The Long Game In Retirement

#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.

#9: How to Maximize Social Security if You're Married

If you and your spouse are approaching retirement, there is a good chance you are thinking about Social Security as two separate decisions. Most couples do. But that approach can quietly cost the surviving spouse for years, and most people never realize it until it is too late to fix. In this episode, Jaime Cowper covers the survivor benefit and why it should be the centerpiece of any couple's Social Security strategy. She walks through a real client example where one spouse nearly filed too early, explains why retirement and Social Security are not the same decision, and shares a simple framework for thinking about when each spouse should consider filing. If you are a couple trying to figure out Social Security timing, this episode was made for you. (00:00) Introduction (00:37) What Is the Survivor Benefit? (01:50) How to Maximize the Higher Benefit (02:48) Real Client Story: Filing at 62 (04:16) Retirement and Social Security Are Not the Same (04:54) Why This Decision Matters So Much Leave a comment: are you and your spouse on the same page about when to file for Social Security, or is it something you have been putting off discussing? 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.

#8: Are You Really Diversified? Three Layers Most People Miss

You might have a dozen funds spread across multiple accounts and still not be truly diversified. If your retirement portfolio is concentrated in one asset class, one risk level, or one tax category, you could be more exposed than you realize. In this episode, Jaime Cowper, a financial advisor who has spent over 11 years helping clients plan for retirement, explains the three layers of real diversification: asset class variety, risk category alignment across accounts, and tax qualification balance. Jaime walks through why so many pre-retirees unknowingly hold overlapping investments and how a thoughtful bucket strategy can help create more balance. If you are approaching retirement and want to understand whether your portfolio is actually working the way you think it is, this one is for you. Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:45) Buy and Hold vs Professional Management (03:08) The Five Risk Categories Explained (04:58) Tax Diversification and Why It Matters (06:16) Key Takeaway: Don't Put All Eggs in One Basket Comment below: did you realize that having multiple funds in your 401K might not actually mean you are diversified? What did your portfolio look like when you first checked? 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.