501(c)(3) Nonprofit · Free Education

Free Retirement Classes That Explain Social Security, Taxes & Income in Plain English

By , founder, Retirement Literacy Foundation · Updated
Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the IRS.

Independent, nonprofit education on Social Security, Medicare, and retirement taxation, taught in plain English to California audiences.

Understand the rules that decide how much of your money you actually keep. No products are sold and there is no sales pitch. We are a public charity, and we just teach.

Reserve a Free Seat See What We Cover

The Retirement Literacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-5062266) dedicated to free, unbiased education on Social Security, taxes, and retirement income planning.

What You’ll Learn

The Six Things That Quietly Decide Your Retirement Income

Most retirement mistakes aren’t about picking investments. They’re about timing, taxes, and rules nobody explained. Our free classes walk through each one in plain English.

Social Security Timing

When to claim, how spousal and survivor benefits work, and how the earnings test can claw back benefits if you claim too early while still working.

Taxes in Retirement

How “provisional income” makes up to 85% of your Social Security taxable, and how to plan withdrawals so you don’t hand back more than you have to.

Medicare & IRMAA

How a single high-income year can raise your Medicare Part B and D premiums for the next two years, and how to see the cliff before you cross it.

Required Minimum Distributions

When RMDs start under SECURE 2.0, how they’re calculated, and why the order you draw down accounts can change your lifetime tax bill.

Roth Conversions

Whether converting traditional savings to Roth makes sense for you, and how to fill a tax bracket without triggering IRMAA or the next bracket up.

The Widow’s Penalty

How a surviving spouse can owe much more tax on the same income once the filing status changes, and what to plan for ahead of time.

Free Online Tools

Use Our Free Calculators Any Time

No sign-up required. These are the same tools we use in class, and they are free to everyone.

Social Security Claiming Social Security Tax IRMAA / Medicare RMD Calculator Roth Conversion Window Widow’s Penalty Earnings Test

Reserve a Free Seat

Pick a date. The current class, What changes for you in 2027, is live on Zoom: about 30 minutes plus questions. Every class is free and nothing is sold.

By submitting with your phone number, you agree that the Retirement Literacy Foundation and its founder Hans Goldstein may call and text you at that number about your request, including with automated technology and prerecorded or artificial voice. Consent is not required to buy anything. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.

We’ll only use your contact information to confirm your seat and send class details. The Foundation does not sell your information.

Why It’s Free

Education First. No Sales Pitch.

The Retirement Literacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Our mission is education, not selling. Our workshops are teaching sessions, not sales seminars, and the Foundation does not sell insurance or investment products.

We believe retirees make better decisions when someone simply explains the rules clearly and answers their questions. That’s what we do, at no cost.

IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) · EIN 41-5062266

Frequently asked questions

Are the retirement classes really free?

Yes. The Retirement Literacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity, every class is free, and nothing is sold. The Foundation does not sell insurance or investment products.

What do the classes cover?

Social Security timing, taxes in retirement, Medicare and IRMAA, required minimum distributions, Roth conversions and the widow's penalty.

How long is a class and where is it held?

The current class is live on Zoom and runs about 30 minutes plus questions.

Hans Goldstein

Hans Goldstein, EA

Founder & Executive Director · Retirement Literacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit
Admitted to practice before the IRS

Want more information on this? Put your name below and I’ll send it over in plain English, at no cost. If your situation has a wrinkle, reply to the email and tell me what it is; I read them.

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Hans Goldstein is an Enrolled Agent, admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS.