The Keep — Retire REGAL® https://retireregal.com/arsenal Retirement income, tax, Social Security, Medicare, investment and legacy planning through the Retire REGAL® framework, by Chris Owens of Owens Financial Group. en-us Mon, 02 Nov 2026 20:33:54 -0600 https://retireregal.com/logo.pngThe Keep — Retire REGAL®https://retireregal.com/arsenal The Medicare Letter in Your Mailbox Is a Budget Review in Disguise. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-medicare-letter-in-your-mailbox https://retireregal.com/blog/the-medicare-letter-in-your-mailbox Sat, 03 Oct 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change as a budget document. Compare drugs, providers, total costs, enrollment dates, and any Medigap rights. The State Estate Tax Map: Why a $15 Million Federal Exemption Is Not the End of the Conversation. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-state-estate-tax-map-2026 https://retireregal.com/blog/the-state-estate-tax-map-2026 Sat, 19 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning Review state estate and inheritance thresholds, gift addbacks, and nonresident property. Federal exclusion and probate planning do not settle state exposure. The September 15 Deadline and the Withholding Move Most Retirees Never Use. https://retireregal.com/blog/september-15-deadline-withholding-move https://retireregal.com/blog/september-15-deadline-withholding-move Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Withholding and estimated payments follow different timing rules. Project tax, check safe harbors, and understand when a late-year adjustment can help. Pension Lump Sum or Monthly Check? Three Paths, One Rate Clock, and a Crossing You Cannot Undo. https://retireregal.com/blog/pension-lump-sum-three-paths https://retireregal.com/blog/pension-lump-sum-three-paths Sat, 22 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Employer Plan Rollovers Compare the pension check, an IRA rollover, and private income using matching benefits and actual plan quotes. Understand the rate formula and election rules. The Trust Nobody Funded: Why the Binder Is Not the Plan. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-trust-nobody-funded https://retireregal.com/blog/the-trust-nobody-funded Sat, 08 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning A signed trust needs coordinated ownership and implementation. Distinguish lifetime funding from retirement-account beneficiary designations. The Income-Floor Conversation: Same Freedom, Different Instincts at the Table. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-income-floor-conversation https://retireregal.com/blog/the-income-floor-conversation Sat, 25 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Bring both spouses into the income-floor discussion. Compare after-tax essential spending, claiming choices, survivor income, and the bridge years. Rebalancing in the Distribution Years: Same Rule, Different Job. https://retireregal.com/blog/rebalancing-in-the-distribution-years https://retireregal.com/blog/rebalancing-in-the-distribution-years Sat, 11 Jul 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Coordinate withdrawals, taxable distributions, reserves, and whole-portfolio risk. An age-based guideline is a starting point for discussion. The Permission Number™: One Calculation That Changes How Retirement Feels. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-permission-number https://retireregal.com/blog/the-permission-number Sat, 27 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Subtract essential monthly expenses from dependable after-tax income. Keep this dollar surplus separate from the coverage ratio and lifetime spending capacity. The IRMAA Letter Most Retirees Don’t Realize They Can Appeal. https://retireregal.com/blog/irmaa-letters-in-2026 https://retireregal.com/blog/irmaa-letters-in-2026 Sat, 20 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies SSA offers an online request after qualifying life changes. Distinguish a new income determination from a formal appeal, and check each spouse’s case. Consider the Source: A Clearer Way to Evaluate Annuities. https://retireregal.com/blog/consider-the-source-annuities https://retireregal.com/blog/consider-the-source-annuities Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Evaluate the job, costs, liquidity, death benefits, and compensation behind an annuity recommendation. Compare the actual contract with the alternatives. The Mid-Year Income Audit: Five Checks to Run Before July. https://retireregal.com/blog/mid-year-income-audit https://retireregal.com/blog/mid-year-income-audit Sat, 13 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Review actual retirement cash flow, the monthly Permission Number, required distributions, and tax projections before the second half of the year. The 2026 Trustees Report: What the Updated Social Security Numbers Mean. https://retireregal.com/blog/2026-trustees-report-what-to-watch https://retireregal.com/blog/2026-trustees-report-what-to-watch Mon, 01 Jun 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies The June 2026 report projects OASI reserve depletion in 2032. Understand the separate funds, financing estimates, and scenarios to test in your plan. Beneficiary Designations Are the Plan — A Mid-Year Audit Walkthrough. https://retireregal.com/blog/beneficiary-designations-mid-year-audit https://retireregal.com/blog/beneficiary-designations-mid-year-audit Sat, 23 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning Review accepted beneficiary forms, spousal rights, trust terms, and inherited-account rules before assuming your estate documents settle every account. DAFs and QCDs in 2026 — Two Charitable Tools, Different Math, Different Timing. https://retireregal.com/blog/dafs-and-qcds-in-2026 https://retireregal.com/blog/dafs-and-qcds-in-2026 Wed, 20 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning Compare two tools for an intended charitable gift: DAF ownership and deduction limits, QCD eligibility, and the household resources that remain. Four Thresholds Every Retiree Should Model Before a Roth Conversion https://retireregal.com/blog/four-thresholds-before-a-roth-conversion https://retireregal.com/blog/four-thresholds-before-a-roth-conversion Sat, 16 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Model tax brackets, Medicare surcharges, Social Security taxation, and deduction phase-outs using each rule’s income definition and tax year. Estate Planning That Lives Before Death — Why Incapacity Is the Bigger Test. https://retireregal.com/blog/estate-planning-before-death https://retireregal.com/blog/estate-planning-before-death Sat, 09 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning Incapacity planning connects decision-making authority, healthcare communication, and funded estate documents. Check the terms and state rules. The 2026 Roth Catch-Up Rule — What the $150K FICA Threshold Now Means. