The Perfect Retirement Plan?

The Perfect Retirement Plan?

The Perfect Retirement Plan? is a bi-weekly podcast for people close to retirement or recently retired who want clear, tax-smart guidance without jargon. Host Phillip Smith, CRPC®, AIF® – financial planner at Tidepool Wealth Strategies – mixes dad-level humor, real stories, and step-by-step advice to help you: Turn savings into a dependable retirement paycheck Cut lifetime taxes with smart timing and Roth strategies Protect family wealth from market shocks and life’s what-ifs Keep investments flexible as priorities evolve Each concise episode ends with an action you can take right away – because when you're about to retire, the perfect retirement plan for you is the one you act on. Learn more and connect Website: https://www.tidepoolwealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tidepoolwealth/ Email: phillip.smith@ceterawealth.com Subscribe now and start planning your next chapter with clarity and confidence – whether you’re just about to retire and researching retirement strategies, or recently retired and focused on retirement planning. ################################################################ //Disclosures:// This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used for any other purpose. The views depicted in this material should not be considered specific advice or recommendations for any individual, are not intended to be financial, tax, or legal advice and are not representative of Tidepool Wealth Strategies, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, or Cetera Investment Advisers, LLC. For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a financial, tax or legal advisor. Neither Cetera nor any of its representatives may give legal or tax advice. The opinions contained in this material are those of the author, and not a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell investment products. This information is from sources believed to be reliable, but Cetera Wealth Services, LLC cannot guarantee or represent that it is accurate or complete. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Our office address is 450 Country Club Road Suite 350 Eugene Oregon 97401. Securities are offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member of FINRA and the S I P C. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

Episodes

August 15, 2025 12 mins

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5 Mistakes to Avoid as You Get Close to Retirement – Clear, Tax-Smart Guidance for People Close to Retirement

Are you close to retirement – or recently retired – and wondering how to dodge the biggest (and priciest) errors people make in their final working years? In this episode, Phillip Smith, CRPC®, financial planner at Tidepool Wealth Strategies, breaks it down in plain English.

What you’ll learn

00:30 Intro – why th...

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If you're about to retire and researching retirement wirhdrawl strategies online, you'll see retirement calculators thay say you must replace 70%-80% of paycheck. 

That rule can torpedo real retirement confidence. 

In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Marine Corps veteran and financial planner Phillip Smith shows why your target isn’t a percentage. It’s 100% clarity that every bill and dream are fu...

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Trade-war headlines spiking your stress? Discover how tariff turmoil can shake markets, and how a solid retirement plan keeps you steady. In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies unpacks import taxes, retaliation risks, and the 2018 China tariff shock, then shows late-career professionals exactly how to protect (and even grow) their nest egg. You’ll learn why staying...

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Ready to squeeze every dollar from Social Security? This episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan? is a must-listen for career professionals getting close to retirement. Want bigger lifetime benefits and lower taxes? Phillip Smith, financial planner and Marine veteran, shows how the right filing sequence can add six figures to lifetime household income and help bolster the surviving spouse’s check.

Chapters Roadmap:
...

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Ready to crank your nest egg into overdrive? This episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan? arms late-career professionals with five quick moves to help pump thousands of extra dollars into retirement accounts before the paycheck stops.

Phillip Smith – financial planner and Marine veteran – reveals how to:

  • Max out 2025 401(k) and IRA catch-up contributions, including the new SECURE 2.0 super catch-up;'
  • Harvest low...
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Thinking about retiring DIY-style because “why pay 1% for something I’ve managed for decades?” In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan? podcast, Phillip Smith,  financial planner and Marine Corps veteran, asks the hard question: Do you really save money going solo, or does a skilled financial advisor quietly pay for themselves?

We dive into why career professionals love the do-it-yourself approach, then expose h...

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Are you getting the most out of your Health Savings Account (HSA)? In this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan?, titled “How Do I Maximize My HSA for Retirement?,” financial planner Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies walks late-career professionals (ages 55–65) through the powerful, often-overlooked features of the HSA, and how to use it as a tax-advantaged retirement tool. You’ll learn how to avoid common...

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Just inherited a traditional IRA and dreading the 10‑year payout rule? Episode 17 of The Perfect Retirement Plan? podcast shows you how to shrink that looming tax bill instead of sacrificing your windfall. 

