The Retirement Engineer with Jim Kruzan - Your Path to a Bigger, Bolder Retirement

Hosted by Jim Kruzan

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Wealth management is not just for the wealthy. Everyone is entitled to their best retirement possible. Welcome to The Retirement Engineer with Jim Kruzan – Your Path to a Bigger, Bolder Retirement, brought to you by Kaydan Wealth Management, a firm that specializes in serving the mobility technology industry. In this podcast, we help you maximize your resources and engineer your best retirement through a process-driven approach, so you can get the little things right. Drawing from years of expertise, Jim and his guests will simplify complex wealth management strategies and explore actionable ideas to help you protect your hard-earned wealth and take control of your future.

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48 recent

August 6, 202622 min

When the Economy Feels Different Than Your Reality (Ep. 47)

Have you ever looked at the stock market and wondered why it seems to tell a completely different story than your own finances? When headlines point to economic strength but everyday expenses keep rising, it’s natural to question which picture reflects reality. In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, explains why economic data and personal financial experience don’t always move together. He explores how inflation, interest rates, corporate profits, consumer confidence, and market behavior each measure different parts of the economy. Jim also explains why corporate earnings deserve additional context, how periods of innovation can fuel investor optimism, and which economic indicators may be most useful when making long-term retirement and investment decisions. Key takeaways: Why stock market gains and personal financial experiences can point in completely different directions How inflation and interest rates influence both household finances and long-term investment returns Why periods of innovation often create cycles of excitement followed by market corrections Why corporate earnings don’t always present a consistent picture across different time periods Which economic indicators deserve closer attention when planning for retirement And more! Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

July 15, 202635 min

Five Hidden Retirement Taxes That Can Cost You More Than You Expect (Ep. 46)

Have you ever wondered why your taxes or Medicare costs seem to increase even when tax rates haven’t changed? Small planning decisions can have a much bigger financial impact than many retirees realize. In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, explains five often overlooked tax rules that can quietly increase retirement costs over time. He breaks down Medicare premium surcharges, Social Security taxation, payroll taxes, home sale capital gains, and the hidden impact of income thresholds that haven’t kept pace with inflation. Jim also shares practical planning ideas to help retirees and pre-retirees make more informed decisions about Medicare, withdrawals, income, and taxes before unexpected costs arise. Key takeaways: How Medicare premium surcharges increase as income crosses fixed thresholds that haven’t changed with inflation Why surviving spouses often face higher Medicare costs because filing thresholds change after a spouse passes away How selling a highly appreciated home can create unexpected capital gains even after available exclusions apply Why Roth conversions, retirement withdrawals, and investment income should be coordinated before year-end How proactive tax planning can help reduce avoidable costs without changing your long-term retirement goals And more! Continue Your Retirement Planning Curious how these retirement tax rules could affect your own financial plan? Watch our free, 20-minute Engineering Your Best Retirement webinar to learn about the key decisions that can impact your retirement. You’ll also discover how our personalized Retirement Readiness Report helps individuals evaluate their retirement readiness and learn how to request yours for free. Register for the Webinar / Watch On Demand Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management Disclosure: This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax, legal, or accounting advice. Tax laws are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. Please consult your tax professional or other qualified advisor regarding your specific situation. Sources: IRS Publication 915 – Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits IRS Topic No. 701 – Sale of Your Home IRS Publication 523 – Selling Your Home IRS Publication 590-B – Distributions from IRAs https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/medicare/what-is-the-irmaa Social Security Administration – Benefits and Taxation

April 28, 202614 min

Retirement Clarity: Turning Savings into a Real Plan (Ep. 45)

