67 – Refinance Your Retirement Before It's Too Late

67 – Refinance Your Retirement Before It's Too Late

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel open with a look at how retirement planning shifts dramatically once you stop saving and start distributing. Stewart explains why turning a portfolio into a reliable income plan is one of the most overlooked challenges in retirement, and why getting the tax strategy wrong during distribution can cost you far more than you might expect. Stewart also makes the case for having a CPA and tax planning in house alongside your financial advisor, sharing why the right hand needs to know what the left hand is doing when it comes to your money. If your advisor is not coordinating your investments and your taxes under one roof, you may be leaving serious money on the table. The heart of the episode digs into annuities, including the fourth consecutive year of record breaking sales according to Limra, and what is really driving that trend. Stewart breaks down why so many people are stuck in underperforming annuities purchased during low interest rate environments, and why today's higher rate environment may be the ideal window to refinance into something better. He explains how insurance companies are offering bonuses and covering surrender fees to attract new business, and why now may be the perfect time to get a second opinion on what you own. Stewart closes with one of his most important distinctions: the difference between income and interest. Interest is what you make. Income is what you take. If your income is coming from your principal rather than your returns, that is a problem worth solving before it is too late. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary annuity review and portfolio consultation.

66 – Rethinking Retirement: Old Rules, New Dangers

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, wealth strategist Stewart Willis tackles some of the most persistent money myths in retirement planning and asks a question that every near-retiree should be asking: are the rules you've been following still relevant in today's financial landscape? Stewart breaks down why "the market always comes back" is only true if you have the time to wait — and many retirees simply don't. He walks through the dot-com crash, the 2008 financial crisis, and why the NASDAQ took 16 years to recover, making a compelling case for why protecting a portion of your portfolio matters more than chasing returns as you approach retirement. You'll also hear why 2022 proved that bonds are no longer the reliable hedge they once were, what an inverted yield curve signals about the economy, and why today's rising interest rate environment demands a completely different approach to fixed assets. Plus, Stewart and Spike Spengel explore the new reality of retirement itself — from half-retirement and second careers to why some people are choosing never to fully stop working at all. If you are within a few years of retirement or already there, this episode is a must-listen. The old playbook has changed, and Stewart Willis is here to help you write a new one. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio review.

65 - Roth Conversions: Why Paying Taxes Now Saves You Later

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis breaks down one of the most powerful and misunderstood strategies in retirement planning: the Roth conversion. With taxes currently at historic lows thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, Stewart explains why now may be the best window to act and why waiting could cost you far more in the long run. Stewart walks through exactly when and how his team executes Roth conversions, including their dollar cost averaging approach during market corrections, how to identify the right tax bracket targets, and why coordinating with a tax professional year round makes all the difference. You will also hear why Roth accounts are about more than just tax savings. They protect your Medicare from IRMA penalties, eliminate required minimum distributions, and allow your heirs to inherit tax free. Stewart and Spike also tackle the latest retirement confidence data showing that fewer than 35% of Americans feel highly confident about retirement, and what is really behind that anxiety. From inflation fears and Social Security concerns to the limits of spreadsheet planning, Stewart makes the case for cash flow analysis as the tool that gives retirees the visibility they need to actually enjoy their retirement. If you have been putting off your Roth strategy or wondering whether your retirement plan will hold up, this episode gives you the clarity and motivation to take action now. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary estate planning and portfolio review.

64 - What's Secretly Eating Your 401(k) Returns

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis pulls back the curtain on the hidden costs lurking inside your 401(k) and why most people have no idea what they're actually paying. From fund fees and expense ratios to the quiet underperformance of target date funds, Stewart breaks down what you need to know before retirement sneaks up on you. You'll also hear why the person managing your money may not actually be working for you and how to tell the difference. Stewart shares real stories from client meetings, explains the ERISA rules that shape your 401(k) options, and walks through exactly when it makes sense to move your retirement assets to professionally managed accounts outside your employer's plan. Plus, with markets hitting all-time highs again, Stewart revisits the Roth conversion window and why now may be the right time to take a serious look. And with retirement confidence at near all-time lows for the third year running, this episode is a timely reminder that knowing your numbers is the first step toward changing them. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary estate planning and portfolio review.

63 - Tax Season's Over — Now the Real Planning Begins

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Andrew Perry joins Spike Spengel to discuss why tax planning should continue long after tax season ends. From Roth conversions and effective tax rates to retirement income planning and Roth 401(k) opportunities, Andrew explains why now may be one of the best times to prepare for future taxes before rates potentially rise again. The conversation also shifts into one of the most overlooked parts of retirement planning—estate planning. Using a real-life example, Andrew and Spike break down the costly mistakes families make when wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations aren’t updated properly. You’ll learn the key differences between wills and trusts, how probate can delay access to family assets, and why reviewing your beneficiaries regularly could protect your loved ones from unnecessary stress and legal battles. If you want to reduce future taxes, avoid probate headaches, and make sure your retirement and legacy plans are fully aligned, this episode is packed with practical guidance and real-world examples you can use right away. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio and tax review.