Big Picture Retirement®

Today kicks off a brand-new series on estate planning.

Estate planning is one of those things everyone knows they should dobut far too many people put it off, sometimes until its too late. And the truth is, whether your financial situation is complex or pretty straightforward, having a solid estate plan isnt just about what happens after you're gone. Its also about making things easier for your loved onesand protecting yourselfwhile you're still here.

Thats why were launching this special series to break estate planning down into simple, practical steps. Well walk through the essential documents you need, the common mistakes that can derail a plan, and some of the more advanced strategies for protecting and passing on your wealth efficiently.

Whether youre starting from scratch or just need to update an existing plan, this series will give you the roadmap you need.

Now, we originally thought we could cover the first part of this in a single episodebut planning for incapacity turned out to be too important to rush. In this episode, well cover why incapacity planning is essential, real-life scenarios that make it critical, and the foundational documents every adult should have: Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney, and Advance Directives.

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms.

Contact Devins team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1

Contact Johns team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/

If youre thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast! please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the ratings and reviews section, tap to rate with five stars, and select Write a Review. Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you havent done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if youre not following, youll likely miss out. Follow now!

Dont miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the Ask A Question menu selection.

John asks about buying the individual sectors of the S&P 500 and rebalancing based on performance instead of simply buying an index fund. Devin shares the pros and cons that he can see with this strategy and shares what he thinks is a better approach. 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

📍Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1  

📍Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection. 

Rosemary’s husband is scaling back to 32 hours a week as part of his transition plan before switching careers. With Social Security in mind, she asks: Will this reduced income impact their future benefits? In this episode, we break down how Social Security calculates benefits, whether lower earnings in the final working years can reduce your check, and what to consider before making the shift. If you’re thinking about adjusting your workload before retirement, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

📍Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1  

📍Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection. 

Planning to travel in retirement? In this episode, I sit down with Andrew Motiwalla from The Good Life Abroad to discuss how retirees can make the most of their travel experiences—without the stress.

We talk about:
✅ Why travel is at the top of most retirees' bucket lists
✅ How to plan trips that align with your passions
✅ The best underrated destinations for immersive experiences
✅ How to avoid common travel planning pitfalls
✅ How long-term travel is changing the way retirees experience the world

If you’re looking to travel smarter, go beyond tourist hotspots, and make the most of your retirement years, this conversation is for you!

📍 Learn more about The Good Life Abroad: https://thegoodlifeabroad.com/ 

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

📍Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1  

📍Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection. 

This week, we’re diving into a question about the tax treatment of Special Needs Trusts. There are two types—First-Party and Third-Party trusts—but how does each one affect taxes? We’ll break down key differences in taxation, who reports the income, and what trustees need to consider when filing returns. If you or a loved one rely on a Special Needs Trust, understanding the tax implications is essential. Tune in for a clear and practical breakdown!

Although this show does not provide specific tax, legal, or financial advice, you can engage Devin or John through their individual firms. 

📍Contact Devin’s team at https://carrolladvisory.co/podcast1  

📍Contact John’s team at https://www.rossandshoalmire.com/ 

If you’re thinking, "I love the Big Picture Retirement podcast!” please consider rating and reviewing this show! This helps us support more people -- just like you -- move toward a confident retirement. Just scroll down to the “ratings and reviews” section, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let us know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. We add new content every week, and if you’re not following, you’ll likely miss out. Follow now! 

Don’t miss the Big Picture Retirement Planning Cheat Sheet. We've distilled the essential brackets, thresholds, and rules of retirement into an easy-to-digest, three-page summary. https://www.carrolladvisory.com/pl/2148282517 

Want to ask Devin or John your question? Just visit https://www.bigpictureretirement.com/ and click on the “Ask A Question” menu selection.