Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest? The $180K Retirement Mistake

This episode of Wealth Decisions reveals the counterintuitive mortgage strategy wealthy retirees use that most financial advisors won’t tell you. Brian Muller, founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors with 25 years of experience, breaks down the math, psychology, and real-world implications of keeping your mortgage versus paying it off before retirement.

What You’ll Learn:

• The 7-question framework to help make this important wealth decision

• Why liquidity beats net worth in retirement planning

• The psychological trap that costs retirees $180,000 on average

• Three actionable strategies regardless of which path you choose

• When paying off your mortgage actually makes financial sense

• The hybrid approach that satisfies both security and growth needs

Key Topics Covered:

- Mortgage payoff vs investment returns analysis

- Opportunity cost calculations for retirement planning

- Tax implications of mortgage interest deduction

- Behavioral finance and investment psychology

- Asset allocation strategies for pre-retirees

- Emergency fund considerations

- Real estate as investment myth-busting

Perfect for investors approaching retirement, financial independence seekers, and anyone torn between achieving mortgage freedom and building wealth. Get the clarity you need to make this crucial retirement decision with confidence.

Chapters:

00:00 - Common Financial Questions and Strategies

02:28 - Understanding Mortgage Decisions: The Myths and Realities

04:52 - The Psychology of Money and Investment Decisions

07:53 - The Short-Term Mortgage Paradox

11:15 - Strategies for Mortgage Decisions

Pre-order my new book "Momentous Decisions: 7 Steps to Better Health, More Wealth, and a Richer Life" at:

⁠⁠https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/book

To schedule a Discovery Call go to:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian D Muller(AAMS©), Founder, Wealth Advisor

XYPN Invest Disclaimer:

Brian Muller is an Investment Adviser Representative of XYPN Invest, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm doing business as Momentous Wealth Advisors. This podcast is not published on behalf of XYPN Invest, and the views expressed herein are solely those of Brian Muller.

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Wealth Decisions Podcast is provided solely for general information purposes and should not be construed as accounting, legal, tax, or any other professional advice. Visitors are advised not to act upon the information or content found here without first seeking appropriate guidance from a qualified accountant, financial planner, lawyer, or other relevant professional. Any hypothetical performance is just that, and there is no guarantee that you will receive a specific average rate of return in any examples in this podcast.

Please note that any federal tax advice is not intended to be used to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or to promote, market, or recommend any transaction or matter addressed

Two retirees, same lifestyle—but one pays $540,000 MORE in taxes. Here’s how

WATCH LAST WEEK'S EPISODE PART 1 HERE:

https://youtu.be/UEjVSBxpeZg

Why do two retirees with similar lifestyles end up with vastly different tax bills in retirement? In this eye-opening episode, Brian Muller, founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors, reveals the shocking 25-year retirement comparison between Lisa and Mark. Despite Mark starting with $540,000 MORE in savings, Lisa’s strategic Roth planning resulted in significantly more wealth preservation and a larger legacy for her heirs.

Brian breaks down the hidden retirement tax traps including Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), IRMAA Medicare surcharges, and legacy planning disasters that catch most retirees unprepared. Learn why conventional retirement wisdom about 401k and IRA savings could be costing you hundreds of thousands in unnecessary taxes.

Key Topics Covered:

• Roth IRA vs Traditional 401k retirement planning comparison

• Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) tax strategies

• IRMAA Medicare surcharge impact on retirement income

• Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies in retirement

• Estate planning and inheritance tax implications

• Roth conversion strategies for pre-retirees and retirees

• 4% withdrawal rate optimization across account types

• Tax location investment strategies

• Long-term tax planning for retirement security

Featured Wealth Decision Principles:

1. “The IRS is your silent business partner in traditional accounts—and they never take a vacation.”

2. “RMDs turn your retirement account into a government-controlled annuity with tax brackets as your payment schedule.”

3. “In retirement planning, it’s not what you save—it’s what you keep after the IRS takes their cut.”

Whether you’re planning for early retirement, optimizing your current retirement strategy, or looking to maximize your legacy, this episode provides actionable insights to help you make better wealth decisions. Brian draws from 25 years of financial advisory experience to help you avoid the costly mistakes that derail retirement plans.

