2026 Medicare IRMAA Brackets: What Triggers Higher Premiums and How to Avoid
Medicare IRMAA increases Part B and Part D premiums when your income exceeds specific thresholds based on your MAGI from two years prior. In 2026, managing income through strategies like Roth conversions, withdrawal timing, and tax planning can help reduce or avoid these surcharges. Even small income increases can trigger higher premiums, making proactive planning essential. Greenbush Financial Group helps retirees minimize IRMAA and control long-term healthcare costs.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
2026 Roth IRA Conversions Explained: Smart Timing and Costly Mistakes
Roth IRA conversions allow retirees to move pre-tax assets into tax-free accounts by paying taxes now, but timing is critical. The most effective strategies involve spreading conversions over multiple years, managing tax brackets, and coordinating with Social Security and IRMAA thresholds. Poorly timed conversions can increase taxes and Medicare costs. Greenbush Financial Group helps retirees use Roth conversions to reduce lifetime taxes and improve income flexibility.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
2026 Bear Market Retirement Planning: How to Avoid Running Out of Money
Retiring in a down market increases sequence of returns risk, which can reduce how long your savings last. The most effective strategies include maintaining a cash reserve, using a bucket income approach, reducing withdrawals, and delaying Social Security. Tax planning and portfolio rebalancing can also improve long-term outcomes. Greenbush Financial Group emphasizes flexibility and disciplined decision-making to help retirees protect income during market volatility.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
Claiming Social Security Early or Late: Which Age Is Right for You?
Deciding when to claim Social Security can impact your lifetime income. Learn how ages 62, 67, and 70 affect benefits and how to maximize retirement income with strategic timing.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
2026 Tax-Efficient Retirement Withdrawals: How to Keep More of Your Money
A tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategy focuses on minimizing taxes while creating consistent income throughout retirement. The order in which you withdraw from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts can significantly impact how long your money lasts. At Greenbush Financial Group, our analysis shows that strategic withdrawals can reduce lifetime taxes and increase net retirement income.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
Is $1 Million Enough to Retire? A Practical Income and Longevity Analysis
Pre-retirees can take actionable steps now to strengthen their financial future. Learn essential retirement planning strategies and avoid costly mistakes.
Rob Mangold
Many people know they should have life insurance, but few know how much is enough. The right coverage amount depends on your income, debt, family size, and long-term goals. Whether you’re buying a policy for the first time or re-evaluating an old one, having the right number matters.
In our latest article, we break down how to calculate the present value of your pension—a powerful way to compare your pension to your other retirement assets and make better long-term decisions.
Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or already collecting, this article will help you see your pension in a new light.
Many individuals that have long-term care insurance policies are beginning to receive letters in the mail notifying them that that their insurance premiums are going up by 50%, 70%, or more in some cases. This is after many of the same policyholders have experienced similar size premium increases just a few years ago. In this article I’m going to explain……
How much will the cost of your car insurance increase once you add a teenager to your policy. Here are a few strategies for reducing the cost……
When we are assisting clients in building their personal financial plan, inevitably one of the most frequent questions that comes up is: “How much life insurance should I have?”
How Pension Income and Retirement Account Withdrawals Can Impact Unemployment Benefits As the economy continues to slow, unemployment claims continue to rise at historic rates.
Do you even need life insurance? If you have dependants to protect and you do not have enough savings, you will most likely need life insurance. But the question is how much should I have? Well, your home will be one of your biggest assets, and in some cases the money that it makes from its sale when you have passed away is a significant inheritance
5 Questions Every Business Owner Should Answer Before Starting a Business
Starting a business requires more than excitement and a great concept. This article covers five essential questions every business owner should answer before launching, including business planning, client acquisition, startup costs, break-even timelines, and knowing when to walk away. By addressing these issues early, business owners can make smarter financial decisions and reduce the risk of costly mistakes. This is a practical guide for entrepreneurs who want to start a business with a clear plan and realistic expectations.
