The Roth Guy with Jude Wilson

Roth IRA Q&A: Five-Year Rule, Income Limits & Conversion Mistakes

This week on the show, Jude answers some of the most common Roth IRA questions! First up: the Five-Year Rule. What does it really mean, how does it apply to contributions versus earnings, and why should you start the clock as soon as possible? Jude breaks it down in plain language with a reminder that waiting too long could delay your tax-free income in retirement. Next, Jude tackles two questions that often go hand in hand: what to do if you make too much to contribute to a Roth IRA, and whether you should convert your entire IRA all at once. 
 
Here are the questions we discuss in this episode:
💭 What is the Roth five-year rule?
💭 What if I make too much to contribute to a Roth?
💭 Should I convert my IRA to a Roth all at once?
 
Tax Bomb Calculator: www.thetaxbomb.com
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

Big Beautiful Bill: Top 3 Retirement Tax Changes Explained

The Big Beautiful Bill (BBB) passed on July 4th, bringing major changes that retirees and pre-retirees need to understand. In this episode, Jude breaks down the top 3 provisions most relevant to his clients and listeners: the permanent extension of marginal tax brackets, the increased standard deduction, and a new senior citizen deduction that could reduce taxes on Social Security for millions of retirees. These updates offer new opportunities for Roth conversions, long-term tax planning, and smarter retirement income strategies- if you know how to use them.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
📉 Marginal tax brackets extended, but not forever
🧠 Planning windows and why every tax law is written in pencil
🧾 Higher standard deduction simplifies filing for most
💬 Why “tax-free Social Security” didn’t make it into law
💰 New senior deduction may reduce taxes on Social Security income
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

How To Use The Tax Bomb Calculator

Is your retirement account a ticking tax time bomb? In this episode, Jude gives a hands-on demo of his Tax Bomb Calculator- a powerful tool at thetaxbomb.com- that helps you estimate how much of your 401(k) or IRA could be lost to taxes.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💣What is the tax time bomb?
📊 Understanding your future tax liability
🧠 “Mandatory” vs. “optional” taxes in retirement
🔄 The power of reallocating taxable retirement funds
📆 Using today’s low tax rates to your advantage
 
The Tax Bomb Calculator:
https://retirementtaxbill.com/?u=Z00xeHQrK3lieGhOMlYvdnlNSUIvQT09
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

Transitioning From Work To Retirement with Josh Bell

The transition into retirement isn’t just a financial shift- it’s a psychological one. We’re excited to have a special guest on the show this week. Josh Bell, coach and consultant at The Josh Bell Company, is joining us to explore what it really means to leave your job title behind and step into the unknown.
Tune into this great conversation on building a retirement life filled with clarity, purpose, and healthy relationships!
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧭 Redefining your identity without your career title
🗓️ Designing new rhythms for your daily life
❤️ Navigating relationship shifts in retirement
🎯 The danger of retiring without a plan beyond finances
🎙️ How coaching can be helpful during big life transitions
 
Learn more about Josh:
https://www.joshwbell.com/
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

5 Ways Wishful Thinking Can Damage Your Retirement (Part 2)

Wishful thinking feels comforting, but in retirement planning, it can quietly sabotage your future. In this second installment, Jude breaks down five more dangerous assumptions people make when planning for their golden years. From relying too much on Social Security to assuming Medicare will handle long-term care, this episode challenges listeners to face financial realities with clarity and strategy.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚫 Common planning mistakes and false beliefs
🏠 Downsizing might not free up the cash you expect
👨‍👩‍👧 Counting on your kids? Think again
💵 Social Security might not stretch far enough
🧯 Putting out fires before it’s too late
Retirement Tax Bill Calculator
https://thetaxbomb.com/
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

5 Ways Wishful Thinking Can Damage Your Retirement (Part 1)

A little hope is good for the soul, but when it comes to retirement planning, wishful thinking can lead to serious financial mistakes. Today, we’re walking through 5 common examples of wishful thinking that can quietly damage your retirement and how you can build a plan that protects your future instead of relying on luck. From relying on outdated rules of thumb to underestimating healthcare costs, these are the “harmless” beliefs that can become costly mistakes if left unchecked. 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💸 Why “living off interest” no longer works📉 The risk of retiring into a market downturn📊 The myth of being in a lower tax bracket later in life🏥 The hidden costs of long-term care💰 Why your spending might not go down after all
Retirement Tax Bill Calculator
https://thetaxbomb.com/
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

What To Do When The Market Drops

When the headlines scream and markets tumble, your instinct might be to do something. But what should you actually do when the market drops? In this episode, Jude walks through 4 key things to consider when your portfolio takes a hit.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Gut check: You may not be down as much as you think
⚖️ How diversification can help when the market takes a hit
🔁 Rebalancing & Roth conversions during downturns
💸 Why you should keep contributing
📵 Turn off the news and stop doomscrolling
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

Annuities: Are They Tax Beneficial?

Annuities are often misunderstood- some see them as a financial nightmare, while others consider them a key part of a well-rounded portfolio. So, what exactly are they? And can they offer any tax advantages?
Jude is here to break it all down- how annuities work, their tax implications, and when they might fit into a retirement strategy.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
2:07 – What is an annuity?
3:40 – Types of annuities
6:19 – Advantages of annuities
8:34 – Disadvantages and fees
15:09 – When might an annuity be a good fit?
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

Rocket Your Roth: Lessons from Peter Thiel’s Wealth Strategy

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and early investor in Facebook, reportedly grew his Roth IRA to a jaw-dropping $5 billion- completely tax-free. But how did he do it? And more importantly, can everyday investors use similar strategies to maximize their own retirement savings?
In this episode, Jude Wilson and Marc Killian break down the "Rocket Roth" strategy- an approach that goes beyond basic diversification to optimize where your investments are placed for maximum tax efficiency and growth.
Could your Roth IRA be working harder for you? Let’s discuss what it means to rocket your Roth!
 
Here's what we discuss in today's show:
1:21 – Peter Thiel’s backstory
2:35 – Asset location and diversification
4:41 – Reallocating assets for maximum growth
6:44 – Common mistakes and tax considerations
12:42 – What would you place in the “rocket Roth?”
 
Resources for this episode:
Tax Bomb Calculator: https://retirementtaxbill.com/?u=Z00xeHQrK3lieGhOMlYvdnlNSUIvQT09
Resources for this week's show: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/billionaire-investor-peter-thiel-has-5b-his-tax-free-retirement-n1272317
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/

Do Smart Investors Need a Financial Planner?

If you’ve spent years successfully managing your own investments, do you really need a financial advisor? That’s the question one of our listeners sent in after years of handling his portfolio solo. So, is working with an advisor just an extra expense, or could it actually add real value?
In this episode, we break down when and why even experienced investors might benefit from professional guidance and when they’re probably fine on their own.
Here’s what we discuss in this episode:
0:00 – Intro
1:45 – DIY investors
4:13 – Much more than investment advice
6:11 – Two client stories
7:56 – Relationships
10:06 – Life changes
13:08 – Showing our value
 
Connect:
Website: https://centrusfs.com/podcast/  
Call: 800-779-4592
Schedule your complimentary review with Jude: https://calendly.com/centruscalendar-/30min
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOyRZhgLenTC49qNZH9mEuQ/