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Good morning, Simply Retirement Community!
Welcome to the weekly newsletter that reminds us that retirement is not the end of the road; it is the start of a new journey.
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Throughout our lives, our story keeps evolving.
For years, I’ve often said, “I would not be the man I am today without the women in my life.”
Today, I am truly blessed that my story has evolved to include five generations of women still in my life. From my grandmother, turning 91 in just a few weeks… to my granddaughter, who recently turned 2.
While guesting on a podcast interview this week, I had the chance to share that part of my story once again. But at the conclusion of the interview, I was asked a question that made me pause:
“Years from now, what do you want to tell your granddaughter about where confidence comes from?”
My mind didn’t go to accomplishments.
Or success.
Or recognition.
It went somewhere much simpler.
I hope she learns confidence comes from within.
Not from always getting it right.
Not from approval.
But from the quiet belief that she is enough — even when things feel uncertain.
One of her favorite things right now is picking tiny yellow flowers.
Not just one… every single one she can find.
Slowly. Carefully. Completely absorbed.
No audience. No reward. Just curiosity and joy.
Maybe confidence starts there.
And maybe retirement — or any new chapter — asks us to rediscover that same kind of confidence again.
If a younger version of you — or the next generation — asked you where confidence comes from, what would you want them to understand?
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One More Week to Go!
Big changes to Social Security and Medicare happen each year—and 2026 is no exception. Join us for a free, 30-minute webinar where we’ll walk through what’s new with Social Security in 2026, including COLA updates, taxes on benefits, Medicare premiums, and key claiming considerations. I’ll also stay on for live Q&A following the presentation.
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💬 From Episode 92
“Required Minimum Distributions can quietly raise your taxes, increase your Medicare premiums, and you won’t see it coming unless you plan ahead.”
ERIC BLAKE
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Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) Explained: Risks, Timing, and Tax Planning Strategies
RMDs are one of those retirement rules that feel simple on the surface, until the tax consequences show up years later.
In this episode, I walk through what required minimum distributions are, when they start, and why missing or mismanaging them can quietly raise taxes, Medicare costs, and long-term financial stress. I explain how planning early creates flexibility, especially for women navigating retirement transitions, widowhood, or income changes. We also cover practical strategies that can help reduce the tax impact without turning retirement upside down.
Key Takeaways:
- How required minimum distributions work and when they begin under current law
- The penalties and long-term damage caused by missed or unplanned RMDs
- How RMDs can increase taxes on Social Security and Medicare premiums
- Using qualified charitable distributions to reduce taxable income
- Timing strategies like Roth conversions and filling lower tax brackets
- And more!
You can catch every episode of The Simply Retirement Podcast on the website - or on your favorite podcast app.
Click to tune in 👇
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Related Links & Resources
- 👉 Work with us!
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📄 Read
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Related Episodes
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👩👩👧👦 Connect & Participate
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The Retirement Toolbox
👉 What Issues Should I Consider When Reviewing My RMD?
RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) often feel like an inconvenience. The timing, amount, and tax consequences associated with RMDs might run the risk of throwing a wrench in your financial plans, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
With this checklist, you will better understand the options available to you when managing your RMDs in light of your financial situation.
This checklist covers important factors a client needs to know when reviewing their RMDs, such as:
- Having a clearer understanding about how you to take your RMDs (e.g., timing, amount, where it is being sent, etc.).
- Being more deliberate about how you use RMDs that are in excess of what you need for living expenses (e.g., reinvest, bolster emergency fund, etc.).
- Coordinating your RMDs with other investment, charitable, and/or tax planning goals.
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Have more questions about retirement planning? Just hit reply to this email. I read and respond to every message. 😃
Keeping Retirement Simple,
Eric Blake, CFP®
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Content here is for illustrative purposes and general information only. It is not legal, tax, or individualized financial advice; nor is it a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any specific security, or engage in any specific trading strategy.
All investing involves risk including loss of principal. Results will vary. Past performance is no indication of future results or success. Market conditions change continuously.
Information here is provided, in part, by third-party sources. These sources are generally deemed to be reliable; however, neither Blake Wealth Management nor RFG Advisory guarantee the accuracy of third-party sources. The views expressed here are those of Blake Wealth Management. They do not necessarily represent those of RFG Advisory, their employees, or their clients.
This commentary should not be regarded as a description of advisory services provided by Blake Wealth Management or RFG Advisory, or performance returns of any client. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice.
Advisory services offered by Investment Advisory Representatives of RFG Advisory, LLC ("RFG Advisory" or "RFG") a registered investment advisor. Blake Wealth Management and RFG Advisory are unaffiliated entities. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RFG Advisory and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advisory services may be rendered by RFG Advisory unless a client agreement is in place.
RFG Advisory is an SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of RFG by the Commission, nor does it indicate that RFG or any associated investment advisory representative has attained a particular level of skill or ability.
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