Beyond The Dollar Signs: Financial Clarity

Beyond The Dollar Signs: Financial Clarity


Smart Tax Moves for High Earners Nearing Retirement (Ep. 11)

September 02, 2025

You’ve worked hard, built wealth, and saved diligently, so why does retirement suddenly feel like a tax trap?

In this episode of Beyond the Dollar Signs, host Mark Taylan breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of retirement planning for high-income earners: the surprising tax implications of success. From pensions and Social Security stacking up in your highest tax bracket to strategies that can help reduce unnecessary taxes, Mark offers a clear-eyed look at how to keep more of what you’ve built.

Key takeaways include:

  • Why many retirees are not in a lower tax bracket and what to do about it
  • Direct indexing: what it is, how it works, and who it’s best for
  • How Roth conversions may reduce lifetime tax burdens
  • Why IRMAA and Medicare surcharges catch so many retirees off guard
  • And more!

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