Shows
The Power Of Zero ShowThe Only Three Assets You'll Need in RetirementDavid McKnight discusses the three assets he believes you really need for a stable, predictable tax-efficient retirement. Getting them right will dramatically reduce the risks that derail most retirements: Market risks, sequence of returns risks, longevity risks, tax risks, and long-term care risks. Stock market investments, with a 70% total US stock market index and a 30% total international stock market index, are the first thing David recommends. He defines them as "Your growth engine, the one that pays for your discretionary expenses in retirement." David goes over aspirational and shock expenses. ...
2026-02-0408 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Top 5 Retirement Mistakes You May Be MakingDavid McKnight explores the five biggest retirement mistakes people make. When it comes to retirement "traps", the obvious things such as picking the wrong stock, missing the next bull market or retiring at the wrong time are what typically comes to mind… The first mistake people tend to make when it comes to their retirement is believing that tax diversification is good enough. "Having the bulk of your wealth in tax-deferred accounts is like going into a business partnership with the IRS: every year, they get to vote on what percentage of your pr...
2026-01-2808 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Only Three Investments Dave Ramsey Owns (Is This Smart?)The focus of this episode is on what Dave Ramsey refers to as the only three investments he owns. "I have three investments: my business, paid-for real estate with no mortgages, and mutual funds," says Ramsey. He goes on to emphasize that he doesn't play single stock, doesn't screw around with gold or Bitcoin, and that he doesn't need your stock tip from your "broke golfing buddy with an opinion." Host David McKnight wonders whether Ramsey's investment model actually works in principle, and if parts of it can be replicated by everyday investors…...
2026-01-2108 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Roth Conversion Myth Most Financial Advisors Get WrongDavid McKnight addresses a myth floating around the financial world: "For a Roth conversion to make sense, you need many years for the Roth to grow so you can recoup the taxes you paid to the conversion." David stresses why this way of thinking is fundamentally wrong – it's built on the wrong assumption that all the money in your IRA belongs to you… when it actually doesn't. Remember: your IRA isn't one pile of money but two piles sitting in the same account. One pile belongs to you, while the other to the IRS. Wh...
2026-01-1407 minThe Power Of Zero ShowTrump: No Income Tax in 2026!This episode revolves around President Donald Trump's claim that, due to the massive tsunami of tariff revenue that's flowing into the U.S. coffers, Americans won't have to pay income tax in 2026. David McKnight looks at the 2025 fiscal year: the Federal Government spent about $7 trillion and brought in about $5 and a quarter trillion in revenue. While breaking down the math related to the 2025 fiscal year, David points out that "Revenue from income taxes is the single largest source of Federal revenue", while "Tariffs, by contrast, are one of the smallest." Even Trump's own...
2026-01-0708 minThe Power Of Zero ShowCongress Just Proposed a Major Change to Roth IRA's—Here's What It Means for YouDavid McKnight addresses a brand new proposal that could transform the way Americans use Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k) – and that could have serious implications for your retirement flexibility, liquidity, and long-term tax strategy. With the current status quo, if a person has money in a 401(k) or even a Roth 401(k), they can usually roll it out into an IRA when they retire or leave their job. However, money can't roll the other direction: you can't take a Roth IRA and move it into a Roth 401(k)... A new bipartisan bill introduced by...
2025-12-3108 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat Are the Creditor Protection Rules for Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s?In today's episode, David McKnight breaks down the creditor protection rules for Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, as well as why more and more Americans are turning to tax-free accounts to insulate themselves from creditors… and the Government itself. In theory, under Federal Law, all IRAs traditional or Roths receive a certain level of bankruptcy protection under the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005. However, that protection is specifically tied to bankruptcy proceedings. If you're sued in civil court, the Federal bankruptcy statute doesn't automatically apply, state law takes over… By p...
2025-12-2408 minThe Power Of Zero ShowTop Five Reasons to Pick a Roth 401(k) Over a Traditional 401(k)This episode features David McKnight sharing the top five reasons why a Roth 401(k) is far superior to a traditional 401(k). Something important to keep in mind: the decision you make today will determine how much of your retirement money your future self actually gets to keep. David touches upon the fact that choosing the wrong 401(k) could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in unnecessary taxes in retirement. Tax rate risk is the first big reason why you should consider investing in a Roth 401(k) over a traditional 401(k). ...
2025-12-1708 minThe Power Of Zero ShowSuze Orman Says Roth IRAs Are Great — But Here's What She's MissingThis episode sees David McKnight look at Suze Orman, who, despite being one of the most widely recognized financial voices in America, shares what appears to be incomplete advice. David believes that Orman has done a lot of good for a lot of people thanks to her financial discipline-centered approach (in addition to being a big proponent of Roth IRAs). He agrees with Orman: "Roth IRAs are powerful, no doubt about it. You contribute after tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and, provided you meet the requirements, you can withdraw those funds in retirement 100% tax-free".
2025-12-1010 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe 3 Questions You MUST Answer BEFORE Doing a Roth ConversionDavid McKnight addresses three key questions you must be able to answer before executing a single Roth conversion. Too many people go for Roth conversions without a game plan – this is something that can lead to overpaying taxes and running out of money sooner than anticipated. David points out that if you can't answer the three key questions, you should stop and reevaluate because guessing here can cost you big. "What's the total amount I should convert from my IRA or 401(k) to tax-free?" is the first and most critical of the three qu...
2025-12-0306 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFive Roth Conversion Myths Busted: What Most Americans Get WrongDavid McKnight busts some of the most common Roth conversion myths that are costing retirees hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of dollars over the course of retirement. The "Don't worry about Roth conversion, you'll be in a lower tax bracket when you retire" myth is based on two flawed assumptions. The first one is that your lifestyle will drop significantly in retirement, while the second is the one related to future tax rates being the same or lower than they are today. David points out that, in retirement, people want to maintain their...
2025-11-2607 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat REALLY Happened with Kyle Busch's $8 Million Lawsuit against Pacific LifeDavid McKnight looks at what happened when NASCAR legend Kyle Busch reportedly lost $8+ million in what was supposed to be a tax-free retirement plan. The plan Busch relied on was built around an indexed universal life insurance policy. According to Kyle and Samantha Busch's lawsuit, they paid more than $10.4M into several IUL policies issued by Pacific Life Insurance between 2018 and 2022. While these policies were pitched as a safe, self-funding, tax-free retirement plan, things didn't go as promised… Poor design, unrealistic expectations, a delayed 1035 exchange, and poor oversight are the key rea...
