Cover Your Assets KC Podcast

5 Major Events From 2025 That Impacted Retirement Plans

Today, David is breaking down some of the year’s biggest headlines and what they may mean for your plan moving forward. 2026’s headlines might look different, but the same drama will likely exist. So, what can you do? Aim to control your plan, your savings habits, and your long-term strategy. That’s what can help turn a chaotic year into a confident retirement path.
 
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🌍 Tariffs: market volatility and uncertainty spikes
📈 Inflation: persistent pressure on household budgets
🏦 High-Yield Savings: interest rates and cash decisions
🧾 Tax Changes: implications of the Big Beautiful Bill
🛟 Emergency Funds: lessons from the government shutdown
🔮 Looking Ahead: planning with perspective into 2026
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Better Retirement Questions (Part 2): Five Smarter Ways to Think About Your Future

Most people ask good retirement questions, but not always the right ones. In Part 2 of this series, David Dickens shares five more “better questions” pulled straight from real client meetings, revealing how small shifts could lead to better retirement decisions.
From Social Security timing to mortgage payoff strategies and more, we’ll explain how reframing the way you ask the question might change the quality of the answer.
This episode is straightforward and addresses many of the nuances retirees might miss when they think in terms of black-and-white choices.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧓 Social Security Isn’t 62 vs. 70
🏠 Mortgage Payoff Decisions Need Context
📉 You Can’t Avoid Risk — But You Might Be Able to ‘Right-Size’ It
🔒 Does Cash Help Provide Safety?
📅 Meeting Frequency Isn’t the Point
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Why Better Questions Helps Build Better Retirements

Sometimes the smartest move in retirement planning isn’t knowing all the answers. It’s about learning to ask better questions.
In this episode of Cover Your Assets KC, David walks through five common financial questions people ask, and then explains how to reframe them to get better results. From “How much money do I need to retire?” to “Where can I pay the lowest fees?”, we’ll explain how slight shifts in perspective can help lead to stronger, more personalized decisions.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🩺 Long-Term Care Choices: Self-insure, insure, or blend options — it’s not just a yes/no decision.
📈 Chasing Returns: Why diversification matters when it comes to long-term performance.
⚖️ Fees vs. Value: Why “cheapest” isn’t the same as “best” when hiring a financial advisor.
🕰️ Tax Timing: Don’t just lower taxes this year — plan to reduce them for life.
🧠 Smart Strategies: Roth conversions, HSAs, and charitable distributions for lifelong tax efficiency.
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Do Your Feelings Belong in Your Financial Plan?

Most people think financial planning is about calculators, spreadsheets, and strategies. But that’s only half the story. The fact is, your feelings about money can have just as much impact on your retirement as the numbers do. Today, David explores the emotional side of planning and how your legacy goals can be shaped by what you feel, not just what you know.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧩 Whole-Person Planning: Why you want your plan to align your money with your mindset
⚖️ Simple or Complex?:  Simplicity in investments can be smarter than complexity
💳 Debt Decisions: Navigating emotional comfort around carrying debt in retirement
📉 Market Emotions: Managing anxiety and confidence through volatility
🎯 Risk Tolerance: How feelings shape your comfort with market ups and downs
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Is Now the Time to Invest More in Bonds?

Before we get started, please note that when we use the terms ‘safe,’ ‘safety,’ or ‘safe money’ in today’s discussion, we’re referring generally to strategies designed to help manage risk, not to any product or investment that is guaranteed or free from loss or any other risks. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. While some products may offer a level of protection against market losses, they may involve numerous other risks, such as interest rate risk, liquidity risk, inflation risk, credit risk, and more. Listeners should consider their own financial situation and consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Bonds used to be the ‘boring’ part of a portfolio; considered conservative, steady, and not very exciting. But with yields at multi-decade highs, a lot of people are asking: is now the time to give bonds a bigger role in your investment strategy? David breaks down whether now may be a good time to add more bonds to your portfolio and how today’s higher yields impact both risk and opportunity. Bonds can provide income, balance, and confidence but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Before you ‘go all in,’ make sure the mix fits your long-term plan.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
💡 Bond Basics: understanding risk, liquidity, and yield (the “SLY” principle)
💥 Interest Rate Risk: why longer bonds can lose value as rates rise
📉 Short vs. Long Bonds: when short-term holdings might make more sense
⚖️ The Rule of 100: a timeless framework for balancing growth and protection
🔁 The 60/40 Portfolio Revisited: how higher yields change the conversation
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

