The Withdrawal Order Nobody Taught You (And How to Save 10% on Taxes Annually in Retirement)

Pre-order Tyler's book, Real Wealth, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tyler.gardner.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and be eligible for all monthly incentives between now and December 1st! And as always, a MASSIVE thank you to this week's sponsors: Caldera+ Lab⁠: → If you've been meaning to take better care of your skin, head to CalderaLab.com/TYLER and use code TYLER for 20% off your first order. This has been a game-changer for me. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Copilot Money: → ⁠⁠www.copilot.money/tyler⁠⁠ — use code TYLER2 for two free months, and learn why this is the only budgeting app that makes it into our group texts. Momentous⁠: → ⁠⁠livemomentous.com⁠ Use code Tyler for up to 35% off your first order! ⁠⁠LMNT⁠: → ⁠drinklmnt.com/tyler⁠ Become an INSIDER, just order the INSIDER Bundle–four boxes for the price of three, best value they offer–and get early access to limited time flavors and cool surprise gifts along the way. And On to the Show Notes! Most retirement advice gives you a simple withdrawal order: Taxable.Traditional.Roth. Useful? Yes. Always right? Not even close. In Part 2 of the Art of Decumulation series, Tyler digs into what actually determines where your retirement income should come from each year — taxes, healthcare, market conditions, account type, and the life you’re trying to fund. Because retirement withdrawals aren’t a problem you solve once. They’re a decision you revisit every year. In this episode, Tyler covers: Why the “taxable → traditional → Roth” rule is only a starting point How to use low tax brackets strategically instead of simply minimizing withdrawals Why asset location matters just as much as asset allocation How sequence-of-returns risk changes the early years of retirement Monthly vs. annual withdrawals — and why the mathematically “best” answer may not be the best life answer When ACA subsidies and Roth conversions should override the usual withdrawal order Why the Roth is often best preserved for last The core idea: The best withdrawal strategy changes with the year in front of you. Do the math carefully. But remember what the math is for. This is Part 2 of the Art of Decumulation series. Next week: Roth conversions, RMDs, and IRMAA. If the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps. Hope this gives you something to think about this week.