2025-11-1211 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Financial Guru Hall of Shame--Who's Leading You Off a Cliff?David McKnight focuses on three of the biggest names in personal finance – Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, and Ken Fisher – and why you should be careful with following their advice. David emphasizes that anyone trying to wring the most efficiency out of their retirement savings should focus on advice that's backed by math… not soundbites. While David Ramsey is the right person for people who are making less than they are spending, the same can't be said for his retirement planning advice. For instance, he claims that 100% of cash value life insurance sucks 100% of the ti...
2025-11-0510 minThe Power Of Zero ShowSuze Orman Says 3%, Bill Bengen Says 4.7%--Who's Right on Sustainable Withdrawal Rates?David McKnight compares the approach of some of the biggest names in personal finance: Suze Orman, and William "Bill" Bengen (the man who invented the 4% Rule). In a recent interview covered by MSN, Suze Orman declared flat out that the 4% Rule is dead since markets are volatile, interest rates fluctuate, and people are living longer. David shares the "origin story" of how the 4% Rule came to be – and its creator Bill Bengen. Interviewed by MSN, Bengen updated his research and concluded that, based on current data, a 4.7% withdrawal rate is now sustainable. ...
2025-10-2909 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhy Dave Ramsey's Roth Conversion Advice Could Cost You a FortuneDavid McKnight discusses one of the most destructive pieces of retirement advice he has ever heard: that you should never do a Roth conversion in retirement or within five years of retiring. Dave Ramsey believes you should forego doing a Roth conversion if you're within five years of retirement or are already retired – because of the so-called Five-Year Rule. The problem with this approach, according to David, is that Ramsey is misinterpreting what that rule actually means, in addition to confusing multiple rules and applying them to the wrong people. Ramsey's advice, continues Da...
2025-10-2207 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFour Ways to Pay Tax on Your Roth ConversionDavid McKnight addresses something that can make or break your Roth conversion strategy: how you actually pay the tax. David kicks things off by sharing that Federal and state estimated tax payments are usually made in four equal installments: April 15th, June 15th, September 15th, and January 15th of the following year. Did you know that doing a Roth conversion in December, like many people do, will lead to the IRS pretending that income was earned evenly throughout the year? If you don't account for that, you could get hit with an underpayment p...
2025-10-1507 minThe Power Of Zero ShowI'm 52 Years Old and Have No Bonds in My Portfolio (Smart or Dangerous?)David McKnight explains why he has chosen to avoid bonds entirely and why you might want to rethink how you protect your portfolio as you approach retirement. David kicks things off by illustrating the so-called sequence of returns risk. According to conventional wisdom, bonds tend to be less volatile, so they help smooth out the rough years in the stock market. However, bonds aren't the safety net they used to be. And over long periods of time, bonds tend to underperform stocks by a wide margin. David warns against "stuffing your p...
2025-10-0807 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDave Ramsey is Right About Bonds, but Not for the Reasons He ThinksDavid McKnight addresses something Dave Ramsey has been saying for years: "You should NEVER own bonds in retirement!" David points out that the tool that actually solves the problem Ramsey has been trying to avoid is the same one he spent years mocking on his call-in show: the Fixed-Indexed Annuity. Ramsey's argument is that stocks outperform bonds over time – hence, bonds should be avoided as they're "slow, underperforming, and risky." David indicates what Ramsey is half right about, as well as something he's missing the mark on… David discusses how bonds can...
2025-10-0106 minThe Power Of Zero ShowGreatest Retirement MistakeWhile on the golf course with his son, David McKnight got asked a question, by a couple of men in their early 70s, every pre-retiree and retiree wonders at some point: "What's the biggest mistake people make when preparing for retirement?" Many people spend their entire career saving money in tax-deferred accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs. As that balance grows larger every year, it's easy to get the illusion that all that money belongs to you, while a larger portion actually belongs to the IRS. How much of that sum you ultimately g...
2025-09-1707 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Hidden Costs of Whole Life InsuranceFor many people, an approach that incorporates whole life insurance has become part of their broader retirement strategy. Is that a good way to go? That's what David McKnight addresses in this episode. While Whole Life has some legitimate applications, especially for people who are risk-averse and are looking for guaranteed steady accumulation, there's an option that does the job more effectively: Indexed Universal Life (IUL). David touches upon why you may want to opt for IUL instead of Whole Life, including the fact that, with IUL, you can access your cash value in retirement...
2025-09-1007 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhy You Should Replace Your Bonds with an AnnuityIn this episode of The Power of Zero Show, host David McKnight discusses why it may make sense to replace the bonds in your retirement portfolio with a Fixed Index Annuity, and how doing so could lead to a much better outcome for your retirement. For decades, financial advisors have followed the conventional wisdom of the 60-40, 60% stocks, 40% bonds. As you approach retirement, that ratio shifts even further in favor of bonds… …however, the problem is that today's bond market isn't built like it used to be, and bond yields are still below thei...
2025-09-0308 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFive Mathematical Reasons to Delay Retirement by Five YearsHow could postponing your retirement by just five years transform your retirement picture? David McKnight shares mathematical reasons that could help. Reason #1 is compounding. As David explains, "When you delay retirement, your money has more time to grow." The second reason for considering the postponement of your retirement has to do with the fact that an extra 5 years would give you more time to save. Reason #3: Worried that your money won't last as long as you do? Just remember that it doesn't need to last as long. If you retired at 65 a...
2025-08-0607 minThe Power Of Zero ShowVanguard--4 to 5% Stock Market Growth Over Next 10 Years (Should You Change Your Retirement Strategy?)In this episode of the Power of Zero Show, David McKnight looks at headlines, such as those from Vanguard, BlackRock or Morningstar, that have predicted a dismal forecast for stock market returns over the next decade. Since such articles predict 4-5% annual growth for the next decade, many investors are pondering whether they should take some chips off the table. Back in 2015, those same institutions and companies stressed that valuations were too high and that, since the markets had a great run, it couldn't possibly continue anymore. Vanguard forecasted 4-6% returns, BlackRock predicted 4.5...
2025-07-3007 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Vindication of Indexed Universal Life and Fixed Indexed Annuities: What the Ernst & Young Study Finally ProvesErnst & Young recently came out with a new updated study, which is likely to scandalize mainstream financial experts like they did with their 2021 study. Back then, they asked the question, "Is the stock market-only retirement approach really the strategy that gives you the highest levels of income and the best outcomes over a 30-year retirement?" In their new study, on the other hand, they substituted Indexed Universal Life for Whole Life, and Fixed Index Annuities for Deferred Income Annuities – a move that led to unexpected and spectacular results. Host David McKnight explains that by...
