About this episode

This episode discusses how tax planning is affected by legacy and estate considerations in retirement planning.

This episode of Retire with Style continues the Retirement Planning Guidebook series by focusing on how tax planning changes when legacy and estate considerations are incorporated into the retirement planning process. Wade and Alex break down key estate planning concepts in a practical way, including step-up in basis rules, Roth conversion decisions tied to beneficiaries’ future tax brackets, inherited IRA distribution rules under the SECURE Act, gifting strategies, estate tax exemptions, and how trusts and life insurance can be used to manage estate taxes and liquidity needs. The conversation emphasizes that retirement tax planning is not just about maximizing your own after-tax income, but also about improving the after-tax outcomes for heirs and charities. Listen now to learn more. Key Takeaways Retirement tax planning changes significantly when leaving a legacy becomes a priority, especially regarding how different account types are spent down. Taxable brokerage accounts receive a step-up in basis at death, allowing heirs to avoid capital gains taxes on appreciation that occurred during the original owner’s lifetime. Roth conversions can become more attractive if…

People in this episode

Hosts: Wade Pfau, Alex Murguia

Topics covered

• tax planning
• estate planning
• retirement
• wealth transfer
• inheritance
• financial planning

Keywords

• step-up in basis
• Roth conversion
• inherited IRA
• estate tax exemptions
• gifting strategies
• trusts
• life insurance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SECURE Act

More episodes of Retire With Style

• Episode 230: Are You Emotionally Ready for Retirement? Beyond the Financial Plan · May 26, 2026 · 41 min
• Episode 228: Is Your Family Prepared If Something Happens to You? · May 12, 2026 · 36 min

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