Money Matters by Allworth Financial

Hosted by Allworth Financial

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500

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Jun 2026

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About the show

For 30 years, Money Matters hosts Scott Hanson and Pat McClain have answered thousands of questions from callers just like you. This is the perfect podcast for high-net-worth investors with questions like: -Should I do Roth conversions? -Are there tax strategies I should be using? -Do I have the proper estate plan? -Is my portfolio allocation diverse enough? -Will I retire on time? Take Money Matters with you each week. Download the show wherever you get your podcasts.

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60 recent

June 13, 2026Episode 53151 min

Roth Conversion Strategies: Should You Convert or Keep Your IRA?

When does a Roth Conversion make sense—and when could it be a costly mistake? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat tackle one of the most common retirement planning questions: whether a Roth Conversion is the right move for your financial future. They break down a real-life caller’s situation involving IRAs, pensions, charitable giving, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and the tax implications of converting retirement assets. The show also features an emotional conversation with Laura, a member of the “sandwich generation” who is balancing retirement planning while supporting aging parents and a special-needs child. Scott and Pat discuss pension decisions, reverse mortgages, life insurance needs, and how to navigate competing financial priorities without sacrificing long-term security. Plus, they explore tax-efficient investing strategies, asset location, charitable giving through donor-advised funds, and why taxes may be one of the biggest threats to your retirement wealth. If you've ever wondered whether a Roth Conversion belongs in your retirement plan, this episode is packed with practical insights. What You’ll Learn: -Roth Conversions & Retirement Tax Planning -Tax-Efficient Investing Strategies -Retirement Planning for the Sandwich Generation -Reverse Mortgages & Aging Parent Care -Charitable Giving, RMDs & Retirement Income Planning 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

June 6, 2026Episode 53050 min

Tax Efficient Strategies for Million-Dollar Portfolios: Roth Conversions, AI Investing & Stock Risk Management

How do you make smart financial decisions after you've already built significant wealth? In this week's episode of Allworth's Money Matters, Scott and Pat help a retired couple with an $11 million portfolio evaluate Roth conversions, estate planning, charitable giving, and strategies to improve tax efficiency. Then they speak with a 52-year-old listener navigating uncertainty in the alcohol industry while balancing retirement savings, college expenses, and cash reserves. Should he use taxable assets to maximize his 401(k) contributions? Scott and Pat weigh in. The episode also features Allworth advisor Laurie Ingwersen, who explains how investors with concentrated stock positions can reduce risk while improving tax efficiency. Laurie shares a real-world case study of a client whose portfolio was 70% invested in a single stock and the strategies used to diversify, manage taxes, and preserve long-term wealth. What You’ll Learn: -Whether Roth conversions still make sense for high-net-worth retirees -How to improve tax efficiency through smarter asset location and portfolio design -When it makes sense to use taxable assets to maximize retirement savings -Strategies for reducing risk in concentrated stock positions -How to balance wealth preservation, charitable giving, and legacy planning 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

May 30, 2026Episode 52942 min

Roth Conversions, Retirement Tax Planning & How Much House Retirees Can Afford

After decades of saving and investing, how do you know when it’s okay to truly enjoy your money? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat help a couple with nearly $8 million determine how much home they can comfortably afford after relocating to Florida, while another listener with more than $12 million asks whether Roth conversions still make sense given today’s tax rules and retirement tax planning environment. They discuss retirement tax planning strategies, the dangers of chasing “popular” AI stocks, and how AI-powered scams are targeting investors and older Americans. What You’ll Learn: -When Roth conversions can help lower future taxes -How much house people can realistically afford -Better retirement tax planning strategies -How to invest more tax efficiently -Warning signs of today’s most common financial scams 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

May 23, 2026Episode 52841 min

The Psychology of Investing & Retirement: Why Smart Investors Still Fear Spending Money

Why do so many successful investors struggle to actually enjoy the wealth they’ve built? In this Memorial Day weekend episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with UCLA professor and behavioral expert Hal Hershfield and explore the emotional side of money, retirement, and investing. From fear of running out of money to recency bias and loss aversion, this episode dives deep into the hidden psychological forces that shape financial decisions — even for millionaires. If you’ve ever wondered why investors panic during market drops, hesitate to spend in retirement, or obsess over past financial mistakes, this conversation about investing will completely change how you think about money. Scott, Pat, and Hal unpack why wealthy retirees often struggle to spend confidently, how emotions influence investing decisions, and why understanding investor psychology may be just as important as understanding the stock market itself. They also discuss longevity insurance, risk tolerance, mental accounting, and how advisors can help clients align money with purpose and happiness. Whether you're approaching retirement or simply want to become a smarter long-term investor, this episode offers powerful insights into the psychology behind successful investing and financial decision-making. What You’ll Learn: -Why many wealthy retirees are afraid to spend money -How loss aversion impacts investing decisions -The dangers of recency bias in the stock market -Why financial regrets stick with us longer than successes -How psychology shapes investing behavior -The emotional side of risk tolerance and market volatility -How “mental accounting” affects spending habits -Why longevity insurance hasn’t caught on with investors -How financial advisors help clients align money with life goals 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

May 16, 2026Episode 52747 min

Real-Life Investing Decisions: How to Simplify Retirement, Taxes, and Financial Planning