2025-07-1609 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDoug Andrew: Consider Rolling Your IRA into an IUL (Good idea?)David McKnight addresses Doug Andrew's recommendation of turning your IRA into an IUL. David agrees with some of Andrew's views, including his objection to rolling a 401(k) into an IRA, and then leaving it there until you die. Given the exploding national debt, most experts predict that taxes 10 years from now will have to rise dramatically to keep the U.S. solvent… Doug Andrew lists Indexed Universal Life as his "favorite financial vehicle because of liquidity, safety, predictable rates of return, and tax-free growth". David is skeptical of advice that denigrates ev...
2025-07-0210 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFinancial Collapse in 3 Years?This episode of The Power of Zero Show revolves around a recent Ray Dalio video in which he issued warnings about the U.S. debt crisis. In the clip, Dalio appears to be giving America three years to get their act together and to right the fiscal ship of state. Dalio mentions the draft of his new book that goes through the mechanics of the debt – and highlights the supply-demand problem he believes will occur if the deficit doesn't go from the current 7.2% of GDP to about 3% of GDP. Dalio touches upon what pe...
2025-06-2511 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWill Safe Harbor Rules Protect You If You Do a 4th Quarter Roth Conversion?David McKnight looks at why many people wait until the fourth quarter to do a Roth conversion, the potential penalties, and what can be done to avoid having to pay underpayment penalties to the IRS. David begins the episode by highlighting the fact that a lot of investors wait until Q4 before they do a Roth conversion – and they prefer to pay taxes on it in cash instead of simply having the taxes withheld by the IRS. From a mathematical standpoint, it's the correct thing to do because it allows you to get 100% of the co...
2025-06-1806 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow to Avoid the Roth Over-Conversion TrapIn today's episode, David McKnight focuses on whether you should do a Roth conversion, how much you should convert per year, and whether it's possible to over-convert to Roth. David explains that an effective tax rate is the actual percentage of your income that you pay in taxes after accounting for deductions, exemptions, and credits. For David, the only reason you should do a Roth conversion is if you believe that your effective tax rate in retirement will be higher than your marginal tax rate today. David touches upon a couple of reasons...
2025-06-1107 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Problem with Target Date FundsDavid McKnight looks at Target Date Funds (TDFs) and why their set-it-and-forget-it approach to investing is NOT something you should rely on. David kicks things off by explaining how TDFs work, including why they tend to be a popular option for novice investors. While it sounds like an excellent approach, David points out two major flaws. "A lot of the problems with TDFs come down to sustainable withdrawal rates in retirement," says David. The 4% Rule consists of you being able to withdraw 4% of your day one balance in retirement, adjusted every...
2025-06-0407 minThe Power Of Zero ShowI've Maxed Out My 401(k), Now What?In this episode of the Power of Zero Show, host David McKnight discusses the scenario in which you have maxed out your 401(k) and are wondering where you should invest the rest of your money. The episode kicks off with David addressing the type of 401(k)s you should be investing in first. There are two types of 401(k)s: the traditional pre-tax 401(k) and the Roth 401(k). Should you go for a traditional 401(k) or a Roth 401(k)? It all depends on whether you think your tax bracket is likely to be...
2025-05-2807 minThe Power Of Zero ShowShould You Take More Risk in Your Roth Accounts Than Your Other Investments?This episode of the Power of Zero show explores whether you should be taking more risks in your Roth accounts than in your other investments. Host David McKnight kicks things off by stating that if you have Roth IRAs or Roth 401(k)s in your portfolio, you should be allocating 100% of these dollars to a stock allocation. That's because these are your most tax-efficient investments and they'll remain tax-free right up until your death – and even 10 years beyond. Remember: you want the biggest returns in your portfolio to take place in a tax-free en...
2025-05-0707 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDebunking Doug Andrew's Roth IRA Hit Job VideoIn this episode of The Power of Zero Show, host David McKnight looks at Doug Andrew's recent video in which he implored his audience to never use a Roth IRA or a Roth 401(k) again. Andrew sees Indexed Universal Life insurance (IUL) as far superior and believes it should be the source of the vast majority of your distributions in retirement. While David likes IUL in certain circumstances, he isn't a fan of sales strategies that debase every other viable tax-free alternative in an effort to exalt IULs. For David, the video is...
2025-04-3012 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Five Cardinal Rules of Roth ConversionsDavid McKnight goes through his five cardinal rules for doing a Roth conversion. The first principle is simple: don't do a Roth conversion that bumps you into a tax bracket that gives you heartburn. Not sure about what a heartburn-inducing tax bracket looks like? David shares a simple "rule of thumb" you can follow. In your zeal to get your Roth conversion done before tax rates go up for good, don't bump into the 32% tax bracket along the way. The second cardinal rule ties into the almost certainty that Congress will...
2025-04-1608 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow to Take Advantage of the Retirement Income Valley for Roth ConversionsWondering when you should start thinking about a Roth conversion? That's exactly what David McKnight dives into in this episode of The Power of Zero Show. The retirement valley is that dip in taxable income that happens after you retire but before RMDs kick in – at age 73 or 75, depending on your birth year. David walks through an example: you've got $2 million in your IRA and want to convert all of it to Roth. If you take action during that valley, you can convert more while staying in the 24% tax bracket the whole time....
2025-04-0906 minThe Power Of Zero ShowIn What Order Should I Spend Down My Assets in Retirement?David McKnight addresses the most efficient order in which to spend your assets in retirement. Online programs and algorithms that forecast and run calculations related to your retirement assets suggest starting with your tax-deferred assets like 401(k)s or IRAs. Such tools recommend spending down your tax-deferred assets now, when tax rates are low, and your tax-free assets later – when tax rates are likely to be higher than they are today. Reminder: regardless of the distribution strategy you choose, it should aim to maximize the likelihood that your money lasts as long as yo...
2025-04-0207 minThe Power Of Zero ShowSuze Orman Says Have 3 to 5 Years of Living Expenses in CASH During Retirement (Good Idea?)Today's episode of The Power of Zero Show looks at a recent podcast episode in which Suze Orman recommended having three to five years of living expenses in cash during retirement. Experts have long debated the rate at which retirees can draw down their assets while maintaining a high likelihood of not running out of money before they die. Since the early '90s, the gold standard for sustainable distributions has been the 4% Rule. According to the 4% Rule, whether the market goes up or down, you can reliably withdraw 4% each year with high...
2025-03-2610 minThe Power Of Zero ShowTwo Huge Problems with Whole Life InsuranceThis episode of The Power of Zero Show is part of David McKnight's podcast interview with Caleb Guilliams and Tom Wall, PhD. David touches upon a recent Ernst & Young study where whole life insurance was used as a buffer-type strategy. When it comes to the "risk continuum", David sees IUL as slightly on the right side of whole life insurance. IUL is something worth doing only if you think that risk premium can get you a slightly higher rate of return over time. David recognizes that IUL has risks but that...
