Navigate Retirement with the Ideal Retirement Report
Thank you for listening to Ideal Retirement Radio, powered by Merit Retirement Strategies! Schedule your complimentary visit to get started on your Ideal Retirement Report.
Typical results of a personalized Ideal Retirement Report:
- 30-50% potential increase in net-spendable retirement income above current path projections; and/or
- Potentially retire 3-5 years earlier than current path projections; and/or
- Increased longevity of retirement assets by 7-10+ years longer than current path projections
Or call us at 380.256.2300!
At Merit Retirement Strategies, we believe in a holistic approach to your retirement planning.
This starts with a comprehensive, personalized Ideal Retirement Report!
As Heard On
Clear. Concise. Compelling.
Your personalized Ideal Retirement Report will be straightforward, easy to understand, and compelling with clear action steps. We don't do fluff. Let the math of true retirement planning be your guide.
1
Tax-efficient Income
Increasing your retirement income has everything to do with cutting out friction (fees) as much as possible. Taxes are the largest fee in retirement planning.
2
Opportunity & Risk
An Ideal Retirement Report can show you pathways to potentially decreasing your market, longevity, inflation, and tax risks while increasing your opportunities for a more fulfilling retirement.
3
Optimization
The strategies within your Ideal Retirement Report will show you how to relocate inefficient taxable and tax-deferred assets to tax-free assets with the capability of producing greater income for longer periods and maximizing your legacy.
4
Plan, Create, & Execute
You've sacrificed to accumulate your retirement nest egg. Let the Ideal Retirement Report with a holistic approach show you how to potentially optimize it with tax-free income for the best potential retirement possible.
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No gimmicks. No fluff. Just math.
Asset Location Is More Important Than Asset Allocation
Where do the majority of your assets live?
Taxable
While usually highly liquid, taxable vehicles (bank accounts, CDs, mutual funds/ETFs, bonds, etc) are taxable with every realized gain.
While providing good liquidity for short-term savings goals or emergencies, consistent and frequent taxes can severely detriment your long-term accumulation efforts to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Tax-deferred/Tax-procrastination
Typical retirement accounts (such as 401(k)s and IRAs) procrastinate taxes until the future. Contrary to popular belief, most retirees do not find themselves in a lower tax liability situation upon retirement. These types of accounts generally maximize your taxes over your lifetime.
Some financial experts have started referring to them as "tax-maximization" accounts. Many Americans come to realize their silent retirement partner (the IRS) isn't so silent once retirement begins.
Tax-free
Taking advantage of vehicles in the tax-free location can potentially increase your net-spendable retirement income significantly, protect you against inevitable tax increases, and increase the longevity of your retirement assets by many years.
Strategically relocating portions of your taxable and tax-deferred assets to the tax-free location is a critical piece to optimizing your retirement. An Ideal Retirement Report can help you create multiple streams of tax-free income.
Meet Your Sponsor
J. Burke (J.B.) Howard, RFC®, CSA, CLU®Founder, President, Sr. Financial Advisor
J.B. Howard, founder and president of Merit Advisors, is an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) whose commitment to financial literacy was shaped early in life. Raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for her family, J.B. learned firsthand the importance of discipline and sound financial decision-making. Beginning work as a caddy at age 13, he ultimately earned a caddy scholarship to attend Bowling Green State University, inspiring a lifelong passion to help others pursue financial clarity and retirement confidence.
J.B. entered the financial services industry in 2001 with Dome Financial Services, an independent firm founded by his father-in-law, Rick Gostel, and went on to establish Merit Advisors in 2005. He holds his Series 66 securities license along with life and health insurance licenses in multiple states, and has earned the Registered Financial Consultant (RFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® designations. J.B. believes effective financial guidance requires a coordinated approach that addresses retirement income, tax efficiency, wealth accumulation, and legacy planning while remaining adaptable to changing economic conditions.
Outside the office, J.B. serves on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Whole In One ministry and supports organizations including Westerville Area Resource Ministry, The Navigators, and the Alzheimer’s Association. He and his wife, Krista, have been married more than 22 years and live with their two children on a homestead in Gambier, Ohio, where they care for a lively mix of animals. In his free time, J.B. enjoys hiking, mountain biking, golf, endurance events such as the 29029 Everest hike, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
J.B. entered the financial services industry in 2001 with Dome Financial Services, an independent firm founded by his father-in-law, Rick Gostel, and went on to establish Merit Advisors in 2005. He holds his Series 66 securities license along with life and health insurance licenses in multiple states, and has earned the Registered Financial Consultant (RFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® designations. J.B. believes effective financial guidance requires a coordinated approach that addresses retirement income, tax efficiency, wealth accumulation, and legacy planning while remaining adaptable to changing economic conditions.
Outside the office, J.B. serves on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Whole In One ministry and supports organizations including Westerville Area Resource Ministry, The Navigators, and the Alzheimer’s Association. He and his wife, Krista, have been married more than 22 years and live with their two children on a homestead in Gambier, Ohio, where they care for a lively mix of animals. In his free time, J.B. enjoys hiking, mountain biking, golf, endurance events such as the 29029 Everest hike, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
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