Phillip Smith, Marine‑turned‑financial‑planner at Tidepool Wealth Strategies, unpacks the SECURE Act’s 10‑Year Rule, then introduces his IRA‑to‑401(k) Conduit strategy, a tax-efficient retirement planning strategy u...

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Are spiraling healthcare bills, a sudden market crash, or a nasty tax bite keeping you up at night? In Episode 16 of The Perfect Retirement Plan? podcast, Phillip Smith, CFP® (Oregon‑based wealth manager, Marine veteran, and host) dissects the five biggest retirement fears: outliving your savings, skyrocketing medical costs, portfolio‑crushing bear markets, loss of identity after work, and stealthy retirement taxes. P...

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Curious whether Medicare alone will cover all your healthcare expenses in retirement? In this episode, Phillip addresses the pressing questions late-career professionals (ages 55–65) have about Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. Uncover the biggest coverage gaps - like dental, vision, hearing, and out-of-country healthcare - and learn how Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policies can help shield you from crippling out-of-poc...

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Discover how to avoid one of retirement’s biggest threats: the dreaded “tax bomb.” Phillip unpacks the hidden triggers that can derail your financial future. Learn why Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), Social Security timing, Medicare IRMAA surcharges, “Widow Bomb” tax brackets, and delayed Roth conversions can all converge to raise your tax bill unexpectedly. Phillip also explains why a proactive strategy is vit...

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 Are you among the millions of Americans who’ve left an old 401(k) behind with a former employer? In this episode, Philip Smith, a financial planner at Tidepool Wealth Strategies in Oregon, explores the crucial steps late-career professionals (ages 55–65) should consider before ignoring a potentially major part of their retirement savings. Learn why these “forgotten” accounts can potentially sabotage your long-term go...

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Are you nearing retirement and wondering whether you’re truly ready to leave the workforce? In this episode titled “How Do I Know if I’m Ready to Retire? 5 Benchmarks You Shouldn’t Ignore,” Phillip offers professional guidance to help late-career professionals (ages 55-65) assess their retirement readiness. 

This essential episode covers five critical benchmarks, from savings milestones and budgeting considerations to ...

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Curious whether you should pull all your money out of the market during turbulent times? In this episode, financial planner Phillip Smith of Tidepool Wealth Strategies (Oregon) provides clarity for late-career professionals (ages 55–65) who may be feeling uneasy about market volatility. 

Discover why knee-jerk reactions, like selling off your stocks and going to cash, often do more harm than good, and how history shows...

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Wondering if you should retire early or keep working longer? In this episode of “The Perfect Retirement Plan?”, Phillip explores both options. Uncover hidden costs like health care gaps and potentially reduced Social Security benefits, and learn how working longer can boost financial security. Phillip also shares tips on maintaining purpose and community through passion projects, social connections, and meaningful pur...

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Join financial planner Phillip Smith in this episode of "The Perfect Retirement Plan?" as he dives into the crucial topic of retirement income sources. Whether you're a late-career professional nearing retirement or just planning ahead, this episode is packed with invaluable insights.

Discover various income streams that could support you in retirement, including Social Security, pensions, rental income,...

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In this episode, "What’s the Best Way to Create a Personalized Retirement Strategy?" we explore how to build a tailored retirement plan that aligns with your unique goals, lifestyle, and values. Tailoring your retirement strategy is crucial for late-career professionals who seek peace of mind regarding their financial future. 

A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn't work when it comes to re...

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Are you a late-career professional or pre-retiree wondering about the best withdrawal strategy for your retirement accounts? In “What’s the Best Strategy for Taking Money Out of My Retirement Accounts?,” we explore how to optimize your withdrawals across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts. The right approach can help you minimize taxes, prolong your nest egg, and protect your financial future. We’ll talk abo...

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Are you nearing retirement age and wondering how to adjust your investment portfolio for optimal security? In this video, we explore some essential considerations for balancing stocks, bonds, and cash reserves as you approach retirement. We’ll delve into the importance of aligning your portfolio with your evolving risk tolerance, analyzing how inflation, market volatility, and potential healthcare costs can impact you...

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#PreRetirees 

In this episode, “When Is the Best Time to Start Social Security,” we explore the optimal timing for claiming Social Security benefits, especially for late-career professionals nearing retirement age in Oregon. We’ll highlight how delaying your Social Security, when financial feasible, can potentially boost your monthly benefit and provide key strategies for maximizing your total retirement inco...

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