2025-03-1215 minThe Power Of Zero ShowAcademics LOVE Annuities – Why Do Investors HATE Them?Today's episode of The Power of Zero Show features part of David McKnight's conversation with Caleb Guilliams and Tom Wall, PhD. David kicks things off by addressing the liquidity issue. Handing a chunk of your retirement savings over to an insurance company in exchange for a stream of income that's guaranteed to last as long as you do sounds great in principle, but people often have consternation about it… The thought of losing liquidity on a significant portion of their net worth is what prevents some Americans from opting for SPEAs and DIAAs....
2025-03-0505 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow IUL Fits in a Balanced Approach to Tax-Free RetirementThis episode of The Power of Zero Show is part of David McKnight's conversation with Caleb Guilliams and Tom Wall, PhD. David touches upon the "dangerous partnership" between the American people and the IRS. David is an advocate for a balanced, comprehensive, approach to tax-free retirement – he explains why that's the case. One of the things David likes about IULs is the fact that they can perform specific applications that no other stream of income, such as Roth IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, can do. David goes over the unique trait of...
2025-02-2614 minThe Power Of Zero ShowYour Authoritative Guide to Tax-Free Retirement Planning in 2025In this episode of The Power of Zero Show, David McKnight addresses different strategies for tax-free retirement planning in 2025. Most Americans are a little nervous when it comes to the fiscal trajectory of the U.S.. According to expert forecasts, the likely extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts would take the current $36 trillion of national debt beyond the estimated $54 trillion by 2034 – taking it all the way to $59 trillion. A recent Penn Wharton study predicts that if the U.S. doesn't right its fiscal ship of state by 2034, no combination of raising taxes or cu...
2025-02-1911 minThe Power Of Zero ShowExpecting a Pension? Strongly Consider a Roth ConversionDavid McKnight discusses a couple of really good reasons for doing a Roth conversion when you're expecting a pension in retirement. David sees the American tax system functioning in a similar way as a graduated cylinder. Your income goes in and flows all the way down to the bottom. Some of your money gets taxed at 10%, at 12%, 22%, some at 24%, 32%, at 35%, and some at 37%. Jeff Bezos, too, has some of his earned income taxed at 10% (only for about 3 seconds, though!). If you're planning on receiving a pension in retirement, understanding how this "ta...
2025-02-1206 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDave Ramsey: Fire Your Tax Advisor for Recommending a 401(k)!This episode of the Power of Zero Show sees host David McKnight address Dave Ramsey's advice – inviting a member of his audience to fire his tax advisor for recommending a 401(k). The problem with "financial gurus" like Dave Ramsey and the call-in shows they host is that they provide one-size-fits-all prescriptions that are delivered in very stark black and white terms. While David is an advocate for accumulating money in tax-free retirement vehicles, he also recognizes the importance of nuance with these types of recommendations. David explains that contributing to a Roth 401(k) is...
2025-02-0500 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray and How to Get Back on TrackToday's episode is a podcast guest interview David McKnight did for Josh Jalinski's The Financial Quarterback Podcast. David gives Josh's audience a quick bio that spans from his early days in the financial services space in 1997 all the way to his latest book The Guru Gap. The premise of The Guru Gap is the difference between the 1990s when people had very few options to vet out financial planning advice and today, where they have plenty of ways to vet out. Nowadays, whenever David makes a financial recommendation, 90% of his clients take to...
2025-01-291h 03The Power Of Zero ShowSuze Orman: Here's Why Annuities Are So Bad! (Avoid Them at All Costs!)David McKnight takes a closer look at Suze Orman's take on annuities – and at why she recommends her audience avoid them at all costs. Suze Orman labels the 5.4% compounded annual rate of growth one of her audience members (Janet) has had over the last six years as "horrific in today's market." David believes that the main issue with Suze Orman's approach is that it engages in a classic case of apples to oranges comparison. According to David, index annuities are a bond alternative and were never meant to be a stock market replacement....
2025-01-2209 minThe Power Of Zero ShowCongress Approves $200 Billion in Additional Social Security Benefits: Do You Qualify?This episode looks at whether you qualify or not for the $200 billion Social Security benefits approved by the U.S. Congress. Host David McKnight shares that, with the current status quo, the Social Security Trust Fund is on pace to go bust by 2033. If that were to happen, only about 83% of benefits would be paid out… If signed into law by President Joe Biden, the Social Security Fairness Act would provide an additional $200 billion in Social Security benefits to nearly 2.8 million Americans over the next 10 years. The Social Security Fairness Act wo...
2025-01-1506 minThe Power Of Zero ShowAt What Tax Bracket Should I STOP Contributing to Roth: Responding to The Money Guy ShowIn this episode, host David McKnight tackles a question about the tax bracket at which you should stop contributing to the Roth IRA and start contributing to the traditional IRA. The inspiration for this episode was a recent episode of The Money Guy Show. David believes that advice such as that shared on The Money Guy Show doesn't consider most of the people asking questions like the one addressed in the episode. Those are people whose combined marginal tax rates fall between 25% and 30%. Generally, David likes the idea of having a...
2025-01-0806 minThe Power Of Zero ShowNew Study: Retirees with Annuities Spend MORE than Those Who Rely on Investments AloneDavid McKnight looks at a recent study on retirees that seems to tell a different story compared to what many people in the U.S. tend to believe. Americans often view guaranteed lifetime income annuities skeptically – they're perceived as a drag on the growth of their stock market portfolio. According to the study by retirement researchers David Blanchett and Michael Finke, retirees with guaranteed lifetime income spend about twice as much as their counterparts who rely on stocks and bonds alone for income in retirement. Those who rely purely on investments alone in ret...
2025-01-0106 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe US Debt Crisis: Will DOGE Really Move the Needle?The episode explores whether the proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) will move the needle when it comes to the U.S. debt crisis. Some people see DOGE as the bold move America needs to solve its looming debt crisis. Elon Musk believes that DOGE can rip out at least $2 trillion out of the $6.5 trillion Biden-Harris budget – however, David McKnight disagrees. David gives a breakdown of the federal budget, including the so-called non-discretionary spending. Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker shares his thoughts on what he sees as the potential im...
2024-12-2505 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhy I Wrote a Book Exposing Dave RamseyThe episode kicks off with David McKnight sharing his view of the guru's approach: "to go about half an inch deep and ten miles wide." David discusses a sort of clash that financial planning gurus are creating by trying to attract — or even 'steal' — clients from financial planners who already have them. The goal of financial planners should be to provide a bridge between the advice clients get from financial gurus and their ultimate objective of ensuring that their money lasts as long as they do. David categorizes Dave Ramsey's advice as "good for...
