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Writing about the decisions that matter
Mostly retirement, taxes, and Social Security, in plain English. If you would rather get these by email, the Intentional Insights newsletter is where they land first.
42 posts
September 29, 2026
Can You Convert an RMD to a Roth IRA?
An RMD cannot be converted to a Roth IRA. Learn how a separate Roth conversion may fit in the same year and what tax and Medicare trade-offs to review.
September 23, 2026
Is Social Security Means Tested? What the Phrase Usually Means
A plain-English guide to what people mean by Social Security means testing, how income can affect the taxation of benefits, and questions to consider before claiming.
September 23, 2026
Tax Planning To and Through Early Retirement
A practical guide to tax planning to and through early retirement, from your last working years through the first years of withdrawals.
September 14, 2023
Understanding Social Security Benefit Taxation
Knowing how your Social Security benefits will be taxed is an important part of planning for retirement. Learn more about Social Security benefit taxation here.
July 28, 2023
Roth Conversions: Everything You Need to Know
While you may have chosen to save using a traditional IRA, you do have the option to switch to tax-free retirement income. Who should consider a Roth conversion, and who should stay away? We've got your biggest questions answered.
April 26, 2023
Top 5 Duties of an Estate Executor: And How to Carry Them Out
Being an estate executor is an important role to take on and it's important to understand your roles and responsibilities. It's not a task to take lightly but here are the top 5 duties to be aware of and what you absolutely need to know.
March 13, 2023
6 Things To Do Before Claiming Social Security
Before you can begin to claim any Social Security benefits be sure you're checking these 6 things off your list to start your retirement off on the right foot.
February 16, 2023
How to Create an Estate Plan
Putting together an estate plan can feel overwhelming, but it's an integral part of seeing your final wishes through. Take time to sort through each of these items with your financial advisor to help keep your estate and your loved ones well-organized and prepared.
January 12, 2023
SECURE Act 2.0: What You Need to Know
Confused about SECURE Act 2.0? Take a look at our rundown of the new legislation and how it changes your retirement.
October 18, 2022
Retirement Strategy: Money & Longevity
Longevity is a major factor in your retirement strategy. Take a look at what you and your financial professional will want to consider in our great retirement strategy article.
September 13, 2022
What to Know About Claiming Spousal Social Security Benefits
Did you know you can also claim spousal benefits for social security? If you're married, widowed, and in some cases, divorced, you may be able to claim spousal benefits. Read on to learn more:
July 28, 2022
Media Highlight: Interview with Spectrum News
Brett Koeppel, a Buffalo fee-only financial planner, sat down with Spectrum News to discuss recent market volatility.
In the news
June 28, 2022
8 Ways to Keep Your Finances on Track This Summer
If you find yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands in the upcoming months, you may want to use this time to check in with your family’s finances.
March 31, 2022
Medicare: Understanding the Alphabet of Options
Do you know what each part of Medicare covers? Brush up on your Medicare basics to stay in control of your medical future.
February 15, 2022
Estate Planning in 2022: Do You Have These Documents Prepared?
Estate planning isn’t a fun topic to think about, but it’s important to have everything in order. Learn about some of the most important documents to include in your estate plan.
January 13, 2022
How to Maximize Social Security Spousal Benefits
How do Social Security Spousal Benefits work? When are you eligible and how much can you expect to receive?
October 21, 2021
It's Medicare Open Enrollment. Here's What You Need to Know
Are you ready for Medicare's open enrollment? Here are a few changes you can make to your health coverage during this time.
October 5, 2021
Estate Planning Awareness Month: Rethink These 8 Estate Strategy Myths
With Fall in full swing, did you know it's National Estate Planning Awareness Month? If you've made assumptions about the estate planning process in the past, check out these 8 myths debunked.
September 7, 2021
5 Reasons to Consider Working in Retirement
Retirement is about enjoying your financial independence, but it doesn't mean you have to stop working. In fact, there are a few reasons why you may want to consider it.
August 17, 2021
Gifting vs. Inheritance: Which Is Better For My Kids
If you know that you want to leave behind money or assets for your family members, is it better to give a gift while you are still living or an inheritance after death?
