Retired-ish

Hosted by Cameron Valadez

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Retired·ish is the retirement podcast for those exploring retirement and those currently in retirement. The retirement ideas and strategies discussed are focused around preparing for one of life's biggest transitions, and how to preserve the wealth that you have worked so hard to achieve! This educational podcast was created to provide you with confidence in your retirement planning decisions. Your host, Cameron Valadez, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) and partner of financial planning firm for retirees, Planable Wealth. In each episode, Cameron shares actionable ideas and strategies to help you Simplify Investing, Reduce Taxes, & Grow Your Net Worth, so you can retire on your terms! Cameron will answer some of the top concerns of retirees including: How can I potentially pay less in taxes to the IRS? How can I better preserve my retirement nest egg and draw a sufficient income? How can I simplify my investments? How can I keep more wealth in the family? Cameron also takes a deep dive into more complex issues retirees face regarding retirement income, estate planning, Medicare, Social Security and more! Retirement doesn't have to be a means to an end. To be Retired-ish means to have the CONFIDENCE and FREEDOM to spend your time on what matters most, and retire on your terms! Cameron believes this can be achieved through well-designed financial planning that adapts to life's unknowns. Find more information about Cameron or ask a question you would like answered on the podcast by visiting retiredishpodcast.com Want even more detailed retirement planning insights? Join our monthly Retired·ish Newsletter!

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August 10, 2026Episode 9845 min

How to Mitigate Taxes & Diversify a Large Stock Position: Part 2

Five people. Five completely different net worths, ages, and family situations. And every single one of them is sitting on a stock position that's grown so large it's now the single biggest risk in their financial life. In Part 2 we're taking the strategies we learned about in Part 1 of this mini-series and we're running it through five real case studies with real numbers, so you can see exactly which strategies fit different situations, and more importantly, why the "obvious" answer is wrong more often than you'd think. More specifically, I discuss: 5 case studies for diversifying and managing taxation Selling stock, direct indexing and using charitable giving strategies Avoiding unnecessary taxation from mutual funds Diversifying after utilizing the Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategy for stock in 401(k) and ESOPs Managing continuing awards of Restricted Stock Units (RSU) Resources From The Episode: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Ask a Question Get Show Notes Here Key moments: (02:20) Case study 1: Combine selling, direct indexing, and charitable tools (11:40) Case study 2: Sequence charitable giving and direct indexing (16:16) Case study 3: Avoid unnecessary taxation from mutual fund distributions (24:24) Case study 4: Use NUA and patient diversification (33:28) Case study 5: Manage a moving target of employer equity (40:30) Match diversification to each person's timeline and goals (42:38) Prioritize diversification over avoiding taxes

July 27, 2026Episode 9737 min

How to Mitigate Taxes & Diversify a Large Stock Position: Part 1

You've watched one stock turn into more money than you ever expected. And now you can't bring yourself to sell it — because the second you do, the IRS gets a check with a lot of zeros on it and you come to the realization that you are not going to receive all of that money you've been looking at on paper all these years. But on the flip side you're also wondering how that money can change your life and all the things you can do for you and your family. In this episode, we're talking about what that fear of taxation can actually cost you, and some ideas to help you take risk off the table and mitigate the inevitable tax bill. More specifically, I discuss: Why a concentrated stock position carries more risk than you think Worry more about taxes from selling or a sell off in your biggest stock position? Strategies to defer taxes or diversify a concentrated stock position Direct indexing and exchange funds Opportunity zone funds Charitable giving strategies for large, embedded stock gains ⏱️ Chapters: (04:09) Why a concentrated position is sneakier than it looks (09:37) Which is the bigger threat: taxes or concentration risk? (11:41) Thought experiment: selling today vs. waiting and potentially losing value (14:46) The biggest misconception: taxes vs. concentration risk (17:35) Strategy 1. Just sell it (18:56) Strategy 2. Hold on to it until death and receive the step-up in basis (21:10) Strategy 3. Gifting to family (25:23) Strategy 4. Direct indexing (31:04) Strategy 5. Charitable giving Resources: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Get Show Notes Here

