69 – Splitting Assets in Divorce: Why "Equal" Rarely Means "Fair"

69 – Splitting Assets in Divorce: Why "Equal" Rarely Means "Fair"

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel dig into one of the most misunderstood parts of divorce planning: dividing retirement assets. Stewart explains why a house worth $500,000 and a 401k worth $500,000 are not actually equal once taxes and early withdrawal penalties are factored in, and why couples need a financial advisor who understands the real value of a QDRO settlement before signing off on a split. The conversation also covers why outdated beneficiary designations cause major problems after a divorce or remarriage, including a Supreme Court case where a life insurance policy inside a trust ended up going to a previous spouse instead of the intended beneficiary. Stewart shares why he tells clients to assume something is wrong with their paperwork until they prove otherwise, and why placing the wrong assets, like IRAs and 401k plans, inside a trust can create unnecessary tax complications for spouses and heirs. Stewart also shares a story from advisor Rocky Munson about a client who rebuilt her financial confidence three years after her own divorce. Whether you are recently divorced, remarried, or simply have not reviewed your beneficiaries in years, this episode offers a clear reminder that financial fumbles do not have to derail retirement, as long as you have the right plan and the right team behind you. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio and tax review.

68 – Stop Hoarding Dreams: Build a Retirement You Can Spend

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis explains why so many retirees sit on money they will never spend, and how a smarter tax strategy can change that. Stewart breaks down why many financial advisors are reluctant to recommend Roth conversions, since converting client assets can shrink the very book of business they manage. He walks through why that conflict of interest matters and why your retirement goals, not your advisor's incentives, should drive the decision. Stewart also unpacks the widow's penalty, the often overlooked tax trap that hits a surviving spouse when they move from filing jointly to filing single, and explains how a Roth conversion today can prevent that tax bill from hitting your spouse or your kids down the road. He shares a story about a couple in their early 70s who assumed a Roth conversion no longer made sense for them, and why that thinking may be costing their family more than they realize. Above all, Stewart makes the case that retirement should be about creating memories, not just checking off a bucket list while your money sits untouched. Right now, taxes are historically low, and Stewart explains why that window will not stay open forever. If you want to build a retirement plan that lets you actually enjoy your money instead of guarding it, this episode lays out the strategy to get there. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary Roth conversion review.

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.