2024-12-1808 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFirst Major Book Critical of Dave Ramsey Retirement Advice Set to PublishThis episode is based on David McKnight's interview with Lane Martinsen on Financial Fast Lane. David shares how he started in the financial planning industry, as well as the backstory of his new book, The Guru Gap. The Guru Gap focuses on several financial gurus such as Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, Clark Howard, and Ramit Sethi. David finds it interesting to see financial gurus demonizing the types of recommendations him and his peers share – recommendations based on math and actuarial science. For David, America is better off for financial gurus being in...
2024-12-1129 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFirst Book Critiquing Dave Ramsey's Retirement Advice Set to PublishThis episode is based on David McKnight's recent interview for Stephen Gallo's podcast. David explains how the advice shared by gurus tends to work – and the role financial advisors play. David touches upon his concept of "Dave Ramsey's circle of poverty." According to Wade Pfau, adopting the approach shared by Dave Ramsey will lead to you running out of money in advance of actuarial life expectancy 63% of the time. To avoid falling in league with financial gurus, financial advisors should stay away from dispensing one-size-fits-all financial planning. David analyzes Da...
2024-12-0420 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow to Tell If a Financial Guru Is Telling You the TruthThis episode is part of David McKnight's guest interview with Kyle Solon. David talks about the importance of math when it comes to decisions related to using cash value, life insurance, and annuities. A recent Ernst & Young study showed a surprising stat about who had the highest income in retirement and passed the most money on to the next generation. David illustrates the concept of the volatility shield, also known as volatility buffer. The #1 concern of Americans all across the country is running out of money before they run out of...
2024-11-2710 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat Trump's Election Means for Your Roth Conversion StrategyDavid McKnight describes the Trump tax cuts situation before Trump's victory at the 2024 presidential elections. There's likely going to be changes under a new Trump administration – something that David sees as great news. When it comes to Roth conversion strategy, David is a believer in two things. The first is to convert your money slowly to avoid rising into a tax bracket that gives you heartburn. The second is to convert your money quickly enough to get all the heavy lifting done before tax rates go up for good. Wh...
2024-11-2005 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Huge ERROR in the Dave Ramsey-George Kamel Plan to Pay Off Your Home in 10 YearsThis episode is a critique of a recent video by George Kamel on the supposed benefits of paying off your house in 10 years. David McKnight examines Kamel's viewpoint on early mortgage payoff and whether it's truly beneficial – do you really come out ahead by eliminating your mortgage as fast as possible? A major point David sees as a disadvantage is the fact that by paying off your mortgage early, you may lose access to the equity in your home. David highlights the opportunity cost of using funds to pay off a low-interest mortgage (as...
2024-11-1307 minThe Power Of Zero ShowUnderstanding the Tricky Roth 401(k) Distribution RulesDavid McKnight explains how a lack of knowledge about Roth 401(k) distribution rules can lead to unexpected taxes and penalties. This episode dives into practical insights to help you steer clear of unwelcome surprises from the IRS. David illustrates what happens if you withdraw from your Roth 401(k) before age 59½, and how these rules differ from those of a traditional Roth IRA. He subsequently tackles the question of when post-59½ withdrawals of Roth 401(k) growth can be completely tax-free. Roth 401(k) distributions can be confusing – especially if you're planning to take funds...
2024-10-3004 minThe Power Of Zero ShowIs Dave Ramsey STILL Wrong on Roth Conversions?In the past, David McKnight has been critical of gurus like Dave Ramsey. However, this episode looks at a video in which Ramsey seems to have slightly changed his views. Ramsey emphasizes that one key benefit of a Roth IRA is the potential to drastically reduce or even eliminate Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). David explains that the decision to pursue a Roth conversion typically depends on whether you expect your future tax rate to be higher than it is today. David discusses a missed opportunity in Ramsey's advice to a caller, highlighting a...
2024-10-2310 minThe Power Of Zero ShowGrant Cardone: Never Own a Home, Go to College or Invest in a 401(k)! (YIKES)In a recent video, real estate influencer Grant Cardone made some bold claims, advising against attending college, owning a home, and he even suggested that people should cash out their 401(k)s to invest in real estate. David McKnight calls this advice irresponsible, dangerous, and lawsuit-worthy. Far more Americans achieve millionaire status through consistent stock market investing than through real estate. David shares a more sustainable approach to building wealth through homeownership that directly counters Cardone's anti-homeownership stance. Cardone claims that 401(k) plans are designed to "imprison" people financially. D...
2024-10-1612 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Easiest, Low-Hassle Way to Become a Millionaire (2nd Place isn't even close)This episode explores the easiest and most hassle-free way to achieve millionaire status. According to Fidelity, the number of 401(k) millionaire accounts they manage has skyrocketed from 100,000 in 2017 to nearly 500,000 in 2024. "The slow and steady approach to building wealth is the best way to become a millionaire today," says David McKnight. David explains why this method often outperforms owning real estate or running your own business when it comes to low-stress wealth accumulation. He also delves into the stock market and the single greatest engine of wealth creation Plus, Da...
2024-10-0906 minThe Power Of Zero ShowBen Shapiro: Here's What Will Happen to the National Debt Under Kamala HarrisIn this episode, Ben Shapiro shares his insights on the growing national debt and its potential trajectory under a Kamala Harris administration. Shapiro provides a historical overview of U.S. interest payments, starting from the 1960s. He highlights the alarming rise in the national debt, which has doubled in the last decade, and examines Harris' proposed solutions to address it. According to Shapiro, there are only two viable paths to resolve the debt crisis: significant economic growth or substantial cuts in government spending. The primary drivers of the national debt, Shapiro...
2024-10-0211 minThe Power Of Zero ShowEight IUL Deal-breakers You Should Watch Out ForThis episode is part of David McKnight's interview with Mark Byelich, founder and owner of Attleboro Wealth Management. David and Mark discuss why the money inside a Life Insurance Retirement Plan (LIRP) "bucket" is treated differently for tax purposes and benefits from low fees. When it comes to life insurance, David recommends "having as little of it as the IRS requires, and stuffing as much money into it as the IRS allows." Remember: not all Indexed Universal Life (IUL) policies are created equal. Starting an IUL is like getting married – it on...
2024-09-1830 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow the Current U.S. Debt-to-GDP Trajectory Could Kill Your Retirement PlanToday's episode is part 1 of David's interview with Dave Hall. David shares what he considers the fundamentals of his financial movement: "numbers don't lie." David cites a recent Penn Wharton study that illustrates two things that should be done by 2043 – and what will happen if these conditions aren't met. Dave and David discuss the debt-to-GDP ratio, and why debt isn't the problem. According to experts, when the debt-to-GDP gets past 75% it's when there's an eroding influence on your economic output over time. Dave and David go over when they st...
