Selected episodes from the popular radio show, ”Ideal Retirement Radio” hosted by Merit Retirement Strategies. Contact: 614.686.3748 | idealretirementradio.com | info@meritadvisorsllc.com
While paying voluntary tax is likely an insulting thought, so many retirees are setup to do exactly that. The US Treasury has a big heart and will accept voluntary taxes from retirees--but we think you shouldn't pay them. This week, we aim to inform you on how to start paying way less in taxes in retirement on your accounts and keep more of what's yours.
14 Jul 2026
8 Keys to Roth Conversions 6-6-26
Roth conversions aren’t about avoiding taxes — they’re about deciding when, how, and at what rate you’ll pay them. Too many people focus on the micro view: “How much tax will this cost me this year?” A better question is, “How will this decision impact my entire retirement?”
Strategic conversions can create decades of tax-free income, reduce or eliminate required minimum distributions, lower Medicare premiums and Social Security taxation, and provide insulation from future tax increases. Yes, there can be short-term friction — higher taxable income or temporary IRMAA surcharges — but for many households, those are time-boxed issues in exchange for long-term control, certainty, and tax-free wealth.
14 Jul 2026
Retirement Goal Confluence 5-16-26
Almost all retirement goals combine to one common end: peace and confidence in retirement. What retirement strategies tend to support that aim, and which--unknowingly--tend to diminish the likelihood of its achievement? Today, we how to bring your retirement assets and strategies into alignment with your goals.
14 Jul 2026
The Makings of a Resilient Portfolio 5-9-26
Making sure your portfolio provides what you need it to through thick and thin means going beyond "buy and hold". What if interest rates skyrocket, bringing inflation in their wake? What if the market crashes for several years? What if new legislation changes the tax landscape to resemble a foreign world? Premature death, long-term care needs, unforeseen emergencies...the list goes on. Your plan needs to elements of flexibility and rigidity in the right balance to handle whatever comes out of the woodwork.
28 Apr 2026
9 Myths that Can Turn the Golden Years Blue 5-2-26
Nine myths. Nine ways a solid retirement plan quietly falls apart. From the "savings number" that doesn't save you, to the diversification that isn't, to the tax strategy that's really just procrastination — we're calling them out. All of them. This is 9 Retirement Myths That Can Turn the Golden Years Blue.
20 Apr 2026
5 High level Social Security Updates 4-25-26
In this episode of Ideal Retirement Radio, we dive into 5 high-level social security updates for 2026 and how they impact your social security decisions.
Through a case study, we explore how to make your social security potentially tax-free as well as leaving nearly 3X more to heirs while not sacrificing current life style.
14 Apr 2026
(Asset) Location, Location, Location! 4-18-26
More important than your asset allocation is your asset location. There are only 3 columns (categories) of financial vehicles:
Taxable
Tax-deferred
Tax-free
Before deciding what your allocation should be, you must decide where you want your assets to live. There is a perfect balance for each saver. In this episode, we dive into the advantages and disadvantages of each column, the proper uses of the assets that make up in column, and how to strategically transfer taxable and tax-deferred assets to the tax-free column.
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