Jonathan Rase, 3217 Summit Square Place Suite 200, Lexington, KY (2026)

05/29/2026

Weekend Reading: Why You Should Treat Your Financial Advisor Like Your Primary Care Doctor

Many individuals think of a financial advisor as someone you call only when you need a form signed or an account opened. Others technically have an advisor but rarely meet with them. In both cases, the relationship is reactive instead of proactive.

A better way to think about it: Your financial advisor should function like your primary care doctor.

Not because your finances are “sick,” but because long term health—financial or physical—comes from consistency, prevention, and a trusted relationship.

Annual Check Ups Keep Your Plan Healthy

You wouldn’t skip your yearly physical just because you feel fine. Your doctor checks things you can’t see… blood pressure, cholesterol, early warning signs.

Your financial life works the same way.

Even if your investments look okay on the surface, an annual review helps you:
• Rebalance your portfolio
• Adjust risk as retirement gets closer
• Update beneficiaries
• Review tax efficient strategies
• Make sure your plan still matches your goals

Skipping these check ups is how small issues quietly turn into big ones.

Life Changes Should Trigger a Call—Just Like With Your Doctor

When something major happens medically, you don’t wait until your next annual visit. You call.
Financially, the same rule applies.

Life events like changing jobs, receiving an inheritance, buying a home, losing a spouse, or approaching retirement all have real financial consequences. A quick conversation with your advisor during these moments can save you taxes, stress, and long term headaches.

These aren’t “Google it” or “Chat GPT it” moments. They’re “talk to someone who knows your full picture” moments.

As You Get Older, the Stakes Get Higher

When you’re young, your financial life is simple: save, invest, repeat. But just like your medical needs become more complex with age, so do your financial needs.

In your 50s and 60s, the questions get more serious:
• When should I claim Social Security
• How do I turn my savings into income
• How do I avoid running out of money
• What’s the best way to handle RMDs
• How do I protect my spouse if something happens to me

These decisions can’t be made in isolation. They require context, planning, and someone who understands your history—not just your account balance.

A Strong Advisor Relationship Isn’t About Investments

Individuals often focus on the portfolio: “What funds should I pick?” “Can I beat the market?”
But the real value of an advisor is the same as a doctor: Prevention, guidance, and long term planning.

A good advisor helps you:
• Stay disciplined during volatility
• Avoid emotional decisions
• Prepare for life transitions
• Make tax smart choices
• Build a retirement income plan
• Protect your family
• Keep your financial life organized

It’s not about chasing returns. It’s about building a life you can enjoy without constantly worrying about money.

If You Haven’t Used an Advisor This Way, You’re Not Alone

Many people have an advisor but don’t have a relationship with them. Others have always done things themselves and aren’t sure what an advisor actually does beyond investments.

But just like your doctor, the value isn’t in the one appointment—it’s in the ongoing care.

If you want your financial life to stay healthy, predictable, and prepared for whatever comes next, start treating your advisor like your primary care doctor:

Meet annually. Call when life changes. Build the relationship before you need it.

05/22/2026

Weekend Reading: What to Know About Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)

Required Minimum Distributions are one of the biggest tax drivers in retirement, and understanding them early can help you avoid surprises later. Here’s a simple breakdown of what they are, when they start, and what you can do now to reduce the tax impact down the road.

When RMDs Start

Most retirees today begin RMDs at age 73. Those born in 1960 or later will begin at age 75.
Your first RMD must be taken by April 1 of the year after you reach your RMD age. Delaying that first one can cause you to take two RMDs in the same year, which may increase your taxes.

What RMDs Apply To

RMDs apply to pre tax retirement accounts, including: • Traditional IRA • SEP IRA • SIMPLE IRA • 401(k), 403(b), 457(b) • Old employer plans you still have sitting out there
RMDs do not apply to: • Roth IRAs during your lifetime • Taxable brokerage accounts • Non qualified annuities (they have their own rules)

Why RMDs Matter

RMDs count as taxable income. Large RMDs can: • Push you into a higher tax bracket • Increase the taxation of Social Security • Trigger Medicare IRMAA surcharges • Reduce flexibility in later life planning

If your retirement plan shows you’ll be forced to take out more than you need, planning ahead can make a meaningful difference.

