For decades, the 4% rule has been a popular rule of thumb for retirement income planning- withdraw 4% annually from your portfolio, and your money should last 30 years. But now, the original creator of the rule is updating it. What’s changed? And should you change your retirement plan too?

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

The 4% rule is now 4.7%... should you celebrate?

Having flexibility and guardrails for your income plan

Market cycles, inflation, and risk tolerance: it all matters

Rules of thumb vs. real retirement math

Choosing a withdrawal rate that fits your plan

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How do you decide where to save your next dollar? Are you overlooking the most tax-efficient account available to you? With so many options, it’s easy to feel stuck or unsure about what makes the most sense. Not every savings option offers the same benefits, and using the right account at the right time may lead to serious tax advantages and long-term flexibility.

In today’s episode, Liz breaks down where to consider putting your next dollar—and the dollar after that—based on tax benefits, your goals, and time horizon.

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

• The order of operations for where to save
• Building an emergency fund tailored to your needs
• The triple tax advantages of HSAs
• Strategically using Roth vs traditional accounts
• What tax efficiency really looks like in practice

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Losing a spouse is an unimaginably tough life event, but the financial implications can add another layer of stress to the grieving process. In this episode, we delve deep into the most common financial issues faced by widows and widowers, from dealing with income gaps to navigating tax changes as a single filer. We explore actionable strategies to address these problems, such as the importance of life insurance, the ins and outs of spousal pension continuation, and how Roth conversions can offer critical tax advantages for surviving spouses.

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

• Planning ahead to ease financial burdens after losing a spouse
• Managing income gaps: Social Security loss, pension choices, and strategies
• Understanding tax changes for surviving spouses
• Using Roth conversions to reduce future taxes
• The benefits of trusts versus wills

Avoid The Widow’s Tax Trap Video:

https://youtu.be/GZBhlwWRELQ

Subscribe to Liz's YouTube Channel: Best Path Advisors - YouTube

Can you really retire when the market is down? Do you have enough stability in your portfolio to weather the storm? In this episode, Liz answers that exact question by walking through the practical steps and mindset shifts that make a confident retirement possible- even in uncertain times. With volatility on the rise and recession concerns growing, more soon-to-be retirees are wondering if their timing is off.

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

• Proactive vs. reactive retirement strategies
• How retiring in a down market can work
• The danger of high withdrawal rates in volatile years
• What “guardrails” can do for your income plan

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Since the day he took office, President Trump planned to implement tariffs, and he carried that out last week. The immediate market reaction was very negative. How might this impact your personal finances and the economy over the long term?

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

🌍 What tariffs are and their historical context

📈 How tariffs can raise prices and affect markets

🧠 The psychology behind panic-selling

🛠️ Smart strategies for managing market uncertainty

If you are interested in learning more about how we could help you plan for retirement, contact us here: https://www.bestpathadvisors.com/contact

Check out Liz's YouTube Channel: Best Path Advisors - YouTube

We’re in the middle of tax season, and you may have heard that annuities can provide tax benefits. Who is that true for, and are there any side effects? Today, we’re going to clear up some of the confusion around the advantages and disadvantages of annuities. Liz will also provide some tips on what you need to know before considering an annuity.

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

• What is an annuity?
• The different “flavors” of annuities available
• The advantages and disadvantages of annuities
• When might an annuity be a good fit?

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Tax season is here, but filing your 2024 return is just one piece of the puzzle. Now is also the perfect time to take advantage of new tax rules for 2025- before the year gets away from you.

With higher standard deductions, increased retirement contribution limits, and updated HSA rules, there are plenty of opportunities to lower your tax bill and boost your savings. In this episode, we’ll break down the key changes and how you can start planning now to make the most of them.

Here’s some of what we discuss in today’s show:

• The annual inflation-based adjustments to the 7 income tax brackets
• Maximizing 401K contributions and the increased limit for 2025
• IRA contribution limits and strategies
• The 2025 HSA contribution limit
• Liz’s insights on making smart tax moves today for a more efficient retirement

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Just like the lights on your dashboard can indicate if something is wrong with your car (like low tire pressure or leaking oil), there are indicators in your financial life that might point out that you have a problem that needs to be addressed. In today’s episode, Liz is going to cover 5 areas that you should review.

Here are the warning signs we discuss in today’s show:

• You have no idea what it costs to fund your lifestyle
• You’re focused on attaining a certain net worth or account balance
• Your mental image of retirement is based on what your parents had
• You get worked up about current events because of the impact you feel they might have on your portfolio
• You think nursing home expenses will take care of themselves

Subscribe to Liz's YouTube Channel: Best Path Advisors - YouTube