#RetirementPlanning #RothIRA #TaxStrategy #WealthBuilding #FinancialPlanning #RetirementTaxes #RMDStrategy #EstatePlanning #401kVsRoth #retirementincome

WEALTH DECISIONS on YOU-TUBE:

Pre-order my new book "Momentous Decisions: 7 Steps to Better Health, More Wealth, and a Richer Life" at:

⁠⁠https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/book

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian D Muller(AAMS©), Founder, Wealth Advisor

XYPN Invest Disclaimer:

Brian Muller is an Investment Adviser Representative of XYPN Invest, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm doing business as Momentous Wealth Advisors. This podcast is not published on behalf of XYPN Invest, and the views expressed herein are solely those of Brian Muller.

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Wealth Decisions Podcast is provided solely for general information purposes and should not be construed as accounting, legal, tax, or any other professional advice. Visitors are advised not to act upon the information or content found here without first seeking appropriate guidance from a qualified accountant, financial planner, lawyer, or other relevant professional. Any hypothetical performance is just that, and there is no guarantee that you will receive a specific average rate of return in any examples in this podcast.

Please note that any federal tax advice is not intended to be used to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or to promote, market, or recommend any transaction or matter addressed herein. It is important to ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS and Circular 230.

We strive to ensure that the content published on...

Why saving LESS could make you richer: The counterintuitive wealth strategy that beats traditional retirement advice. Financial advisor Brian Muller reveals how Lisa achieves financial independence while saving about $170,000 LESS than her colleague through three strategic wealth decisions.

Discover the Roth 401k advantage, the 1% annual increase method, and backdoor Roth IRA strategies that create tax-free retirement wealth. Perfect for high earners seeking financial independence, early retirement planning, and tax-efficient investing strategies.

Episode Highlights:

• Roth vs Traditional 401k tax comparison with real numbers ($160K income scenario)

• How to save $170,000 less and still achieve financial independence

• Backdoor Roth IRA strategy for high-income earners

• Behavioral finance principles for consistent wealth building

• Tax-free retirement planning strategies

• Financial independence roadmap for $160k+ earners

• Smart money moves for your 40s and beyond

Host Brian Muller, founder of Momentous Wealth Advisors, combines 25 years of financial advisory experience with certified health and life coaching insights. Learn actionable wealth-building strategies that prioritize efficiency over effort.

Chapters:

00:26 - The Power of Wealth Decisions

01:29 - Understanding Wealth Decisions: The Case of Lisa and Mark

05:41 - Lisa's Wealth Decisions: Strategies for Tax-Free Retirement

09:20 - Strategies for Financial Independence

11:21 - Exploring Financial Strategies for Retirement

#FinancialIndependence #RothIRA #RetirementPlanning #WealthBuilding #TaxStrategy #BackdoorRoth #SmartMoney #FinancialFreedom #RetirementSavings #InvestmentStrategy

Pre-order my new book "Momentous Decisions: 7 Steps to Better Health, More Wealth, and a Richer Life" at:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/book

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian D Muller(AAMS©), Founder, Wealth Advisor

XYPN Invest Disclaimer:

Brian Muller is an Investment Adviser Representative of XYPN Invest, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm doing business as Momentous Wealth Advisors. This podcast is not published on behalf of XYPN Invest, and the views expressed herein are solely those of Brian Muller.

Podcast Disclaimer:

The Wealth Decisions Podcast is provided solely for general information purposes and should not be construed as accounting, legal, tax, or any other professional advice. Visitors are advised not to act upon the information or content found here without first seeking appropriate guidance from a qualified accountant, financial planner, lawyer, or other relevant professional. Any hypothetical performance is just that, and there is no guarantee that you will receive a specific average rate of return in any examples in this podcast.

Please note that any federal tax advice is not intended to be used to avoid penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or to promote, market, or recommend any transaction or matter addressed herein. It is important to ensure compliance with the requirements imposed by the IRS and Circular 230.

We strive to ensure that the content published on the Wealth Decisions Podcast is accurate and up-to-date. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy, timeliness, or relevance of any of the information provided. We are not responsible for any information present on the Wealth Decisions Podcast and disclaim any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information.