Strategies to Reduce Future RMDs

1. Roth Conversions Before RMD Age
Converting a portion of pre tax assets to Roth can lower future RMDs, create tax free income later, and help manage Medicare and Social Security taxation. Many retirees convert just enough each year to fill up a lower tax bracket.

2. Strategic Withdrawals in the “Gap Years”
The years between retirement and RMD age are often a low tax window. Taking controlled withdrawals early can reduce the size of future RMDs and smooth out lifetime taxes.

3. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
Starting at age 70½, you can send up to $100,000 per year directly from an IRA to charity. This counts toward your RMD but does not show up as taxable income.

4. Consolidating Old Employer Plans
Multiple old 401(k)s can create unnecessary complexity. Consolidating accounts can simplify
RMD calculations and improve tax planning.

5. Coordinating Withdrawals With Social Security
Delaying Social Security can create more room for Roth conversions or strategic withdrawals early in retirement, reducing future RMD pressure.

The Bottom Line

RMDs are required, but tax surprises don’t have to be. A thoughtful plan can turn RMDs into a manageable part of your retirement income strategy rather than a tax burden.

05/15/2026

Weekend Reading: Do You Really Need a Trust?

If you spend any time on Google, YouTube, or social media, you’ll quickly get the impression that everyone needs a trust. Influencers talk about trusts like they’re the universal answer to probate, taxes, privacy, and family harmony. It sounds convincing. It also sounds like something you should rush out and set up immediately.

But the truth is much more practical: trusts are useful tools, but they are not simple, and many people don’t actually need one. In fact, a large number of retirees and near‑retirees can accomplish their goals with far less complexity.

Let’s slow down the noise and look at what’s real.

A trust is a legal arrangement that holds your assets and outlines how they should be managed or distributed. When used for the right reasons, it can be incredibly effective. But it’s not a magic document. A trust only works if it’s properly funded and maintained. That means retitling assets, updating deeds, changing account ownership, and keeping everything coordinated as life changes.

This is the part the internet tends to skip. A trust isn’t something you sign once and forget. It requires ongoing attention, and for many families, that’s more complexity than they want or need.

One of the biggest reasons people think they need a trust is to avoid probate. And yes, a trust can help with that. But here’s the part that surprises most people: many of your most important assets already avoid probate without a trust.

Retirement accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s do not go through probate as long as you name beneficiaries. That’s it. A simple beneficiary form accomplishes what many people believe requires a trust. If your goal is “I want my retirement accounts to skip probate,” you’ve already achieved it.

The same is true for many bank accounts and investment accounts. Payable‑on‑death and transfer‑on‑death designations allow those assets to pass directly to your heirs without probate.

Even your home may not require a trust. In many states, a transfer‑on‑death deed allows your property to pass directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate.

This is the part that rarely gets mentioned online, but it applies to a lot of families. If your estate is straightforward, your beneficiaries are adults, and you’re not trying to control distributions long after you’re gone, you may not need a trust at all. A well‑written will, updated beneficiary designations, and a few transfer‑on‑death instructions often accomplish everything you care about.

Another common misconception is that a trust will protect your assets from nursing home costs. Only very specific types of irrevocable trusts offer that kind of protection, and they come with strict rules and a loss of control that most people aren’t comfortable with. A standard revocable living trust does not protect assets from long‑term care expenses.

Trusts absolutely have their place. Families with minor children, blended families, beneficiaries with special needs, or property in multiple states often benefit from the structure a trust provides. Some people want the privacy a trust offers. Others want to control how and when their heirs receive money.

These are valid reasons. But they are not universal reasons.

