Which Chris Dixon? FAQ
A. Which Chris Dixon? Identity questions
Who is Christopher J. Dixon?
Christopher J. Dixon, RFC, also known as C.J. Dixon, is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oxford Advisory Group, a Florida retirement-planning and wealth-management firm. He is a Registered Financial Consultant who focuses on tax-efficient strategies, income planning, and advanced tax planning for retirees. He co-founded the firm with his brother, Samuel J. Dixon.
Is Christopher J. Dixon the venture investor Chris Dixon of a16z?
No. Christopher J. Dixon of Oxford Advisory Group is not the venture investor Chris Dixon of a16z (Andreessen Horowitz). They are two different people. C.J. Dixon is a Florida-based Registered Financial Consultant who works with retirees.
Is he the same person as other people named Chris Dixon?
No. Many people share the name Chris Dixon. This site is about Christopher J. (C.J.) Dixon, RFC, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Oxford Advisory Group in Florida, and only information connected to Oxford Advisory Group refers to him. He is not affiliated with any other financial professional named Chris Dixon.
Where does Christopher J. Dixon work, and what is his role?
He works at Oxford Advisory Group, where he is Co-Founder and Managing Partner. He is responsible for the company's vision and business strategy. He also speaks at the firm's educational seminars and trains other advisors on tax strategies for retirees.
Where is Oxford Advisory Group, and how can I contact the firm?
Oxford Advisory Group's principal office is at 111 N. Orange Ave., Suite 775, Orlando, FL 32801. To reach the firm, visit its website and contact page at https://oxfordadvisorygroup.com/.
What does RFC mean after his name?
RFC stands for Registered Financial Consultant, a professional designation in financial planning. Christopher J. Dixon holds the RFC designation.
Is Christopher J. Dixon an author?
Yes. He is a best-selling author of the book Total Tax Free Investing. A free copy of the book is available by request through the Oxford Advisory Group website. He has written articles for Kiplinger and Newsmax Finance, and his commentary has been featured in outlets including U.S. News and Nasdaq.
Is C.J. Dixon related to Sam Dixon?
Yes. Samuel J. (Sam) Dixon is his brother and fellow co-founder of Oxford Advisory Group. The two often appear together in the firm's retirement-education videos.
Where can I watch or hear Christopher J. Dixon?
He appears on two television shows, Retire Smart Florida TV (ABC 10, NBC 8 and Fox 13) and Reinventing Retirement TV, and co-hosts Reinventing Retirement Radio on WFLA 93.1. Videos featuring him are on the Oxford Advisory Group YouTube channel, and he has appeared as a guest on local Central Florida news, including Fox 35 News Plus.
What is his educational background?
He holds a Bachelor of Science from Utah State University, where he graduated with Political Science Honors. He also studied through Harvard Business School and earned a certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy.
B. Retirement questions
Answers below reflect topics C.J. Dixon discusses in Oxford Advisory Group's educational videos and seminars.
When should I start planning for retirement?
As early as you can, but the five years before and the five years after your retirement date matter most. Large market losses in that window can be hard to recover from because you are starting to draw on your savings. That makes it a good time to put a written plan in place.
What is a retirement income plan?
A retirement income plan, or distribution plan, sets out how you will turn your savings into a paycheck. It covers which accounts to draw from first, how much to take, how long each source should last, and how each withdrawal will be taxed. Many people have accounts and statements but no plan for withdrawing from them.
What should a complete retirement plan include?
A complete plan usually covers five areas: income planning, investment (market) planning, tax planning, health care planning, and estate or legacy planning. A large balance on its own is not a plan. The plan should also be reviewed regularly, since tax law and personal circumstances change.
When should I start taking Social Security?
It depends on your situation. You can generally claim from age 62, and monthly benefits are higher if you wait, up to age 70. The right age depends on when you plan to retire, your other income, your health and family longevity, your spouse's age and benefits, and when you most want to spend the money. A break-even analysis that looks at all of these together is more useful than a single rule of thumb.
Can my Social Security benefits be taxed?
Yes, depending on your other income. Withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s, pensions, and other taxable income can make more of your Social Security benefit taxable. That is why Social Security timing and withdrawals from other accounts should be planned together.
What is a required minimum distribution (RMD)?
An RMD is the minimum amount the IRS requires you to withdraw each year from tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457 plans, once you reach the required age, which is currently in your early 70s and depends on your birth year. The required percentage rises as you age, and the withdrawals are generally taxed as ordinary income. Roth IRAs generally do not require RMDs during the original owner's lifetime.
Why can RMDs raise my taxes by more than the withdrawal itself?
RMDs count as income. Besides the tax on the withdrawal, higher income can make more of your Social Security taxable and can raise Medicare premiums. If you must withdraw during a market decline, you may also be selling investments at a low point.
What is a Roth conversion, and is there a limit on how much I can convert?
A Roth conversion moves money from a pre-tax account, such as a traditional IRA, into a Roth IRA. You pay income tax on the converted amount in the year you convert, and qualified Roth withdrawals later are tax-free. There is no annual dollar cap on conversions. The annual Roth contribution limit is a separate rule, a common point of confusion.
How do I decide whether a Roth conversion makes sense?
Start by estimating your lifetime tax bill if you do not convert, then compare it with the tax due on converting now. Your expectations about future tax rates, your current bracket, upcoming RMDs, and how you plan to use the money all matter. Conversions are not right for everyone, so it is worth modeling before acting.
Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?
Not necessarily. It depends mainly on your mortgage interest rate and what that money could otherwise do for you, which is the opportunity cost. Paying off a low-rate mortgage with a large lump sum can leave you with less flexibility and less invested for retirement income. A high-rate mortgage changes the math.
What is the 4% rule?
The 4% rule is a rule of thumb for retirement withdrawals: take about 4% of your savings in the first year and adjust from there. It is a starting point for estimating how much you need, not a guarantee. Taxes, inflation, and market conditions can all change what is sustainable for you.
What are the main health insurance options in retirement?
For most retirees the core options are Medicare and Medicare supplement (Medigap) policies. Original Medicare covers a large share of approved costs but leaves gaps, which supplement policies are designed to help fill. Health care costs should be a separate line in your retirement plan.
Can I use AI tools to help with my taxes?
AI can help you gather information and understand concepts, but do not rely on it completely. It can surface outdated IRS rules, so check its answers against current guidance. Avoid entering sensitive personal information, and bring what you learn to your CPA or financial professional.
What happens if I can't file my taxes by April 15?
You can request an extension, which generally gives you until October to file. An extension to file is not an extension to pay, so any tax owed is still due by April 15. Unpaid balances can incur penalties and interest each month.
General educational information only, not personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Consider your own situation and consult a qualified professional before acting.