Retirement GPS - Navigated by Zynergy

Tax Strategies Series: Tax-Loss Harvesting — Finding Opportunity When Markets Feel Uncomfortable

Market downturns don’t have to be wasted.
 
In this episode, Ryan and Zane explain how tax-loss harvesting can turn short-term market declines into long-term tax flexibility—without changing your investment strategy.
 
They cover how the strategy works, when it applies, common pitfalls like the wash sale rule, and why diversification often creates these opportunities naturally.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement to keep your plan on course.

Starting Strong – Five Financial Strategies for 2026

A new year is the perfect time to get intentional with your retirement strategy. In this episode, Ryan and Zane walk through five practical, high-impact moves you can make early in 2026 to keep your plan on track and your stress level low.
 
You’ll learn how to:
• Sketch out a Roth conversion game plan before the year gets away from you
• Use market pullbacks to your advantage when converting to Roth
• Make IRA contributions early so your dollars have more time to compound
• Review last year’s distribution rate and stay in that 4%–5% “sustainable” zone
• Rebalance your portfolio thoughtfully so it supports your long-term goals
 
Ryan and Zane also share how they walk Zynergy members through these same steps every February, and why getting them done early in the year can make the rest of 2026 feel calmer, clearer, and more intentional.
 
Note: Contribution limits and related numbers discussed in this episode are based on 2025 guidelines.
 
For ongoing insights and planning tips, subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to keep your retirement on course.

GODS – Setting Intentional Goals for a Purposeful 2026

Set your goals before the ball drops—not after we start 2026. In this episode, Ryan and Zane walk you through how to design intentional, achievable financial goals for the new year using our GODS framework: Goals, Opportunities, Dangers, and Strengths. Instead of vague New Year’s resolutions that usually disappear by February, you’ll build a roadmap you can actually follow and measure.
 
Learn how to:
Brainstorm and narrow down your most important financial goals for 2026
Get specific and measurable with each goal (what success really looks like)
Put emotion and “why” behind your goals so you stay motivated all year
Use the GODS framework to anticipate roadblocks and opportunities in advance
Leverage your existing strengths—time, habits, cash flow—to make progress
Turn your plan into action with realistic timelines and tradeoffs
 
If you want 2026 to feel intentional—not accidental—this episode gives you a simple, practical framework to get started.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your plan on course.

RMDs – Turning Tax Rules into Retirement Opportunities

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are one of the most misunderstood—and most important—rules in retirement planning. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down exactly how RMDs work, when they begin, and how they impact your taxes, Medicare premiums, and long-term financial strategy.
 
You’ll learn the essentials:
• When RMDs start under current law
• How the IRS calculates your annual withdrawal
• Common mistakes people make (and how to avoid them)
• How large RMDs can push you into higher tax brackets, IRMAA surcharges, and increased Social Security taxation
• How Roth conversions, QCDs, and strategic planning can help you stay in control
 
Ryan and Zane also explain how to turn RMDs into an opportunity—whether that’s funding your lifestyle, supporting charitable goals, or building a more tax-efficient retirement income plan.
 
If you want clarity on one of retirement’s most important rules, this episode gives you the roadmap.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your plan on course.

Semi-Retirement — Work a Little, Live a lot

Semi-retirement isn’t a halfway stop—it’s a strategic way to step out of the rat race while keeping purpose, structure, and income in your life. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down what semi-retirement really looks like, from designing your ideal schedule to understanding how part-time work affects cash flow, Social Security, healthcare, and lifestyle.
Whether you’re dreaming about slowing down, redefining your work, or building more freedom into your week, this episode helps you map out a flexible, fulfilling bridge between full-time work and full retirement.
 
Subscribe to our podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @zynergyretirementplanning for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Social Security — Claim Smart at 62, 67, or 70?

When should you claim Social Security—and how do you avoid costly mistakes? In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down how the system really works from full retirement age and delayed credits to earnings tests, COLA increases, and spousal and survivor benefits.
 
They explain the key factors that should guide your decision, including:
Your health and longevity outlook
Whether you’re still working (and how the earnings test affects you)
Your cash-flow needs in the early retirement years
How taxes and IRMAA surcharges come into play
How your decision impacts your spouse’s long-term benefit
When delaying to age 70 makes sense—and when it doesn’t
 
Walk away with a clearer path for choosing a claiming strategy that supports your long-term plan instead of working against it.
 
For more guidance on building a confident retirement, follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement. Stay tuned for new Retirement GPS episodes every Tuesday!

Long-Term Care – Long-Term Control

You’ve protected your portfolio—now protect the plan that depends on it. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down long-term care planning so you know what’s covered, what it costs, and how to prepare without jeopardizing your savings or your spouse’s stability.
 
They explain:
What qualifies as long-term care and where it happens—home, assisted living, nursing, and continuing-care communities
How to size coverage: monthly benefit targets, benefit period, elimination period, and why inflation protection matters
Traditional LTC vs. hybrid life/LTC policies—pros, cons, and when each can make sense
The Medicaid Partnership rules many retirees overlook
Who should consider insuring vs. self-funding (the net-worth “sweet spot”) and the ideal age window to explore coverage
 
Walk away with a clear framework to decide if, how, and when to insure—so your retirement stays funded and your family is protected.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Shock Absorbers – Do I Need Bonds in My Portfolio?

Bonds aren’t built to win the race—they’re built to keep the ride smooth. In this episode, Ryan and Zane break down what bonds are (and aren’t), how they pay you, and where they fit alongside stocks at any age. You’ll learn the basics—coupon, maturity, and yield—plus the major types (Treasuries, TIPS, munis, corporates, and bond funds), the real risks to watch (interest rate, credit, inflation, call, and liquidity), and why bonds act like portfolio “shock absorbers” when markets get bumpy. We also cover practical allocation ideas, rebalancing, and how to use bonds to support a steady retirement paycheck without sacrificing long-term growth.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your plan on course.

Charting Your Course – Living Off Investments with Confidence

You’ve saved for decades—now it’s time to turn those savings into a sustainable retirement paycheck. In this episode, Ryan and Zane share how to create steady, reliable income from your investments while keeping taxes and risk in check. They discuss the ideal withdrawal rates for retirees, the best order for drawing from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts, and how to manage RMDs, Social Security taxation, and Medicare IRMAA without derailing your plan.
 
Learn how to build a cash buffer, balance growth with safety, and design a withdrawal strategy that lets you spend confidently—knowing your retirement is built to last.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.

Roth Conversions – How to Decide, How Much, and When?

Pay now or pay later? That’s the central question of Roth conversions—and one of the most powerful levers in retirement tax planning. In this episode, Ryan and Zane unpack when conversions make sense, how to size them intentionally, and what rules you need to respect along the way.
 
Using real-life examples, they explain how to project your income, manage tax brackets, and avoid costly mistakes with Medicare IRMAA, Social Security taxation, and five-year withdrawal rules. You’ll also learn how Roth conversions can reduce lifetime taxes, improve flexibility in retirement, and create a tax-free legacy for your heirs.
 
Check out the episode show notes for the 2025 Roth Conversion Fact Finder and learn how to model your own bracket room before making a move.
 
Subscribe to the Retirement GPS Podcast and follow Zynergy Retirement on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @ZynergyRetirement for more strategies to keep your retirement on course.