Blog
How Can Retirees Give to Charity Tax-Efficiently?
A clear guide to charitable giving for Ohio retirees — Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), and how to coordinate.
Read MoreWhat's the Right Withdrawal Order in Retirement?
A clear guide to tax-efficient withdrawal order for Ohio retirees — the conventional framework, when it doesn't apply, and how to plan annually.
Read MoreHow Can Ohio Retirees Avoid Medicare IRMAA Surcharges?
A clear walkthrough of Medicare IRMAA for Ohio retirees — what the income-related Medicare premium surcharge is, what income counts toward it, how the two-year lookback affects planning, the income events that most often trigger IRMAA surpr
Read MoreHow Do RMDs Affect Your Taxes in Retirement?
A clear walkthrough of how Required Minimum Distributions work and how Ohio retirees can plan for them — when RMDs start, how they're taxed federally and in Ohio.
Read MoreWhen Should Ohio Retirees Consider a Roth Conversion?
A clear walkthrough of Roth conversion strategies for Ohio retirees — how conversions work, when they may be worth considering, the Ohio and federal tax mechanics, and how conversions interact with Social Security taxation, Medicare IRMAA,
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How Is Retirement Income Taxed in Ohio?
A plain-English guide to how Ohio taxes retirement income — Social Security, pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, Roth, interest, dividends, capital gains, and the school district income tax.
Read MoreHow Do You Plan a Tax-Efficient Retirement in Ohio?
A complete guide for Ohio retirees and pre-retirees on coordinating federal and state taxes, Roth conversions, RMDs, IRMAA, withdrawal strategy, charitable giving, and capital gains in retirement.
Read MoreFinancial Advisor for OPERS & STRS Retirees in Columbus
OPERS and STRS retirees in Columbus benefit from coordinated financial planning that connects pensions, health care, Medicare, taxes, investments, estate planning, and technology into one retirement strategy.
Read MoreHow Are OPERS and STRS Pensions Taxed in Ohio?
OPERS and STRS pensions may be taxable at the federal and Ohio level. Columbus retirees should coordinate pension income, IRA withdrawals, Social Security, Medicare premiums, and tax withholding before retiring.
Read MoreSTRS Ohio Healthcare in Retirement
STRS Ohio retirees in Columbus should review healthcare eligibility, Medicare requirements, prescription coverage, premiums, spouse coverage, and out-of-pocket costs before retirement to build a coordinated income plan.
Read MoreSTRS Ohio Retirement Checklist for 2026
STRS Ohio employees in Columbus should review retirement eligibility, pension options, survivor benefits, healthcare, Medicare, taxes, investments, and beneficiaries before retiring in 2026.
Read MoreWhat Does a Comprehensive Financial Plan Actually Cover?
A detailed tour of what a comprehensive financial plan with Blue Advisors actually covers for Columbus, Ohio pre-retirees and retirees
Read MoreHow Does the OPERS HRA Work in Retirement?
OPERS retirees in Columbus should understand how the HRA works, including eligibility, Medicare requirements, Via Benefits enrollment, reimbursable expenses, and how healthcare costs fit into a coordinated retirement plan.
Read MoreShould OPERS Employees Take the PLOP?
OPERS employees in Columbus should carefully evaluate the PLOP before retirement. It provides upfront cash but reduces lifetime monthly pension income and may affect taxes, investments, healthcare, and survivor planning.
Read MoreOPERS Retirement Checklist for 2026
OPERS employees in Columbus, Ohio should review pension options, PLOP decisions, healthcare, Medicare, taxes, investments, and beneficiaries before retiring in 2026 to build a coordinated retirement plan.
Read MoreHow Much Money Do You Really Need to Retire in Columbus, Ohio?
How much do you really need to retire in Columbus, Ohio? A fee-only advisor breaks down spending, income, healthcare, and taxes.
Read MoreWhat Makes OPERS and STRS Retirement Planning Different?
A complete guide for Columbus-area OPERS and STRS members on coordinating pension options, healthcare, taxes, Social Security, investments, and estate decisions before retiring.
Read MoreHow a Fee-Only Financial Advisor in Columbus Uses Technology to Improve Retirement Planning
Retirees in Columbus, Ohio benefit from modern financial planning technology. Learn how tools like eMoney, Advyzon, Holistiplan, and Epilogue improve decisions, reduce taxes, and provide clarity across your entire financial plan.
Read MoreMedicare vs Supplemental vs Advantage: What Should You Choose?
Retirees in Columbus, Ohio must choose between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage. Learn how each impacts costs, provider access, and risk to select the right plan for your retirement.
Read MoreDo You Need a Trust in Retirement?
Do you need a trust in retirement? Learn how retirees in Columbus, Ohio can use trusts, TOD designations, and beneficiary planning to avoid probate, protect assets, and simplify estate planning.
Read MoreWhat Insurance Do You Actually Need in Retirement?
Retirees in Columbus, Ohio need the right insurance strategy to protect assets and manage healthcare costs. Learn how Medicare, long-term care, and liability coverage fit into a coordinated retirement plan.
Read MoreWhat Happens to Your Assets When You Pass Away?
Learn how assets transfer at death for retirees in Columbus, Ohio. Understand probate, beneficiary designations, and tax rules to ensure your estate passes efficiently and according to your wishes.
Read MoreShould You Do Roth Conversions in Retirement?
