The Asset Preservation Hour

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis breaks down the most common retirement mistakes—and how to avoid them. From assuming you'll work forever to underestimating healthcare costs, Stewart explains why having a plan in place is more important than ever. You’ll learn how early tax planning, Roth conversions, and smart Social Security decisions can dramatic...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis takes a deep dive into the evolving world of fixed income investing. With billions flowing into bond ETFs and fixed annuities, Stewart breaks down what these moves mean for retirement planning—and whether these tools are actually helping or hurting your long-term income goals. You'll learn the real difference between...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and co-host Spike Spengel dive into two critical topics: making sure your estate plan actually works the way you intend, and preparing for the largest wealth transfer in history. Using the recent legal battle over Jimmy Buffett’s $275 million estate as a cautionary tale, Stewart explains why even long-married couples...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis returns from Greece with fresh insight and a tan—but the conversation quickly turns serious as he and co-host Spike Spengel discuss Denmark’s new plan to raise its state pension age to 70. Could a similar shift be coming for Social Security in the U.S.? Stewart breaks down what a higher retirement age could mean for d...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and co-host Spike Spengel dive into smart summer strategies for those 50 and older who want to strengthen their retirement plans. From maximizing catch-up contributions to reassessing your 401(k) fund selections, Stewart explains how to align your portfolio with your current stage of life, whether you’re still in grow...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and co-host Spike Spengel explore the staggering demographic shift ahead. By 2040, over 80 million Americans will be age 65 or older. Stewart unpacks how this “retirement wave” could reshape the stock market, strain state infrastructures, and change the way we think about investing, healthcare, and long-term care plan...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel break down the essential steps and tough decisions facing anyone looking to retire in the next 6–12 months. From creating a real budget (even if you’ve never tracked your spending before) to navigating market volatility, taxes, Social Security, and healthcare, Stewart offers straightforward advice for building a retir...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis is joined by fellow advisor Scott Preble and host Spike Spengel for a practical, behind-the-scenes look at the most pressing issues facing retirees and business owners right now. The team opens up about the realities of business succession—sharing stories of business partners lost, family businesses no one wants to in...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis broadcasts from the Pacific Northwest and gets straight to the point about today’s market turbulence, interest rate swings, and the sometimes-confusing world of retirement income tools. Stewart and Spike Spengel break down what’s really happening in the markets, why comparing your portfolio or annuity to past “highs”...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis tackles the growing concerns around pension plan security and what it means for today’s retirees and future generations. Broadcasting from the Pacific Northwest, Stewart shares timely stories about pension reductions, underfunded state plans, and the difficult decisions faced by both public and private sector employee...

On this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and host Spike Spengel dive into the most common concerns facing retirees and business owners today. Stewart shares real stories from clients and live events, including how business owners can build succession plans that preserve value (even if your kids don’t want the business) and how to set up a secure income strea...

This week on The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and host Spike Spengel tackle the rollercoaster of market volatility, tariffs, and changing interest rates. From navigating emotional reactions to market swings to understanding why “timing the market is a fool’s errand,” Stewart explains how long-term investing and smart strategy are key to retirement success, even when th...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis wraps up the tax season and shifts the focus to proactive tax planning and retirement saving strategies. Stewart discusses the future of tax brackets, sharing insights on potential changes and their implications for high earners. Discover why raiding your 401(k) could be a costly mistake, learn the risks involved, fro...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis delivers a crucial checklist for anyone approaching retirement in the next six months to two years. From budgeting and protecting against market downturns to avoiding sequence of returns risk, Stewart outlines exactly what you should be doing right now to safeguard your retirement. He also breaks down one of the most...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis unpacks the recent market volatility and reveals why it’s not time to panic, it’s time to plan. From smart Roth conversions during market dips to in-service rollovers and the difference between Roth IRAs and life insurance for legacy planning, Stewart lays out actionable strategies to turn market downturns into long-...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis dives deep into the world of estate planning—and the surprising complications that come with it. From deciding between “equal” and “fair” inheritance splits to using life insurance to balance out gifts between children, Stewart reveals the often-overlooked strategies that can protect your legacy and your relationship...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis shares a powerful reminder: life doesn’t always go as planned. Whether it's an unexpected health scare, job loss, market downturn, or family financial pressure, your retirement plan needs to be ready to adapt. Stewart explains how a true retirement strategy goes beyond investing—it includes tax planning, risk managem...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis tackles one of the most personal—and stressful—questions in planning: “Can I actually retire?” From unexpected job loss to emotional decisions fueled by political headlines, Stewart walks you through how to make a data-driven, personalized retirement decision. You’ll hear real client stories, including a 67-year-old...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis breaks down one of the biggest questions pre-retirees face: "Can I actually stop working?" From creating a tax-smart withdrawal strategy to analyzing longevity risk, Stewart explains the real numbers that matter when evaluating your retirement readiness. You’ll learn how taxes, income gaps, and spousal planning all f...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Rocky Monson unpacks the fear surrounding tariffs, market volatility, and political uncertainty—and why emotional reactions can derail your retirement plan. You'll hear a real client case study, learn how to evaluate your true risk tolerance, and discover why moving to cash during downturns often leads to regret. Rocky and Stewart...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis covers the real issues retirees face when building a lasting financial plan. From how much of your nest egg is truly yours after taxes, to how to maximize new catch-up contributions and navigate required minimum distribution (RMD) changes, Stewart shares strategies to keep your retirement income protected. You'll hea...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis explains why estate planning, tax strategy, and income planning must work together to protect your retirement. From living trusts to avoiding probate, Stewart breaks down the most common estate planning mistakes—and how to avoid them. You'll learn how to create tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, preserve wealth for...

On this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis shares proven strategies for turning your retirement savings into a reliable income stream that lasts. Stewart discusses how to strategically use dividends, bond laddering, municipal bonds, annuities, and other fixed income solutions to create a secure and tax-efficient retirement income. You'll learn why it's critic...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis explores essential strategies for creating a tax-efficient retirement plan. Stewart explains the common pitfalls of tax-deferred savings, the long-term impact of taxes on your retirement income, and why paying taxes strategically now may benefit you significantly in the future. Discover how to realistically evaluate...

In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour , financial advisor Stewart Willis explores how rising home insurance costs across the country could significantly affect your retirement savings. Stewart explains what’s driving these insurance rate hikes and provides tips to help you ensure you’re fully protected without overpaying. You’ll also discover why long-term care is one of retirement’s bigg...