Knowledge Base
Retirement & Tax Planning Questions, Answered.
Expert answers from Raman Singh, CFP® and Enrolled Agent, on retirement income, tax strategy, estate planning, and Arizona-specific planning decisions.
Safe Withdrawal Rate in Retirement
People love a rule.
Should You Take a Lump Sum or Pension?
For employees nearing retirement, few decisions carry as much weight—or as much permanence—as choosing between a lump sum and a pension.
What Is IRMAA? How Medicare Premium Surcharges Work in Retirement
IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.
When Should I Do Roth Conversions? A Timing Guide for Pre-Retirees
The optimal time for Roth conversions is the window between retirement and age 73 — when your earned income has stopped or dropped significantly, Social Security may still be deferred, and Required Minimum Distributions haven't started yet.
What Are Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)?
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals that the IRS requires you to take from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and other tax-deferred retirement accounts beginning at age 73.
How Do You Know If You Have Enough to Retire?
Most people ask this question as if the answer is a number.
What Is Sequence of Returns Risk in Retirement?
Sequence of returns risk is the danger of experiencing significant portfolio losses in the early years of retirement — precisely when you are withdrawing income from your portfolio.
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement?
For many households approaching retirement, the question surfaces at some point: is it smarter to enter retirement debt-free, or to keep a low-rate mortgage and invest the difference?
How Much Cash Should You Keep in Retirement?
For many retirees, cash feels like safety.
What Is Tax Alpha in Retirement Planning?
Tax alpha is the measurable after-tax return advantage created by deliberate tax planning decisions — specifically, how and when money moves into, through, and out of your accounts.
What’s the Biggest Tax Mistake Retirees Make?
The biggest tax mistake retirees make is passivity: treating taxes as a year-end filing event instead of a coordinated, multi-year income strategy.
Flat-Fee vs 1% AUM Financial Advisor: What's the Difference and Which Is Better?
A flat-fee financial advisor charges a fixed annual fee — typically $5,000-$15,000 — regardless of how much money you have.
Is a Financial Advisor Worth It If You Have $2 Million or More?
For investors with $2 million or more, the value of an advisor is less about investment selection and more about decision quality, taxes, and withdrawal strategy.
What Is an Enrolled Agent (EA) and How Is It Different From a CPA?
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally licensed tax professional authorized by the U.S.
When Should I Claim Social Security? Timing, Trade-offs, and Strategy
Social Security retirement benefits can be claimed as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.
What Is the Roth Conversion Window?
The Roth conversion window is the period between retirement and age 73 when your taxable income is typically at its lowest — earned income has stopped, Social Security may still be deferred, and Required Minimum Distributions haven't started yet.
How Are Roth IRA Withdrawals Taxed in Arizona?
Arizona does not tax Roth IRA withdrawals.
What Is Arizona State Income Tax on Retirement Income?
Arizona taxes retirement income at a flat 2.5% rate — one of the lowest state income tax rates in the nation.
What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a direct transfer of funds from a traditional IRA to a qualified charity, available to IRA owners aged 70½ or older.
What Happens to My IRA When I Die? Inherited IRA Rules Explained
When you die, your IRA passes directly to the beneficiaries named on your account — bypassing probate entirely.
What Is the Surviving Spouse Tax Problem in Retirement?
The surviving spouse tax problem occurs when one spouse dies and the survivor transitions from married filing jointly to single filing status — often with the same or higher income but dramatically compressed tax brackets.
How Does Medicare Work in Retirement? A Plain-Language Guide
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for Americans 65 and older.
What Is Asset Location in Retirement?
Asset location is the strategy of deliberately placing different types of investments in different account types — taxable brokerage, tax-deferred IRA, or tax-free Roth — to minimize the annual tax drag on your portfolio.
How Do I Retire Early Before Age 65? Health Insurance Options Explained
Retiring before age 65 — when Medicare eligibility begins — requires a plan for health insurance coverage during the gap period.
What Is a Step-Up in Basis and How Does It Affect Inherited Assets?
A step-up in basis is a tax provision that resets the cost basis of an inherited asset to its fair market value on the date of the original owner's death.
How Should a Small Business Owner Save for Retirement?
Small business owners have access to retirement plans with significantly higher contribution limits than employees — often $60,000-$70,000 or more per year depending on the plan type and income level.
What Is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account held at a sponsoring organization — typically a community foundation or a financial institution's charitable arm — that allows you to make an irrevocable, tax-deductible contribution in one year and recommend grants to qualified charities over time.