2024-07-0312 minThe Power Of Zero ShowA Recent Penn Wharton Study Says that the U.S. has 20 Years to Fix Debt or Face CataclysmFormer comptroller general of the federal government, David Walker, believes that tax rates will have to double, in order to avoid a financial collapse. The U.S. Government should be helped in preventing their growth. David McKnight points out a potential course of action that should be followed to avoid a possible financial collapse. Permanent solutions to stabilize the debt outlook are needed now…not 20 years from now when the crisis is already upon us. David touches upon the role that higher federal taxes and lower spending may have. Wh...
2024-01-3106 minThe Power Of Zero Show1-minute Summary of Every David McKnight Book on RetirementDavid gives a 1-minute summary of all his books on retirement. The Power of Zero: How to Get to the 0% Tax Bracket and Transform Your Retirement. The book outlines a step-by-step plan for getting to the 0% tax bracket in retirement, because if tax rates double, as some experts predict, two times zero is still zero. Look Before You LIRP: Why All Life Insurance Retirement Plans Are Not Created Equal, and How to Find the Right One for You. David explains that while various LIRPs may help get you to the 0% tax bracket, not all wi...
2023-09-2710 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDave McKnight versus Chris Kirkpatrick (Debunking Anti-IUL Claims)What are some of the most outrageous anti-IUL claims on the internet today? David debunks some shockingly misleading claims presented by social media influencer Chris Kirkpatrick. Claim #1: Indexed universal life insurance (IULs) were born from insurance companies wanting to scale down on whole life insurance policies because they could no longer pay guaranteed dividends and needed a new profit center just to break even. This is just false because IULs were a result of the stock market crash of the early 2000's. Insurance agencies created a product that allowed investors to link the g...
2023-01-1813 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow Do I Protect My Pension From Rising Taxes?In this episode of The Power of Zero Show, David McKnight talks about what you can do to protect your pension in the current rising tax environment. David explains that tax rates will rise dramatically within the next 10 years due to massively unfunded obligations like Social Security and Medicare. According to former Comptroller General of the United States, David Walker, tax rates will likely double by 2030 to keep the country from bankruptcy. Given the impending doom, David believes it's time we all start to think about protecting our taxable income streams. David highlights th...
2022-11-1608 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWill There Be a Great Depression in 2030?In this episode of The Power of Zero Show, David McKnight shares evidence that unless there is immediate and dramatic fiscal realignment by the Federal Government, the U.S. will be mired down in a Great Depression by 2030. Citing Brian Beaulieu, David discusses the role Baby Boomers play when it comes to Beaulieu's prediction of the U.S. undergoing a Great Depression beginning in 2030. David shares that Maya MacGuineas' recent study showed that, just to prevent the debt from growing at a rate in excess of $1trillion per year by 2025, the Government would have to...
2022-11-0907 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhen Should You Use an LIRP?Lane Martinsen from Financial Fast Lane interviews David McKnight on why you should use LIRP and the benefits of getting to the zero percent tax bracket. David explains the motivation behind his book The Power of Zero. David reveals why he is convinced that future tax rates will be significantly higher and why it makes sense to be in the zero percent tax bracket in retirement. If you are in or approaching retirement, David recommends taking advantage of the historically low tax rates before the current tax code expires in 2026. According t...
2022-08-2418 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow to Mitigate Long-term Care Risk…Without the HeartburnDavid shares that he got into the industry during the "calm before the storm." It was 1997 and, during the State of the Union, President Bill Clinton announced that the national deficit was simply zero. Today, less than 25 years later, the national debt is $30 trillion. By 2010, however, David Walker – former Comptroller General of the Federal Government and a personal hero of David's – appeared on 60 Minutes saying that tax rates would have to double in order to keep the country solvent. 2010 also saw David McKnight starting to go around the country trying to warn and help people, and...
2022-07-2715 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Biggest Objection to a Tax-Free Retirement"I don't want to pay the taxes on my Roth Conversion" is the single greatest objection David sees every week. David believes that whoever makes that argument is basically saying that they don't want to pre-emptively pay a tax before the IRS absolutely requires it of them and that they think their tax rate down the road will be lower than it is today. He sees the latter point as the greater concern. For David, if you're in the 22% or 24% tax brackets – meaning that your taxable income is between $83,550 and $340,100 – but are pushing the payment of t...
2022-06-0111 minThe Power Of Zero ShowShould I Fund My LIRP or Annuity While the Market Is Down? with David McKnightDavid often gets questions from people asking why they would want to liquify their investment portfolio to fund their annuity, especially now with the markets being down due to the coronavirus. There is an inverse relationship between stocks and bonds, when stocks are down bonds are up. Annuities and the LIRP share a lot of similarities and effectively replace the bond portion of a portfolio. Annuities can be superior to bonds for seniors, giving them high, guaranteed payments for the rest of their lives that allows them to be more aggressive with the rest of...
2020-04-1515 minThe Power Of Zero ShowCan the LIRP Serve as the Bond Portion of Your Portfolio? with David McKnightA common question that David gets fairly frequently is whether or not the LIRP can be a substitute for the bond portion of a portfolio. A lot of people are funding their LIRP's out of stock market portfolios that are growing at an average rate of 8%. If that's the case and they take money out of that portfolio to get a 4% return in their LIRP, doesn't that neutralize the tax benefit that justifies doing the LIRP in the first place? It can make sense for the LIRP to function as the bond portion of your portfolio, so...
2020-03-2517 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Difference Between Tax-Deferred and Tax-Free with David McKnightDavid gets the same question nearly every single week. Someone invariably asks about how if they do a Roth conversion, won't they have less money working for them in the tax-free bucket and need more time to catch up compared to had they just left the money in the tax-deferred bucket? If the government came up to you and offered to loan you some money and wouldn't tell you what the interest rate will be, would you cash the check? Putting money into your 401(k) is very similar, by doing so you are letting the government tell...
2020-02-0515 minThe Power Of Zero ShowCould the Federal Government Take Away Your Roth or LIRP? with David McKnightDavid prefers to be a clear-eyed realist and face things head on, mincing words about the fiscal situation of the United States would be a disservice to everyone. One of the big things that people have asked about after the previous episode is whether shifting all their money to tax-free will do anything for them. If the situation is so bad, what's to stop the government from taking these programs away? There are two traditional approaches to retirement and taxation, namely, the government is going to tax you either on the seed or the harvest. That is...
