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The Power of Zero Podcast

David McKnight

hosted by David McKnight

Tax rates 10 years from now are likely to be much higher than they are today. Is your retirement plan ready? Learn how to avoid the coming tax freight train and maximize your retirement dollars.

The Three Types of Tax-free Retirement Advisors (And Which One’s the BEST for You)

David talks about the three main types of tax-free retirement advisors and the one that will guarantee a hassle-free retirement. The first type of advisor is the TikTok advisor. This is the advisor who will preach the prospect of dramatically higher…

How to Get Rich the Dave Ramsey Way! (Hint: 10% Withdrawals in Retirement)

David breaks down a recent Dave Ramsey interview where he advised a 50-year-old widow on the best way to save, invest, and withdraw her retirement savings. According to Ramsey, if the lady invests $1000 every month for 15 years, she will have…

Complete Your Roth Conversion by THIS Date or LOSE!

Today’s episode is part three of David’s interview with Power of Zero Advisor Terry DuPont.  Trump tax cuts were not permanent – David explains why 2026 is going to be a key year for that. In his book Comeback America, former Comptroller…

What your Financial Advisor Is NOT Telling You About Roth Conversions

Today’s episode is part two of David’s interview with Power of Zero Advisor Terry DuPont.  David talks about the approach many major money management institutions follow, and how it differs from how David and Terry do things. There are…

Why Cash Value Life Insurance is EXPLODING in Popularity (Despite What Critics Say)

Today’s episode features some of the highlights of David’s appearance on the Your Money with David Hays podcast. David touches upon what he would focus on and how long he believes he would last if he were president of the U.S.. David’s next book…

Dave Ramsey Beat the S&P 500 Over the Last 30 Years Because “It’s not hard to do.”

In a recent interview, Dave Ramsey claimed he beat the S&P 500 over the last 30 years because “it’s not hard to do.” The big question is, is it really that easy to beat the S&P 500 over time? According to David, it’s not. In fact, most…

Don’t Buy an IUL Until You Listen to This Podcast!

David breaks down a recent article by financial advisor Brian Manderscheid on what insurance agents don’t tell you about Indexed Universal Life (IUL). David talks about the risk of consuming financial content online without seeking professional…

1-minute Summary of Every David McKnight Book on Retirement

David gives a 1-minute summary of all his books on retirement.  The Power of Zero: How to Get to the 0% Tax Bracket and Transform Your Retirement. The book outlines a step-by-step plan for getting to the 0% tax bracket in retirement, because if…

My Review of the Anti-IUL Book “Lapsed”

David reviews an anti-IUL book, LAPSED, written by financial advisor Elan Moas, who believes IULs are designed to fail rather than succeed. According to David, the book is written with dramatic and highly-charged rhetoric around what will befall you…

Dave Ramsey Says You Can Take an 8% Withdrawal Rate in Retirement! (Is He Right?)

Today’s episode revolves around whether Dave Ramsey is right – or wrong – in saying that people can take an 8% withdrawal rate in retirement. A group of fiduciary advisors recently confronted Dave Ramsey on Twitter.  Just like David, they…

The Truth About Doug Andrew’s Retirement Philosophy

David starts the conversation by describing why he’s not a huge fan of Doug Andrew’s retirement philosophy. David then talks about the differences between Doug’s approach and the Power of Zero approach for funding your retirement. According to…

Why do Major Money Institutions HATE Tax-free Investing?

David starts the conversation by breaking down his book, Power of Zero, and the problem with America’s ever-rising national debt. For David, the goal of the book is to guide people on how to move their assets into tax-free retirement vehicles -…

More Resources

The first great retirement risk all retirees face is the prospect of tax rate increases, and planning ahead is the best way to work toward stable retirement finances

Avoiding the Greatest Retirement Risks: Part One

My mission as a financial advisor is to help each client build a retirement strategy that’s designed to navigate key financial risks. Many people face the very real possibility of running out of money later in life, often due to factors they didn’t anticipate. That’s why I’ve focused my practice on tax-efficient retirement planning, guided by the principles of David McKnight, author of The Power of Zero and a leading voice in tax-free income strategies. His approach has shaped how I help clients prepare for the future with clarity and purpose. Below, I’m sharing a brief passage from David […]

Learn how a Roth conversion strategy can calp with reducing future tax burdens in retirement while optimizing your retirement income.