June 24, 2021
Retiring as a Couple: Important Factors to Consider
You’ve worked hard for years, saved diligently and now you’re ready to relax in retirement. But if you’re part of a couple, it’s important to approach this life transition as a partnership through open communication and honest dialogue.
May 18, 2021
When Should I Claim My Social Security?
Deciding to wait or claim Social Security benefits is a personal decision. Here are some important factors anyone nearing or in retirement should consider now.
April 15, 2021
RMDs For 2021: Here's What's Changing
Following the CARES and SECURE Acts, the rules for RMDs have changed in 2021. This summary will show you how.
March 18, 2021
The American Rescue Plan Act Has Passed: Here's What You Need to Know
Congress has officially passed a $1.9 trillion stimulus package. Here's what families and businesses need to know.
January 5, 2021
Trust the Process: What You Can Learn About Retirement Planning From the Buffalo Bills
Planning a tax-efficient retirement requires a process. Here's what you can learn about it from the Buffalo Bills.
November 20, 2020
The Game Has Changed: What I’ve Learned from My First Year Running an RIA
It's been a year since my decision to launch a fee-only financial planning firm in order to better serve my clients as a fiduciary.
July 21, 2020
In The News: July 21st, 2020
What protections are in place for investors if their brokerage doesn't make it through the economic downtown? I spoke with Forbes recently and shared what consumers should know.
In the news
July 16, 2020
How to Find the Best Financial Advisor for You in Buffalo, NY
Identifying a financial planner for your retirement is a big deal. Here's what you should look for when hiring a fiduciary financial advisor in Buffalo, NY.
July 10, 2020
In The News: July 10th, 2020
Could investing in companies working to produce a vaccine provide a "boost" to your portfolio? I spoke with Nerdwallet and shared how to consider incorporating them into your overall investment plan.
In the news
June 11, 2020
How Retirees Can Bridge the Health Insurance Gap Before Medicare
If you intend to retire before age 65, it's critical to have a plan for healthcare coverage before Medicare kicks in. Here's what you need to know.
June 4, 2020
In The News: June 4th, 2020
Bonds play a critical role in your retirement investment plan. I recently spoke with Nerdwallet and explained how retirees should approach fixed income investing within their portfolio.
In the news
May 29, 2020
How to Time Your Social Security Claim During a Pandemic
Deciding when to claim your Social Security benefits is a critical piece to your retirement planning. Should the pandemic affect the timing of when you claim?
May 14, 2020
How to Make the Most of the Current Situation
What if we used it as an opportunity to take inventory of our lives? Is it possible to come out of this stronger, with more clarity around what's important?
April 23, 2020
In the News: April 23rd, 2020
Uncertainty in the stock market can be a great test in determining how helpful your financial advisor really is in supporting your family's goals.
In the news
April 9, 2020
In the News: April 9th, 2020
There's a lot of uncertainty for many families right now. We're doing our part to help by offering free financial planning.
In the news
March 23, 2020
10 Reasons to Stay Positive During the Coming Days
Humans, markets, and economies are resilient. The power of the human spirit and genuine care for others is and will always remain undefeated.
March 16, 2020
Coronavirus and Scary Markets: 5 Things You Need to Know
Financial planning and investment management is an ongoing process to prepare you for the unknown, which includes market volatility.
February 10, 2020
What You Need to Know About the SECURE Act and Your Retirement
The SECURE Act included some big changes to retirement rules that you'll want to make sure to consider in your financial planning.
January 28, 2020
What Will You Be Remembered For?
Take a look at your own life. Consider how you’d want to be remembered by those closest to you. Are you living a life right now that reflects that vision?
December 23, 2019
Make It Count
An article that entirely changed the way I think about time and the relationships in my life, and how it might also help you reflect on yours.
December 18, 2019
How to Make the Most of Your Money: Last Minute Year-End Checklist
Our year-end financial planning checklist outlines the critical money moves to consider; including RMDs, Roth conversions, charitable giving, and more.
December 12, 2019
In the News: December 12th, 2019
Our president, Brett Koeppel, shared his thoughts on what he believes this means for investing and fiduciary financial advisors as a whole.
In the news
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