The financial education you deserve, but probably never got. This is the Thrive in Retirement Podcast; Hosted by David Bezar, Senior Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Thrive Financial Services, with 30-plus years in advanced tax and retirement planning.
Every week, David and his team break down what the wealthiest Americans already know about retirement and taxes, and show you how to put the same strategies to work.
If you're within five years of retirement or already living it, and you have money you've worked hard to protect, this show is for you. New episodes weekly. Subscribe and turn on notifications.
https://thrivefinancialservices.com/
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07 | Michael Abbott - How to Defuse the Tax Bomb in Your IRA
Tuesday, September 22, 2026 • Duration 20:32
What if the Roth conversion you thought was protecting you is quietly costing you more?
Scroll social media anywhere near retirement age, and you will get hit with 10 to 15 ads promising to slash your taxes. David Bezar sits down with Michael Abbott, CFP®, and financial advisor at Thrive, to sort out who Roth conversions actually help and who they quietly hurt.
They get into withdrawal sequencing, why the small blind conversion most people do can leave them paying more tax over a lifetime, and the tax bomb that builds when RMDs stack on Social Security and a pension.
The T in Thrive’s ROUTE framework stands for taxes, and a Roth conversion done without a plan can cost hundreds of thousands. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[01:00] The 10 to 15 ads in your feed promising lower retirement taxes
[03:17] Withdrawal sequencing, the early retirement mistake most people miss
[04:20] The two ways a Roth conversion goes wrong, and which one is far more common
[05:15] Why so many retirees land in an equal or higher bracket than they planned for
[05:50] The tax bomb the industry has a name for
[06:38] The Lincoln Financial survey that caught retirees off guard
[07:36] The client who retired at 66 with $2 million and a six-year window
[09:26] What people are actually thinking when they ask if a Roth is right for them
[10:52] The side-by-side comparison that makes the decision clear
[12:16] The software that projects your accumulated taxes out to age 90
[14:29] The third option David calls the secret sauce
[15:13] The Roth myths about age and income that are simply not true
[16:10] What to do when your CPA says a Roth conversion is not for you
Mentioned Resources
Lincoln Financial Group retiree expense survey
About the Guest
Michael Abbott, CFP® is a financial advisor at Thrive Financial Services with about a decade in the financial industry. He earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of South Florida and began his career at T. Rowe Price in 2016, where he realized his clients’ needs went well beyond what a large corporation could offer. He specializes in portfolio and risk management, income planning, and advanced tax strategies, and works across the five areas of retirement Thrive covers in its ROUTE framework. Michael lives in Clearwater, Florida, with his wife and two sons.
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Converting an employer plan account or Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event. Increased taxable income from the Roth IRA conversion may have several consequences including, but not limited to, a need for additional tax withholding or estimated tax payments, the loss of certain tax deductions and credits, and higher taxes on Social Security benefits and higher Medicare premiums. Be sure to consult with a qualified tax advisor before making any decisions regarding your IRA.
The examples given are based on real-world retirement planning scenarios, but the specific details and cases presented are hypothetical and not meant to represent any actual person or investment. This content is for informational purposes only and designed solely to illustrate the potential impacts of financial planning. These examples do not guarantee future performance or success.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
06 | Rich Parrett - Social Security: The Retirement Decision Most People Underestimate
Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 26:03
What if the biggest money decision of your retirement is one you only get one shot at, and almost nobody explains it to you?
Most people spend decades paying into Social Security and almost no time deciding how to claim it. David Bezar sits down with Richard Parrett, CFP®, and relationship advisor at Thrive Financial Services, to explain why claiming is not an age question at all.
They get into how your benefit is actually calculated from your highest 35 years, the 12-month do-over almost nobody knows about, the earnings test that makes working retirees think they are being penalized, and the ex-spousal and survivor benefits people leave sitting on the table for years.
Rich puts it plainly. Retirement is a math problem, and if you are married, you have to solve it three times. Get this one wrong, and it can cost hundreds of thousands. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:03:44] Why claiming is a lifetime decision, not a one-and-done choice
[00:04:35] The Social Security feature that quietly disappeared
[00:05:11] Why the advice from friends and family is almost always out of date
[00:05:28] The fear driving early claims, and how fast people actually get their own money back
[00:06:01] The 78 cents problem, and why change is not optional
[00:06:40] The three levers Congress has left to pull
[00:09:38] The 11 o’clock appointment problem at the Social Security office
[00:10:12] How your benefit is really calculated, and the zeros that quietly hurt
[00:11:42] The one time do-over most people never hear about
[00:15:25] The 62-year-old whose claim paid for 2 and a half years of college
[00:17:00] What delaying past full retirement age is actually worth
[00:20:18] Why a married couple has to solve for X three times
[00:21:11] The earnings test, and the money you do get back
[00:23:40] The ex-spousal benefit rules almost nobody checks
[00:25:28] The one thing Rich hopes you walk away with
Mentioned Resources
05 | What Happens When You Actually Book That “Free Meeting” We Keep Mentioning
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 • Duration 27:19
What if the appointment you keep talking yourself out of is the one that decides your entire retirement?
