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Ready to squeeze every dollar from Social Security? This episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan? is a must-listen for late-career professionals who 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 protect the surviving spouse’s check.

Chapters Roadmap:
• Why Social Security timing matters for dual-income couples
• Strategy 1: Delaying benefits for a 26% boost and stronger survivor income
• Strategy 2: Coordinating spousal benefits for an instant household “pay raise”
• Strategy 3: Filling the “Tax & IRMAA Gap” with Roth conversions and 0%-rate capital gains
• Strategy 4: Smart moves for widows and widowers to lock in the larger check
• Case study of a Pacific Northwest couple who gained $200k by delaying and converting
• Action steps to claim your SSA.gov account, mark key ages, and run a claiming calculator

If you’re 55-65 and searching “when should I take Social Security,” “maximize spousal benefits,” or “IRMAA avoidance strategy,” hit play now. Then subscribe and ring the bell so you never miss fresh insights on retirement income, tax efficiency, investment strategy, and legacy planning.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan, and remember: it's not about having the smartest financial advisor, the most money saved, or the highest probability of retirement success. The perfect retirement plan, for you – is the one you act on.

Phillip Smith, CRPC AIF | Financial Planner
Tidepool Wealth Strategies
450 Country Club Road, Suite 350 | Eugene, OR | 97401

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Additional Disclosures:
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 Advisor Networks 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.

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 late-career professionals love the do-it-yourself approach, then expose hidden costs: tax drag, behavioral mistakes, sequence-of-returns risk, and decision fatigue backed by Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha, DALBAR, and Russell Investments data. Discover where a fiduciary advisor creates real-world value: integrated tax planning, Social Security timing, Roth conversion strategy, Medicare IRMAA avoidance, and “money bouncer” behavioral coaching.

You’ll learn about the “time dividend” of outsourcing, a five-point self-assessment to decide if DIY still makes sense, and practical action steps to map your financial ecosystem this month. Perfect for high-income Gen X and Baby Boomers searching “do I need a financial advisor,” “DIY retirement planning,” or “advisor fee vs value.”

Hit play, subscribe, and ring the bell to get future episodes on retirement income, tax efficiency, investment strategy, and estate planning. Share with anyone wrestling with the advisor question, and always feel free to connect with Phillip at phillip.smith@ceterawealth.com.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of The Perfect Retirement Plan, and remember: it's not about having the smartest financial advisor, the most money saved, or the highest probability of retirement success. The perfect retirement plan, for you – is the one you act on.

Phillip Smith, CRPC AIF | Financial Planner
Tidepool Wealth Strategies
450 Country Club Road, Suite 350 | Eugene, OR | 97401

____________________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Disclosures:
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 Advisor Networks 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.