Estate planning shouldn’t feel like a trend or a pressure tactic. It should feel like a thoughtful decision based on your goals, your family, and your financial life. For many people, the simplest and most effective plan is a solid will, updated beneficiary designations, transfer‑on‑death instructions where appropriate, and a financial plan that ties everything together.

A trust can be a great tool, but only when it’s the right tool. Before assuming you need one because the internet says so, it’s worth having a real conversation about what you’re trying to accomplish and whether a trust actually gets you there—or whether a simpler, cleaner approach works just as well.

05/08/2026

Weekend Reading: If you or someone in your family is still in school—or heading back in the fall—now is the time to make sure your FAFSA form is in.

A few things worth knowing:
⏰ The federal deadline is June 30. State and school deadlines are often earlier.
⏰ Many types of aid are first-come, first-served. Waiting could cost money.
⏰ You can make corrections after submission, but the form needs to be in first.

Don't let a deadline get in the way of money that's already available to you.

05/01/2026

Weekend Reading: What the Kentucky Derby Can Teach Us About Retirement Planning

With Derby weekend here in Kentucky, it’s a perfect reminder that retirement planning has more in common with horse racing than most people realize. Here are a few fun parallels:

The Start Isn’t the Finish
A Derby horse doesn’t panic if the start isn’t perfect — it settles into its stride.
Retirement works the same way. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already in it, the goal isn’t a flawless start. It’s having a plan that keeps you steady, confident, and moving forward.

Track Conditions Change (Just Like Markets)
Some Derby days are fast and sunny. Others are muddy and unpredictable.
Markets behave the same way. As you approach or enter retirement, the key is adjusting your strategy without overreacting. Flexibility matters more than trying to predict every twist.

Every Great Horse Has a Trainer
No Derby contender runs without guidance. They have someone helping them avoid mistakes and stay conditioned.
Retirement is no different. Having someone in your corner — especially during the shift from saving to spending — helps you avoid costly missteps and stay aligned with your long‑term goals.

Every Horse Has a Different Race to Run
Some horses are sprinters. Others are built for endurance.
Your retirement is uniquely yours. Income needs, lifestyle goals, risk tolerance, and legacy wishes all shape a race that looks different from anyone else’s. Your plan should reflect your finish line, not someone else’s.

Consistency Wins More Than Speed
Derby winners don’t sprint the entire race. They stay disciplined and make their move at the right time.
In retirement, consistency wins too — steady withdrawals, thoughtful tax planning, and a balanced investment approach usually outperform emotional decisions or chasing “hot” ideas.

The Homestretch Requires a New Strategy
A horse doesn’t run the final quarter‑mile the same way it ran the first.
Likewise, the years leading into retirement — and the first decade of retirement itself — require different planning than your accumulation years. Income planning, Social Security timing, tax efficiency, and risk management all become more important than simply “growing the portfolio.”

If Derby weekend has you thinking about your own retirement race — whether you’re approaching the homestretch or already enjoying the winner’s circle — I’m here to help you build a plan that fits your pace, your goals, and your track conditions.

04/24/2026

Weekend Reading: A callback to a former post but relevant given the transition into spring and spending more time outside. This weekend its "Why Rebalancing Your Portfolio Matters (Using the Garden Analogy DIY Investors Love)".

If you’ve been investing on your own the past few years, you’ve probably seen certain parts of your portfolio grow much faster than others. Tech, AI, and a few high‑growth sectors have taken off — which feels great on paper.

But here’s the problem:
When one part of your portfolio grows too fast, it can quietly take over more space than you ever intended.

And that’s where the garden analogy comes in.

Think of your portfolio like a garden.
You plant a mix of things — some grow quickly, some slowly, some provide stability, some provide color. But if you never check on it, one plant can start taking over the entire space.

Rebalancing is the process of trimming back the plants that grew too fast and giving the rest of the garden room to breathe again.