When you sell a stock, mutual fund, investment property, or a business, if you have made money on that investment, the IRS is kindly waiting for a piece of that gain in the form of capital gains tax. Capital gains are taxed differently than the ordinary income that you received via your paycheck or pass-through income from your business. Unlike ordinary
One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business is finding the capital that is needed to support your expenses as you begin to build up a revenue stream since it’s not always easy to ask friends and family for money to invest in a startup business. Luckily, for new entrepreneurs, there are some little-known ways on how you can use
Parents always want their children to succeed financially so they do everything they can to set them up for a good future. One of the options for parents is to set up a Roth IRA and we have a lot of parents that ask us if they are allowed to establish one on behalf of their son or daughter. You can, as long as they have earned income. This can be a
If you were planning on moving this year to take a new position with a new company or even a new position within your current employer, the moving process just got a little more expensive. Not only is it expensive, but it can put you under an intense amount of stress as there will be lots of things that you need to have in place before packing up and
There is a little known change that was included in tax reform that will potentially have a big impact on business owners. The new tax laws that went into effect on January 1, 2018 placed stricter limits on the ability to deduct expenses associated with entertainment and business meals. Many of the entertainment expenses that businesses
Now that small business owners have the 20% deduction available for their pass-through income in 2018, as a business owner, you will need to begin to position your business to take full advantage of the new tax deduction. However, the Qualified Business Income ("QBI") deduction has taxable income thresholds. Once the owner's personal taxable
Tax reform will change the way rental income is taxed to landlords beginning in 2018. Under current law, rental income is classified as "passive income" and that income simply passes through to the owner's personal tax return and they pay ordinary income tax on it. Beginning in 2018, rental income will be eligible to receive the same preferential tax
While one of the most significant changes incorporated in the new legislation was reducing the corporate tax rate from the current 35% rate to a 21% rate in 2018, the tax bill also contains a big tax break for small business owners. Unlike large corporations that are taxed at a flat rate, most small businesses, are "pass-through" entities, meaning that the
The conference version of the tax bill was released on Friday. The House and the Senate will be voting to approve the updated tax bill this week with what seems to be wide spread support from the Republican party which is all they need to sign the bill into law before Christmas. Most of the changes will not take effect until 2018 with new tax rates for
Buying a company is an exciting experience. However, many companies during a merger or acquisition fail to address the issues surrounding the seller’s retirement plan which can come back to haunt the buyer in a big way. I completely understand why this happens. Purchase price, valuations, tax issues, terms, holdbacks, and new employment
When you turn 70 1/2, you will have the option to process Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) which are distirbution from your pre-tax IRA directly to a chiartable organizaiton. Even though the SECURE Act in 2019 changed the RMD start age from 70 1/2 to age 72, your are still eligible to make these QCDs beginning the calendar year that you
The Republicans are in a tough situation. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on them to get tax reform done by the end of the year. This type of pressure can have ugly side effects. It’s similar to the Hail Mary play at the end of a football game. Everyone, including the quarterback, has their eyes fixed on the end zone but nobody realizes that no
A Single(k) plan is an employer sponsored retirement plan for owner only entities, meaning you have no full-time employees. These owner only entities get the benefits of having a full fledge 401(k) plan without the large administrative costs associated with traditional 401(k) plans.
It’s here. On June 9, 2017, the long awaited Fiduciary Rule for 401(k) plans will arrive. What secrets does your 401(k) advisor have?
This question comes up a lot when a parent makes a cash gift to a child or when a grandparent gifts to a grandchild. When you make a cash gift to someone else, who pays the tax on that gift? The short answer is “typically no one does”. Each individual has a federal “lifetime gift tax exclusion” of $5,400,000 which means that I would have to give
Many of our clients own individual stocks that they either bought a long time ago or inherited from a family member. If they do not need to liquidate the stock in retirement to supplement their income, the question comes up “should I just gift the stock to my kids while I’m still alive or should I just let them inherit it after I pass away?” The right answer is
In the world of executive compensation, there are a number of ways that a company can reward key employees. Although most companies are familiar with traditional deferred compensation plans, one of the lesser known options which is growing in popularity is called a “phantom stock plan”. Especially in small to mid-size companies.
As an owner of a small business myself, I’ve had a front row seat to the painful rise of health insurance premiums for our employees over the past decade. Like most of our clients, we evaluate our plan once a year and determine whether or not we should make a change. Everyone knows the game. After running on this hamster wheel for the
When you think of Research and Development (R&D) many people envision a chemistry lab or a high tech robotics company. It’s because of this thinking that millions of dollars of available tax credits for R&D go unused every year. R&D exists in virtually every industry and business owners need to start thinking about R&D in a different light because
As financial planners we are seeing more and more individuals, especially in the software development and technology space, hired by companies as “1099 employees”. “1099 employees” is an ironic statement because if a company is paying you via a 1099 technically you are not an “employee” you are a self-employed sub-contractor. It’s like having
Spousal IRA’s are one of the top tax tricks used by financial planners to help married couples reduce their tax bill. Here is how it works:
How Does Depreciation Work for Rental Properties?
Rental property depreciation allows investors to reduce taxable income by spreading the cost of a property over 27.5 years. This article explains how depreciation works, how it offsets rental income, and how improvements are treated. It also covers what happens when a property is fully depreciated and how depreciation recapture impacts taxes when selling. Understanding these rules can help investors maximize tax efficiency and avoid costly surprises.