Most people book the complimentary meeting, then spend the next week talking themselves out of it. David Bezar has a name for it. The ostrich theory. Head in the sand, wait a while, hope the problem goes away on its own.
In this solo episode, David pulls back the curtain on what actually happens when you show up. The self-assessment that decides whether you should come in at all, why Thrive throws out every 7, the introductory email, the two appointments, and the side-by-side report that shows exactly what your portfolio would lose in a market like 2008.
He also shares the seminar question from a 66-year-old whose CPA shut down Roth conversions without ever explaining why. You only get one shot to retire successfully. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:26] The 120 seminars a year that all funnel into one complimentary meeting
[00:02:05] Three kinds of people book this appointment, including some already 10 years retired
[00:02:47] Why these seminars are not infomercials, and the acronym behind them
[00:04:05] The answer almost everyone gives when David asks what brought them in
[00:04:53] The fragmented approach that leaves your retirement plan full of gaps
[00:06:00] The self-assessment that decides whether you should come in at all
[00:06:53] Why there are no 7s on the scale
[00:07:49] Your risk speed limit, and the car crash that explains it
[00:08:58] The three things that make you an 8, 9, or 10 on risk
[00:10:01] When a 401 became a 201, and the number most people cannot answer
[00:11:25] The ostrich theory, and why people cancel the appointment they need
[00:13:26] What lands in your inbox before the first meeting
[00:14:27] What to bring, and what to redact before you bring it
[00:15:08] Five levels deep, the listening method that changes the conversation
[00:17:01] Why retirees keep landing in the same or a higher tax bracket
04 | Sean DeBarberie - How to Turn Your Savings Into a Lifetime Paycheck
Friday, September 11, 2026 • Duration 21:58
What if the money you spent 30 years saving runs out before you do?
Most people spend 30 years saving for retirement and almost no time on the part that decides everything: turning that pile of money into a paycheck that lasts. David Bezar sits down with Sean DeBarberie, retirement & tax strategist and a CFP® practitioner at Thrive, to break down how to optimize retirement income so it never runs dry.
They get into why over 80% of retirees carry a lopsided, tax-heavy portfolio, why at least half the people Sean meets are taking more risk than they realize, and how the GPS framework splits your money into growth and safe buckets so income keeps flowing no matter what the market does.
Taxes are the number one controllable expense in retirement, and getting income wrong can mean going back to work. This is the episode that helps you sleep at night. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00:39] Why saving is the easy part, and income planning is the part that actually counts
[00:03:00] What retiring early without an income plan really looks like
[00:03:49] The four tailwinds that can quietly drain a retirement nest egg
[00:04:28] The Social Security stat on how long one spouse is likely to live
[00:05:15] The two warning signs your retirement income is at risk
[00:06:58] The worst case Sean finds when he looks under the hood
[00:08:22] How many people are more aggressive than they think (higher than you would guess)
[00:09:00] Where taxes fit into your income plan, and why 80% of retirees are exposed
[00:10:25] The ticking tax bomb hiding inside your tax-deferred accounts
[00:12:09] The do-it-yourselfer who finally got peace of mind
[00:12:51] The GPS framework, and how it keeps income flowing through any market
[00:15:46] Why average rates of return can be a trap near retirement
[00:17:03] The only two things you can ever do with risk
Mentioned Resources
Thrive Financial Services runs 120-plus workshops a year across the Philadelphia tri-state area. Book a call at .
03 | Chris Bak - How Your Retirement Income Actually Gets Taxed
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 • Duration 18:33
What if the taxes you thought would get easier in retirement are actually about to get much harder?
Most people assume taxes get simpler once the paycheck stops. David Bezar sits down with Thrive’s in-house financial advisor, Christopher Bak, to explain why the opposite is true and why retirement is where taxes actually get complicated.
They break down the difference between tax preparation and tax planning, why the U.S. system is tiered instead of flat, and how the timing of Social Security, pensions, and required distributions can quietly push your retirement income higher than your working income.
The T in Thrive’s ROUTE framework stands for taxes, and getting it wrong can cost hundreds of thousands. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00:00] The domino effect that can change your entire retirement tax picture
[00:02:43] Tax preparation vs tax planning, and why the difference matters
[00:03:26] The income myth almost half of retirees believe
[00:04:24] How the progressive tax system really works
[00:05:23] Why retirement timing is a series of dominoes, not a single date
[00:06:01] The $2 million couple whose retirement income beat their working income
[00:08:07] The timing change that saved a family hundreds of thousands
[00:09:14] Bridging the gap to Medicare when you retire early
[00:11:13] Investment income and the two ledgers every retiree should know
[00:13:00] The biggest tax misconception that penalizes good savers
[00:14:19] The complimentary, no-pressure tax evaluation Thrive offers
What if the one thing your financial advisor never talks about is the thing that decides your entire retirement?
