#14: The Hidden Medicare Surcharge That Catches New Retirees Off Guard

#14: The Hidden Medicare Surcharge That Catches New Retirees Off Guard

You finally retire, your income drops, and then Medicare charges you hundreds more per month based on what you earned two years ago. That is exactly how IRMAA works, and most people don't find out until the bill arrives. In this episode, Jaime Cowper breaks down how Medicare's income related monthly adjustment amount is calculated, why its cliff structure can be triggered by just $1 over a threshold, and what the SSA-44 form can do for retirees whose income has changed. Jaime also walks through how MAGI is calculated, which retirement account withdrawals count toward it, and why Roth conversion strategies and HSA planning in your 50s and early 60s may help manage IRMAA exposure. If you are approaching 65 or already paying a Medicare surcharge you did not expect, this episode was made for you. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (00:58) What IRMAA Is and How It Works (03:03) The Two Year Lookback Rule (05:36) The SSA-44 Form Most Retirees Miss (08:09) Hypothetical Example: Roth Conversions (09:39) Keep Your Retirement in Perspective Had you heard of the SSA-44 form before this episode? Leave a comment below. To schedule a time to discuss your financial future visit https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us [https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us] or call (248) 885-8176 [(248) 885-8176] today! Connect with Jaime on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper [ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper [https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial [https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial] Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting, and Education services offered through Unity Financial Advisors. Unity Financial Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Jaime Cowper is an investment advisor representative of Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. All opinions expressed by Jaime Cowper are solely her own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Advisory Alpha, LLC, and as such, any and all statements of purported or observed general practices of non-affiliated firms and advisors; conditions of the broad financial services industry; or performance or returns with regards to products, securities, markets, or otherwise, whether or not advisor indicates they may be relying on third-party data or sources, are solely the opinions and/or interpretations of the advisor and are not intended to be offered as factual. The validity of these statements has not been verified, and as such, no representations of their validity are made. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. This material is not endorsed or approved by the Social Security Office or any other Government Agency. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

#13: How to Give Your Kids Their Inheritance While You're Still Around to Enjoy It

You saved well, planned well, and now you're sitting on more than you're likely to spend in your own lifetime. But if you haven't thought carefully about how to share that wealth while you're still here to enjoy it, you could be missing one of the most rewarding opportunities in retirement planning. In this episode, Jaime Cowper walks through what she calls the Living Inheritance Playbook, explaining how the annual gift exclusion works, how it differs from the lifetime estate exemption, and how families are using it to fund everything from home down payments to grandkids' tuition to long term care insurance for adult children. If you're a retiree wondering how to put surplus income or RMDs to meaningful use for your family, this one was made for you. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (02:36) What Families Are Doing With $19K (04:48) Using RMDs to Fund Kids' LTC Insurance (07:28) Jaime's Own Long Term Care Strategy (08:12) Why Living Giving Matters Most (09:08) Next Steps for Your Family After hearing about the long term care strategy for adult children, is that something you've ever considered for your own family? Leave a comment. To schedule a time to discuss your financial future visit https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us [https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us] or call (248) 885-8176 [ (248) 885-8176 ]today! Connect with Jaime on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper [https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial [https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial] Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting, and Education services offered through Unity Financial Advisors. Unity Financial Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Jaime Cowper is an investment advisor representative of Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. All opinions expressed by Jaime Cowper are solely her own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Advisory Alpha, LLC, and as such, any and all statements of purported or observed general practices of non-affiliated firms and advisors; conditions of the broad financial services industry; or performance or returns with regards to products, securities, markets, or otherwise, whether or not advisor indicates they may be relying on third-party data or sources, are solely the opinions and/or interpretations of the advisor and are not intended to be offered as factual. The validity of these statements has not been verified, and as such, no representations of their validity are made. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. This material is not endorsed or approved by the Social Security Office or any other Government Agency. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

#12: How the Wealthiest Families Pass Down More to Their Kids and Less to the IRS

You have spent decades building your retirement savings, but have you considered what happens to your IRA or 401K when your kids inherit it? Since the SECURE Act of 2019, non-spouse beneficiaries must withdraw the full balance within ten years, often during their peak earning years. That could push them into a higher tax bracket and send a significant portion of your legacy straight to the IRS. Jaime Cowper, a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience helping retirees plan with confidence, walks through exactly how the inherited IRA rules work now and explores a life insurance strategy that could help families pass wealth in a more tax efficient way. She shares a real client example where a couple used a survivorship policy to create $1 million in income tax free benefits for their four children. If you are thinking about retirement income planning, estate strategy, or how to protect your family's inheritance from unnecessary taxes, this episode was made for you. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:51) The Tax Bracket Problem for Your Kids (03:53) RMD Rules for Inherited Accounts (04:58) The Life Insurance Strategy Explained (06:55) Real Client Story: $320K to $1M (09:46) Why Planning Now Matters Comment below: what is your biggest question about passing retirement assets to your family in a tax efficient way? To schedule a time to discuss your financial future visit https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us or call (248) 885-8176 t [TEL+1(248) 885-8176 t]oday! Connect with Jaime on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper [https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial [https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial] Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting, and Education services offered through Unity Financial Advisors. Unity Financial Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Jaime Cowper is an investment advisor representative of Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. All opinions expressed by Jaime Cowper are solely her own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Advisory Alpha, LLC, and as such, any and all statements of purported or observed general practices of non-affiliated firms and advisors; conditions of the broad financial services industry; or performance or returns with regards to products, securities, markets, or otherwise, whether or not advisor indicates they may be relying on third-party data or sources, are solely the opinions and/or interpretations of the advisor and are not intended to be offered as factual. The validity of these statements has not been verified, and as such, no representations of their validity are made. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. This material is not endorsed or approved by the Social Security Office or any other Government Agency. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

#11: Why Female Advisors Are on the Rise and How to Find One Fluent in You

Retirement planning is personal, yet so many people work with advisors who talk over their heads, rush through meetings, or never ask what matters most to them. If you've ever left a financial conversation feeling more confused than when you walked in, this episode will resonate.Jaime Cowper, a financial advisor, shares why the advisor-client relationship is just as important as the retirement strategy itself. She explains what draws people to advisors who prioritize listening and patience, shares real stories from clients who found clarity after feeling overlooked, and discusses her work mentoring more women into the financial planning space. This episode is for anyone approaching retirement who wants to feel truly understood by the person helping guide their financial future.Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(00:54) A Client Story About Patience(02:11) How a Gym Friendship Became a Client(03:30) Finding the Right Advisor Fit(04:40) Finding Someone Fluent in YouLeave a comment: what matters most to you when choosing a financial advisor, credentials, communication style, or something else entirely?To schedule a time to discuss your financial future visit https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us [https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us ]or call (248) 885-8176 [(248) 885-8176 ]today!Connect with Jaime on Social MediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper [ https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial [https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial]Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting, and Education services offered through Unity Financial Advisors. Unity Financial Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Jaime Cowper is an investment advisor representative of Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. All opinions expressed by Jaime Cowper are solely her own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Advisory Alpha, LLC, and as such, any and all statements of purported or observed general practices of non-affiliated firms and advisors; conditions of the broad financial services industry; or performance or returns with regards to products, securities, markets, or otherwise, whether or not advisor indicates they may be relying on third-party data or sources, are solely the opinions and/or interpretations of the advisor and are not intended to be offered as factual. The validity of these statements has not been verified, and as such, no representations of their validity are made. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. This material is not endorsed or approved by the Social Security Office or any other Government Agency. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

#10: What Separates a Great Financial Advisor from an Average One in Retirement Planning?

You might not be unhappy with your current financial situation, but there is a difference between "fine" and truly confident. Many people approaching retirement sense they could be getting more from their planning relationship but are not sure what that looks like. In this episode, Jaime Cowper, a financial advisor with over 20 years of experience, shares a story about a couple who switched advisors not because anything was wrong, but because they wanted the kind of retirement confidence they kept witnessing in others. Jaime explores what it means to build peace of mind on purpose through clear communication, consistent reviews, and a retirement plan that actually makes you feel secure. If you are a pre-retiree wondering whether your current plan is truly serving you, this one was made for you. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (00:27) The Best Client Jaime Ever Got (01:02) How the Client Found Her Office (02:16) Why They Left a 10 Year Advisor (02:40) What Client Confidence Looks Like (03:02) Why Jaime Started This Show To schedule a time to discuss your financial future visit https://www.unityfinancialadvisors.net/contact-us or call (248) 885-8176 today! Connect with Jaime on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimecowper] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper [https://www.instagram.com/jaime.cowper] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial [https://www.facebook.com/unityfinancial] Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting, and Education services offered through Unity Financial Advisors. Unity Financial Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha. While tax and legal issues may be discussed in the general course of financial and investment planning, Advisory Alpha does not provide tax or legal services. Jaime Cowper is an investment advisor representative of Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC registered investment advisor. All opinions expressed by Jaime Cowper are solely her own opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Advisory Alpha, LLC, and as such, any and all statements of purported or observed general practices of non-affiliated firms and advisors; conditions of the broad financial services industry; or performance or returns with regards to products, securities, markets, or otherwise, whether or not advisor indicates they may be relying on third-party data or sources, are solely the opinions and/or interpretations of the advisor and are not intended to be offered as factual. The validity of these statements has not been verified, and as such, no representations of their validity are made. This recording is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. This material is not endorsed or approved by the Social Security Office or any other Government Agency. An Annuity is a long-term financial product designed largely for asset accumulation and retirement needs. All guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.