Turn savings into a plan—tax-efficient withdrawals, coordinated.

Scottsdale fiduciary advisors with a consultative approach to retirement cash-flow: map withdrawal order across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts, plan for RMDs, and keep Medicare in view—with accounts custodied at Charles Schwab.

Couple mapping tax-smart withdrawal order across accounts

Who Is This For?

Pre-retirees and retirees (generally $100k+ investable) who want clarity on what to spend, where to draw from, and how to reduce avoidable tax drag—including business owners and former owners with equity comp, pensions, or real-estate cash flow. Many Arizona retirees work with us to navigate both federal and state tax considerations for their retirement plan.

What You Get

Coordinated Withdrawal Map

How and when to draw from taxable → tax-deferred → tax-free accounts, customized to your situation.

RMD Plan

Deadlines and cash-flow integration so you meet required minimum distributions on time. (As of 2025, most start at age 73.)

IRMAA Awareness

Plan distributions and conversions with Medicare income-related surcharges in mind—avoid costly surprises.

Roth Conversion Analysis

If/when to convert, and how it affects lifetime taxes. (Note: conversions can't be recharacterized after 2017.)

Portfolio Alignment

Individual stocks & ETFs (no mutual funds) positioned to support your withdrawal plan.

Timeline: Typically, clients see their complete plan documented within 2-3 meetings, with most implementations finishing within 30-45 days.

How We Build Your Tax-Smart Plan

01

Discover & Model

Capture spending, timelines, pensions, Social Security choices, and healthcare needs. Model multi-account cash-flow with taxes in view.

02

Sequence Withdrawals

Map flow from taxable → tax-deferred → Roth using established sequencing research. Revisit annually.

03

Plan for RMDs

Calendar first-year and ongoing RMD deadlines. Incorporate into your income plan. (Age 73 now, 75 in 2033.)

04

Evaluate Conversions

Test if partial Roth conversions help reshape future taxes/RMDs. Coordinate timing carefully.

05

Give Tax-Smart

For eligible clients, consider QCDs from IRAs (age 70½+) to satisfy RMDs and reduce taxable income.

06

Implement & Monitor

Coordinate custodian paperwork, set up distributions, and review annually (or as life changes).

Guiding Principles & Investment

Our philosophy drives every decision, and our transparent pricing reflects our commitment to your success.

Our Philosophy

  1. 01
    Plan First, Investments Second

    The income plan drives the portfolio—not the other way around.

  2. 02
    Know What You Own

    We favor transparency (individual stocks & ETFs) over mystery mutual fund holdings.

  3. 03
    Tax-Aware Always

    A dollar saved in taxes is a dollar that can fund life.

  4. 04
    Process Over Predictions

    We plan for uncertainty instead of betting on it.

  5. 05
    Flexibility Over Rigidity

    Plans adapt as life changes—we review and adjust, not set and forget.

What It Costs

  • Advisory (AUM) Fee

    Tax-smart withdrawal planning is included in ongoing advisory services

  • ETF Expense Ratios No Loads

    Underlying ETF expense ratios only—we avoid mutual fund loads/12b-1 fees

  • CPA/Tax Prep

    Separate fees only if you engage a CPA for tax return preparation

How We Meet

By Phone

Quick way to get started! Great for initial conversations.

Video Call

Secure screen-share from anywhere—review projections together.

In Office

Our Scottsdale office at 7900 E Thompson Peak Pkwy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the "right" order to withdraw from accounts?

There isn't one rule for everyone. Common patterns draw from taxable first, then tax-deferred, then Roth, but proportional or blended approaches can fit better depending on taxes, spending, and RMD timing. We test options and document the reasons for your specific situation.

When do RMDs start?

As of 2025, most start at age 73. First RMD can be delayed until April 1 of the following year, with the second due by December 31 that same year. (Applicable age is scheduled to increase to 75 in 2033.) Tax laws change—we stay current.

Can I recharacterize a Roth conversion if I change my mind?

No—conversions made after 2017 can't be recharacterized back to traditional IRAs. That's why we model carefully before you move. Once converted, it's permanent.

What is IRMAA, and why does it matter?

IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) is an extra charge added to Medicare Part B and Part D premiums when your income exceeds certain thresholds. Large distributions or Roth conversions can trigger higher premiums—we factor this into withdrawal planning.

What's a QCD?

A Qualified Charitable Distribution lets eligible IRA owners (age 70½+) send funds directly to charity. It can count toward RMDs and keep amounts out of taxable income when done correctly—a tax-smart way to give.

Ready to Optimize Your Withdrawals?

Schedule a no-obligation introductory call to see how a tax-smart withdrawal plan could work for you.

(480) 597-1743

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