Money Matters by Allworth Financial

Allworth Financial

For 30 years, Money Matters hosts Scott Hanson and Pat McClain have answered thousands of questions from callers just like you. This is the perfect podcast for high-net-worth investors with questions like: -Should I do Roth conversions? -Are there tax strategies I should be using? -Do I have the proper estate plan? -Is my portfolio allocation diverse enough? -Will I retire on time? Take Money Matters with you each week. Download the show wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. 3d ago

    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.

    51 min
  2. Jun 6

    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.

    51 min
  3. May 23

    The Psychology of Investing & Retirement: Why Smart Investors Still Fear Spending Money

    Why do so many successful investors struggle to actually enjoy the wealth they’ve built? In this Memorial Day weekend episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with UCLA professor and behavioral expert Hal Hershfield and explore the emotional side of money, retirement, and investing. From fear of running out of money to recency bias and loss aversion, this episode dives deep into the hidden psychological forces that shape financial decisions — even for millionaires. If you’ve ever wondered why investors panic during market drops, hesitate to spend in retirement, or obsess over past financial mistakes, this conversation about investing will completely change how you think about money. Scott, Pat, and Hal unpack why wealthy retirees often struggle to spend confidently, how emotions influence investing decisions, and why understanding investor psychology may be just as important as understanding the stock market itself. They also discuss longevity insurance, risk tolerance, mental accounting, and how advisors can help clients align money with purpose and happiness. Whether you're approaching retirement or simply want to become a smarter long-term investor, this episode offers powerful insights into the psychology behind successful investing and financial decision-making. What You’ll Learn: -Why many wealthy retirees are afraid to spend money -How loss aversion impacts investing decisions -The dangers of recency bias in the stock market -Why financial regrets stick with us longer than successes -How psychology shapes investing behavior -The emotional side of risk tolerance and market volatility -How “mental accounting” affects spending habits -Why longevity insurance hasn’t caught on with investors -How financial advisors help clients align money with life goals 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.

    42 min
  4. May 16

    Real-Life Investing Decisions: How to Simplify Retirement, Taxes, and Financial Planning

    When it comes to investing, the most important decisions aren’t made in theory—they happen in real life. In this episode of Allworth’s Money Matters, Scott and Pat answer real listener calls and break down how smart investing decisions actually play out. Martha, a 79-year-old retiree with $4–5 million, considers a complex investing strategy involving direct indexing to generate tax losses and improve tax efficient investing strategies. But does this level of complexity actually benefit her portfolio—or just add unnecessary risk? Then Dennis, age 51, with nearly $2.3 million saved and major expenses ahead, faces key investing decisions around portfolio allocation, college funding, and building a sustainable retirement income plan. Through these real-world financial questions, Scott and Pat show that successful investing isn’t about chasing complexity—it’s about simplifying your strategy, aligning with your goals, and making confident decisions over time. What You’ll Learn: -When complex investing strategies like direct indexing are actually worth it -How to approach tax efficient investing strategies without unnecessary risk -Smart ways to think about portfolio allocation as you near retirement -How to build reliable retirement income from your investments -How to evaluate real-world financial questions with confidence -Why simpler investing strategies often lead to better long-term results 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.

    48 min
  5. May 9

    How Much Money Do You Need to Retire? Real Calls on Inheritance and Spending

    A good financial plan isn’t just about retirement—it’s about how all the pieces of your financial life fit together. In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat talk with a caller who already has about $2 million and expects a much larger inheritance—but still struggles to spend any of it. They walk through why that happens and how a financial plan can help ease into actually using the money. They also take a call from a high-income couple earning around $600,000 a year. Even with strong savings, there are still areas being overlooked, so Scott and Pat explain what a complete financial plan should cover—from retirement to insurance to college planning—and where people often miss. It’s a reminder that a financial plan isn’t just about how much you have—it’s how everything fits together. What You’ll Learn: -Why having millions doesn’t always make spending easier -How to start using wealth without feeling uncomfortable -What high-income families often overlook -How to think about retirement when income is strong -What a real financial plan actually ties together 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.

    35 min
4.7
out of 5
840 Ratings

About

For 30 years, Money Matters hosts Scott Hanson and Pat McClain have answered thousands of questions from callers just like you. This is the perfect podcast for high-net-worth investors with questions like: -Should I do Roth conversions? -Are there tax strategies I should be using? -Do I have the proper estate plan? -Is my portfolio allocation diverse enough? -Will I retire on time? Take Money Matters with you each week. Download the show wherever you get your podcasts.

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