In this episode of The Influential Advisor podcast, host Paul interviews Erik Brenner, founder of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions with 32 years of experience in wealth management. Erik discusses his innovative "Personal CFO" model that brings comprehensive financial services under one roof, including integrated tax planning and wealth management. The conversation explores how this approach can transform retirement planning for successful individuals by breaking down traditional silos in financial services and providing family office-level services to non-ultra-wealthy clients.Guest BioErik Brenner is the founder of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions, an independent registered investment advisory firm. With 32 years of experience in the financial services industry, Erik built his practice after growing up in a family business in the aftermarket automotive industry. He specializes in providing comprehensive wealth management services that integrate tax planning, investment management, and estate planning under one roof.The Personal CFO ModelHow the model differs from traditional financial advising by combining multiple services under one roofThe importance of integrating tax planning with wealth managementHow this approach provides family office benefits to clients who aren't ultra-wealthyWhy coordination between financial professionals is crucial for optimal outcomesFive Critical Retirement DecisionsTiming Your RetirementFinancial implications of retiring earlier or laterBalancing emotional readiness with financial preparednessBenefits of working longer during highest earning yearsSocial Security Claiming StrategiesWhy "it's not grandma's Social Security anymore"How couples can maximize benefits through coordinated claiming strategiesConsideration of life expectancy, health history, and age differences between spousesTax implications of Social Security benefits (15% may be tax-free)Distribution StrategyImportance of tax-efficient withdrawals from retirement accountsWhy emptying accounts sequentially isn't always optimalHow proper distribution planning can lower lifetime tax burdenHealthcare PlanningMedicare eligibility at 65 and planning for the gap yearsStrategies for obtaining healthcare coverage before Medicare eligibilityConsideration of long-term care costs in later lifeEstate PlanningCommon oversight of not having or updating estate plansEnsuring assets pass according to your wishesGoing beyond document creation to implementation and funding strategiesThe Window of OpportunityThe critical period between retirement and Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)How taxable income often drops during this window, creating tax planning opportunitiesStrategic Roth conversions when in lower tax bracketsAddressing the "balloon" of tax-deferred savings before mandatory distributionsBreaking Down Financial SilosHow separate financial professionals (insurance, tax, investments, estate) often don't coordinateThe value of comprehensive financial planning across all domainsPreventing contradictory advice from different specialistsClient Stories HighlightedClaire's Healthcare SavingsSaved over $31,000 in healthcare costs before Medicare eligibilityStrategic income management to qualify for healthcare subsidiesExample of how proper planning can enable earlier retirementHenry's Pension LossSupport the show

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