Tax Changes, Cost-Cutting, and Financial Peace of Mind with Mark Steber (Jackson Hewitt)

On this episode of Take Pride in Retirement, I’m joined by Mark Steber, Chief Tax Officer at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, to break down some of the most important tax changes impacting individuals and retirees heading into 2026. We talk about new deductions, who qualifies, and how missing just one line on your return could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table.  Before and after my conversation with Mark, I also dig into two critical planning topics that matter deeply for the LGBTQ+ community: managing everyday expenses in retirement and building (or rebuilding) a proper emergency fund. For many of us, retirement planning happens without traditional safety nets—no pensions, limited family support, or delayed access to spousal benefits—so flexibility and preparation are everything.  No matter who you are, where you’re from, or who you love—you deserve a retirement you can take pride in. This episode is all about giving you clarity, confidence, and control over the things you can manage. Schedule your free financial consultation at TakePrideInRetirement.com or call 855-246-9211. -- Request your free RSSA Roadmap for Social Security optimizationWatch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TakePrideinRetirementShowFollow on BlueSky, Threads, Facebook, Instagram — just search Take Pride in Retirement --  Take Pride in Retirement is proud to be named one of the top Pride podcasts on the internet by FeedSpot. For more, go to https://blog.feedspot.com/pride_podcasts About Take Pride in Retirement:Take Pride in Retirement is a podcast dedicated to retirement planning solutions for the LGBTQ community. Host Matt McClure, a licensed fiduciary financial advisor, shares strategies to protect your hard-earned money while pursuing market-like growth. Matt holds the RSSA® credential as a Registered Social Security Analyst®, helping clients optimize their Social Security filing strategies to potentially increase lifetime income. He’s also a Certified Annuity Specialist® (CAS®), a designation earned through a 135+ hour graduate-level program in fixed-rate and variable annuities from the Institute of Business & Finance. Based in Georgia with his husband and two dogs, Matt spent over a decade in New York City, working with The Wall Street Journal Radio Network, NY1, and WCBS Newsradio 880. A career highlight includes reporting from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.