The Asset Preservation Hour

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel tackle one of the biggest stories in retirement planning today: the looming Social Security funding shortfall projected to hit as early as 2032. Stewart breaks down why this rare moment of bipartisan agreement between lawmakers should not be dismissed, and what a potential benefit reduction could mean for the more than 68 million Americans already collecting benefits.

Stewart explains the history of how Social Security became taxable, why relying too heavily on pretax retirement accounts can make your future benefits more taxable than necessary, and how proactive tax planning today, including Roth conversions, can help protect what you have earned. He and Spike also dig into the decision many retirees face around filing early versus waiting, the penalties tied to working while collecting benefits before full retirement age, and why getting a second opinion from a fiduciary matters more than ever in a politically divided information landscape.

Whether you have already filed for Social Security or are still weighing your options, this episode offers a clear look at what is happening, what may change, and how to build a retirement plan that does not depend on Social Security alone.

📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary Social Security and portfolio review.

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis breaks down Morningstar's newly released 2026 retirement withdrawal rate report, which shows the recommended rate ticking up to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent last year. But what does that number actually mean for you? Stewart explains the assumptions behind the famous 4 percent rule, why it was never meant to be a one size fits all formula, and why some retirees can comfortably spend more while others need to be more conservative.

Stewart and Spike Spengel dig into the psychology behind retirement spending, from the fear of missing out on strong market returns to the emotional pullback that follows a downturn. They also cover the risks that don't always make headlines, including social security's uncertain future, rising longevity, and interest rate exposure inside a supposedly safe bond portfolio. Stewart shares why real financial planning starts with a personalized cash flow analysis rather than a static rule, and opens up about how he's raised his own kids to be self sufficient rather than dependent on an inheritance.

Whether you're years from retirement or already living in it, this episode offers a clear eyed look at how much you can really afford to spend and why your plan should be built around your goals, not a generic percentage.

📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary income plan review.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis tackles one of the most important questions retirees face: what is really keeping you up at night when it comes to your money. From market volatility to rising inflation and the fear of running out of money, Stewart breaks down the real risks that can impact your retirement and how to plan for them. 

You will learn why focusing too much on market headlines can lead to poor decisions, how inflation quietly erodes your purchasing power, and why healthcare costs and unexpected expenses can disrupt even the best laid plans. Stewart also explains the importance of having a flexible cash flow strategy that evolves with your life, rather than relying on outdated or static financial plans. 

Plus, discover how to strike the right balance between enjoying your retirement and preserving your wealth, why some retirees overspend while others are too afraid to spend at all, and how proper risk management can help you sleep better at night.

If you want a clearer picture of your financial future and a plan that gives you confidence in retirement, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you get there.

📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary estate planning and portfolio review.