June 29, 2026Episode 9640 min

IRA and 401(k) Planning Opportunities During Volatile Markets

The market just dropped. Your IRA or 401(k) is down bad. And your gut is telling you to do something about it. The problem is, most of the things people instinctively want to do when the market tanks are exactly the wrong moves. But buried inside that volatility — if you know where to look — are some of the best retirement and tax planning opportunities that exist. Opportunities that only show up when things get really scary. In this episode, Cameron walks you through some of those opportunities and explains where people blow it so you don't make the same mistakes. More specifically, I discuss: What kind of market volatility constitutes executing a particular strategy? The ideal Roth conversion timing during market downturns What can you do about Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) if your IRA or 401(k) drops significantly? Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) "basis reset" for those with company stock inside their 401(k) plan 72(t) payment plans from your IRA and how to mitigate the damage during market downturns Resources From The Episode: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Get Show Notes Here Key moments: (03:21) Roth Conversions: The Silver Lining (14:14) Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) During Market Declines (18:39) Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) Strategy (22:39) NUA: Capitalizing on Downturns and Avoiding Pitfalls (26:23) 72(t) Payments: Early Withdrawal Strategies (32:28) Common Mistakes to Avoid

June 15, 2026Episode 9530 min

The Real Cost of Divorce After 50 (And How to Not Pay It)

Divorce is never easy. But divorce after 50? That's a completely different animal. We're talking about decades of accumulated assets, retirement accounts, Social Security decisions, healthcare coverage, and tax consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life — and one wrong move can cost you far more than just the marriage. In this episode, we're breaking down the real financial damage of what's called "Gray Divorce"; the mistakes I see people make in practice, and exactly what you need to do to protect yourself. More specifically, I discuss: Gray Divorce Study – What Divorcees are saying about retirement and finances post-divorce The difference between divorce after 50 versus divorce in your 30s and 40s The differing realities of men vs. women post-divorce Mistakes during and after the divorce process regarding retirement savings Social Security and healthcare decisions post-divorce Making key financial decisions under pressure and common regrets Key moments: (03:04) Uncertainty in Retirement Planning for Divorcees (06:38) Retirement Savings Mistakes (11:11) Financial Blind Spots and Costly Decisions in Divorce (14:27) Social Security Claiming Risks Post-Divorce (21:11) Health Insurance Decisions Post-Divorce (24:40) Seeking Professional Financial Guidance During & After Divorce Resources From The Episode: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Get Show Notes Here

June 1, 2026Episode 9440 min

Prices Keep Rising - Make Sure Your Money Rises With Them

You wake up everyday, check your bank account on your phone, and you see all your money sitting there, just as it was the day before. How do you feel? Pretty good, right? That number hasn't moved. It's exactly where you left it. Safe. Here's the problem: that money is slowly disappearing even though you can't tell by looking at your bank app. This is because every single day, the purchasing power of that money is quietly shrinking. The things you will actually buy one day with those dollars — groceries, gas, insurance, healthcare — are getting more expensive. But your balance stays the same, so it feels fine. However, it's not fine. That is inflation. And most people will go their entire lives without sitting down and doing the math on what it actually does to their money over 20 or 30 years and take it seriously because we're too busy watching Netflix and wasting time wondering how our neighbor could afford that nice new car. In this episode, we're explaining the two best — and in my opinion, the most effortless — ways to fight back against inflation to make sure that your money keeps up with rising prices, because let's be honest, they're never going to start trending backwards. More specifically, I discuss: Why is inflation for so important and how can it damage a retirees' financial life? What is the rate of inflation? Different types of inflation How does inflation affect retirement accounts? What about cash in the bank? Effortless inflation hedge #1: fixed-rate debt + home ownership Effortless inflation hedge #2: the primarily equity investment portfolio Resources From The Episode: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Get Show Notes Here Key moments: (03:26) Understanding Inflation's Impact (07:09) The Illusion of Cash Safety (09:42) Fixed-Rate Debt as an Inflation Hedge (14:48) Addressing Homeownership Objections (20:28) Equity Portfolio: The Best Hedge (23:08) The Power of Compounding Equities (25:16) Equity Liquidity and Flexibility (29:20) Long-Term Investing Discipline (33:37) Combining Strategies for Resilience (35:00) Final Takeaways

