Divorce the IRS

Welcome to Divorce the IRS, the Retirement Income Planning Podcast—built for people who want to pay the least amount of taxes possible and create retirement income that actually lasts. Inspired by Jimmy Miller’s bestselling book Divorce, the IRS, this show takes you behind the scenes of the tax rules, retirement strategies, and planning decisions that can quietly determine how much of your money you keep.

The truth is, taxes aren’t just “something you deal with later.” The U.S. tax code is massive, confusing by design, and full of traps that can hit hardest right when you need your money most. From 401(k)s and IRAs to Social Security and Medicare, many common “smart moves” can turn into expensive surprises—like required minimum distributions, Medicare surcharges, the widow’s penalty, and other retirement tax time bombs most people don’t see coming until it’s too late.

With 20+ years of experience as a global wealth manager, Jimmy breaks these topics down in a clear, practical way—so you can plan proactively, avoid unnecessary taxes, and build a retirement where your delayed gratification finally pays off. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and remember: this podcast is for general education only and isn’t legal, tax, or investment advice—always consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

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Divorce the IRS

Myth of the Lower Tax Bracket

February 17, 2026 • James Miller

0:00 | 14:35

Getting a tax deduction today feels smart. But what if the strategy you’ve been told will “save you money” is quietly setting you up to pay far more over your lifetime?

In this episode of The Divorce the IRS Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest myths in retirement planning: the belief that you’ll automatically be in a lower tax bracket when you retire.

It sounds logical. You stop working, your income drops, and therefore your taxes drop too. But for disciplined savers — especially those consistently contributing to traditional 401(k)s and IRAs — that assumption often doesn’t hold up.

We walk through detailed, real-world numbers showing how tax-deferred investing can function more like a loan from the IRS than true tax savings. When you contribute pre-tax dollars, you’re not just deferring taxes on what you put in — you’re deferring taxes on decades of compounded growth. That future liability can grow into what we call a “tax time bomb.”

Using a 30-year example, we show how someone can save roughly $165,000 in taxes during their working years — only to pay back hundreds of thousands, or even close to a million dollars, in retirement. Even when assuming lower returns or conservative withdrawal strategies, the math often still favors the IRS.

We also discuss why many retirees don’t actually end up in lower brackets. The deductions that helped during working years often disappear. Tax rates are controlled by the government — not you. Social Security can become taxable. Medicare premiums can increase. And required withdrawals can force income higher than expected.

You’ll learn:

Why the “lower tax bracket in retirement” argument often fails
How tax-deferred growth creates compounding future tax obligations
The impact of losing deductions in retirement
How government tax policy risk affects long-term planning
Why total lifetime taxes matter more than marginal tax brackets
How to think about creating a near-zero tax retirement strategy

This episode introduces the concept of the eight tax time bombs that can quietly explode in retirement if you’re not planning properly. In the episodes ahead, we’ll break down each one and show you how to defuse them.

The goal isn’t to say tax deferral never makes sense. It’s to challenge the assumption that it automatically does. Your tax bracket today is only part of the story. Your lifetime tax bill is what really matters.