Buffalo, New York
Tax-smart retirement planning for WNY families
You’ve spent decades saving for retirement. Now you need a roadmap to spend confidently, reduce taxes, and make the most of what you’ve built.
Fee-only fiduciary · CFP® · Serving Western New York since 2019
Brett has been quoted in
The logos above represent publications in which Brett Koeppel has been quoted for general market commentary. These appearances were facilitated through the Financial Planning Association's media platform, for which the firm pays an annual membership fee. Neither Brett nor the firm receives compensation from the publications, and the appearances should not be construed as endorsements, testimonials, or rankings of the firm or its services.
If this sounds familiar
You saved enough. Nobody told you the second half was harder.
Most of your savings have never been taxed
You spent decades contributing to your 401(k) and IRA. Now the challenge is deciding when and how to withdraw that money without paying more in taxes than necessary.
Eventually, withdrawals become required
Required minimum distributions begin at 73 or 75, depending on when you were born. Planning ahead can give you more control over when you recognize income and pay taxes in retirement.
Your plan needs to work for both of you
A surviving spouse may have similar income with less favorable tax brackets. Good retirement planning considers not just the years ahead, but how the plan works for either spouse on their own.
Hover for the less formal version
Your guide
Hi, I’m Brett.
I’m a born-and-raised Buffalonian passionate about helping others make more informed decisions with their money.
I left the brokerage world in 2019 to build a firm where fee-only fiduciary advice comes first. Today, I help Western New York families at or near retirement turn a lifetime of savings into income, plan their spending, and make tax-aware decisions.
CFP®
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional
Fee-only
No commissions, no products, no hidden fees
Fiduciary
Legally bound to your interest, always
Buffalo
Born here, live here, love it here
How this works
From questions about retirement to a clear path forward.
01
The intro call
30 minutes, by phone
A conversation to find out whether your situation is the kind of thing I am good at.
02
The discovery meeting
About 90 minutes, in person or virtual
The long conversation about your money, your family, and what you want this to look like.
03
The retirement strategy session
I do the work, you go about your life
I build the analysis and come back with what I found, whether or not you hire me.
04
The decision
Take as long as you need
We both decide, without pressure, whether to work together for the long haul.
What I Help with
The decisions that come with retirement
Tax planning
How can you pay less in taxes over time?
Plan withdrawals, Roth conversions, and charitable giving around your broader retirement tax picture.
What this means for you
- You stop guessing in December
- RMDs arrive smaller
- Your spouse inherits a plan instead of a puzzle
Who I work with
Three versions of the same crossroads.
Five years out · Around 58
Still working, saving hard, and finally close enough to retirement to want the arithmetic done properly.
See their situation
Newly retired · Around 64
Six months in, learning that spending down a portfolio is a different skill than filling one.
See their situation
The conversion window · Around 68
A few years into retirement, watching a large pre-tax balance grow toward a required withdrawal schedule they did not choose.
See their situation
From clients
What clients have to say
These testimonials were provided by current Eudaimonia Wealth clients and may not be representative of the experiences of other clients. The clients were not compensated, nor are there material conflicts of interest that would affect the given testimonials. You can read every review on Brett’s Wealthtender profile, an independent review platform that verifies each reviewer is a real client.
What's at stake
The difference a retirement roadmap can make
Without a coordinated plan
- Pre-tax savings continue to grow, potentially creating larger RMDs and future tax bills.
- Social Security is claimed without considering the long-term impact on you and your spouse.
- Roth conversions are made without considering Medicare premiums and other tax consequences.
- A surviving spouse can face higher taxes on the same retirement income.
- You spend less than you could because you’re never quite sure what’s safe.
With a plan
- Roth conversions are planned around your income and tax brackets.
- Social Security is coordinated with your broader retirement income strategy.
- Medicare and IRMAA are considered before making tax decisions.
- One deposit arriving monthly, funded in an order set in advance.
- You have a clearer picture of what you can comfortably spend and enjoy.
Straight answers
Common questions
I typically work with individuals and couples approaching or already in retirement who have at least $1 million in savings and investments. Most have done a good job saving and want help turning those savings into income while making smart decisions about taxes, investments, Social Security, Medicare, and their estate.
Saving and spending are different challenges. Once you retire, decisions around withdrawals, taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and investments start affecting one another. My role is to help you coordinate those decisions and build a plan for turning your savings into income.
I run a small, independent firm focused on retirement planning. You work directly with me, and I get to know your financial situation, goals, and family over time.
Yes. I’m a fee-only CFP® professional and fiduciary. I don’t receive commissions for recommending investments or financial products.
At Charles Schwab, in accounts registered in your name. I never take custody of client assets. Schwab holds the money, sends your statements, and reports to the IRS. I manage the accounts and deduct the agreed fee, and you can view every position and transaction directly at Schwab whenever you want.
As a fee-only advisor, I only get paid by you, never through commissions or product sales. I sell no insurance and no investment products, and I take no referral payments or third-party incentives. The fee ranges from 0.50% to 1.20% of assets under management, with a minimum annual fee of $12,000, and the percentage falls as the assets grow.
Eudaimonia, pronounced you-day-MOH-nia, is a Greek term for human flourishing. It describes a life of meaning and purpose, which I believe can be achieved by aligning your money with what you value most.
Start with a conversation.
The first step is a 30-minute phone call. Tell me what’s on your mind and what you’re hoping to accomplish, and we’ll see if working together makes sense. No preparation required.