Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Threat That Average Returns Cannot Warn You About

Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Threat That Average Returns Cannot Warn You About

Sequence of Returns Risk: The Retirement Threat That Average Returns Cannot Warn You AboutMichael Trefel
Published on: 09/07/2026

Two families. Same portfolio. Same average return over 20 years. One runs out of money at 79. The other never does. The difference is sequence of returns risk, the retirement threat nobody explains clearly until it is too late.

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The 401k Tax Trap: What 30 Years of Good Advice Nobody Gave You Actually Costs

The 401k Tax Trap: What 30 Years of Good Advice Nobody Gave You Actually Costs

The 401k Tax Trap: What 30 Years of Good Advice Nobody Gave You Actually CostsMichael Trefel
Published on: 26/06/2026

Most people spend 30 years building a 401k without ever calculating what the tax bill looks like on the way out. This post breaks down the 401k tax trap, why it hits hardest for high earners, and what to do about it.

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IUL vs 401k for Retirement: The Comparison Your Financial Advisor Has Never Actually Run

IUL vs 401k for Retirement: The Comparison Your Financial Advisor Has Never Actually Run

IUL vs 401k for Retirement: The Comparison Your Financial Advisor Has Never Actually RunMichael Trefel
Published on: 18/06/2026

Everyone says max your 401k. Almost nobody shows you the full comparison. This post runs the IUL vs 401k math across four layers most advisors never address, and the results are not what conventional wisdom suggests.

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