May 4, 2026Episode 9336 min

Encore - Retirement Income & Thoughts on Dividend Investing

My firm, Planable Wealth, is currently very busy in the midst of our Spring Strategy Meetings with clients where we help people just like you create and retool their financial and tax plans for 2026 and beyond. That said I wanted to bring you an encore episode this week, which I think, is one of the core episodes we've done so far Back in episode 70, I discussed the importance of retirement income and the realities of your cash flow in retirement. I also share my thoughts on dividend investing especially when trying to utilize dividends as an income stream in retirement. Income planning will make or break your retirement years - This is because your income in retirement will be what controls your lifestyle, not your net worth. When doing your pre-retirement planning - hopefully several years before your desired retirement - you'll want to match your lifestyle wants, needs, and goals with the income you are able to generate from your various financial assets and resources – but, depending on where you generate income from, you may run into certain hurdles along the way. In this episode we break down the important pillars of retirement income planning, matching your income sources to your retirement goals, and why a dividend income strategy may not be the best choice. Thanks for being a loyal listener and we'll be back with new episodes soon. More specifically, I discuss: Defining retirement income planning The 2 major pitfalls you need top watch out for when creating your retirement plan Investment returns or income? Potential cons of a "probability-based" retirement plan Wade Pfau's Four L's of Retirement Matching your various retirement income sources with your goals Potential issues when relying on only one income source such as real estate or dividends The importance of dividends A pure dividend spending strategy isn't a great retirement income strategy The Key Moments In This Episode Are: (02:43) The Error of Relying Solely on 1 Retirement Income Source (03:39) Challenges of Basic Income Planning (06:03) Retirement Income is More Important Than Investment Returns (09:15) The Four L's of Retirement Planning (11:57) Funding Your Desired Lifestyle (13:09) Rental Real Estate May Not Be The Most Efficient Retirement Income Plan (15:35) Planning for Legacy, or Not (16:46) The Importance of Liquidity in Retirement (18:42) The "Live Off Of Dividends" Strategy Debate (25:25) The Risks of High-Dividend Paying Stocks (30:36) Total Return Investing as an Alternative Resources: Retired-ish Newsletter Sign-Up Get Show Notes Here

April 20, 2026Episode 9254 min

How to Fight Back Against Your Medicare IRMAA Surcharge

You worked hard your whole career, you saved, you did everything right — and now you're on Medicare and you get a letter from Social Security telling you that you owe hundreds of dollars extra every single month in premiums just because you made too much money! No warning. No opt-out. Just, what looks like punishment for doing a good job and setting yourself up for retirement. That's IRMAA. And what most people don't know is that in certain situations, you can fight back — and win. Today we're breaking all of it down. The real numbers, the real rules, and exactly how to use the appeal process strategically if you qualify. More specifically, we discuss: What is Income Related Adjustment Amount (IRMAA)? How to calculate what your potential Medicare premium surcharges will be Common situations that cause Medicare enrollees to be subject to IRMAA surcharges When and how can you appeal IRMAA surcharges on your Medicare premiums? Practical tips when appealing IRMAA surcharges Strategies to avoid IRMAA surcharges Resources: Access Episode Show Notes and Sign Up for the Retired·ish Newsletter Ask Cameron A Question! Key moments: (02:56) IRMAA Medicare Premium Surcharges: How it Works (05:50) Calculating Your MAGI (Income) for IRMAA (09:27) IRMAA Brackets and Cliff System (17:37) Common IRMAA Medicare Premium Surcharge Triggers (23:07) Appealing IRMAA with Form SSA-44 (26:52) IRMAA Appeal Example Scenarios (31:37) Non-Qualifying Events for IRMAA Appeal (40:02) Practical Tips for Filing an IRMAA Appeal (41:00) Strategies to Avoid IRMAA (46:51) Listener Question: IRMAA appeal for deferred compensation

April 6, 202642 min

How Are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Treated in a Divorce?

