Money Matters by Allworth Financial

When your retirement savings cross the seven-figure mark, the simple strategies that got you there might actually cost you money in taxes. In this episode, Scott and Pat explain why a high earner with a $1.8M portfolio needs to move beyond basic target-date funds and ETFs into direct indexing—plus when to pay off low-interest debt, how to pass down wealth, and when you can finally afford to spend more.

Scott and Pat also cover:

The 3.25% Mortgage Dilemma: Should you accelerate payoff on low-interest debt when Treasuries yield 5%?

Transitioning from Saving to Spending: A 36-year-old father with $1M saved asks if it’s safe to ease off contributions and start spending more.

The "Bank of Mom and Dad": The financial and family dynamics of gifting or loaning money to adult children for high-cost home down payments.

Real Estate & Tax Traps: Navigating capital gains, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and term life insurance rules.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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 retiring at 55 with a $2M nest egg realistic? On this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down the numbers with a caller aiming for an early exit from the corporate grind. They discuss how to balance pre-tax 401(k)s, Roths, RSUs, and taxable brokerage accounts—plus how to front-load 529 plans without triggering unnecessary taxes.

The Rise of Private Equity: What proposed SEC changes mean for everyday investors, and the hidden risks, lack of liquidity, and valuation pitfalls of alternative investments in 401(k) plans.

Building a Multi-Generational Legacy: A caller asks how to pass down a $2M estate efficiently. The hosts discuss asset location, when Roth conversions make sense across generations, and navigating RMDs.

Family Wealth Conversations: Why talking to your adult children about trustees and estate planning today prevents headaches tomorrow.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

How do you turn a lifetime of saving into reliable, tax-smart retirement income? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down what investors with $1M+ need to know when transitioning from building wealth to generating income in today’s market.

In this episode, Scott and Pat tackle real listener situations:

-Caller Case Study 1: Retiring with a 401(k), a solid pension, and a paid-off home—how do you stress-test your plan against inflation and potential Social Security shifts?

-Caller Case Study 2: Buying a second home in Texas while keeping California property—which accounts (cash, taxable gains, Roth, or traditional IRA) should you tap first to avoid costly tax traps?

Plus, macro insights & portfolio strategy:

-Stocks vs. Bonds: Why equity markets and bond yields are sending conflicting signals, and what record highs mean for your rebalancing plan.

-The Psychology of Selling Winners: Why trimming top-performing assets is the hardest—and most critical—discipline for wealth preservation.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

Can you truly "Die with Zero" when you’ve built a multi-million-dollar portfolio? On this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into real-world retirement scenarios covering aggressive tax strategies, spend-down plans, and smart estate transfers.

In this episode, Scott and Pat cover:

The "Die with Zero" Strategy: A 49-year-old entrepreneur with $5.5M in savings wants to know how to safely spend down assets without jeopardizing long-term security.

Solo 401(k)s & Roth Conversions: Navigating tax-efficient withdrawals alongside non-qualified brokerage assets and ongoing business income.

The Short-Term Rental Tax Trap: Can buying an Airbnb offset Roth conversions via bonus depreciation?

Estate Planning & 529 Strategies: Partner Advisor Mark Shone joins to discuss IRA distributions, tax-efficient legacy planning, and funding 529 plans for grandchildren.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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 it possible to do a Roth conversion too early? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down why the timing of your tax planning matters just as much as the strategy itself.

They answer real listener questions on navigating the retirement transition—from managing adjusted gross income, to understanding how a great financial advisor provides value beyond just managing a portfolio.

Plus, Allworth Chief Investment Officer Andy Stout joins to discuss the 10-year Treasury yield hitting 5%, putting rising interest rates and government debt into historical perspective.

In this episode, Scott and Pat discuss:

Roth Conversion Timing: Why converting too early could unintentionally spike your healthcare premiums under the Affordable Care Act.

The Value of Wealth Planning: What you should expect from an advisor beyond investment management, and how to evaluate fee structures.

5% on the 10-Year Treasury: Allworth Chief Investment Officer Andy Stout breaks down inflation expectations, Federal Reserve rate moves, and market volatility.

National Debt & Entitlements: Putting modern government spending and Social Security concerns into long-term context.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

Should you use permanent life insurance to cover long-term care? Does converting a $1M pre-tax account before you stop working make mathematical sense? In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat walk through real-world portfolio case studies, dissect common tax myths, and break down where aggressive financial pitches fall short.

