My Investments Underperformed the Market - Should I Fire My Advisor?

Is Your SCE 401(k) Working As Hard As You Are?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416928/fan_mail/new] 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05] ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] If you're a Southern California Edison employee, your retirement benefits may be more powerful- and more complicated- than you realize. Steve breaks down the different levels of 401(k) management, explains how the SCE cash balance pension works, and highlights common mistakes employees make when relying on default investment options. You'll learn why retirement planning goes far beyond choosing a target date fund and how coordinating your pension, investments, taxes, and retirement income strategy can make a significant difference in your long-term financial future. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: ⚡ Tier Zero: Why doing nothing is the biggest retirement mistake 📈 401(k) Tiers: DIY investing, robo advisors, and full financial planning 🎯 Target Date Funds: The benefits and limitations of default options 🏦 Cash Balance Pension: The overlooked benefit many Edison employees misunderstand 🔄 Coordination Matters: Connecting your pension, 401(k), taxes, and retirement income 🛡️ Common Objections: Time, fees, market recovery, and following coworker advice Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg] Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05]  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ [https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/] Email: info@powerhousefa.com [info@powerhousefa.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors [https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors] This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

PG&E Employees: Your 401(k) Has Three Gears- Most of You Are Still in First

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416928/fan_mail/new] 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Schedule a check-in meeting with Steve:  https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05] ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] Most PG&E employees are only scratching the surface of what their retirement plan can actually do. In this episode, Steve breaks down the three “tiers” of the PG&E retirement system and discusses how more advanced planning strategies can create a very different retirement outcome. Tune in to hear the common mistakes employees make, and why waiting too long to get serious about retirement planning can become incredibly costly later in life. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📈 Robo Advisors: Better tools, limited planning 🚀 Full Engine: Customized retirement strategy matters 🏦 Cash Balance Plan: Often misunderstood and overlooked ⚠️ Late Planning: Catch-up gets expensive fast 🧠 Professional Guidance: Retirement gets more complex over time  Take The Quiz: https://powerhousevsl-q3f63yk6.manus.space/ [https://powerhousevsl-q3f63yk6.manus.space/] Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg] Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05]  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ [https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/] Email: info@powerhousefa.com [info@powerhousefa.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors [https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors] This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

You Did the Hard Part. Here’s Why the Next Part Is Different

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416928/fan_mail/new] 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12] ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] You’ve spent decades doing the hard part, and if you’ve done it well, it’s natural to wonder… why change anything now? But retirement isn’t just a continuation of what you’ve already been doing. It’s a completely different phase with new risks, new decisions, and a lot more at stake. Steve unpacks why success during your working years doesn’t automatically translate into success in retirement, and what you need to think about before making that transition. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📩 DIY Success: Confidence built during working years 🔄 New Game: Saving vs. spending requires different skills 📉 Higher Stakes: Early losses can derail retirement 🧩 Complexity: Taxes, income, and healthcare all collide 🔓 Fear of Losing Control: Letting go doesn’t mean losing control Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg] Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05]  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ [https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/] Email: info@powerhousefa.com [info@powerhousefa.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors [https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors] This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

My Investments Underperformed the Market - Should I Fire My Advisor?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416928/fan_mail/new] 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12] ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] Steve tackles a listener’s big question: “If my portfolio underperformed the market this year, should I fire my advisor?” He breaks down what “the market” really means, why your benchmark should match your portfolio’s purpose and risk level, and why a single 12‑month snapshot can be wildly misleading. Steve also shares when underperformance becomes a red flag. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 📊 Your Plan Matters: The market is not always the right benchmark ⚖️ Risk Changes Everything: Portfolios should match goals and timeline ⏳ Short-Term Isn’t Everything: One year rarely tells the full story 🚨 Patterns Deserve Attention: Chronic underperformance should raise questions 💬 Ask Better Questions: Strong advisor relationships encourage open conversations Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg] Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05]  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ [https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/] Email: info@powerhousefa.com [info@powerhousefa.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors [https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors] This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...

The Retirement Tax Traps Nobody Warned You About

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2416928/fan_mail/new] 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12] ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] Nobody likes tax season, but for new retirees, the rules can feel completely different. Income changes, required withdrawals begin, and decisions that once lowered taxes can create bigger bills later. Steve unpacks some of the most common retirement tax mistakes and how they show up in real life. A little forward planning can make a dramatic difference over the long run. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧾 First-Year Shock: New income mix changes taxes ⏳ RMD Timing: Waiting can create bigger problems ⚠️ Conversion Mistakes: Overdoing Roth can backfire 📉 Social Security Taxes: Up to 85% may be taxed 👥 Spouse Impact: Income drops, but expenses don’t Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html [https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html] YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg] Book your financial check-in meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05 [https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/sce-employee-401k-retirement-meeting?month=2026-05]  Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ [https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/] Email: info@powerhousefa.com [info@powerhousefa.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors [https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors] This podcast is provided by Powerhouse Financial Advisors Inc. ("PFA"), a state-registered investment adviser. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. PFA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or suit...