Just a couple of weeks ago, Thea and I, along with our trusty sidekick Rex (who thinks he owns the backseat of the Jeep) - took a ride up to a little piece of land we own just outside Payson, Arizona. A few good friends caravanned along with us, bouncing over dirt trails, and finally arriving to take in that fresh pine air that makes you feel like you're a million miles away from the city.
On the property sits a humble, hand-built cabin — more like a well-made shed, really — left behind by the previous owner. It's small, sturdy, and full of potential. Sure, it needed a good dusting and some TLC, but as we swept it out and hung a shelf, I couldn't help but feel inspired. That little cabin has a future — a place for future getaways, quiet mornings, maybe even a few marshmallow roasts with the grandkids one day.
Building Something That Lasts
Down the hill from the cabin runs a quiet stream but the view of the mountains is what sold us on the site. Besides cleaning and clearing pokey bushes we started collecting and laying a stone stairway— one rock at a time. We cleared some brush, laid the first few stones, and marveled at the start of something amazing. It was work, but the good kind — the kind that connects you with the land and the people you're with.
And somewhere between hauling rocks and relaxing afterward, it hit me — this is exactly what inheritance and retirement planning is about.
Most of the folks we meet at our workshops have spent decades working hard, saving smart, and climbing their own kind of trail. But now, it's time to make sure those efforts are structured in a way that brings purpose and possibility. It's not just about making money last. It's about making it meaningful. That's where our planning strategy comes in — organizing your savings so they can provide income, flexibility, and a lasting legacy.
Building a stairway down to a stream might not sound like financial planning, but I promise you, the parallels are there. It takes vision, a little effort, and the right team beside you.
Whether you're heading into retirement or already living it, I invite you to join us at an upcoming Inheritance Planning Workshop. Let's talk about how to create a plan that brings not just financial security, but clarity for you and the people you love.
We're here to make it 123Easy.
By David Schaeffer
Founder of American Retirement Advisors, David has spent decades helping retirees and pre-retirees build secure financial futures. His straightforward approach to retirement planning has guided hundreds of families toward confident, well-prepared retirements.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about building that mountain stairway really captures what smart inheritance planning looks like in 2026. Most people think inheritance planning is just about writing a will, but it's actually much bigger than that. It's about structuring your retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, understanding how Social Security benefits pass to surviving spouses, and making sure your Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan coordinates with your spouse's coverage.
Here's what surprises a lot of people: with the current federal estate tax exemption at $13.61 million per person in 2026, most Arizona retirees won't owe federal estate taxes. But that doesn't mean you can skip planning. The real question people ask me is, "How do I make sure my retirement savings stretch through both my lifetime and my spouse's lifetime?" That's where strategies like Roth IRA conversions, Social Security timing, and beneficiary designations on retirement accounts make all the difference.
Think of it this way — just like David laid those stones one at a time, good inheritance planning happens step by step. A little preparation today can make a big difference for the people you love tomorrow.