What’s the real cost of education when your retirement is on the line?

In part two of this series, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, breaks down the financial tradeoffs hidden in today’s education planning landscape from brand-new Trump Savings Accounts to long-term student loan debt, and how poorly timed withdrawals could sabotage your retirement timeline.

With decades of experience guiding families through these complex intersections, Jim offers clear insight into what to prioritize, how to help protect your future, and the conversations parents and students need to start earlier than ever.

What to expect in this episode:

• Who qualifies for the $1,000 Trump Savings Account, and is it worth it?
• Why ABLE accounts can be a game-changer for families with disabilities
• How 401(k) loans and student debt delay retirement goals
• The single biggest mistake families make when juggling tuition and retirement

• And more!

Resources:

• Paying for School Without Sacrificing Retirement – Part I (Ep. 42)
• One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan
• Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans
• Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025
• Michigan Scholarship and Grant Programs
• How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Reshape 529 Plans
• 10 Things to Know About the Trump Savings Account
• Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Overview

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

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For many families, education and retirement happen on the same financial timeline.

The dollars that help a child chase their dreams can just as easily be the dollars that shape your future. That’s why recent education reforms deserve your attention, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or planning for your own education journey.

In part one of this special two-part series, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, explores how the new “One Big Beautiful Bill” reshapes education funding and why it matters for your retirement strategy. From expanded Pell Grants and FAFSA shifts to 529 ownership strategies and lifetime borrowing caps, Jim unpacks what’s changing and how to plan with clarity, not guesswork.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How new student loan rules can affect long-term cash flow
• Why 529 ownership decisions can influence aid eligibility
• The ripple effects of tuition planning on retirement savings
• What the Education Choice for Children Act could mean for families
• And more!

Resources:

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP)
• Income-Based Repayment (IBR) Plan
• Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans
• Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025
• Michigan Scholarship and Grant Programs
• How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Reshape 529 Plans
• 10 Things to Know About the Trump Savings Account
• Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) Account Overview

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

You can do everything right, save consistently, invest wisely, build a retirement plan, and still be one accident away from financial devastation.

Why? Because many of us unknowingly overlook one critical piece of protection: uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).

In this episode of The Retirement Engineer, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, sits down with Mike Kane, a Personal Injury Attorney and Former U.S. Marine, to break down how this often-skipped coverage works, who it helps protect, and why so many people, even financially savvy ones, miss it.

What to expect:

• What UM/UIM coverage actually does (and doesn’t do)
• Why high-income professionals are often underprotected
• Real stories from accident victims caught off guard
• How to take action with your insurance agent, today
• And more!

Resources:

• One in three drivers doesn’t have enough car insurance

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

Connect With Mike Kane:

• LinkedIn: Michael Kane
• Kane Trial Law

About Our Guest:

Mike Kane is a Colorado personal injury lawyer specializing in car accidents, truck accidents, and catastrophic personal injury litigation. He also represents victims of sexual assault against institutions and individuals.

Mr. Kane has spent his entire career helping the vulnerable fight back against the powerful. A third-generation lawyer and Colorado native, he is a former US Marine who served a tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After leaving the military, he returned home and served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Arapahoe and Douglas County DA’s Offices. He then entered civil practice and has focused exclusively on the representation of injured plaintiffs.

A sweeping new financial law dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is changing the rules for retirees and those nearing retirement.

From tax deductions on Social Security to estate planning thresholds, Roth account changes, healthcare cost shifts, and updates to 529 plans, the legislation is reshaping the financial landscape.

In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, breaks down the details and explores how these changes may impact your retirement strategy. You’ll learn what’s staying the same, what’s phasing out and when, and how to plan smarter during this transition period.

Here’s what to expect:

• The new “senior deduction” and who qualifies
• How Roth account rules and RMDs may evolve
• Estate and gift tax updates for high-net-worth families
• Changes to healthcare and 529 plan planning
• And more!

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

When markets drop, most people freeze or flee. But what if the smartest move isn’t to retreat, but to go on offense?

In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, unpacks why volatile markets can be a gift to strategic investors who know how to capitalize on short-term fear for long-term gain.

Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, walks listeners through how understanding market patterns, managing risk, and applying proactive investment tactics can turn turbulence into opportunity. Whether you’re accumulating wealth or distributing it in retirement, this episode explains why downturns don’t need to derail your plan—in fact, they might be just what your portfolio needs.

