Retirement Starts Today Radio

Most people assume their tax burden lightens in retirement, but what if I told you that some taxes are actually designed to creep up on you year after year—without Congress passing a single new law? In this episode, we expose the sneaky taxes that can quietly erode your retirement income, from Social Security taxation to Medicare IRMAA surcharges. These hidden costs don’t just affect the ultra-wealthy anymore; thanks to outdated rules and inflation, they’re hitting everyday retirees harder than ever. If you're relying on Social Security, investment income, or Medicare in retirement, you may already be on the IRS’s radar—without realizing it. We break down the four biggest tax traps, explain how they’ve changed over time, and why they’re pulling more retirees into the tax net each year. Whether it's the frozen thresholds for Social Security taxes or the stealthy Medicare penalties that kick in just because you had a good income two years ago, these sneaky policies can add up fast. By the end of this episode, y