2020-01-2915 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWill the POZ Approach Increase My Medicare Premium? with David McKnightOne of the most common questions that David gets is regarding what happens to the Medicare Part B premium if someone engages in a Power of Zero tax strategy. Are there unexpected consequences of shifting money from tax-deferred to tax-free? When you do a Roth conversion, it doesn't count towards the income thresholds that determine whether you can do a traditional Roth IRA, but it does have an impact on your Part B Medicare premium as well as your prescription drug premium. IRMAA stands for income-related monthly adjustment amount and it's basically a higher premium...
2020-01-0113 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWill the Power of Zero Approach Still Be Valid after 2025? with David McKnightOnce you get past December 31 of 2019 you will only have six years left to reposition dollars from tax-deferred to tax-free before tax rates go up for good. Every year that goes by your timeline gets shorter. The question that David gets all the time is what is going to happen once 2026 hits and will the Power of Zero paradigm still exist? The Power of Zero was written in 2013 and plenty of people between 2014 and 2017 were taking advantage of the Power of Zero strategy before they even knew there was going to be a tax sale. Even back...
2019-12-2514 minThe Power Of Zero ShowIf Taxes Are Supposed to Go Up, Why Did They Just Go Down? with David McKnightDavid gets a number of emails from listeners saying that he's been wrong for years and the central thesis of the Power of Zero paradigm is incorrect. The question is, do the tax cuts of 2016 delegitimize what he and others have been saying? In reality, the problem has only compounded since the tax cuts came into effect. You have to consider whether the US government is prone to making bad financial decisions and has just kicked the can further down the road. David Walker says that anytime you have tax cuts, they should be accompanied...
2019-12-1112 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhen Bumping from a 12% to a 22% Tax Bracket Makes Sense with David McKnightDavid is generally very reluctant to recommend something that would cause someone to bump from a 12% tax bracket into a 22% tax bracket. We're trying to avoid the tax apocalypse that's coming down the road, and that means thinking about the future. There are some circumstances where it makes sense though. A scenario to compare is between two 65 year olds with similar amounts of money in their three buckets. The first thing to do is figure out what their taxable income is by crunching the numbers on the income from their pensions and other sources, as well as...
2019-11-2716 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Holy Grail of Financial Planning with David McKnightWhen David is working with a client, his recommendation is to reach the zero percent tax bracket is by having 5 to 7 streams of tax-free income. These can include Roth IRA's, Roth 401(k)'s, and L.I.R.P.'s. David often asks advisors what they think is his favorite. Rarely, will anyone guess the truth is RMD's (Required Minimum Distributions). The holy grail of financial planning is any investment that gives you a tax deduction on the front, grows tax-deferred, and you can take it out tax-free. A Health Savings Account and an...
2019-11-1318 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat is an L.I.R.P. Conversion? with David McKnightDavid becomes very uneasy when advisors recommend that their clients take the money in their IRA and convert all of it into an LIRP. The LIRP has a lot of benefits, but it really should be used in conjunction with other streams of tax-free income. The LIRP is powerful only to the extent that it's used in collaboration with, in most cases, four to six other streams of tax-free income. That's when it really shines. An LIRP conversion is something that you would use with a client when there are no other opportunities for Roth...
2019-10-3016 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Hallmarks of a True Power of Zero Advisor with David McKnightOver the years David has noticed a number of advisors who have professed to be Power of Zero advisors, but there are a number of significant shortfalls in their approach. A true Power of Zero advisor believes that tax rates are going to be higher in the future than they are today and knows how to defend that position. They understand the national debt and the true amount of the unfunded liabilities as well as the implications of those things. In a rising tax rate environment, there is an optimal amount of money to have...
2019-10-0222 minThe Power Of Zero ShowMy Response to an Amazon Review Critical of The Power of Zero with David McKnightWhen you come from a tax-deferred paradigm, it can really skew how you view the types of accounts that you are accumulating dollars in. The main thrust of the reviewer's critique is that we shouldn't focus on minimizing taxes if that means that investment fees will leap up over the course of retirement. Of course, you shouldn't build your financial plan while only considering taxes. If you look at the financial path the country is on, we can make some educated guesses on the future of tax rates and adjust our financial strategy based on...
2019-09-1824 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Great Roth Conversion Myth with David McKnightYou will find articles on the internet that claim that if you are going to do a Roth Conversion you have to do it a number of years before retirement, because you must have the ability to recuperate the dollars you've paid towards tax, but that doesn't stand up to the math. David goes over the example of two brothers, each taking a different approach to investing $100. One goes for the tax deduction on the front-end approach, and one for the tax-free approach. The moral of the story is that most people believe that if...
2019-08-2813 minThe Power Of Zero ShowHow the 72(t) Can Help You Get To Zero with David McKnightThere are a number of ways to get money out of an IRA before you are 59 and a half years old. One is a Roth Conversion, but the problem with that is you have to pay tax and potentially a penalty. The only other way is something called a 72(t). The 72(t) basically means separate equal periodic payments. What this means is that you can take money out of your IRA before your 59 and a half years old as long as you do it in separate equal yearly distributions that last for at least five years, or...
2019-08-2115 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhy Your Tax Rates Could Double (No Matter What) with David McKnightMicheal Coleman texted a glowing testimonial to David about his latest book, "The Volatility Shield." We often talk about why your taxes could double in an effort to keep the country solvent because of the vast unfunded obligations like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, there is another scenario where your tax rates can double that has nothing to do with those factors. David relates the story of a limousine driver that he met that was quite proud of his financial planning. He had a pension and a 401(k) with a million dollars in it...
2019-07-1713 minThe Power Of Zero ShowJonathan Krueger from Living a Richer Life By Design, interviews David McKnightDavid has been in the industry since 1997, serving people and trying to insulate them from the coming tax storm. David's wife and seven kids live with him in Puerto Rico, and he's written several books to get the word out to the American people. David Walker was the former Comptroller General of the federal government, and in 2010 he created a movie called I.O.U.S.A. In that movie, he talked about how we are marching into a future where we are likely to go bankrupt as a country. David Walker is one of the key...
2019-06-2628 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Historic Timing of the Power of Zero Message with David McKnightYou're saying tax rates are going up, so you mean I've done this all wrong? Not necessarily… you want to put money into your tax deferred bucket when the deduction means the most to you, when tax rates are historically high. You want to take money out of your tax deferred bucket when taxes are low. Most people put money into their tax deferred accounts during a time when tax rates were higher than they are today. Starting Jan 1, 2018 and going until Jan 1, 2026, we have currently have as a low a tax rate as we will experience in...
2019-05-0813 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat's Better, A Chronic Illness Rider or a LTC Rider? with David McKnightThe question often comes up, which is better? A chronic illness rider or a long term care rider? For 50 to 65 years, the primary benefit of the Life Insurance Retirement Plan is the ability to receive your death benefit in advance of your death in order to pay for long term care. The long term care rider basically says that for an extra charge you can receive your death benefit in advance of your death at a certain rate per month. Requiring assisted living in two out of six activities of daily living triggers eligibility for this benefit.