Your spouse works at a major publicly traded company. You're going through a divorce. And somewhere in their compensation package are restricted stock units or RSUs — awards of shares of company stock that haven't even vested yet. Are you supposed to receive stock? Are the RSUs considered income? Are they both? How much are we actually talking about here? By the end of this episode, you're going to understand Restricted Stock Units (RSU) and how they are commonly handled in a divorce so you can be better prepared! More specifically, we discuss: What are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)? Dividing RSUs in a Divorce Characterizing RSUs as Income or Assets Determining RSU Community Property and Separate Property Commonly Used Formulas for Splitting RSUs in California Key moments: (00:00) Introduction (00:59) What are Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)? (04:37) RSUs vs. Stock Options (07:02) Understanding Vesting Schedules (09:14) Companies that Offer RSUs (11:45) Dividing RSUs in a Divorce (13:15) Characterizing RSUs as Income or Assets in Divorce (16:11) Unvested RSUs at Date of Separation (DoS) (17:36) Determining Community Property and Separate Property for RSUs (20:32) Commonly Utilized Formulas for RSUs in California Divorces (27:48) Practical Example: Jim and Rachel Johnson (33:52) Important Information to Gather Regarding RSUs In The Divorce Process Resources: Access Episode Show Notes and Sign Up for the Retired·ish Newsletter Ask Cameron A Question!

March 23, 2026Episode 9031 min

Invest All at Once Or Gradually Over Time?

You just came into a large sum of money. Could be an inheritance, a business sale, a 401(k) rollover. And now you're paralyzed trying to figure out when to invest it. Do you invest it all today? Spread it out over six months? A year? Wait for the markets to drop or the perfect opportunity to cruise by? In this episode, Cameron summarizes what the research actually says, and more importantly—when the math matters and when it doesn't. More specifically, we discuss: What is Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA)? The Problem With Dollar Cost Averaging Vanguard's Research on DCA vs. Lump Sum Investing What If You End Up Investing "At All Time Highs"? How To Decide Whether or Not To Invest The Lump Sum or DCA Over Time Resources: Access Episode Show Notes and Sign Up for the Retired·ish Newsletter Ask Cameron A Question! 2012 Vanguard: "Dollar-cost averaging just means taking risk later" https://static.twentyoverten.com/5980d16bbfb1c93238ad9c24/rJpQmY8o7/Dollar-Cost-Averaging-Just-Means-Taking-Risk-Later-Vanguard.pdf 2023 Vanguard: "Cost averaging: Invest now or temporarily hold your cash?" https://corporate.vanguard.com/content/dam/corp/research/pdf/cost_averaging_invest_now_or_temporarily_hold_your_cash.pdf Vanguard Summary Article: https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/news/lump-sum-investing-versus-cost-averaging-which-is-better Kitces Article: "Dollar Cost Averaging Manages Risk But Reduces Returns" https://www.kitces.com/blog/dollar-cost-averaging-versus-lump-sum-how-dca-investing-can-manage-risk-but-on-average-reduces-returns/ Key moments: (00:00) Invest All at Once Or Gradually Over Time? (01:16) What is Lump Sum Investing vs Dollar Cost Averaging? (05:18) The Math Problem with Dollar Cost Averaging (07:35) Vanguard's Research on Lump Sum Investing vs Dollar Cost Averaging (11:27) The All-Time Highs Myth (16:07) The Impossibility of Being Right Twice (18:44) Three Questions to Ask Before Investing a Lump Sum (23:02) A Hybrid Approach to Investing a Lump Sum (27:03) A Hierarchy for Investing a Lump Sum (28:38) Get More Useful Information

March 9, 2026Episode 8944 min

What To Do With The House?: A Tax Planning Case Study for Families Looking to Fund Long-Term Care

If your aging parent owns a home and they are reaching the point in life where their physical and or mental health is rapidly declining and they need additional care, there is a clock ticking on decisions that most families don't even know they need to make. And those decisions — specifically, what to do with their house and how to fund their care— carry tax consequences that can either preserve tens of thousands of dollars for the next generation or quietly hand it to the IRS. Typically, the responsibility of figuring all this stuff out lands on your shoulders. In this episode, Cameron walks you through a real-world case study, step by step, so you can see exactly how this can play out while minimizing taxes as much as possible and funding their care. More specifically, we discuss: What are the tax ramifications of selling the home to fund long-term care? What are the tax ramifications of renting the home to help pay for care? What are the tax consequences of staying in the home and paying for care? Utilizing a Multiple Support Agreement to obtain tax deductions for the adult child caregiver The Section 121 gain exclusion on a personal residence A detailed walkthrough of tax saving strategies in all scenarios Resources: Access Episode Show Notes and Sign Up for the Retired·ish Newsletter Ask Cameron A Question!