Markets look strong—but are they too perfect? On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat explore how to stress test your financial plan so it can hold up in the real world. They take a call from a 63-year-old retiree with a $6 million portfolio who’s rethinking his Roth conversions and Social Security timing, then talk with a 47-year-old state employee balancing burnout, real estate, and early retirement goals. Finally, Allworth’s Head of Wealth Planning, Victoria Bogner, joins to explain how taxes, Medicare, and market strategy all connect inside a resilient financial plan. If you’ve ever wondered whether your financial plan could weather a true market test, this episode delivers clarity, humor, and timeless perspective.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

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On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down just how complex the tax system has become—and why staying ahead of the changes matters more than ever. You’ll hear from one caller trying to track down the value of old savings certificates from the 1980s, another wrestling with how to allocate investments for better tax efficiency, and a listener who made major changes after Scott and Pat helped him realize the true cost of a Variable Universal Life (VUL) insurance plan. If you’ve ever wondered whether your tax strategy is working for you—or against you—this one’s for you.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

Is the AI boom driving markets too far, too fast? On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat debate whether stock prices can keep up with earnings—or if investors should brace for a correction. Then, they tackle the 4% retirement withdrawal rule, explaining its history, its flaws, and how real retirees actually spend. Listener calls bring the conversation to life, with questions on 401(k) rollovers, 403(b) vs. 457 plans, and the latest Social Security changes. Finally, Scott and Pat share candid insights on why so many savers struggle to spend in retirement—and how to strike a healthy balance. Whether you’re curious about AI hype, the realities of the retirement withdrawal rule, or just want straight answers to financial questions, this episode has you covered.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

Roth conversions can save you thousands in taxes — but only if you know when and how to use them. On this BONUS EPISODE of Money Matters, Scott and Pat take listener calls that reveal the importance of strategy, trust, and risk management in retirement planning.

They begin with a caller asking about complicated yield notes, sparking a discussion on portfolio risk management and why trusting the right financial advisor matters more than chasing products.

Next, another listener wants to understand Roth conversions and Social Security timing — and Scott and Pat explain when Roth conversions make the most sense for long-term tax efficiency.

Finally, a retired couple checks back in to share how they handled market volatility after following Scott and Pat’s advice. Their story shows why portfolio risk management isn’t just about protecting money — it’s about protecting peace of mind.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into market shifts—tariffs, AI-driven productivity, and surprising earnings—and explain why chasing predictions fails while fundamentals like tax-efficient investing deliver results.

Next, a caller shares his career-change dilemma: should he leave a higher-paying job for a teaching role with a pension? Scott and Pat weigh in on how retirement savings, insurance coverage, and college funding fit into the bigger picture.

Later, another caller with a $9 million stock portfolio reveals his struggle with taxes from heavy dividend income. This leads to a deep dive into tax-efficient investing, where Scott, Pat, and Allworth’s Head of Wealth Planning, Victoria Bogner, break down strategies like gifting stock, using net unrealized appreciation (NUA), and leveraging direct indexing for smarter portfolio management.

The episode closes with actionable insights to help you apply tax-efficient investing in your own financial plan—so you can keep more of what you’ve worked hard to build.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive deep into what truly makes a great financial advisor—and why empathy and guidance matter as much as investment strategies. They share real-life stories that highlight how a trusted financial advisor can help families navigate some of life’s toughest moments: illness, unexpected retirement, losing a spouse, and planning for Social Security. From a caller facing a terminal cancer diagnosis to another couple debating whether to pay off their mortgage early, Scott and Pat explore the practical—and emotional—side of retirement and estate planning. Listeners will learn why selecting the right financial advisor isn’t just about numbers, but about having a partner who understands the human side of money.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive deep into the power of capitalism, why activist investors keep markets healthy, and what we can learn from China’s struggles with electric vehicles and housing. Then listeners call in with real financial challenges—ranging from Roth conversions inside a 401(k), to balancing pre-tax vs. Roth contributions, to donor-advised funds for tax-smart charitable giving. You’ll also hear practical guidance on managing too much cash in retirement accounts, navigating pensions vs. lump sums, and aligning financial decisions with your life goals.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat explain how direct index investing can be used as a powerful tax strategy, helping you reduce liabilities while gaining more flexibility than traditional index funds. They also take listener calls on pension decisions, including whether to choose a lump sum or annuity, and how required minimum distributions factor into long-term planning. With real-world stories and clear guidance, Scott and Pat show why the right approach to tax planning and direct index investing can protect your retirement income and grow wealth for decades to come.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat dig into market performance, tariffs, AI, interest rates, and long-term planning. At the heart of the episode are three essential topics: taxes, direct indexing, and concentrated stock diversification strategies.

They help a young family balance life insurance with retirement savings, guide a retiree facing a heavy dividend tax bill, and show why smart planning matters at every stage. Along the way, they reveal how taxes can quietly erode wealth, why direct indexing creates new opportunities for tax-efficient investing, and how concentrated stock diversification strategies protect those holding too much company stock.

Whether you’re building wealth, preparing for retirement, or simply trying to minimize taxes, this episode blends practical advice with advanced insights to help you secure your financial future.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.

On this week’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat answer real-life questions about retirement planning strategies that every pre-retiree should hear. One caller asks whether it’s better to build a cash bridge or continue Roth IRA contributions ahead of retirement—prompting a thoughtful breakdown of retirement planning strategies around income gaps, Social Security timing, and tax-smart withdrawals. You’ll also hear about the role Roth conversions can play between retirement and age 70, how pensions and spousal benefits factor into planning, and why detailed income modeling is key. Scott and Pat also touch on risks tied to high-yield municipal bonds and illiquid assets, offering a broader context for smart portfolio construction. If you're planning to retire in the next few years, this episode delivers essential, real-world retirement planning strategies that can help you retire with clarity and confidence.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain live on-air! Call 833-99-WORTH. Or ask a question by clicking here.  You can also be on the air by emailing Scott and Pat at [email protected].

Download and rate our podcast here.