits of integrating life insurance into a holistic financial plan. This episode is packed with thoughtful insights, practical tips, and strategies designed to help listeners build and preserve wealth while ensuring their loved ones are protected financially.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:47 Introduction of Hosts and Special Guests

02:24 Understanding Life Insurance: Term vs. Cash Value

05:42 Tax Benefits and Living Benefits of Life Insurance

09:17 Holistic Financial Planning and Life Insurance

14:48 Case Studies: Real-Life Applications of Life Insurance

15:06 Myths and Misconceptions About Life Insurance

38:03 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.

OBBB: Maximizing Tax Efficiency for Retirement with Roth Conversions and More

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox offer expert insights into optimizing retirement planning with a focus on Roth conversion strategies. They discuss important concepts like the different tax treatment of various income sources and illustrate how Roth conversions can preserve wealth while minimizing tax burdens. Real-life examples highlight the impact of tax-efficient strategies, including bracket-topping and aggressive Roth conversion sprints, as well as the benefits of using life insurance as an IRA replacement. They also emphasize the importance of proactive tax planning to protect both oneself and one's spouse from significant tax liabilities in retirement. Join the conversation to explore actionable tips for a secure financial future.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:46 Introduction to Today's Episode

01:10 Understanding Roth Conversion Strategies

02:06 Tax Funnels Explained

05:39 The Importance of Tax Efficiency in Retirement

06:36 Proactive Tax Planning

13:59 Roth Conversion Examples

22:25 Life Insurance as an IRA Replacement

25:03 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox are joined by social security expert Heather Schreiber (IRMAACP™, RICP®, NSSA®). They discuss the complexities of retirement planning, including investment strategies, risk management, and maximizing social security benefits. Heather shares insights on changes in social security laws, common misconceptions, and the importance of optimizing benefits rather than simply maximizing them. The episode also covers key considerations for spousal and survivor benefits, tax implications of early social security claiming, and the impact of legislative changes on retirement planning. Heather emphasizes the need for personalized financial advice and the risks associated with relying solely on social security for retirement income.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:47 Meet Your Hosts and Special Guest

01:16 Heather Schreiber's Expertise in Retirement Income Planning

03:33 Understanding Social Security Benefits

07:23 Common Mistakes in Social Security Planning

12:32 Claiming Strategies for Near-Retirees

17:27 The Tax Implications of Social Security

21:06 Understanding the Senior Deduction and Provisional Income

23:49 Impact of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) on Taxes

26:11 Navigating Spousal and Survivor Benefits

34:08 Addressing Social Security Insolvency Concerns

39:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.

In this episode of the Retirement Planning Podcast, hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox welcome Jason Smith, CEO of Prosperity Capital Advisors and author of 'The Bucket Plan'. Jason shares his journey of founding Prosperity Capital Advisors and developing the Bucket Plan, a holistic wealth management process. He discusses the significance of integrating financial, tax, legal, and insurance planning into a comprehensive retirement strategy. Jason elaborates on the three-phase money cycle of accumulation, preservation, and distribution, and emphasizes the importance of 'bucketing' assets to manage risks such as market and sequence of returns risk. He also highlights the critical role of tax planning and the tax trilogy in preserving wealth. Jason shares a poignant story about how proper planning can provide peace of mind and financial security, particularly for surviving spouses. The episode underscores the necessity of a coordinated, holistic approach to ensure a secure and well-planned retirement.

00:00 Welcome to the Retirement Planning Podcast

00:52 Introducing Our Special Guest: Jason Smith

01:16 The Birth of Prosperity Capital Advisors

04:50 The Bucket Plan: Simplifying Financial Planning

10:31 Understanding Financial Risks and the Preservation Phase

17:41 The Importance of Holistic Wealth Management

20:44 The Tax Trilogy: A Comprehensive Approach

27:11 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

29:32 Closing Remarks and Disclaimers

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Retirement Planning Podcast with your hosts Darrin McComas and Jason Fox. In this episode, we dive into the new 'One Big Beautiful Bill' (O Triple B) act signed by President Trump, which makes the tax cuts from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent. We discuss how this crucial change provides a generational opportunity for proactive tax planning. Key highlights include examining historical tax rates, understanding new deductions and credits, especially for seniors, and the importance of being proactive in your financial planning. Learn how to maximize your tax benefits and protect your investments under the new law.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

00:35 Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill (O Triple B)

03:49 Tax Brackets and Historical Comparisons

07:27 Long-Term Capital Gains and Planning Opportunities

10:20 New Deductions and Credits

12:11 Senior Deduction and Tax Planning Strategies

17:15 Future Tax Risks and Proactive Planning

24:51 Conclusion and Call to Action

This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for individualized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investing involves risks. Guest opinions are their own. Consult a professional before making financial decisions.