Many people are saving consistently, yet still feel uncertain about their future. What if the issue is not how much you’ve saved, but how well everything works together? In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, introduces a Retirement Readiness Report developed by his team at Kaydan Wealth Management, designed to bring all the moving pieces of a financial plan into one clear view. He explains why clarity matters more than accumulation alone, and how disconnected accounts, tax exposure, and withdrawal strategies can impact retirement outcomes. Jim also shares why timing, especially within the final decade before retirement, can shape long-term income, taxes, and overall financial confidence. Key takeaways: Why many savers lack confidence despite years of consistent contributions and strong account balances How traditional probability models can miss key factors like taxes, income flow, and real life outcomes The importance of coordinating accounts to create efficient and sustainable retirement income How tax planning over decades can significantly change long-term retirement results Why the 5 to 10 years before retirement is critical for making meaningful financial adjustments And more! Resources: Learn more about our Retirement Readiness Report here! Employee Benefit Research Institute Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

April 14, 202619 min

The Three Chapters of Retirement and How Spending Changes Over Time (Ep. 44)

Retirement is rarely one long, predictable stretch. Spending, priorities, and daily life can shift more than many people expect, which is why a more realistic framework can make planning feel less stressful. What if the real challenge is not just having enough money, but knowing when and how to use it well? In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, explains why retirement should be viewed in three chapters instead of one flat timeline. He breaks down the go-go, go-slow, and later years, showing how spending often starts higher, settles into a steadier rhythm, and then rises again as health and housing needs change. Jim also shares how a retirement plan can be built around changing cash flow, not just fixed income, so people can enjoy more experiences early on without losing sight of future care costs. Key takeaways: Why retirement spending often follows a smile pattern instead of rising in a straight line year after year How the early retirement years can support travel, hobbies, and family experiences without defaulting to fear Why the middle years often bring steadier routines, lower discretionary spending, and housing decisions How health care, home care, and assisted living can sharply raise costs in the final retirement chapter Why planning around changing cash flow can better reflect real retirement life than static income models And more! Resources: Schedule a Retirement Readiness Intro Call The Impact Of Decreasing Retirement Spending On Safe Withdrawal Rates Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

November 12, 202518 min

Paying for School Without Sacrificing Retirement – Part 2 (Ep. 43)

What’s the real cost of education when your retirement is on the line? In part two of this series, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, breaks down the financial tradeoffs hidden in today’s education planning landscape from brand-new Trump Savings Accounts to long-term student loan debt, and how poorly timed withdrawals could sabotage your retirement timeline. With decades of experience guiding families through these complex intersections, Jim offers clear insight into what to prioritize, how to help protect your future, and the conversations parents and students need to start earlier than ever. What to expect in this episode: Who qualifies for the $1,000 Trump Savings Account, and is it worth it? Why ABLE accounts can be a game-changer for families with disabilities How 401(k) loans and student debt delay retirement goals The single biggest mistake families make when juggling tuition and retirement And more! Resources: Paying for School Without Sacrificing Retirement – Part I (Ep. 42) One Big Beautiful Bill Act Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025 Michigan Scholarship and Grant Programs How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Reshape 529 Plans 10 Things to Know About the Trump Savings Account Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Overview Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management Publishing Tags:

November 4, 202524 min

New Rules, New Strategies: The OBBBA & Education Planning – Part I (Ep. 42)

For many families, education and retirement happen on the same financial timeline. The dollars that help a child chase their dreams can just as easily be the dollars that shape your future. That’s why recent education reforms deserve your attention, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or planning for your own education journey. In part one of this special two-part series, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, explores how the new “One Big Beautiful Bill” reshapes education funding and why it matters for your retirement strategy. From expanded Pell Grants and FAFSA shifts to 529 ownership strategies and lifetime borrowing caps, Jim unpacks what’s changing and how to plan with clarity, not guesswork. Here’s what you’ll learn: How new student loan rules can affect long-term cash flow Why 529 ownership decisions can influence aid eligibility The ripple effects of tuition planning on retirement savings What the Education Choice for Children Act could mean for families And more! Resources: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025 Michigan Scholarship and Grant Programs How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Reshape 529 Plans 10 Things to Know About the Trump Savings Account Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Overview Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