Here’s why that matters:

1. It keeps your risk level where you intended it to be
If tech or AI stocks were originally 20% of your portfolio but have grown to 40% or more, you’re now taking on double the risk you planned for. Rebalancing trims that back to the level you’re comfortable with.

2. It prevents one sector from dominating your future
When one plant takes over the garden, everything else gets crowded out. The same happens in a portfolio. Rebalancing keeps things diversified so you’re not relying on one sector to carry your entire retirement.

3. It forces you to “sell high and buy low” automatically
Rebalancing means trimming the parts that have grown the most and adding to the areas that haven’t. It’s a disciplined way to avoid chasing performance and instead stick to a long‑term strategy.

4. It protects you from surprises
The last 3 years have been great for certain sectors — but that doesn’t mean the next 3 will look the same. Rebalancing helps protect you if leadership shifts to different parts of the market.

Bottom line:
A garden that’s never tended eventually becomes overgrown.
A portfolio that’s never rebalanced eventually becomes overexposed.

If you’re a DIY investor, especially heading into or already in retirement, this is one of the most important habits you can build. It keeps your risk in check, your plan on track, and your future more predictable.

04/17/2026

Weekend Reading: What It Means to Get a Refund vs. Owe (Especially in Retirement)

Every spring, retirees and soon‑to‑be retirees start comparing tax results. “I got a big refund.” “I ended up owing.” “I hope next year looks different.”

But here’s the part most people never hear: a refund isn’t automatically good, and owing isn’t automatically bad. What matters is why it happened and what it means for your retirement income plan.

Here are a few simple things to keep in mind.

A refund usually means you overpaid during the year.

A refund feels great, but it’s really just the IRS giving back money that was yours all along. If you’re consistently getting a large refund, it might mean too much was withheld from Social Security, pensions, or IRA/401(k) withdrawals. A small refund is fine. A huge one may mean your withholding needs a tune‑up.

Owing isn’t a bad thing.

Many retirees panic when they owe, but owing a reasonable amount can actually mean your withholding matched your true tax liability and you kept more cash throughout the year. The real goal is avoiding surprises, not avoiding a balance due.

If you owed more than expected, look for the trigger.

Common reasons retirees end up owing include Roth conversions, one‑time IRA withdrawals, capital gains, a home sale, part‑time income, or Medicare IRMAA changes tied to last year’s income. If something unusual happened, it may not repeat, but it’s still worth planning around.

Check withholding on every income source.

Retirement income often comes from multiple places: Social Security, pensions, IRA/401(k) withdrawals, brokerage accounts, and part‑time work. Each one has its own withholding rules. If even one is off, your tax result can swing more than you expect.

Think about your preference: refund, owe, or break even.

Some people prefer a small refund so they’re not overpaying. Others like a bigger refund because it feels like forced savings. Some want to break even as closely as possible. There’s no right answer—just the one that fits your comfort level.

Use this year’s return as a planning tool.

Your tax return is more than paperwork. It can help you adjust withholding for next year, plan Roth conversions more strategically, avoid Medicare IRMAA surprises, and smooth out income across retirement. A little planning now can save frustration next spring.

Bottom line: whether you get a refund or owe, the real win is no surprises. If your tax result matches what you expected, you’re already ahead.

04/10/2026

Weekend Reading: Over the past few weeks, I’ve talked with several people who have handled their own investments for decades. They’ve managed their 401(k)s, chosen their own funds, and stayed on top of everything themselves. But now that retirement is getting close, many are realizing they don’t want to spend their retirement worrying about all of this anymore. They don’t want to keep learning how to protect their savings, create income, and still grow their accounts—especially after spending most of their working years focused mainly on growth.

If you’ve been a do-it-yourself saver your whole life and are thinking about working with an advisor for the first time, here’s a simple overview of what to consider before you start your search.

1. Understand the different types of advisor setups

Some advisors are independent, some work for large national firms, and others work for companies that offer their own products. This affects how much flexibility they have and what tools they can use for your plan. None of these structures are automatically better or worse—it’s about what fits your needs.