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-2026-roth-catch-up-rule https://retireregal.com/blog/the-2026-roth-catch-up-rule Sat, 02 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies For 2026, some higher-paid workers must make catch-up contributions as Roth. Check prior-year employer wages, plan rules, limits, and current tax cost. Coast FIRE: Return Shortfall Before Retirement, Sequence Risk After It. https://retireregal.com/blog/the-keep-coast-fire-second-sequence-risk https://retireregal.com/blog/the-keep-coast-fire-second-sequence-risk Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Before withdrawals, test whether compounded returns reach the target. After withdrawals begin, return order can change the outcome. Plan for both. What Tax Season Is Quietly Telling You About Your Retirement. https://retireregal.com/blog/tax-season-retirement https://retireregal.com/blog/tax-season-retirement Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Use the return to review withholding, conversions, Social Security taxation, and future Medicare surcharges before committing to a new income event. Markets Have Declined. Build a Plan for an Uncertain Recovery. https://retireregal.com/blog/markets-have-declined https://retireregal.com/blog/markets-have-declined Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Recovery has no dependable timetable. Review income, reserves, investment risks, and written spending rules before a difficult market forces a decision. If Ever There Was a Time to Review Your Retirement Structure, It’s Now. https://retireregal.com/blog/review-your-structure-now https://retireregal.com/blog/review-your-structure-now Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Use a retirement review to connect income, investments, taxes, and legacy goals. Test whether the plan supports spending through difficult conditions. Laid Off? Your Employer Plan Decision Just Became the Most Important Financial Choice You Face. https://retireregal.com/blog/laid-off-employer-plan-decision https://retireregal.com/blog/laid-off-employer-plan-decision Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Employer Plan Rollovers A layoff calls for a deliberate comparison of plan, IRA, pension, and health-coverage options. Confirm the real deadlines before moving retirement assets. What Atomic Habits Can Teach Us About Retirement Income — and the Freedom to Spend. https://retireregal.com/blog/atomic-habits-retirement-income https://retireregal.com/blog/atomic-habits-retirement-income Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Predictable income can support confidence in spending. Connect an after-tax income floor with reserves, inflation, and your retirement priorities. The Social Security Funding Warning — What the 2026 Report Means for Your Retirement. https://retireregal.com/blog/social-security-2033-legislative-risk https://retireregal.com/blog/social-security-2033-legislative-risk Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies The 2026 report separates OASI and hypothetical combined-fund financing. Stress-test a shortfall while recognizing that legislative outcomes are uncertain. The Numbers That Look Great Are Often the Ones to Question Most. https://retireregal.com/blog/devil-in-the-details https://retireregal.com/blog/devil-in-the-details Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Ask six questions about investment performance, benchmarks, risk, and fees. A corrected hypothetical illustration shows how costs compound. Your Medicare Bill Is About to Get More Expensive — Here’s Why. https://retireregal.com/blog/medicare-bill-more-expensive https://retireregal.com/blog/medicare-bill-more-expensive Mon, 16 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Check 2026 Medicare premiums, the two-year income lookback, and which income events can affect surcharges. Review the funding source before acting. The RMD You Didn’t Ask For — and What to Do About It. https://retireregal.com/blog/rmd-you-didnt-ask-for https://retireregal.com/blog/rmd-you-didnt-ask-for Mon, 09 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies RMD timing depends on birth year and account rules. Review taxable distributions, eligible charitable gifts, and the income your household actually needs. Is Your Legacy Plan Actually a Plan — or Just a Collection of Documents? https://retireregal.com/blog/is-your-legacy-plan-actually-a-plan https://retireregal.com/blog/is-your-legacy-plan-actually-a-plan Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Legacy Planning Coordinate titles, beneficiary forms, and estate documents with the people who will carry them out. The details determine what your plan accomplishes. What the Rollover Window Looks Like in 2026. https://retireregal.com/blog/rollover-window-2026 https://retireregal.com/blog/rollover-window-2026 Mon, 26 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Employer Plan Rollovers Compare employer-plan choices and current Roth rules, and separate rollover timing from pension and Medicare enrollment deadlines. New Year, Same Retirement Mistake. https://retireregal.com/blog/new-year-same-retirement-mistake https://retireregal.com/blog/new-year-same-retirement-mistake Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Asset Management Move from a balance projection to an explicit income and withdrawal plan. Test return paths, reserves, taxes, and the choices a difficult year would require. Your 2026 Retirement Checklist. https://retireregal.com/blog/retirement-checklist-2026 https://retireregal.com/blog/retirement-checklist-2026 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Review income, Social Security, taxes, Medicare, investment risk, and beneficiaries together. Keep the tax years and income definitions straight. Stop Guessing on Social Security. https://retireregal.com/blog/stop-guessing-on-social-security https://retireregal.com/blog/stop-guessing-on-social-security Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Government Strategies Compare earlier income with the larger scheduled benefit from delaying, including bridge withdrawals, survivor needs, health, and taxes. Resolution: Build a Retirement You Can Actually Spend. https://retireregal.com/blog/resolution-retirement-you-can-spend https://retireregal.com/blog/resolution-retirement-you-can-spend Mon, 22 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0500 Chris Owens Retirement Income Connect retirement assets to a spending plan you understand, with dependable after-tax income, growth, reserves, and room for changing needs.