For over 20 years, Money Matters, Scott Hanson and Pat McClain’s weekly call-in talk radio program, has fielded thousands of questions from callers just like you. Listen at your convenience to one of the longest running financial radio shows. Money Matters: Entertainment that educates. 

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Case Studies: Protecting Your Legacy from IRA and Insurance Traps

Multi-Million Dollar Retirement: Roth Conversions & Estate Planning

What does it take to manage a multi-million dollar portfolio once you’ve stopped adding to it? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into the complexities of high-net-worth retirement, focusing on the critical shift from "saving" to "strategic spending."

Through real-world case studies, they explore why "tax location" is often more important than "tax allocation," particularly when it comes to bonds and individual stocks. They also tackle the psychological side of wealth—learning how to upgrade your standard of living and find joy in charitable giving through "warm hand" estate planning.

In this episode, they discuss:

-Markets & AI: The impact of economic warfare and whether AI productivity gains are sustainable.

-Prediction Markets: Why you should be wary of platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi.

-Portfolio Cleanup: Why "over-diversifying" into 30+ funds can be a retirement trap.

-Strategic Giving: Using the "warm hand" approach to fund legacies and charitable causes today.

-Roth Conversions: Navigating tax efficiency for portfolios in the $2M–$10M+ range.

Featured Case Study: A deep dive into bond location and estate planning for a multi-million dollar estate.

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.

$2.1M Gifting & Business Exits: Estate Planning Case Studies

How do you turn a "jackpot moment" into a lasting family legacy? In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott is joined by partner advisor Richard Del Monte (while Pat is on vacation) to tackle the complexities of wealth transitions and family gifting.

Through a $2.1 million case study, the team discusses how to support adult children through "giving while living" without creating family conflict. Then, Simone Devenny, Allworth’s Head of Private Wealth Strategies, joins to share a masterclass in succession planning for business owners. Using a multi-million dollar business exit as a guide, she breaks down the financial planning techniques needed to minimize taxes and protect your legacy during a major liquidity event.

Highlights include:

The Gifting Dilemma: Managing "warm hearts vs. cold hands" in a $2.1M portfolio.

The Business Exit: Estate strategies for multi-million dollar sales.

Family Transparency: How to mentor the next generation on wealth.

Tax Strategy: Sophisticated ways to protect your business proceeds.

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.

$450k Salaries & $1.1M Portfolios: Two Retirement Case Studies

While Pat is on vacation, Scott and partner advisor Richard Del Monte break down two high-stakes financial scenarios that highlight the difference between "good on paper" and "good in practice."

Through two detailed caller case studies, they explore:

Case Study 1: The $450k New Doctor. After 15 years of medical training, a 32-year-old is finally hitting a massive salary. But with multiple retirement options like 403(b)s and non-governmental 457 plans, her father is worried about "tying her hands" too early. Scott and Richard explain why some retirement plans are actually "traps" for young high-earners and how to use the "mega backdoor" Roth to maximize flexibility.

Case Study 2: The $1.1M Retirement Reality Check. A couple plans to retire next year with just over $1 million, but they’re facing $125k in immediate "one-time" expenses for a wedding and new vehicles. The duo discusses the "4% Rule," the danger of "confusing a bull market with brilliance," and why a 19% return today doesn't guarantee a stress-free tomorrow.

The Philosophy of Work: Richard Del Monte shares his personal "25-year plan" at age 70 and discusses why the most successful people often choose engagement over a traditional retirement.

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.

Roth Conversions & The $5M Case Study: Is Your Portfolio Too Concentrated?

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into a $5M client case study on the hidden dangers of stock concentration and explain why a $1.5M Roth conversion might be your smartest tax move. They also tackle direct indexing and welcome Allworth partner advisor Victoria Bogner to share the story of "Jim and Karen." You’ll hear how this retired couple unknowingly had 35% of their $5 million portfolio tied up in just eight stocks—and how a shift in "asset location" saved them six figures in projected taxes.

Key Topics Included:

-Roth Conversion Strategies: Managing large pre-tax balances at age 65.

-Direct Indexing vs. Cash: Understanding the risks and tax-loss harvesting.

-The "Asset Location" Secret: Why the right account type matters for your bottom line.

-The Saver’s Mindset: Transitioning from building wealth to enjoying it.

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.

$10M Retirement: The Tax Mistake High Earners Make

Can you support your adult children without derailing your retirement? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into the financial realities of a caller with a nearly $10M net worth who is spending $75,000 a year to support his adult daughter. They break down the math on his retirement timeline and uncover a common "tax efficiency" mistake that could be costing him significant returns.

Also in this episode:

The "Shell Game" of State Budgets: How budget constraints in states like California could impact your long-term security.

Roth Conversions & Moving States: Why a move from California to Nevada completely changes the math on Roth conversions and RMD management.

The "Payroll" Pitfall: The hidden risks of putting family members on your business payroll for tax benefits.

Investing "Backwards": Why your 401(k) and brokerage account allocations might be working against each other.

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.

Managing AI Risk, Roth Strategies, and the Annuity Trap

Is the current AI boom a repeat of 1999? In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat dive into the "irrational exuberance" surrounding tech IPOs and the hidden dangers of concentration risk in a high-net-worth portfolio. Plus, they break down real-world case studies on tax efficiency and retirement income.

What You’ll Learn:

The AI "Froth" Factor: Why 97x revenue valuations for new IPOs are a warning sign for diversified investors and how to manage concentration risk in big tech.

The Roth Conversion Reality Check: A $1.1M case study on why "pre-paying" taxes through a Roth conversion isn't always the right move for your legacy.

The Annuity Trap: How to spot high-commission products that are often sold as "safety" but may actually hinder your retirement flexibility.

Self-Insuring Long-Term Care: Strategic planning for healthcare costs when you have the assets to skip traditional insurance.

Whether you are navigating market volatility or fine-tuning your estate plan, Scott and Pat provide the fiduciary perspective you need to protect your wealth.

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.

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.

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.

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.