The Roth Conversion Roadmap: Reducing Future Tax Burdens in Retirement

Planning for retirement involves not only saving but also strategically managing your tax burden. One approach to consider is the Roth conversion strategy, which allows you to convert tax-deferred retirement accounts, like traditional IRAs or 401(k)s, into tax-free Roth IRAs. At Hanson Wealth Management, we assist clients in understanding the potential benefits of Roth conversions in relation to their individual financial circumstances. This article dives into the Roth Conversion Roadmap, addressing the key considerations, challenges, and strategies for reducing future tax burdens while maintaining financial flexibility during the transition period. What Is a Roth Conversion? A Roth conversion involves […]

Learn about tax-efficient retirement planning and how it can align your financial goals with proactive strategies for managing taxes in retirement.

Understanding the Power of Zero Concept for Wealth Management in 2025

As tax laws evolve and retirement planning becomes more complex, adopting tax-efficient strategies can help preserve more of your wealth for the future. One approach that I share with clients frequently is the “Power of Zero” concept. This strategy focuses on reducing taxable income during retirement by utilizing tax-advantaged accounts and strategic income planning. At Hanson Wealth Management, we assist clients in understanding and implementing this framework within their broader financial plans. What Is the Power of Zero Concept? The Power of Zero is a financial planning approach that emphasizes reducing or eliminating taxable income during retirement. This strategy

Discover strategies to protect retirement savings from market volatility, including tax-free income streams, diversification, and long-term care planning.

Surviving Financial Storms: The Volatility Shield for Your Retirement

Retirement planning is a key part of building a secure future, but it isn’t without its challenges. One of the most pressing concerns for retirees is managing the impact of market volatility. The ups and downs of the stock market can significantly affect retirement savings and income, creating uncertainty for those who are unprepared. David McKnight, author of The Power of Zero, outlines strategies designed to address this challenge, focusing on creating a more resilient retirement plan. Let’s dig into this topic now. The Impact of Market Volatility on Retirement Market volatility refers to fluctuations in the prices of investments […]

If you have ever wondered what Life Insurance Retirement Plans can do for your retirement future, learn your options in this guide.

LIRP: The Retirement Planning Tool You Haven’t Heard Of

Life Insurance Retirement Plans (LIRPs) are emerging as a valuable yet lesser-known tool in the retirement planning landscape. LIRPs, which combine life insurance coverage with the potential for tax-advantaged growth, can be a consideration for addressing income needs in retirement and legacy planning goals. Unlike traditional retirement accounts, which can come with contribution limits and required minimum distributions, LIRPs provide flexibility and a strategic approach to both savings and protection. In this guide, we’ll dive into the essentials of LIRPs, explore how they function, and highlight key factors to consider when deciding if this approach aligns with your financial […]

Discover how David McKnight's Power of Zero strategies may help you work toward a zero-tax retirement lifestyle by minimizing tax liabilities in retirement.

The Ultimate Guide to a Zero-Tax Retirement Lifestyle

If you read my blog often, you know that I believe retirement should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, free from financial stress. However, you also likely know that one of the biggest challenges in retirement is the burden of taxes. I share frequently about David McKnight’s powerful, game-changing Power of Zero philosophy, and I often share excerpts from his books, too. Today, I want to start back at the beginning – for any new readers or for anyone needing a refresher – on these foundational Power of Zero strategies designed to help you minimize tax liabilities and […]

Discover strategies for crafting a tax-free retirement, addressing tax rate risk and Social Security taxation to gain confidence in your financial future.

Crafting a Tax-Free Retirement: More Than Just a Dream

The following content is partially adapted from the book Tax-Free Income for Life by David McKnight. Crafting a tax-free retirement can be more than just a dream; it can be a strategic approach to safeguarding your financial future. By utilizing specific investment vehicles and planning techniques, you can help combat the uncertainties of future tax rate increases and Social Security taxation, allowing for a more stable and enjoyable retirement. In this article, we’ll discuss one such strategy to help you align your tax-free stars, especially if you have a fixed indexed annuity, which I previously wrote about here. To […]

Learn how to create a volatility-proof retirement plan with strategies like tax-free income streams, diversification, and long-term care planning.

Creating a Volatility-Proof Retirement Plan

Retirement planning is an essential part of preparing for a stable and comfortable future, but it comes with its fair share of challenges. One of the most significant challenges retirees face is market volatility. The ups and downs of the stock market can have a profound impact on retirement savings and income, potentially jeopardizing the financial stability of those who are unprepared. David McKnight, author of “The Power of Zero,” offers insightful strategies for creating a volatility-proof retirement plan. This article delves into his approaches for a volatility-proof retirement plan and provides actionable steps to help you build a […]

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