When it comes to investing, the most important decisions aren’t made in theory—they happen in real life. In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat answer real listener calls and break down how smart investing decisions actually play out. Martha, a 79-year-old retiree with $4–5 million, considers a complex investing strategy involving direct indexing to generate tax losses and improve tax efficient investing strategies. But does this level of complexity actually benefit her portfolio—or just add unnecessary risk? Then Dennis, age 51, with nearly $2.3 million saved and major expenses ahead, faces key investing decisions around portfolio allocation, college funding, and building a sustainable retirement income plan. Through these real-world financial questions, Scott and Pat show that successful investing isn’t about chasing complexity—it’s about simplifying your strategy, aligning with your goals, and making confident decisions over time. What You’ll Learn: -When complex investing strategies like direct indexing are actually worth it -How to approach tax efficient investing strategies without unnecessary risk -Smart ways to think about portfolio allocation as you near retirement -How to build reliable retirement income from your investments -How to evaluate real-world financial questions with confidence -Why simpler investing strategies often lead to better long-term results 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

May 9, 2026Episode 52635 min

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire? Real Calls on Inheritance and Spending

A good financial plan isn’t just about retirement—it’s about how all the pieces of your financial life fit together. In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with a caller who already has about $2 million and expects a much larger inheritance—but still struggles to spend any of it. They walk through why that happens and how a financial plan can help ease into actually using the money. They also take a call from a high-income couple earning around $600,000 a year. Even with strong savings, there are still areas being overlooked, so Scott and Pat explain what a complete financial plan should cover—from retirement to insurance to college planning—and where people often miss. It’s a reminder that a financial plan isn’t just about how much you have—it’s how everything fits together. What You’ll Learn: -Why having millions doesn’t always make spending easier -How to start using wealth without feeling uncomfortable -What high-income families often overlook -How to think about retirement when income is strong -What a real financial plan actually ties together 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

May 2, 2026Episode 52544 min

How to Reduce Taxes in Retirement & Protect Your Kids’ Inheritance

If you’ve built significant wealth, knowing how to reduce taxes in retirement can have a major impact on what you keep—and what your kids ultimately receive. In this episode, Scott and Pat walk through two real-life situations: one caller facing large tax exposure from millions in pre-tax accounts, and another trying to make sure their children don’t quickly spend an inheritance. Along the way, they also touch on how areas like private credit and private equity are evolving—and what that means for investors thinking about risk, transparency, and long-term planning. If your goal is to reduce taxes in retirement while being more intentional about your legacy, this episode gives you a clear and practical framework. What You’ll Learn: -How to reduce taxes in retirement with large pre-tax accounts -When Roth conversions work—and when they don’t -Why RMDs can create long-term tax challenges -How to structure a trust to protect your kids’ inheritance -The role of trustees and distribution strategies 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

April 25, 2026Episode 52441 min

Beyond Index Funds: Advanced Tax Strategies, Direct Indexing & Smart Trust Planning

This episode of Money Matters explores advanced tax strategies that go beyond traditional investing to help high earners and retirees maximize efficiency, reduce taxes, and create smarter, more tax-efficient income streams. With Pat out this week, Scott and Allworth advisor Mark Shone break down how strategies like direct indexing, long/short investing, and tax-loss harvesting can unlock new opportunities—especially for those with larger, more complex portfolios. Plus, Scott and Allworth’s Head of Private Wealth Strategies, Simone Devenny, dive into trusts, from simple living trusts to more sophisticated estate planning tools. What You’ll Learn: -How direct indexing works—and when it can outperform traditional index funds -Strategies to generate tax losses and offset future gains -Smart ways to manage concentrated stock positions -How options strategies can help increase portfolio income -The key differences between revocable and irrevocable trusts (and when to use them) 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

April 18, 2026Episode 52337 min

Concentrated Stock Positions: How to Avoid Big Taxes

How do you manage a concentrated stock position without getting crushed by taxes? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott is joined by Allworth advisor Mark Shone, who steps in while Pat is away to break down smart, tax-efficient strategies for handling highly appreciated stock positions. They use a real-life case of a recent retiree with nearly $2 million in Apple stock to explore how to reduce risk, diversify, and balance income and legacy goals. Plus, they touch on private credit and real estate trends shaping today’s investment landscape. What You’ll Learn: -How to reduce risk in a concentrated stock position- -Strategies to diversify without triggering large capital gains -Tax-efficient ways to manage highly appreciated stock -How to balance income needs with long-term legacy goals 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.

April 11, 2026Episode 52247 min

Can I Retire With $5 Million? Planning the Next Chapter

For many investors, the big question is whether $5 million is enough to retire—and this real-life case study shows how to answer it. With Pat out this week, Scott is joined by Allworth advisor Mark Shone to walk through a $5–6 million household navigating retirement while raising kids, funding college, and managing a second marriage. Scott and Mark break down what really matters when asking if you can retire with $5 million—and how to make that decision with confidence. Plus, a physician with $6M+ asks if being all-in on the S&P 500 is a mistake—and what to do instead. What You’ll Learn: How to evaluate if you can retire with $5M How to fund college without derailing retirement When sequence of returns risk actually matters Smart withdrawal strategies for complex situations Why diversification goes beyond the S&P 500 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 questions@moneymatters.com. Download and rate our podcast here.