Swad Wealth Management

02/12/2026

Health Insurance (ACA) Premium Shock Coming in 2026...

I was recently quoted in ThinkAdvisor on an issue that could dramatically increase the cost of health insurance for many Americans retiring before age 65.

The enhanced ACA premium tax credits expired at the end of 2025. This means many households could see health insurance premiums more than double in 2026. For some retirees, the difference between being just under or just over the income threshold could mean $10,000+ per year in extra costs!

This isn’t about politics — it’s about planning.

What matters most:
• Understanding the 2026 ACA “income cliff”
• Carefully managing taxable income (MAGI), not just investment returns
• Being intentional about where retirement income comes from
• Avoiding accidental income spikes from things like RMDs, capital gains, or Roth conversions

Health insurance is one of the largest and most underestimated expenses for early retirees. Waiting until open enrollment is often too late.

If you’re planning to retire before Medicare this is worth a proactive conversation.

Happy to share the article or talk through how this applies to your situation.

08/14/2025

Tom and Linda had been talking about their dream trip to Italy for years.

Wine country.
Cooking classes in Tuscany.
Two weeks of pure joy.

But every time it came up, they said…
“Let’s wait until we’ve built the savings back up a little more.”

Then it was…
“Let’s wait until we’re both fully retired.”

Then…
“Let’s wait until Medicare kicks in.”

And then one day, Linda’s health changed.
Not a crisis but enough to make the trip far less enjoyable.

That trip never happened.

Here’s the thing: they had the money.
They just wanted to feel a little more certain.

But certainty never comes.
And waiting cost them an experience they can never get back.

If you’ve been putting off the things you’ve always said you’ll do “someday,” maybe it’s time to get clarity on how much you can spend now without risking your future.

So you can enjoy your healthiest years… without second-guessing.

08/07/2025

You’ve probably seen the headlines: “Retire Early. Live Off Dividends Forever.”

But is that actually realistic? I recently shared my thoughts with U.S. News & World Report on the risks and realities of this strategy.

👉 Yes, living off dividends can work — if you have a large enough portfolio and a modest lifestyle.
👉 But chasing high dividend yields? That can backfire — with potentially lower returns, more volatility, and concentrated risk.
👉 And dividends are never guaranteed… they can be cut in a downturn.

I often see retirees who want more flexibility — to travel, support family, and enjoy life — which means building a plan that’s sustainable, not restrictive.

If you're thinking about how to generate reliable income in retirement, this article is worth a read 👇
🔗 https://buff.ly/iHeefEE

07/31/2025

Should you consider an annuity in retirement?

I recently spoke with Investopedia for their ultimate guide to buying annuities—and shared why some retirees find comfort in guaranteed income, especially when Social Security or pensions don’t cover all the essentials.

But annuities can be confusing, expensive, and often oversold.

👉 Not all annuities are created equal.
👉 And not everyone should own one.

Check out the full article here: https://buff.ly/7fpEI5e

Or message me if you want a second opinion before buying one.

Thinking about buying an annuity for retirement? Learn how with this complete guide covering types, benefits, risks, and smart buying steps.

07/24/2025

If you got to play policymaker for the day, how would YOU fix the broken Social Security system?

So as a financial advisor who works with people in or near retirement, I’m constantly having conversations about Social Security and one of the biggest concerns I hear is:

"What happens if it runs out of money?"

I found this really cool tool from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) that lets you play the policymaker. You can try different strategies like raising the retirement age, adjusting taxes, or changing benefits, and see how each move impacts the long-term shortfall.

What’s surprising is… we’re not actually that far away from fixing it, despite what the headlines make it sound like.

I made this 3-minute video going over it: https://buff.ly/TS9xwAi

You can check out the tool yourself here: https://buff.ly/2thhk2f

Let me know in the comments: How would you fix Social Security if it were up to you?

07/10/2025

At a certain point, it no longer makes sense to keep doing $20/hour tasks…
especially if you're earning substantially more.

But many of us were raised to believe:
“If I can do it myself, I should do it myself.”

Here’s the truth:

✅ You’re not being lazy
✅ You’re not being wasteful
✅ You’re not being irresponsible

You’re creating space — for the life you actually want to live.
And giving someone else the chance to earn a living doing honest work.

Think about these time trades:

🧹 House cleaner: $120 every 2 weeks → saves 3–4 hours
🧺 Laundry service: $40/week → saves 2–3 hours
🌿 Gardener: $50/week → saves 2 hours
🛒 Instacart delivery: $15/order → saves 1.5–2 hours
📅 Virtual assistant: $30/hour → frees up admin hours

It’s not just about the time you get back.
It’s about what those hours unlock.

