What REALLY Happened with Kyle Busch’s $8 Million Lawsuit against Pacific Life
David McKnight looks at what happened when NASCAR legend Kyle Busch reportedly lost $8+ million in what was supposed to be a tax-free retirement plan. The plan Busch relied on was built around an indexed universal life insurance policy. According to Kyle and Samantha Busch’s lawsuit, they paid more than $10.4M into several IUL policies issued by Pacific Life Insurance between 2018 and 2022. While these policies were pitched as a safe, self-funding, tax-free retirement plan, things didn’t go as promised… Poor design, unrealistic expectations, a delayed 1035 exchange, and poor oversight are the key reasons why the Busch’s … Continue reading What REALLY Happened with Kyle Busch’s $8 Million Lawsuit against Pacific Life
The Financial Guru Hall of Shame–Who’s Leading You Off a Cliff?
David McKnight focuses on three of the biggest names in personal finance – Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, and Ken Fisher – and why you should be careful with following their advice. David emphasizes that anyone trying to wring the most efficiency out of their retirement savings should focus on advice that’s backed by math… not soundbites. While David Ramsey is the right person for people who are making less than they are spending, the same can’t be said for his retirement planning advice. For instance, he claims that 100% of cash value life insurance sucks 100% of the time.
Suze Orman Says 3%, Bill Bengen Says 4.7%–Who’s Right on Sustainable Withdrawal Rates?
David McKnight compares the approach of some of the biggest names in personal finance: Suze Orman, and William “Bill” Bengen (the man who invented the 4% Rule). In a recent interview covered by MSN, Suze Orman declared flat out that the 4% Rule is dead since markets are volatile, interest rates fluctuate, and people are living longer. David shares the “origin story” of how the 4% Rule came to be – and its creator Bill Bengen. Interviewed by MSN, Bengen updated his research and concluded that, based on current data, a 4.7% withdrawal rate is now sustainable. David compares
Why Dave Ramsey’s Roth Conversion Advice Could Cost You a Fortune
David McKnight discusses one of the most destructive pieces of retirement advice he has ever heard: that you should never do a Roth conversion in retirement or within five years of retiring. Dave Ramsey believes you should forego doing a Roth…
Four Ways to Pay Tax on Your Roth Conversion
David McKnight addresses something that can make or break your Roth conversion strategy: how you actually pay the tax. David kicks things off by sharing that Federal and state estimated tax payments are usually made in four equal installments: April…
I’m 52 Years Old and Have No Bonds in My Portfolio (Smart or Dangerous?)
David McKnight explains why he has chosen to avoid bonds entirely and why you might want to rethink how you protect your portfolio as you approach retirement. David kicks things off by illustrating the so-called sequence of returns risk. According to…
Dave Ramsey is Right About Bonds, but Not for the Reasons He Thinks
David McKnight addresses something Dave Ramsey has been saying for years: “You should NEVER own bonds in retirement!” David points out that the tool that actually solves the problem Ramsey has been trying to avoid is the same one he spent years…
What is the Power of Zero Retirement Philosophy?
David McKnight walks you through what he believes to be the retirement strategy of the future: the Power of Zero approach. Congress recently passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which makes the Trump tax cuts permanent. The brackets were set to…
Greatest Retirement Mistake
While on the golf course with his son, David McKnight got asked a question, by a couple of men in their early 70s, every pre-retiree and retiree wonders at some point: “What’s the biggest mistake people make when preparing for retirement?” Many…
The Hidden Costs of Whole Life Insurance
For many people, an approach that incorporates whole life insurance has become part of their broader retirement strategy. Is that a good way to go? That’s what David McKnight addresses in this episode. While Whole Life has some legitimate…