2019-05-0111 minThe Power Of Zero ShowA Conversation with Doug Orchard, The Power of Zero Documentary Producer, with David McKnightAfter seeing what happened in 2008, Doug has been interested in creating films that can move the needle for society, specifically topics like the national debt, exercise, education, healthcare, and finances. In 2009, David Walker produced the landmark movie "IOUSA" that exposed the fiscal challenges facing the United States, and in many ways, he was the person that got Doug interested in the topic of national debts. Films have a finite lifespan, so creating another film on the topic is another chance to reach new audiences that haven't heard the message yet. The audience for the Power...
2019-04-2438 minThe Power Of Zero ShowWhat's Better: Traditional LTC, Asset Based LTC, or Permanent Life Insurance? with David McKnightThe best way to pay for long term care protection is by way of a permanent life insurance policy. If you die peacefully in your sleep 30 years from now someone is still getting a death benefit. You are better off dying than requiring long term care, at least if you die your spouse becomes the beneficiary on all of your retirement accounts. Long term care insurance can prevent your spouse from enduring a bare-bones subsistence living in retirement if you end up needing to pay for long term care. 70% of people will need long term care insurance...
2019-04-1716 minThe Power Of Zero ShowSneak Peek: The Audio of Chapter 1 of "The Volatility Shield" with David McKnightThe audio version of the Volatility Shield won't be released for another three weeks, so David gives you a sneak peek at the opening chapter of the book. The story opens with Jack driving down the highway preparing to leave his life behind and start something new. His plans change when he receives a call from his stepfather Ted. Jack visits Ted at his sports store and gets some surprising news. Ted has sold his business and needs a little help from Jack. Ted always seems to have some sort of ulterior motive...
2019-04-1011 minThe Power Of Zero ShowShould I Do A Roth Conversion? with David McKnightAnyone can do a Roth conversion. You need to have money in an IRA. There are no income limitations. The question comes down to how much tax you want to pay. Do you feel like your tax bill will be lower or higher if you were to postpone the payment of that tax? Some opponents of Roth conversions will say that you won't get the full amount of money in your IRA working for you. However, you have to remember that the IRS partners with you in that account and their portion of that money...
2019-02-2724 minThe Power Of Zero ShowShould I Use Life Insurance For Long-Term Care? with David McKnightDavid believes that life insurance in most cases is the best way to handle long- term care needs in retirement. Why do financial gurus say that you need long-term care insurance? 70% of us will need long-term care in our lives. Nobody wants to save money their whole life only to give it to a long-term care facility two years before they die. Typically a long-term care event lasts an average of 2.3 years and most people do not survive them. The idea behind long-term care insurance is to avoid blowing through all the money...
2019-02-0618 minThe Power Of Zero ShowFour Ways To Save Our Country From Financial Ruin with David McKnightWhen David speaks to his clients or the public, he's often talking about the nation's fiscal crisis, the national debt, and unfunded obligations. There are really only four ways to resolve our fiscal crisis. You decide what you think the most likely solution will be. The first thing we could do to prevent our country from going over a fiscal cliff is to cut expenses. We know that the real gushers in the fiscal budget are things that Congress doesn't even have control over. Congress controls around 30% of the national budget. These are...
2019-01-3010 minThe Power Of Zero ShowDavid McKnight's Interview with the Nation's #1 Financial Podcast, Stacking BenjaminsThe story David tells at the beginning of the book is a tale about David Walker, the former Comptroller General for the federal government. Back in 2008 he appeared on a radio show and told them that tax rates have to double. The math says that the country is going to go bankrupt unless tax rates go up dramatically in the next ten years. Most of us are putting money into tax-deferred plans hoping that taxes will be lower in the future than they are now. Back in the 70's and 80's the tax-deferred strategy actually...
2019-01-2317 minThe Power Of Zero ShowJill Schlesinger from CBS Radio Interviews David McKnightThe best financial decision that David has ever made was to acknowledge that taxes are going to be dramatically higher in the future than they are today. David is a husband and father of seven and has been in the financial services industry since day one. He was selling insurance policies at the beginning of his career and became an independent financial advisor in 2001. David mainly deals with clients who are retiring or in retirement and focuses in particular on the tax outlook. He aims to maximize the amount of money his clients can take...
2019-01-1631 minThe Power Of Zero ShowPensions and the Zero Percent Tax Bracket with David McKnightAbout half of the people that David sees have pensions. The younger you are the less likely you are to have a pension. The burning question these people always have once they believe that tax rates are going to be higher in the future is "what can I do if I have a pension?" Have you elected the income option on the pension? Once you set that in motion, there is no way to unwind it. If you haven't made your payment option yet, your company may offer a Lump Sum Distribution Alternative...
2019-01-0212 minThe Power Of Zero ShowClark Howard Article With David McKnightThere is no retirement planning class based on the Power of Zero book, but there is one that David created. He's taught it to hundreds of advisors across the country. The Power of Zero is not the basis of the class, but it may be a homework assignment. The workshop conveys the idea that even in a rising tax rate environment, there is still a mathematically perfect amount of money you need in your taxable and tax-deferred buckets LIRP's are the same greatness as Roth IRA's. As with all tools, they can be used inappropriately.
2018-12-2633 minThe Power Of Zero ShowPower of Zero Documentary with David McKnightSome people don't read books. Creating a documentary is a way to reach those people. Plenty of people read the book but are still unconvinced that tax rates are going to be higher in the future than they are today. The documentary was a way of bringing together the most compelling experts in the country with something meaningful to say about debt and putting them on record. The tax train is coming. If you were sitting on a train track with a huge freight train bearing down on you what you do.
2018-12-1914 minThe Power Of Zero ShowThe Tax Sale of a Lifetime with David McKnightOne of the things we tell 75 million Baby Boomers preparing to retire is that tax rates are going to be higher in the future. Some people will point to the latest tax cuts and think that the urgency of David's message is diminished. David Walker has famously said we have to double taxes, reduce spending by a half, or some combination of the two. The question is what did we do with this latest tax cut? We lowered taxes but also increased spending by $1.5 trillion over the next ten years. ...
2018-12-1214 minThe Power Of Zero ShowTax Deferred Investments with David McKnightThe number one piece of information you should consider when thinking about your tax deferred bucket is what you think the tax rate will be when you take out your money. Will it be higher or lower? You may hear the argument that If you take money out of your Roth IRA, you will have less money working for you and less money for your retirement. However, that's not true. People think the money in their Roth IRA account is theirs, but really you have entered into a business partnership with the IRS and they...
2018-11-2119 min