Retirement isn't just a number. It's a phase of life that comes with big questions, evolving goals, and a need for real clarity.
Welcome to The Art and Science of Retirement — a weekly podcast for people who want to make smart financial decisions and live fully in every stage of life.
Hosted by Grant Ellis, founder of Ellis Retirement Services, this show blends two decades of financial expertise with practical, down-to-earth conversations about money, planning, and purpose.
Each week, we'll unpack real-life scenarios, answer the questions you've been too afraid to ask, and help you think through what retirement — and financial independence — could look like for you.
What to expect:
→ Retirement planning without the jargon
→ Candid insights from 20+ years in the advisory business
→ Case studies and stories from real clients (anonymized, of course)
→ Clear steps for building a life you don't want to retire from
Whether you're 15 years out or already retired, there's something here for you.
Learn more at ellisretirement.com or email us at ellisteam@lpl.com to ask a question or suggest a topic.
The 50% Social Security Spousal Benefit Explained: You Can't Have Both
If you're married and planning when to claim Social Security, one of the most misunderstood rules could have a major impact on your household's retirement income.
In this video, we break down how the 50% Social Security spousal benefit actually works, why delaying Social Security until age 70 doesn't increase your spouse's maximum spousal benefit, and the filing requirement that can catch couples off guard.
We'll walk through real-world examples showing how the spousal benefit is calculated, what happens when the higher-earning spouse delays their benefit, and why the difference between two claiming strategies could potentially add up to tens of thousands of dollars over retirement.
You'll also learn why Social Security decisions shouldn't be made in isolation. Survivor benefits, taxes, life expectancy, employment, and each spouse's earnings history can all play a role in determining the right strategy.
Before you or your spouse file for Social Security, make sure you understand how these rules work together and how your decision could affect your household for years to come.
If you'd like help building a Social Security and retirement income strategy around your specific situation, visit our website or use the link below to get in touch.
#SocialSecurity (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socialsecurity) #SocialSecurityBenefits #SpousalBenefits (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spousalbenefits) #RetirementPlanning #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurityStrategy #RetirementTips (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirementtips) #FinancialPlanning #RetirementTaxes (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirementtaxes) #retirement (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirement)
8 Sept 2026
New Social Security Bill 2026 Eliminates Earnings Test: (The Risk)
Book a Call With Me: https://oncehub.com/GrantEllisMeetings30
A new proposal in Congress could change how Social Security works for millions of Americans who claim benefits early while continuing to work.
The proposal targets the Social Security earnings test—the rule that can cause benefits to be temporarily withheld when someone claims Social Security before full retirement age and continues earning above certain limits.
But there's a major distinction retirees need to understand: eliminating the earnings test would not eliminate the permanent reduction that comes with claiming Social Security early.
In this video, we break down how the Social Security earnings test works today, why it was originally created, what could change if the proposed legislation becomes law, and what would stay exactly the same.
We'll also explain why withheld benefits under the earnings test aren't necessarily permanently lost, how Social Security adjusts benefits after full retirement age, and why working while collecting Social Security can still have important tax consequences.
Most importantly, we'll separate two rules that are frequently confused: the earnings test and the early-claiming reduction. Understanding the difference could be critical when deciding whether to claim at 62, full retirement age, or wait until 70.
If you're approaching retirement and want help determining how Social Security fits into your retirement income and tax strategy, use the link in the description to get in touch.
Subscribe for more videos covering Social Security, retirement planning, taxes, and strategies designed to help you make more informed retirement decisions.
#SocialSecurity (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socialsecurity) #SocialSecurity2026 #RetirementPlanning #SocialSecurityBenefits #RetirementNews (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirementnews) #RetirementIncome #SocialSecurityChanges #RetirementTaxes (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirementtaxes) #FinancialPlanning #Retirement (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/retirement)
3 Sept 2026
Once You Understand This, You'll Stop Working Past 58
Book a Call With Me: https://oncehub.com/GrantEllisMeetings30
The IRS just made major updates for 2026, and if nobody walks you through what actually changed, you could hand over hundreds or even thousands of extra dollars without knowing why. These changes touch your Social Security, Roth conversions, investment income, Medicare premiums, and almost every part of your retirement income at once — and some of them look like a win on paper but can quietly cost you if you're not paying attention.
In this video, Grant Ellis, CEO of Ellis Retirement Advisors, breaks down exactly what's new for 2026, including:
✅ The updated standard deduction for single and married filers
✅ The expanded SALT cap — and the income thresholds where it starts phasing out
✅ The brand-new $6,000 senior deduction (and the phase-out trap that catches many retirees off guard)
✅ How tax brackets actually work (and why moving into a new bracket doesn't mean all your income gets taxed higher)
✅ 2026 capital gains brackets and how to stay in the 0% zone
✅ The Net Investment Income Tax threshold that's been frozen since 2013 ✅ Social Security taxation thresholds that haven't moved since the 1980s/90s
✅ IRMAA — the Medicare surcharge cliff, and why a decision today doesn't show up until two years from now
If you're retired or approaching retirement, understanding exactly where these new lines are drawn could save you from an expensive mistake — and help you use these same rules to your advantage.
#RetirementPlanning #TaxPlanning (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/taxplanning) #2026TaxBrackets (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/2026taxbrackets) #RothConversion (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/rothconversion) #SocialSecurity (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/socialsecurity) #Medicare (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/medicare) #IRMAA (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/irmaa) #CapitalGains (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/capitalgains) #FinancialPlanning #RetirementIncome
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