Here’s what you can expect from this release:

• Why market volatility is not only normal, but expected, and how understanding this can help you avoid emotional decisions
• Why downturns can create ideal conditions for Roth conversions and how to execute them strategically
• Why rebalancing during market declines can improve long-term returns by systematically buying low and selling high
• Why dollar-cost averaging and front-loading investment contributions can turn volatility into an advantage
• And more!

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

What are the clear signs it’s time to stop DIYing your retirement planning?

Here are the five indicators that call for professional guidance.

Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, unravels the complexities of retirement planning. With his wealth of experience, he explores when it’s best to transition from self-management to professional advice.

This episode offers universal insights for anyone considering a DIY approach to retirement planning.

Key discussion points include:

• The complexities of growing income and savings [00:01:21]
• The challenge of managing time as life grows busier [00:04:09]
• Emotional influences on financial decisions [00:08:32]
• Understanding the unknown pitfalls in planning [00:12:27]
• The value of getting professional help as you approach retirement [00:16:14]
• And more!

Resources:

• The 5 Most Important Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before Hiring Them.

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

What do tariffs mean for your retirement savings and investments? Is it still okay to retire right now?

In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, tackles the often-overlooked world of tariffs and their unexpected impact on your financial future. Whether you’re decades away from retirement or just around the corner, understanding these global financial levers can be crucial.

Key conversations in this release include:

• What tariffs are and why governments use them [00:01:39]
• The historical and economic implications of tariffs, from paperclips to major industries [00:05:17]
• How tariffs affect market volatility and retirement planning [00:13:14]
• Real-world examples of tariffs’ ripple effects on local economies [00:24:37]
• Strategies for retirees and pre-retirees to navigate these turbulent waters [00:24:51]

Resources:

• First Trust Tariffs Deck
• Tariffs and Federal Finance: A Thumbnail History

Connect with Jim Kruzan:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

How can artificial intelligence threaten your retirement savings?

In this episode, Jim Kruzan, CFP®, CRPC®, welcomes former FBI Special Agent Jeff Lanza, an expert in cybercrime and fraud prevention, to discuss how AI-driven scams could affect your financial security.

Jeff shares eye-opening insights on various AI-driven scams, including phishing emails, romance scams, and the rise of deep fakes. They discuss how these scams exploit seniors and take advantage of technological naivety.

Learn valuable tips on how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones as this episode highlights:

• (00:03:38) AI-driven phishing scams and targeting retirees
• (00:05:43) Real-world examples of convincing scam techniques
• (00:07:32) The persistence and psychology behind romance scams
• (00:17:17) The exponential growth of AI technology in scam strategies
• (00:19:46) Understanding deep fakes and their role in deception
• (00:25:42) The chilling reality of fake personas infiltrating companies

Resources:

• Safeguarding Your Wealth Against Cybercrime with Retired FBI Special Agent Jeff Lanza (Ep. 22)
• Identity Theft and Cybercrime Handout
• Books by Jeff Lanza, The #1 FBI Keynote Speaker

Connect with Jim Kruzan CFP®:

• (800) 638-6900
• Kaydan Wealth Management
• LinkedIn: Jim Kruzan
• LinkedIn: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Facebook: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Instagram: Kaydan Wealth Management
• YouTube: Kaydan Wealth Management
• Twitter: Kaydan Wealth Management

Connect with Jeff Lanza:

• Linkedln: Jeff Lanza
• Website: The Lanza Group

About Jeff Lanza:

Jeff Lanza has been described as the “# 1 FBI Agent Keynote Speaker” and “A Phenomenal Presenter.” He was an FBI agent for over 20 years and is a cybersecurity and identity theft expert. Jeff has provided hundreds of presentations to financial advisors and their clients on cyber security and identity theft prevention. They have been a great hit with clients! His presentation on body language is similarly a hit with financial advisors and others.

Jeff was an FBI Special Agent for over 20 years. He investigated cybercrime, fraud, organized crime, human trafficking, and terrorism. He appears regularly on CNBC’s Closing Bell and Power Lunch, the Fox News Channel, and has appeared on Larry King Live, the Today Show, and Good Morning America. He has lectured at Princeton University and at Harvard University. He is a published author of two critically acclaimed books and he consulted for Oscar-winning movie director Ang Lee. Jeff has presented around the globe and in 49 U.S. States.