The Asset Preservation Hour

Stewart Willis
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Join Stewart Willis, President of Asset Preservation Tax & Retirement Services, and co-host Spike Spengel as they explore strategies for protecting, growing, and maximizing your wealth. Designed for those in or near retirement, this podcast delivers expert insights on tax planning, investment advice, estate planning, and building a secure financial future—all tailored to help you make the most of your life’s work.

  1. 1d ago

    74 – Why You Plan Vacations Better Than Your Retirement

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis returns from an unforgettable trip to Greece with a simple but powerful observation: most people spend far more time planning their annual vacation than they do planning their retirement. Stewart and cohost Spike Spengel dig into why that mindset needs to change, and what it actually looks like to plan retirement the way you would plan a dream trip. Stewart walks through why having a clear vision for retirement matters just as much as picking a destination, and why so many people retire with only a vague sense of what comes next. He also tackles the recent market volatility, explaining why building in fixed assets and non market dependent income sources can help retirees avoid being forced to pivot when the market takes an unexpected turn. From there, the conversation shifts to taxes, where Stewart makes the case that waiting until retirement to start tax planning is a costly mistake, using a real client example to show how delaying Roth conversions can mean paying more in taxes over time, not less. Whether it is booking a flight early to avoid higher costs or starting a tax review well before year end, Stewart's message is clear: the earlier you plan, the smoother the trip. This episode blends real stories, practical strategy, and a reminder that retirement, like a great vacation, deserves real preparation. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio and tax review.

  2. Aug 11

    73 – Retiring in Vegas, the Carolinas, or Beyond

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis takes listeners on a tour of some of the country's hottest retirement destinations, from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the fast growing upstate of South Carolina. Stewart breaks down why Nevada's tax free status is drawing high net worth retirees out of California, how the city's booming sports and entertainment scene is reshaping its economy, and why year round tax planning, not just tax season scrambling, is essential for anyone living there. The conversation then shifts to South Carolina, which led the nation in retirement migration in 2025. Stewart and Spike explore the phenomenon of "half backers," retirees who move to Florida, decide it is too hot and too expensive, and settle in the Carolinas instead. They also dig into South Carolina's retirement income tax deductions, the value of renting before you buy, and why every retirement decision should account for hidden costs like travel, insurance, and energy expenses. Stewart closes with real client stories that show why knowing your cash flow matters more than any location decision, including a cautionary tale about early IRA withdrawals and the importance of a clear spending plan. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio review.

  3. Aug 4

    72 – Retiring in Arizona vs. the Pacific Northwest: What to Know

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and host Spike Spengel take a state by state look at retirement, starting with Arizona. Once considered the go to affordable destination for retirees leaving California, Arizona has changed. Stewart explains how rising home prices, higher HOA fees, and summer energy costs are reshaping what it actually costs to retire in Scottsdale and the surrounding Phoenix area, even as major employers continue moving in and pushing growth further outward. From there, the conversation shifts north to the Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington area, where a river divides two very different tax environments. Stewart breaks down why many residents choose to live on one side for income tax savings and shop on the other to avoid sales tax, and how that dynamic shapes the local retirement mindset. The episode also covers long term care planning, including why long term care insurance is often sold rather than bought, and Stewart shares his honest take on 55 and up retirement communities and why staying socially active may matter more than people realize. No matter where you plan to retire, this episode is a reminder that your spending plan needs to reflect the true cost of living in your specific location. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio and spending plan review.

  4. Jul 28

    71 – Social Security's 2032 Deadline

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel tackle one of the biggest stories in retirement planning today: the looming Social Security funding shortfall projected to hit as early as 2032. Stewart breaks down why this rare moment of bipartisan agreement between lawmakers should not be dismissed, and what a potential benefit reduction could mean for the more than 68 million Americans already collecting benefits. Stewart explains the history of how Social Security became taxable, why relying too heavily on pretax retirement accounts can make your future benefits more taxable than necessary, and how proactive tax planning today, including Roth conversions, can help protect what you have earned. He and Spike also dig into the decision many retirees face around filing early versus waiting, the penalties tied to working while collecting benefits before full retirement age, and why getting a second opinion from a fiduciary matters more than ever in a politically divided information landscape. Whether you have already filed for Social Security or are still weighing your options, this episode offers a clear look at what is happening, what may change, and how to build a retirement plan that does not depend on Social Security alone. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary Social Security and portfolio review.