August 28, 202538 min

The Insurance Gap That Could Wreck Your Retirement Plan with Mike Kane (Ep. 41)

You can do everything right, save consistently, invest wisely, build a retirement plan, and still be one accident away from financial devastation. Why? Because many of us unknowingly overlook one critical piece of protection: uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). In this episode of The Retirement Engineer , Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, sits down with Mike Kane, a Personal Injury Attorney and Former U.S. Marine, to break down how this often-skipped coverage works, who it helps protect, and why so many people, even financially savvy ones, miss it. What to expect: What UM/UIM coverage actually does (and doesn’t do) Why high-income professionals are often underprotected Real stories from accident victims caught off guard How to take action with your insurance agent, today And more! Resources: One in three drivers doesn’t have enough car insurance Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management Connect With Mike Kane: LinkedIn: Michael Kane Kane Trial Law About Our Guest: Mike Kane is a Colorado personal injury lawyer specializing in car accidents , truck accidents , and catastrophic personal injury litigation. He also represents victims of sexual assault against institutions and individuals. Mr. Kane has spent his entire career helping the vulnerable fight back against the powerful. A third-generation lawyer and Colorado native, he is a former US Marine who served a tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After leaving the military, he returned home and served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Arapahoe and Douglas County DA’s Offices. He then entered civil practice and has focused exclusively on the representation of injured plaintiffs.

August 7, 202538 min

The “One Big Beautiful Bill” and What It May Mean for Your Retirement (Ep. 40)

A sweeping new financial law dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is changing the rules for retirees and those nearing retirement. From tax deductions on Social Security to estate planning thresholds, Roth account changes, healthcare cost shifts, and updates to 529 plans, the legislation is reshaping the financial landscape. In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, breaks down the details and explores how these changes may impact your retirement strategy. You’ll learn what’s staying the same, what’s phasing out and when, and how to plan smarter during this transition period. Here’s what to expect: The new “senior deduction” and who qualifies How Roth account rules and RMDs may evolve Estate and gift tax updates for high-net-worth families Changes to healthcare and 529 plan planning And more! Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

May 27, 202527 min

Feeling The Market Jitters? Here’s How To Take Control (Ep. 39)

When markets drop, most people freeze or flee. But what if the smartest move isn’t to retreat, but to go on offense? In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, unpacks why volatile markets can be a gift to strategic investors who know how to capitalize on short-term fear for long-term gain. Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, walks listeners through how understanding market patterns, managing risk, and applying proactive investment tactics can turn turbulence into opportunity. Whether you’re accumulating wealth or distributing it in retirement, this episode explains why downturns don’t need to derail your plan—in fact, they might be just what your portfolio needs. Here’s what you can expect from this release: Why market volatility is not only normal, but expected, and how understanding this can help you avoid emotional decisions Why downturns can create ideal conditions for Roth conversions and how to execute them strategically Why rebalancing during market declines can improve long-term returns by systematically buying low and selling high Why dollar-cost averaging and front-loading investment contributions can turn volatility into an advantage And more! Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

May 13, 202522 min

5 Signs You Should Ditch DIY Retirement Planning (Ep. 38)

What are the clear signs it’s time to stop DIYing your retirement planning? Here are the five indicators that call for professional guidance. Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, unravels the complexities of retirement planning. With his wealth of experience, he explores when it’s best to transition from self-management to professional advice. This episode offers universal insights for anyone considering a DIY approach to retirement planning. Key discussion points include: The complexities of growing income and savings [00:01:21] The challenge of managing time as life grows busier [00:04:09] Emotional influences on financial decisions [00:08:32] Understanding the unknown pitfalls in planning [00:12:27] The value of getting professional help as you approach retirement [00:16:14] And more! Resources: The 5 Most Important Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before Hiring Them. Connect with Jim Kruzan: (800) 638-6900 Kaydan Wealth Management LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management