2. Look for expertise that matches your stage of life

As you approach retirement, you want someone who understands:
• Retirement income planning
• Tax‑efficient withdrawal strategies
• Social Security and Medicare considerations
• Required Minimum Distributions
• How to manage risk once you’re no longer working

Credentials like CFP®, ChFC®, or CPA/PFS can be helpful, but the most important thing is whether the advisor regularly works with people who are retired or close to it.

3. Ask these five questions when you meet with an advisor

1. How do you help clients turn their savings into reliable retirement income?
2. What is your approach to managing taxes in retirement?
3. Are you a fiduciary at all times, and how are you compensated?
4. How do you adjust investment risk for someone who is no longer working?
5. What does ongoing support look like once I’m retired?

You’ve spent years doing this on your own. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a partner now—someone who can help protect what you’ve built, simplify the decisions ahead, and give you the confidence to enjoy the retirement you’ve worked so hard for.

04/02/2026

Weekend Reading: As retirement gets closer, the mindset around investing naturally shifts.

For years, the goal was simple: grow your money and let it ride. But once you’re nearing the point where you’ll rely on your savings for income, that “set it and forget it” approach doesn’t always match the new reality.

Retirement introduces multiple goals, not just one:
• You need income to replace your paycheck
• You need protection for short‑term needs and unexpected expenses
• You still need growth to help offset inflation over the long run

Balancing these goals becomes more complex, especially if you’re worried about what happens if the market drops early in retirement. When you’re withdrawing from your accounts, timing and structure matter more than they ever did during your working years.

This is why many people choose to work with a financial professional during this transition. Not for product recommendations, but for help coordinating the moving parts—income, protection, taxes, and long‑term growth—so they work together instead of against each other.

If you’re interviewing an advisor, here are 5 helpful questions to ask:
1. How do you help clients protect their income plan during market downturns?
2. What strategies do you use to balance short‑term stability with long‑term growth?
3. How do you coordinate investment decisions with tax planning and withdrawals?
4. How do you structure cash reserves or “buckets” for different timeframes?
5. How often do you review and adjust a retirement income plan?

As always, if there is anyone that you think would benefit from the information above, please consider sharing it and our contact information.

Have a great weekend!

03/27/2026

Weekend Reading: If you watched any basketball this weekend, you probably saw a few “wait… what just happened?” moments. One unexpected twist and suddenly the whole bracket looks different. It’s a good reminder that even the best‑laid plans can get thrown off by surprises.

And honestly, that’s exactly why diversification matters so much in personal finance.

Most people hear “diversification” and think only about investments. Stocks vs. bonds. Large cap vs. small cap. That’s part of it — but it’s nowhere near the whole picture.

There’s also diversification of where your money lives. Pre‑tax accounts, Roth accounts, taxable accounts, cash reserves… each one gives you different levers to pull depending on what life throws at you. When you only have one type of account, you’re boxed in. When you have options, you have flexibility.

Then there’s diversification of goals. Some money needs to be ready for the short‑term stuff — the roof leak, the car repair, helping a family member. Other money needs to stay invested for long‑term growth so your retirement income lasts. Not every dollar should be playing the same position.

And once you hit retirement, diversification takes on a whole new meaning: income. Relying on just one source can feel steady… until it doesn’t. Blending guaranteed income (like Social Security or pensions) with non‑guaranteed income (like portfolio withdrawals or rental income) can create a much more resilient plan.
When one source is under pressure, the others help keep things balanced.

The big takeaway? Surprises happen. Assumptions get challenged. Plans shift. But a well‑diversified financial life gives you room to adapt without everything falling apart.

If you’ve been wondering whether your own plan has enough flexibility — in your accounts, your goals, or your retirement income — this is a great time to take a fresh look. Sometimes a quick conversation is all it takes to spot gaps or opportunities you didn’t realize were there.

Jonathan Rase

05/29/2026

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