When you sell a stock, mutual fund, investment property, or a business, if you have made money on that investment, the IRS is kindly waiting for a piece of that gain in the form of capital gains tax. Capital gains are taxed differently than the ordinary income that you received via your paycheck or pass-through income from your business. Unlike ordinary
One of the most challenging aspects of starting a new business is finding the capital that is needed to support your expenses as you begin to build up a revenue stream since it’s not always easy to ask friends and family for money to invest in a startup business. Luckily, for new entrepreneurs, there are some little-known ways on how you can use
Parents always want their children to succeed financially so they do everything they can to set them up for a good future. One of the options for parents is to set up a Roth IRA and we have a lot of parents that ask us if they are allowed to establish one on behalf of their son or daughter. You can, as long as they have earned income. This can be a
If you were planning on moving this year to take a new position with a new company or even a new position within your current employer, the moving process just got a little more expensive. Not only is it expensive, but it can put you under an intense amount of stress as there will be lots of things that you need to have in place before packing up and
There is a little known change that was included in tax reform that will potentially have a big impact on business owners. The new tax laws that went into effect on January 1, 2018 placed stricter limits on the ability to deduct expenses associated with entertainment and business meals. Many of the entertainment expenses that businesses
Now that small business owners have the 20% deduction available for their pass-through income in 2018, as a business owner, you will need to begin to position your business to take full advantage of the new tax deduction. However, the Qualified Business Income ("QBI") deduction has taxable income thresholds. Once the owner's personal taxable
Tax reform will change the way rental income is taxed to landlords beginning in 2018. Under current law, rental income is classified as "passive income" and that income simply passes through to the owner's personal tax return and they pay ordinary income tax on it. Beginning in 2018, rental income will be eligible to receive the same preferential tax
While one of the most significant changes incorporated in the new legislation was reducing the corporate tax rate from the current 35% rate to a 21% rate in 2018, the tax bill also contains a big tax break for small business owners. Unlike large corporations that are taxed at a flat rate, most small businesses, are "pass-through" entities, meaning that the
The conference version of the tax bill was released on Friday. The House and the Senate will be voting to approve the updated tax bill this week with what seems to be wide spread support from the Republican party which is all they need to sign the bill into law before Christmas. Most of the changes will not take effect until 2018 with new tax rates for
Buying a company is an exciting experience. However, many companies during a merger or acquisition fail to address the issues surrounding the seller’s retirement plan which can come back to haunt the buyer in a big way. I completely understand why this happens. Purchase price, valuations, tax issues, terms, holdbacks, and new employment
When you turn 70 1/2, you will have the option to process Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) which are distirbution from your pre-tax IRA directly to a chiartable organizaiton. Even though the SECURE Act in 2019 changed the RMD start age from 70 1/2 to age 72, your are still eligible to make these QCDs beginning the calendar year that you
The Republicans are in a tough situation. There is a tremendous amount of pressure on them to get tax reform done by the end of the year. This type of pressure can have ugly side effects. It’s similar to the Hail Mary play at the end of a football game. Everyone, including the quarterback, has their eyes fixed on the end zone but nobody realizes that no
A Single(k) plan is an employer sponsored retirement plan for owner only entities, meaning you have no full-time employees. These owner only entities get the benefits of having a full fledge 401(k) plan without the large administrative costs associated with traditional 401(k) plans.
It’s here. On June 9, 2017, the long awaited Fiduciary Rule for 401(k) plans will arrive. What secrets does your 401(k) advisor have?
This question comes up a lot when a parent makes a cash gift to a child or when a grandparent gifts to a grandchild. When you make a cash gift to someone else, who pays the tax on that gift? The short answer is “typically no one does”. Each individual has a federal “lifetime gift tax exclusion” of $5,400,000 which means that I would have to give
Many of our clients own individual stocks that they either bought a long time ago or inherited from a family member. If they do not need to liquidate the stock in retirement to supplement their income, the question comes up “should I just gift the stock to my kids while I’m still alive or should I just let them inherit it after I pass away?” The right answer is
In the world of executive compensation, there are a number of ways that a company can reward key employees. Although most companies are familiar with traditional deferred compensation plans, one of the lesser known options which is growing in popularity is called a “phantom stock plan”. Especially in small to mid-size companies.
As an owner of a small business myself, I’ve had a front row seat to the painful rise of health insurance premiums for our employees over the past decade. Like most of our clients, we evaluate our plan once a year and determine whether or not we should make a change. Everyone knows the game. After running on this hamster wheel for the
When you think of Research and Development (R&D) many people envision a chemistry lab or a high tech robotics company. It’s because of this thinking that millions of dollars of available tax credits for R&D go unused every year. R&D exists in virtually every industry and business owners need to start thinking about R&D in a different light because
As financial planners we are seeing more and more individuals, especially in the software development and technology space, hired by companies as “1099 employees”. “1099 employees” is an ironic statement because if a company is paying you via a 1099 technically you are not an “employee” you are a self-employed sub-contractor. It’s like having
Spousal IRA’s are one of the top tax tricks used by financial planners to help married couples reduce their tax bill. Here is how it works: