Marc Trost Financial

10/01/2026

Retirement didn't go wrong all at once. It went wrong quietly, over many years of small oversights.

09/30/2026

I've seen it happen more times than I'd like to admit. 💔

A couple works 30+ years. They save diligently. They retire with what looks like a solid nest egg. And then... things start to unravel.

They didn't coordinate their Social Security timing — leaving $80,000+ on the table.

They kept everything in traditional IRAs — and now RMDs are forcing them into a 24% tax bracket, taxing 85% of their Social Security too.

A health crisis hit at 74. No long-term care plan. $300,000 gone in two years.

They never updated their beneficiary designations. A deceased parent was still listed.

None of this is uncommon. And ALL of it is preventable with the right planning — done at the right time.

Retirement is not a destination you arrive at. It's a 20–30 year financial journey that requires a comprehensive, coordinated plan. The stakes are too high to leave it to chance.

If you're within 10 years of retirement — or already there — let's have a conversation. It's never too late to get the right plan in place.

09/28/2026

Taxes don't retire when you do. ⚠️

In fact, for many retirees, taxes become their single biggest expense — and most never saw it coming.

Here's what too many people discover too late:

• Your traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals are 100% taxable as ordinary income
• Social Security benefits can be up to 85% taxable depending on your income
• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 73 can push you into higher tax brackets
• Capital gains on investments can trigger Medicare surcharges (IRMAA)

The #1 tax mistake I see? Failing to do Roth conversions BEFORE retirement, while income is lower.

Converting some of your pre-tax money to a Roth IRA during the years between retirement and RMD age can save tens of thousands — sometimes hundreds of thousands — in taxes over the rest of your life.

Tax planning IS retirement planning. Don't wait until it's too late to act.

09/28/2026

The retirement expense nobody plans for... until they have to. 🏥

Long-term care costs are the silent threat to retirement security.

The numbers are staggering:
• The average nursing home costs $8,000–$12,000 per month
• The average assisted living facility runs $4,000–$7,000 per month
• The average length of a long-term care need is 3+ years
• Nearly 70% of people turning 65 today will need some form of long-term care

And Medicare? It covers very little. Most long-term care costs fall entirely on you or your family — unless you've planned ahead.

Options to address this include traditional long-term care insurance, hybrid life/LTC policies, and asset-based strategies that don't require you to pay premiums indefinitely.

The time to plan for long-term care is when you're healthy and it's affordable — not when you need it. Don't let this be the expense that wipes out everything you've worked for.

09/25/2026

A will alone is not an estate plan. 📋

One of the most common mistakes I see: clients have done a will, maybe set up a beneficiary on their IRA, and think they're covered. But true estate planning is so much more.

Without a comprehensive plan, here's what can go wrong:

• Assets may go through probate — a costly, time-consuming, public process
• An outdated beneficiary designation can override your will entirely
• Your family may face significant estate taxes or inherit a large tax bill
• Incapacity without a power of attorney or healthcare directive can leave your loved ones unable to act on your behalf

Estate planning coordinates your will, trusts, beneficiary designations, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives into a unified strategy that protects your family and your legacy.

It's not about how much you have. It's about making sure what you've built goes where you intend it to go.

09/25/2026

Something BIG is coming to Marc Trost Financial. 💡

We started as a small, local firm with a big goal: to help families in our community plan for retirement, protect their income, and handle even the most complex cases. Now, we're growing, and we've got a special announcement on the horizon that we can't wait to share with you.

Stay tuned for the big reveal! In the meantime, have a question about your retirement or financial plan? Reach us directly at [email protected].

Don't wait... this one's worth watching. 👀

09/21/2026

Retirement math is deceptively simple... until it isn't.

09/21/2026

How much income will you actually need in retirement? 💡

Most people guess — and most people guess wrong.

The rule of thumb says 70–80% of your pre-retirement income, but for many retirees, especially in the first decade, spending is often HIGHER than expected. Travel, health costs, home repairs, and helping family members all add up fast.

Here's what a solid retirement income plan needs to account for:
• Social Security optimization (the timing of your claim can be worth $100,000+)
• Required Minimum Distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s
• Guaranteed income sources vs. investment withdrawals
• Inflation protection over a 20–30 year retirement

The goal isn't just to accumulate wealth — it's to create reliable, sustainable income you can't outlive.

Don't leave your retirement income to chance. Let's build a plan that gives you confidence at every stage.

09/11/2026