Roth conversions can reduce lifetime taxes, lower future RMDs, and create tax-free income. Done strategically—especially in early retirement—they improve flexibility, Medicare outcomes, and estate efficiency.
Read MoreHow Can You Reduce Taxes in Retirement?
Retirees can reduce taxes by coordinating withdrawals across taxable, IRA, and Roth accounts, managing tax brackets, and using strategies like Roth conversions to improve after-tax income and long-term outcomes.
Read MoreHow Much Cash Should Retirees Hold?
Retirees should hold 1–3 years of expenses in cash to fund withdrawals, reduce sequence risk, and avoid selling investments in downturns—while balancing liquidity with long-term growth.
Read MoreHow Should Your Investment Portfolio Change in Retirement?
Your retirement portfolio should shift toward income, risk management, and sustainability. A balanced mix of stocks, bonds, and cash—aligned with withdrawals and taxes—helps protect against volatility, inflation, and longevity risk.
Read MoreWhat Should Your Financial Plan Look Like in Retirement?
A strong retirement plan coordinates investments, taxes, insurance, and estate planning to create income, reduce taxes, manage risk, and ensure efficient wealth transfer—delivering clarity, stability, and long-term confidence.
Read MoreHow Can You Build a Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Strategy in Retirement?
Retirement is no longer just about accumulating wealth — it’s about turning that wealth into reliable, tax-efficient income.For many retirees, taxes become the single largest expense over time. Without a coordinated withdrawal strategy...
Read MoreHow Can High Earners in Columbus, Ohio Reduce Taxes and Build Long-Term Wealth?
For high-income professionals, taxes are often the single largest expense over a lifetime—far exceeding investment fees or even major purchases.If you are earning $250,000, $500,000, or more annually, the difference between reactive...
Read MoreHow Should Your Investment Portfolio Change as You Approach Retirement?
As retirement approaches, one of the most important financial questions becomes: how should your investment portfolio change?During the accumulation phase of life, many investors focus primarily on growth. However, once retirement...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement in Columbus, Ohio?
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retirement?For many retirees in Columbus, Ohio, the question becomes pressing in the final 5–10 years of work:Should we pay off the mortgage before retiring?The emotional appeal is strong....
Read MoreWhen Should You Claim Social Security if You Plan to Retire in Columbus, Ohio?
One of the most important decisions retirees make is when to begin claiming Social Security benefits. While many people claim as soon as they are eligible at age 62, waiting longer can significantly increase the amount of lifetime...
Read MoreBlue Advisors FAQ: Fee-Only Financial Advisor in Columbus, Ohio
Frequently Asked Questions About Working With Blue AdvisorsFee-Only Financial Planning and Investment Management in Columbus, OhioChoosing a financial advisor is an important decision. Investors today are faced with confusing industry...
Read MoreHow eMoney Helps Blue Advisors Clients Understand and Plan Their Financial Future
One of the most common challenges investors face is understanding how all the pieces of their financial life fit together. Retirement accounts, brokerage portfolios, Social Security benefits, pensions, taxes, and future spending...
Read MoreHow Advyzon Helps Blue Advisors Clients Stay Organized and In Control of Their Financial Plan
Busy professionals and retirees often face a common challenge: keeping their entire financial life organized in one place. Investment accounts, retirement plans, bank balances, tax documents, and spending patterns are frequently...
Read MoreHow a Holistiplan Tax Summary Improves Financial Planning for Columbus Professionals and Retirees
For many investors, taxes are the single largest expense they will face throughout retirement — often exceeding investment fees, advisory fees, and even healthcare costs. Yet most financial plans still treat taxes as an afterthought,...
Read MoreHow Blue Advisors Uses Technology to Deliver Better Financial Planning for Clients in Columbus, Ohio
In today’s complex financial world, successful planning requires more than just experience and sound advice. It also requires powerful technology that helps analyze financial decisions, coordinate investment strategy, and uncover tax...
Read MoreSTRS vs. OPERS: Retirement Planning for Columbus Public Employees
STRS vs. OPERS: What Columbus Public Employees Need to KnowIf you work in education or public service in Columbus, your pension is likely one of your most valuable retirement assets.But whether you are part of State Teachers Retirement...
Read MoreShould Ohio Public Employees Use a 457(b) in Addition to a Pension?
Should Ohio Public Employees Use a 457(b) Plan?If you are a public employee in Columbus, Ohio, you likely participate in a pension through either:State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio)Ohio Public Employees Retirement...
Read MoreBlue Advisors Investment Philosophy: A Disciplined, Fiduciary Approach to Long-Term Investing
Successful investing is rarely about finding the next winning stock or predicting market movements. Instead, long-term outcomes are driven by structure, discipline, and thoughtful decision-making repeated consistently over time.At Blue...
Read MoreWhat Is the Financial Planning Process at Blue Advisors for Busy Professionals in Columbus, OH?
The Financial Planning Process for Busy ProfessionalsBusy professionals face a unique financial challenge: high income, limited time, increasing tax complexity, and competing priorities. Between career demands, family responsibilities,...
Read MoreWhy Medicare Premiums Reduce Social Security Checks (What Retirees Need to Know)
The Medicare Charge Quietly Reducing Social Security ChecksMany retirees are surprised to see their Social Security checks shrink—even in years when cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) increase benefits. The primary reason is Medicare...
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