BiggerPockets Money Podcast · Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Brian Preston and Beau Hanson of The Money Guy Show discuss the 'achiever's trap' with podcast hosts Mindy Jensen and Carl, a couple who have accumulated significant wealth but are now facing potential future tax liabilities due to their aggressive tax-deferred savings. They aim to strategize ways to access their 401(k) funds to minimize future Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and create a more favorable tax situation for their heirs.
“I consider it, you said the middle class, but I think it's more of an achiever's trap. Is because you guys, and a lot of ways, every year, and we see this with prospects all the time. Every year, y'all maximize the minimize taxes, but to help build and grow assets by owning stuff. That is great, but it is created this potential tax issue for the future.”
“Well, and I think people aren't thinking 20 years ahead. If I do nothing and the stock market returns, you know, the rule of 72 and Oh yeah. I could be facing incredibly large RMDs, required minimum distributions where I am now paying a lot of taxes to the government. And frankly, I'm a better steward of my money than the government is, so I don't want to do that.”