David McKnight Speaker Biography
Finance & Retirement Expert and Best-Selling Author of The Power of Zero
David McKnight graduated from Brigham Young University with Honors in 1997. Over the past 20 years David has helped put thousands of Americans on the road to the zero percent tax bracket. He has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, The New York Times, Fox Business, Bloomberg Radio, MarketWatch, CBS Radio, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq.com, Reuters, Investor’s Business Daily and numerous other national publications. David was a Focus Speaker at the worldwide annual meeting of MDRT in Toronto, Canada and is a multiple Top of the Table qualifier.
The Power of Zero
His bestselling book The Power of Zero has sold over 400,000 copies and the updated and revised version was published by Penguin Random House. When it was launched in September of 2018, it finished the week as the #2 most-sold business book in the world. In 2019 The Power of Zero was ranked as the #9 best financial resource in the country by Forbes Magazine. This book was recently made into a full-length documentary film, also entitled The Power of Zero: The Tax Train Is Coming. As the President of David McKnight & Company, he mentors hundreds of financial advisors from across the country who specialize in The Power of Zero retirement approach.
Media
He has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, The New York Times, Fox Business, Bloomberg Radio, MarketWatch, CBS Radio, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq.com, Reuters, Investor’s Business Daily, Kiplinger’s and numerous other national publications.
Books
When his follow-up book Tax-Free Income for Life launched in November of 2020, it finished the week as the #3 most-sold business book in the world. When his most recent book The Guru Gap launched in December of 2024, it finished the week at #8 on the USA Today Bestseller list and was the top-selling business book in the world.
He and his wife Felice have seven children.
David McKnight Speaking Topics
The Power of Zero: How to Get to the 0% Tax Bracket in Retirement
David McKnight explains why today’s historically low tax rates are unsustainable and shows audiences how to restructure their retirement savings to legally eliminate tax risk. Drawing from decades of financial experience and his bestselling book The Power of Zero, he demystifies Roth conversions, strategic distribution planning, and tax-free income streams. This keynote equips attendees with an actionable blueprint for creating a resilient retirement strategy built to withstand rising future tax environments.
Why Tax Rates Will Be Much Higher in the Future—And What You Can Do About It
In this eye-opening presentation, McKnight outlines the fiscal pressures driving the U.S. toward significantly higher tax rates, including national debt, unfunded liabilities, and demographic shifts. He translates complex economic forces into simple, practical implications for individual retirement planning. Audiences walk away with a clear understanding of the challenges ahead—and specific steps to shield their savings through proactive, tax-efficient strategies.
Creating a Tax-Free Retirement: Smart Planning for Today’s Uncertain Future
McKnight reveals how retirees and pre-retirees can design a stable, predictable retirement income strategy insulated from tax volatility. He covers the optimal mix of accounts, timing of withdrawals, and the role of life insurance, Roth IRAs, and other tax-advantaged vehicles. This session empowers participants to maximize their financial independence and protect their hard-earned assets from future tax erosion.
The Rising Tide of Debt: How America’s Fiscal Reality Impacts Your Retirement
With his signature clarity, McKnight connects the dots between the nation’s long-term fiscal trajectory and the personal financial consequences facing Americans. He demonstrates how federal debt, budget deficits, and changing entitlement programs may influence future tax policy. Audiences learn how to safeguard their nest egg by transitioning to tax-free strategies that are sustainable, legal, and aligned with long-term economic trends.
David McKnight Books
The Guru Gap
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Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement
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The Power of Zero, Revised and Updated: How to Get to the 0% Tax Bracket and Transform Your Retirement
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Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement
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David McKnight Speaker Testimonials
I speak all over the world. Rarely do I see as captivating a speaker as David McKnight. He shows in very simple terms what the coming tax problems are and how to best escape them! He will motivate your audience to ACTION!
- Tom Hegna, Economist, Author, Retirement Expert |
I have seen thousands of presentations over the past 15 years and David McKnight’s is the best in the business. Dave’s unique approach and powerful message have motivated thousands to protect their retirement savings from the coming tax freight train.
- Jim Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer | Financial Independence Group
David has been an key partner for our firm and our advisors. His industry knowledge and marketing savvy has been proven with measurable results time and time again. With so many marketing concepts available, it is no surprise that David has emerged as a leader and top choice among advisors.
- Dean Zayed, CEO | Brookstone Capital Management
I’ve had the privilege of listening to hundreds of great speakers over the years and David McKnight is among the best. He has that rare ability to capture the audience’s attention and motivate them to action.
- Rao Garuda, ChFC, CLU, Co-founder | American Tax Planning Institute