Topics covered in this episode:

The Rise of Prediction Markets: Why momentum traders are shifting from crypto to event betting, and how speculative traps disguise themselves as investing.

Commercial Real Estate Realities: A look at how major leveraged properties can collapse, and the timeless importance of broad diversification.

Caller Case Study (Jonathan): Evaluating a seminar pitch on life insurance with long-term care riders, understanding pure insurance costs, and deciding when self-insuring makes sense with a $2.5M portfolio.

Caller Case Study (Jeff): Debunking the “zero taxes” pitch. Scott and Pat explore the math behind Roth conversions, the difference between marginal brackets, and why high earners shouldn't rush conversion timing before RMD age.

Download and rate our podcast here.

Are your retirement assumptions realistic, or is your financial plan relying on best-case scenarios? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into the practical realities of long-term planning—from preparing for market volatility to navigating complex estate and tax rules. Plus, Scott and Pat answer caller questions on managing a multi-million-dollar portfolio, strategic gifting, and what it really takes to achieve financial independence in your 40s.

In this episode, we cover:

Stress-Testing Your Portfolio: Why planning for bear markets matters, how to avoid overly optimistic return assumptions, and why keeping 5–7 years of income in cash or fixed income can protect your lifestyle.

A $6M Estate & RMD Strategy: Navigating PCRA/401(k) rules while still earning income, managing high tax brackets, and balancing lifetime gifting vs. traditional inheritance.

529 Plans & SECURE 2.0: Key considerations when redirecting college savings and exploring Roth rollover rules.

The Realities of FIRE & Coast FI: Breaking down the 4% rule (25x expenses), balancing early retirement with long-term fulfillment, and understanding the "Four Freedoms."

Protecting Your Family: Why life insurance is essential for young families on the path to financial independence.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

When can you retire? It’s one of the biggest financial questions you’ll ever answer—and knowing you have enough is about more than reaching a certain number.

In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat help a 57-year-old teacher determine whether she can afford to leave the classroom after 33 years. They break down her pension, retirement savings and spending needs, and discuss whether taking a pension supplement as a lump sum or an annuity makes more sense.

Then, a young couple earning a strong income wonders whether they should keep maximizing retirement savings or build up cash for a future home purchase and possible move out of California. Scott and Pat explain why sometimes the smartest financial decision isn’t saving every available dollar for retirement—it’s making sure your money supports the life you’re trying to build.

So, when can you retire, and how do you balance saving for tomorrow with the financial priorities you have today? Whether retirement is right around the corner or decades away, this episode offers practical perspective for making those decisions with confidence.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

Can you retire early with private equity, direct indexing, and a mega backdoor Roth? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat help one investor weigh big decisions—from helping adult children buy homes to managing portfolio risk—before an aggressive retirement. Then, they follow up with a high-income saver who put their "mega backdoor" advice into action and is now looking at direct indexing for better tax efficiency.

From choosing the right advisor to making smarter investment moves, early retirement planning means getting the details right. Because a secure retirement isn’t just about how much you’ve saved—it’s what you do next.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.

How do you protect a lifetime of savings when tax laws and changing life goals shift your priorities? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat explore wealth preservation, from managing concentrated stock positions and real estate decisions to sophisticated tax planning.

In this episode:

The $5.6M Property Test: Scott and Pat analyze a caller’s plan to carry three homes in retirement. They discuss “carry risk” and why even a $5.6 million net worth doesn’t automatically justify expanding a real estate portfolio.

Savings Trade-Offs at 52: A caller asks how to balance college costs for two children with the long-term goal of maximizing 401(k) contributions and Roth IRA savings.

Managing Concentrated Stock: Tom Kaiser, Allworth’s Director of Equity and Option Management, explains how options strategies such as collars can help protect concentrated positions without immediately selling appreciated stock and realizing capital gains.

Step-Up in Basis: Scott and Pat explain how this powerful tax provision can reduce or eliminate unrealized capital gains on inherited assets—and why it can play an important role in wealth preservation and estate planning.

For investors who have accumulated significant assets, wealth preservation isn’t simply about avoiding risk. It’s about understanding the trade-offs between taxes, spending, investments, and the legacy you ultimately want to leave.

Join Money Matters:  Get your most pressing financial questions answered by Allworth's co-founders Scott Hanson and Pat McClain. 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.