Protect Your Assets

Is a Roth conversion the right move for you in 2026? Converting money from a traditional IRA or 401(k) to a Roth IRA could help reduce taxes later, but it can also create a larger tax bill today and potentially increase your Medicare premiums.  In this episode of Protect Your Assets , David Hollander explains how Roth conversions work, how much you may want to convert, and why your tax bracke...

You could earn the same average return as another investor and still have a very different retirement outcome. Why? The timing of market gains and losses can matter significantly once you start withdrawing from your savings.  In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander explains sequence of returns risk and why the first few years of retirement can be so important....

A strong market can make it easy to assume your retirement plan is on track, but it can also cause your portfolio to drift without you realizing it. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander, The Sandman, walks through a mid-year retirement checkup and explains why now may be a good time to take a closer look.  David covers three areas to review: rebalancing you...

Are you ready for retirement beyond the financial side of the equation? In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander, The Sandman, explores how preparing for retirement can include testing out potential destinations, new routines, hobbies, travel, and other lifestyle changes before leaving the workforce.  You can send your questions to  questions@pyaradio.com  for...

What are Trump Accounts, and how could they fit into your family’s financial plan? In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander breaks down what parents, grandparents, and business owners should know about these new savings accounts for children.  Learn how Trump Accounts work, including the $1,000 federal contribution for eligible children, contribution limits, invest...

Is your 401(k) ready for retirement? David Hollander explains what to review as retirement gets closer, including fees, investment risk, taxes, income planning, and the investment options available within your plan. He also discusses how outside guidance may help you make more informed decisions about your 401(k) and prepare it for the transition from saving to generating retirement income. ...

Can you afford to retire? A recent Transamerica survey found that 62% of Americans worry they could work their entire lives and still not have enough money to retire. In this episode, David Hollander explores the biggest retirement risks facing today's retirees, including inflation, Social Security uncertainty, long-term care costs, and retirement income planning. He also shares ways to help you i...

Many retirement decisions are influenced by assumptions that aren't always accurate. In this episode of  Protect Your Assets , David Hollander, The Sandman, explores 7 common retirement myths and the facts behind them. Drawing on research from the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, he discusses misconceptions surrounding Social Security, long-term care, retirement i...

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...