5 Signs You’re Richer Than You Think

Most people don’t feel wealthy. But what if your day-to-day habits are quietly building serious financial strength? A recent article from Kiplinger outlined five surprising signs that you might be richer than you think, and none of them involve yachts or private jets. In this episode, David walks through each sign and explains why they might matter for both today and your long-term future.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚨 An emergency fund can be a real sign of wealth
📉 Living below your means helps to build long-term security
📈 Investing systematically and strategically
🏠 Rental properties and side gigs can create income streams
⏳ A long-term focus helps you stay confident through downturns
Kiplinger Article: 7 Signs You’re Secretly Getting Rich (and Don’t Even Know It)
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/signs-youre-secretly-getting-rich-and-dont-even-know-it
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Mailbag: Setting Your Teen on the Right Financial Foot

We’re back with another mailbag edition of the show! This week, we tackle two thoughtful financial planning questions from listeners.
First up: a retiree who received a federal tax refund wonders if it’s a smart strategy or a sign to adjust withholdings. David explains the pros and cons of overpaying taxes in retirement, why minimizing refunds often makes more sense, and how to create a smoother retirement income stream. Then, a parent asks how to help their 18-year-old daughter start off on the right financial foot.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🔍 Tax strategies for withholding in retirement 
🧾 A case for keeping refunds small
 📅 Creating a steady income
🎓 Helping young adults start strong 
🚫 The risks of credit card debt
Previous mailbag episode:
https://coveryourassetskcpodcast.podbean.com/e/mailbag-should-you-fund-your-business-with-ira-money/
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Mailbag: Should You Fund Your Business With IRA Money?

Today is a listener question edition of the show and we’re diving into two relatable retirement planning scenarios that may mirror your own concerns.
First up: a listener wants to quit his corporate job to start a business. David shares how age, funding source, and risk tolerance play important roles in that decision, and why raiding your IRA might not be your best move. Then, they respond to a retiree who recently realized their pension doesn’t adjust for inflation. We’ll explain how to assess inflation risk, use the "Rule of 72," and help balance your IRA investment strategy for long-term purchasing power.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚀 Starting a business near retirement? Weigh the risk very carefully.
🏛️ IRA withdrawals come with taxes and potential penalties so plan before you pull.
🧮 Use the Rule of 72 to see how inflation could cut your buying power.
📈 IRAs should typically be invested for growth if you won’t need them soon.
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

Big Beautiful Bill Myths Debunked

Big tax law changes always bring big rumors. But before you assume Social Security is now tax-free or that you’re getting a $40K deduction just for breathing, let’s set the record straight on what this new bill didn’t actually do. This episode, David breaks down 6 of the most common myths floating around about the new “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Here are the myths we discuss in today’s show:
Myth #1: “Social Security is no longer taxed.”
Myth #2: “This new law means tax cuts for everybody.”
Myth #3: “The tax brackets are permanent now, so I don’t need to worry.”
Myth #4: “A $15M estate tax exemption means estate planning doesn’t matter anymore.”
Myth #5: “Car loan interest is now fully deductible.”
Myth #6: “I can skip itemizing and still get a huge deduction for giving to charity.”
 
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.

The New Tax Law - What’s In It For Me?

A new tax bill has officially passed (you’ve probably heard it mentioned as the “Big Beautiful Bill”). And while most headlines are focused on politics, we’re focused on what it means for your retirement. The choices you make in the next year or two could have a significant impact on how much you keep and how much goes to Uncle Sam. Today, David breaks down key parts that are most likely to affect retirees.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧾 Why that viral Social Security headline needs clarification
📊 How a boosted standard deduction could potentially save you hundreds or even thousands
🧠 The Byrd Rule workaround Congress used to make it happen
🏠 Why SALT deduction changes matter more in high-tax states
🙌 How non-itemizers can now deduct up to $2,000 in giving
📅 Why 2028 is an important year to keep on your planning radar
For additional resources or to contact David, visit us online at http://coveryourassetskc.com or call 913-317-1414.