In the first episode of Thrive in Retirement, David Bezar opens up about why he built Thrive Financial Services after 37 years in the industry, and why most advisors stop being useful right when retirement gets complicated.
He walks through ROUTE, his five-part framework for a successful retirement: Risk, Optimizing income, Unplanned healthcare costs, Taxes, and Estate planning. Along the way, he explains why an IRA is really an IOU to the IRS, how a single Social Security decision can be worth six figures, and why running out of money is the risk almost no one plans for.
You only get one shot at retirement. There are no do-overs. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:00:00] The one retirement rule David repeats: there are no do-overs
[00:02:18] Why even great financial advisors leave a costly gap
[00:04:41] The ROUTE acronym, and the five areas it covers
[00:07:54] The Social Security choice that can swing $111,000
[00:11:59] GPS investing, and what your risk speed really says about you
[00:16:22] The question that trips up even wealthy retirees
[00:17:33] A 1973 road trip, an AAA map, and your Money Map
[00:22:34] The retirement cost that can quietly hit $450,000
[00:29:31] Why David calls an IRA an IOU to the IRS
[00:36:52] A personal loss that shows why one document matters
[00:41:48] What actually happens in a complimentary evaluation
What if the parts of retirement that matter most are the ones no one is watching?
In the origin episode of Thrive in Retirement, David Bezar opens up about why he traded a number one Philadelphia radio show for a podcast, and what 37 years in financial services taught him about where the industry falls short.
He walks through ROUTE, the five-part framework Thrive uses for retirement: Risk, Optimizing income and assets, Unplanned healthcare expenses, Taxes, and Estate planning. Along the way he explains why most advisors stop at investments, how a vague risk questionnaire can miss what really matters, and why he calls his team hope dealers.
Retirement has no do-overs, and the complexities rarely arrive one at a time. This is the episode that shows you what to start thinking about now. Listen now.
Timestamped Highlights
[00:01:07] Why this show refuses to be an infomercial
[00:01:54] The industry problem David says almost no one fixes
[00:03:21] The lineup of experts coming to future episodes
[00:03:21] What 37 years in the business actually taught him
[00:04:23] The retirement question young savers never think to ask
[00:05:31] Why finding a truly holistic advisor is so hard
[00:06:43] From the number one AM radio show to your earbuds
[00:07:55] Why the radio show ended, and what replaced it
[00:10:19] ROUTE, the five-letter map for the whole retirement picture
[00:10:19] Where most risk questionnaires quietly get you wrong
[00:13:07] The one letter in ROUTE David admits he geeks out on
[00:14:11] The shift from chasing income to becoming a hope dealer
[00:20:20] The retirement question that could become a future episode
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Rich Parrett, CFP® is a financial advisor and relationship advisor at Thrive Financial Services with more than 30 years in the financial services industry. He started his career at Merrill Lynch and advised at several large financial institutions before joining Thrive in 2024. He specializes in retirement planning and Social Security claiming strategies, and he holds the Certified Financial Planner designation along with the National Social Security Advisor certificate.
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
[00:17:54] Inside the second appointment and the verify form
[00:19:52] A CPA said no to Roth conversions and never explained why
[00:23:39] The silent partner sitting inside a $5 million retirement account
[00:26:01] Why the worst outcome of this meeting is still a good one
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Sean DeBarberie, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, MBA is a financial advisor and CFP® practitioner at Thrive Financial Services with nearly a decade in the financial industry. He also holds the ChFC® and RICP® designations. Sean began his career as a traditional money manager and investment advisor before focusing on helping people reach retirement and stay retired successfully, working across Thrive's ROUTE framework of risk, income, cash flow, healthcare, taxes, and estate planning to build tax-efficient retirement income plans.
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Chris Bak, CRPC® is a financial advisor at Thrive Financial Services, with about 15 years in the financial industry across investments, tax planning, and tax preparation. Before financial services he started in nursing school, then realized his passion for helping people was a better fit in retirement and tax planning. He holds the CRPC® designation.
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Disclosure:
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
Thrive Capital Management, LLC, is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisory firm. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC, nor does it indicate a particular level of skill or ability. Insurance products and services offered through Thrive Financial Services, LLC. Thrive Financial Services and Thrive Capital Management, LLC are affiliated companies. For more information please visit: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov and search for our firm name.
This podcast for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, tax, or investment advice, or as a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable though its accuracy is not guaranteed. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Any references to protection benefits or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Thrive in Retirement is an original production hosted by David Bezar. Brought to you by Thrive Financial Services. Production and editing by Podcast Your Brand.