  5. Jul 21

    70 – Why the 4% Rule Doesn't Fit Everyone's Retirement

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis breaks down Morningstar's newly released 2026 retirement withdrawal rate report, which shows the recommended rate ticking up to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent last year. But what does that number actually mean for you? Stewart explains the assumptions behind the famous 4 percent rule, why it was never meant to be a one size fits all formula, and why some retirees can comfortably spend more while others need to be more conservative. Stewart and Spike Spengel dig into the psychology behind retirement spending, from the fear of missing out on strong market returns to the emotional pullback that follows a downturn. They also cover the risks that don't always make headlines, including social security's uncertain future, rising longevity, and interest rate exposure inside a supposedly safe bond portfolio. Stewart shares why real financial planning starts with a personalized cash flow analysis rather than a static rule, and opens up about how he's raised his own kids to be self sufficient rather than dependent on an inheritance. Whether you're years from retirement or already living in it, this episode offers a clear eyed look at how much you can really afford to spend and why your plan should be built around your goals, not a generic percentage. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary income plan review.

  6. Jul 14

    69 – Splitting Assets in Divorce: Why "Equal" Rarely Means "Fair"

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel dig into one of the most misunderstood parts of divorce planning: dividing retirement assets. Stewart explains why a house worth $500,000 and a 401k worth $500,000 are not actually equal once taxes and early withdrawal penalties are factored in, and why couples need a financial advisor who understands the real value of a QDRO settlement before signing off on a split. The conversation also covers why outdated beneficiary designations cause major problems after a divorce or remarriage, including a Supreme Court case where a life insurance policy inside a trust ended up going to a previous spouse instead of the intended beneficiary. Stewart shares why he tells clients to assume something is wrong with their paperwork until they prove otherwise, and why placing the wrong assets, like IRAs and 401k plans, inside a trust can create unnecessary tax complications for spouses and heirs. Stewart also shares a story from advisor Rocky Munson about a client who rebuilt her financial confidence three years after her own divorce. Whether you are recently divorced, remarried, or simply have not reviewed your beneficiaries in years, this episode offers a clear reminder that financial fumbles do not have to derail retirement, as long as you have the right plan and the right team behind you. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary portfolio and tax review.

  7. Jul 7

    68 – Stop Hoarding Dreams: Build a Retirement You Can Spend

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis explains why so many retirees sit on money they will never spend, and how a smarter tax strategy can change that. Stewart breaks down why many financial advisors are reluctant to recommend Roth conversions, since converting client assets can shrink the very book of business they manage. He walks through why that conflict of interest matters and why your retirement goals, not your advisor's incentives, should drive the decision. Stewart also unpacks the widow's penalty, the often overlooked tax trap that hits a surviving spouse when they move from filing jointly to filing single, and explains how a Roth conversion today can prevent that tax bill from hitting your spouse or your kids down the road. He shares a story about a couple in their early 70s who assumed a Roth conversion no longer made sense for them, and why that thinking may be costing their family more than they realize. Above all, Stewart makes the case that retirement should be about creating memories, not just checking off a bucket list while your money sits untouched. Right now, taxes are historically low, and Stewart explains why that window will not stay open forever. If you want to build a retirement plan that lets you actually enjoy your money instead of guarding it, this episode lays out the strategy to get there. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary Roth conversion review.

  8. Jun 30

    67 – Refinance Your Retirement Before It's Too Late

    In this episode of The Asset Preservation Hour, financial advisor Stewart Willis and Spike Spengel open with a look at how retirement planning shifts dramatically once you stop saving and start distributing. Stewart explains why turning a portfolio into a reliable income plan is one of the most overlooked challenges in retirement, and why getting the tax strategy wrong during distribution can cost you far more than you might expect. Stewart also makes the case for having a CPA and tax planning in house alongside your financial advisor, sharing why the right hand needs to know what the left hand is doing when it comes to your money. If your advisor is not coordinating your investments and your taxes under one roof, you may be leaving serious money on the table. The heart of the episode digs into annuities, including the fourth consecutive year of record breaking sales according to Limra, and what is really driving that trend. Stewart breaks down why so many people are stuck in underperforming annuities purchased during low interest rate environments, and why today's higher rate environment may be the ideal window to refinance into something better. He explains how insurance companies are offering bonuses and covering surrender fees to attract new business, and why now may be the perfect time to get a second opinion on what you own. Stewart closes with one of his most important distinctions: the difference between income and interest. Interest is what you make. Income is what you take. If your income is coming from your principal rather than your returns, that is a problem worth solving before it is too late. 📞 Call 877-5-RETIRE or visit AssetPreservationWealth.com to schedule your complimentary annuity review and portfolio consultation.

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About

Join Stewart Willis, President of Asset Preservation Tax & Retirement Services, and co-host Spike Spengel as they explore strategies for protecting, growing, and maximizing your wealth. Designed for those in or near retirement, this podcast delivers expert insights on tax planning, investment advice, estate planning, and building a secure financial future—all tailored to help you make the most of your life’s work.

Information

  • Creator
    Stewart Willis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stewart Willis