💭 Finally get 30 minutes to work out each day
💤 Sleep that extra hour you’ve been missing
🧠 Think strategically about your business
🎸 Learn something new
❤️ Give back to your community
🚀 Start that side project you’ve been putting off

This isn’t about luxury. It’s about leverage.

What would you do with 5–10 more hours a week?

👇 I’d love to hear it in the comments.

07/03/2025

What would your 90-year-old self tell you today?

Maybe it's:
“Take the trip.”
“Spend more time with family.”
“Stop waiting.”

Most people don’t regret the things they did.
They regret the time they didn’t spend, the dreams they didn’t chase, and the chances they were too afraid to take.

If you've saved all your life and have built up a nice nest egg, this might be your perfect window to do the things you’ve always said you’d do “someday.”

But remember—health and energy don’t wait.

❓ Imagine you're 90, looking back on your life...

What would you tell yourself right now?

That whisper from your future self might be worth listening to.

06/26/2025

It’s the #1 retirement fear: “What if I run out of money?”
And it’s a valid concern—especially without the right planning.

I was recently quoted in a GOBankingRates article on two key strategies that research shows can help reduce that risk:

✅ Contribute consistently to a retirement account for 20+ years
✅ Delay retirement to age 70 to maximize Social Security and growth (in many cases but not all)

But there’s more to it than that…

I share why these strategies only work if they’re done right — from how much you save, to how you invest, to how you plan for rising healthcare costs and inflation.

Read the full article here: https://buff.ly/ilYR7wA

And if you’re not sure if you’re on track, send me a message — I’m here to help.

Most Americans fear running out of money, but it can be avoided.

06/19/2025

🚨 Life doesn’t follow a spreadsheet.

That’s why I was honored to be quoted in a recent AARP article about how unexpected events — like job loss, divorce, health issues, or even adult children moving back home — can seriously derail a retirement plan.

In the piece, I shared tools and strategies to help people stay on track, even when life gets messy. One of my tips? If budgeting feels overwhelming after a layoff, apps like YNAB or Rocket Money can help take back control.

The big takeaway: Retirement success isn’t just about markets — it’s about preparing for the messy parts of life.

Read the full article here 👉

Don’t panic — there are steps you can take to overcome these hurdles

06/13/2025

Roth conversions can be a brilliant way to lower your future tax bill… or a costly misstep.

Here’s when they usually make the most sense:
✅ You expect to be in the same or higher tax bracket later in retirement
✅ You can pay the taxes using non-retirement funds (with exceptions)
✅ You’re giving the Roth years to grow tax-free

Here’s when they may backfire:
⚠️ You accidentally push yourself into a higher tax bracket than what you expect to be in when you need the money
⚠️ You lose valuable tax credits or unknowingly bump up your healthcare premiums
⚠️ You don’t have cash set aside to pay the conversion taxes

Want to know if a Roth conversion is a smart move for you? Start by comparing your current and future tax picture. Or reach out—I help clients weigh these decisions every day.



This post is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized financial advice. Every individual’s situation is unique, and Roth conversions—like all tax strategies—come with important exceptions and potential consequences. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor or tax professional before making decisions based on this information.

05/30/2025

Is Social Security really going to run out of money?

That’s one of the biggest myths I hear and it's simply not true.

If Congress does nothing, the trust fund may run out around 2034, but the system is still projected to pay ~80% of scheduled benefits from incoming payroll taxes.

That’s a cut, yes—but not a collapse.

More likely? Congress acts before that happens. Just like they’ve done in the past.

🔧 Fixes could include:
– Raising or removing the wage cap
– Gradually increasing the full retirement age
– Increasing payroll tax
– Tweaks to cost-of-living formulas

In the end, people already retired or close to it probably won’t see big changes.

05/20/2025

Saving is a skill. Spending in retirement is an entirely different one.

For decades, many of us focus on climbing the mountain—working hard, saving diligently, growing our nest egg. It becomes second nature.

But what happens when we finally reach the summit?

The descent—spending, giving, enjoying—requires a whole different set of muscles. And, truthfully, that part can feel harder. Letting go of the saver’s mindset, even when you’re financially secure, doesn’t come easy. Fear of running out. Guilt about spending. Pressure to “be responsible.” It’s all real.

The thing is… not spending with intention has its own cost.

I’ve seen people postpone joy, delay giving, and struggle to enjoy the life they worked so hard for—all because they hadn’t yet learned how to shift gears.

But I’ve also seen what happens when people get clarity on what truly matters to them. When they align their money with their values. When they start taking small, meaningful steps toward living more fully.

And it’s not always about spending on yourself. Sometimes it’s giving to others. Helping family. Supporting causes. Creating memories.

Everyone’s summit looks different. The key is getting clear on what matters most—then having the courage to live it.

🧭 What does your “descent” look like?