Protect Your Assets

What does financial independence really mean in retirement? In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander shares a practical retirement checklist to help you prepare for life after work. Learn how to evaluate whether you've saved enough, create retirement income, optimize your Social Security claiming strategy, understand Medicare enrollment, prepare for rising...

Every major retirement decision comes with one important question:  When?  In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander discusses the timing decisions that can have a lasting impact on your financial future, including when to claim Social Security, when required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin, when Roth conversions may make sense, and how the order of...

The stock market continues to reach new highs, but rising interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and increased volatility are causing many investors to question what comes next. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander discusses retirement income planning strategies that may help retirees and those nearing retirement protect a portion of their savings, manage risk, and create mor...

Financial scams in 2026 are more advanced than ever, with AI, deepfakes, and social engineering creating new risks for investors and families. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander breaks down the most common financial scams 2026 has to offer, including deepfake impersonations, employment scams, romance fraud, and digital arrest schemes.  Lear...

In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander discusses key considerations around business exit planning for owners who may be thinking about selling a privately held company. He explores why preparing in advance can matter, from understanding what a business may be worth to organizing financials, preparing for due diligence, and evaluating potential tax implications.&nb...

In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander reviews the role of the 4% rule in retirement planning and shares why it may not be appropriate for every investor or retirement situation. He covers several factors that can affect withdrawal strategies, including changing market conditions, inflation, taxes, and longer life expectancy. This episode offers an educational look at why retireme...

In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander sits down with reverse mortgage specialist Chris Freck to discuss how reverse mortgages work and how they may allow homeowners to access equity while continuing to live in their home. They cover eligibility requirements, how loan amounts are determined, and the differences between fixed and adjustable reverse mortgage options.&nbs...

The bond market is shifting, and understanding bonds is critical in today’s interest rate environment.  In this episode, David Hollander discusses bond basics, including yield, duration, callable bonds, and the yield curve, while explaining how falling interest rates may impact income, portfolio stability, and retirement planning.  If you’re holding cash,...

Is your 401(k) protected from creditors in California, or is that just a myth? In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander discusses how California creditor-exemption rules may apply to retirement accounts and why protection can depend on individual facts and court interpretation. With recent updates under Assembly Bill 2837, effective January 1, 2025, man...

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement. But how do you know if you’re hiring the right person?  In this Valentine’s Day special of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander, The Sandman, explains why hiring a financial advisor is a lot like dating. Chemistry and trust matter, and&n...

Annuities are often misunderstood, yet they continue to be part of many retirement planning conversations. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander walks through annuities in clear, practical terms and explains how different types work. The discussion covers the differences between fixed annuities, fixed indexed annuities, and registered index-linked annuities (RILA...

The New Year’s resolution Financial Boot Camp continues with an advanced look at 2026 tax planning and how recent tax law changes may affect retirement and income decisions.  In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander walks through updated tax rules and planning considerations involving IRAs, 401(k)s, Roth strategies, and required minimum distributions (RMDs). The di...

A new year is the perfect time to reset your financial habits, and in this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander kicks off 2026 with a financial boot camp. From simple budgeting rules that give every dollar a job to maximizing updated 401(k), Roth, and HSA contribution limits, this episode walks through practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your financial foundation...

In this special episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander sits down with Ethan Agarwal, a technology entrepreneur and candidate for California governor in 2026, for a policy-focused conversation on the state’s economic future. They discuss what it could take to keep innovation and investment in California, including AI infrastructure and manufacturing, modernizing state operatio...

If you’re retiring next year, the details you handle before you give notice can make a meaningful difference.  In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , The Sandman walks through what to review before you leave work, including 401(k) matching and vesting schedules (cliff vs. graded), what happens to your HSA and FSA, how PTO payouts work (including California consideratio...

If you’re a federal employee or member of the armed forces, your thrift savings plan (TSP) can be a powerful retirement tool, yet small missteps can lead to missed matching dollars, unnecessary risk, or reduced future income. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander breaks down the most common TSP mistakes he sees today, including under-contribu...

In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander breaks down practical year-end tax planning strategies for 2025 in light of the new Big, Beautiful Bill and today’s market volatility. Learn how to use tools like 401(k) contributions, backdoor Roth IRAs, HSAs, capital gains harvesting, and portfolio rebalancing to make your money work harder before December 31.  David...

It’s a spooky season in the world of cryptocurrency. In this Halloween special of Protect Your Assets , David Hollander unmasks the scariest cryptocurrency scams haunting investors right now. From “pig-butchering” romance schemes to rug pulls, pump-and-dumps, and fake wallets, David exposes how these tricks work and how to protect yourself from getting ghosted financially. Hear a...

Money is one of the most common sources of tension in marriage, especially when retirement is around the corner. In this episode of Protect Your Assets , David Hollander shares the story of Jim and Francine, a couple weighing whether to remodel their kitchen or step into retirement.  Hear how they learned to align their goals, rebuild communication after past market losses, and develop a plan...

The first 100 days of retirement can feel a lot like bringing home a newborn—exciting, uncertain, and full of surprises. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David  Hollander explains why so many new retirees struggle during this transition and what you can do to prepare. From the loss of routine to changing relationships and financial adjustments, learn how to appro...

When your health fails, families often bear the emotional and financial cost. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander dives into long-term care planning, from real-life caregiving challenges to understanding the true cost of in-home and facility care. Learn how to evaluate caregivers, what long-term care can cost in California, and how veterans or their s...

Is pet insurance worth the cost? In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander breaks down what pet insurance covers, how accident vs. accident-and-illness plans differ, and what to know about deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual limits. He also highlights exclusions like dental cleanings, how premiums can vary by age and zip code, and options for puppies, kittens, or older pets...

For many car lovers, a classic or collector car represents memories, passion, and pride. Yet few owners stop to think about what happens to these valuable vehicles when they’re no longer around. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander shares how estate planning can help protect both your car collection and your loved ones. He covers the importance of deciding whether heirs sh...

This week’s briefing covers a softer labor market, declining Treasury yields, and why the Fed is widely expected to cut rates on September 17. We dig into what fewer job openings could mean for growth, how lower borrowing costs may affect mortgages and corporate activity, and where crude oil might find support after recent weakness. We also preview next week’s CPI and PPI releases, dis...

Life insurance isn’t just for when you’re working—it can be a powerful tool in retirement. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, host David Hollander, The Sandman, breaks down whether retirees should keep their life insurance policies, how required minimum distributions (RMDs) can be converted into tax-free wealth for heirs, and why today’s intere...