Tariffs are dominating headlines — but what do they really mean for taxes, Washington, and your clients’ retirement plans?
In this episode of The Complete Advisor, Dennis Mattern sits down with Becky Swansburg, CEO of Stonewood Financial and Washington insider, to break down the truth: tariffs won’t fix America’s tax problems, and demographic pressures—not politics—are driving the future of taxation.
Becky explains how tariffs actually function, why they rarely offset income taxes, and why rising legislative risk is one of the most overlooked threats to retirement planning today. She also reveals why NOW is a rare low-tax window for conversions and tax repositioning—and how savvy advisors can help clients regain control before the next wave of tax changes hits.
If you serve retirees or pre-retirees, this is an episode you can’t afford to skip.
✅ Top 3 Takeaways for Advisors
1. Demographics—not politics—are driving America’s revenue crisis, meaning tariffs won’t prevent future tax increases.
2. Taxes must be treated as a “risk class” in every plan, equal to market risk and income risk.
3. Advisors have a short window right now—thanks to OBA tax brackets and current legislative structure—to reposition assets and protect clients from future tax hikes.
🔑 Key Points From the Episode
What tariffs actually are (in plain English) and why clients misunderstand them
The historical relationship between tariffs, revenue, and taxes — including the Prohibition example
Why Washington is in a “yes, and…” era: tariffs and higher taxes
Why IRMAA, Medicare surcharges, and income-based taxation target savers most
How to frame legislative risk as part of your planning process
Why this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Roth conversions and tax-free repositioning
How inflation has reshaped the mindset of Gen X and younger savers
The one message advisors must help clients understand: Don’t rely on Washington—take control now.
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