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Matthew R. Harris (aka Safe Money Matt)

Safe Money Weekly - 11.14.25


Happy Friday Reader!

Below is a weekly recap of my most newest videos and blogs. As always, feel free to reach out to me directly if I can ever be a resource for you (via email, or through my social media channels).

New Blogs This Week:

Featured Blog of the Week

4 Ways to Supercharge Your Roth Conversion Capacity 💥 (especially for tax-free legacy planning)

Most retirees don’t realize how much control they actually have over their tax bill in retirement. With the right strategies, you can turn tax-deferred savings into tax-free lifetime income — and even build a tax-free legacy for your family. This week’s article breaks down four powerful tactics to make your Roth Conversions more efficient, including how to avoid short-term capital gains, why delaying Social Security opens your “Golden Window,” and how to use market dips to your advantage.

You’ll also learn how low-income years create massive tax-planning opportunities and why the 24% bracket is often the sweet spot for long-term conversion efficiency. If you want to understand how to control your tax destiny — rather than letting the IRS decide — this is a must-read.
👉 Read the full blog here

Retirement Planning Beyond the Numbers

Retirement Transition Planning Is About More Than Just the Numbers

Yes, the math matters — withdrawal rates, tax brackets, Social Security timing, Roth conversions — but the real foundation of a confident retirement has nothing to do with spreadsheets. This week’s article breaks down why so many people still feel uncertain, even with multi-million-dollar portfolios: they’ve never defined the life they want after work. Before you stress over “your number,” you need clarity on what retirement should feel like — your routines, identity beyond work, relationships, purpose, and the rhythm you want your days to have.

Once you understand your vision, then the math can support it. The article walks through nine deeper questions most people skip — from where you want to live, to how much guaranteed income gives you peace of mind, to how much market risk you’re comfortable taking once paychecks stop. If you’re within 5–10 years of retirement, this is essential reading before making any major decisions.
👉 Read the full article here

Before Making Any Irrevocable Pension Decisions

If You Have a Pension, Don’t Lock It In Before Reading This

If you’re nearing retirement, your pension decision is one of the most permanent choices you’ll ever make — and the wrong election can cost you and your spouse hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost income, flexibility, and legacy protection. This week’s article breaks down the four biggest reasons every retiree should get a full pension review before signing anything, including why some companies actually pay you to walk away, how private-market annuities can outperform employer payout options, and what you give up in liquidity and control when you annuitize.

It also uncovers the hidden risk most people overlook: spousal reductions that can slash household income by 50% or more overnight. For many people, a side-by-side comparison reveals dramatically higher income, better flexibility, or stronger spouse protection outside the employer plan — but you won’t know without a review.
👉 Read the full article here

Tax-Smart Income Planning

Tax planning - like all retirement planning, is something that should be reviewed annually (because tax laws change as do your retirement and legacy goals).

But, the 🔑 components to really take into consideration are:

✅ Average lifetime tax rate
✅ Total lifetime taxes paid
✅ Total net income collected
✅ AND total net legacy for your loved ones

It’s an ongoing process but proper tax planning can be worth MILLIONS to you and your loved ones 👏

Here's a snapshot of how much the right income strategy can save you (and your loved ones) in lifetime taxes (based on a case study I did this week):

This shows a very significant decrease in lifetime taxes, an increase in overall income, and a larger legacy for loved ones (as compared to traditional distribution/income strategies)!

Helpful Tools & Resources:

  • NEW Roth BluePrint Analysis

💡 Want to see how a Roth conversion could work for your retirement? My new Roth Conversion Blueprint shows the long-term tax savings, income benefits, and legacy potential — all without reducing your account value or bumping you into a higher tax bracket. 👉 Let’s run the numbers together.

  • Complete Guide to Long-term Care Planning (New One-pager)

Long-term care isn’t just a future concern—it’s a planning opportunity today. This all-in-one guide breaks down the costs, risks, and strategies to help you protect your wealth and leverage LTC solutions before you need them.

  • Retirement Income Insider (free VIP group)

Here I'll share additional retirement planning tips + exclusive access to future Masterclasses, live Q&A's, and many other retirement resources!

  • Future, Guaranteed Income Calculator (free)

Run your own retirement income projections to see approximately how much, guaranteed income you can secure (now or in the future).

Note: this is done through 1 company I work with, so while it may be a good estimator for your situation, there may also be a better option with a different company (and a higher payout) for you

As always, thanks for allowing me into your inbox. If there is any way that I can be a resource for you, please don't hesitate to reach out.

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P.S.S. some helpful links & resources you might enjoy

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Matthew R. Harris (aka Safe Money Matt)

Retirement Planner Specializing in Safety-First Income Planning — protecting retirement savings, minimizing market risk, and creating lifetime peace of mind.💰 Tax-Efficient Income Strategies | Tax-free Wealth Transfer | Long-Term Care Planning | Social Security Optimization 📚 Author | 💕 Jesus Follower | ⚾️ Ex-NCAA Athlete 👇🏻Subscribe to Safe Money Weekly for simple, effective strategies to retire with confidence 📰

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