Power Your Retirement

Steve Smit
  • 0.0 (0)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by Steve Smit, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and founder of Powerhouse Financial Advisors, this podcast is designed to help employees of large publicly traded utility companies take control of their retirement planning. Steve, author of Power Up Your 401(k), shares insights on maximizing 401(k) options, navigating self-directed brokerage accounts, and creating a secure financial future. Tune in for practical advice, helpful resources, and strategies to power up your retirement! Subscribe and never miss an episode! Also available in video format on YouTube. For more information about Power Your Retirement, visit PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors.com or call 775-266-8867.

  1. 2D AGO

    Term, Whole, or Universal Life: Which Is Best For You?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html We got a great question from a listener. They wrote in: "What's better — term life insurance, universal life, or whole life?" Straightforward question. Not a straightforward answer, especially if you're in your 50s. Today, Steve walks through all three. The right type of life insurance is the one that solves your specific problem at your specific stage of life. Your needs at 55 don’t look like they did at 35, and your coverage shouldn’t either. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛡️ Life Insurance Types: Term, whole, and universal each serve different roles 📍 Starting Point: What are you actually protecting today? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life Stage Needs: Coverage changes as your life evolves 🏦 Whole Life: Long-term coverage with higher costs and tradeoffs 🔄 Universal Life: Flexible but requires careful management Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    17 min

  2. APR 9

    AI & Retirement: The Questions Everyone Is Typing But Nobody Is Answering

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html AI isn’t just a tech trend; it’s already reshaping how we work, invest, and plan for the future. Questions around job security, investment exposure, and whether AI can- or should- play a role in retirement planning are becoming more common by the day. In this episode, Steve tackles the top questions people are searching right now and breaks down what they actually mean for your financial future. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🤖 AI & Retirement: AI is already influencing work, investing, and planning 💼 Job Security Concerns: Adapting to AI may matter more than fearing it 📊 Investment Exposure: Many portfolios already have AI-driven risk 📈 Retirement Planning: AI can assist, but shouldn’t replace strategy ⚖️ Trusting AI: Helpful tool, but not a substitute for real guidance Resources for this episode: DC Participants Open to Private Markets—and AI—with Guardrails: Invesco Survey https://401kspecialistmag.com/dc-participants-open-to-private-markets-and-ai-with-guardrails-invesco-survey/ Brookings article: Measuring US workers’ capacity to adapt to AI-driven job displacement https://www.brookings.edu/articles/measuring-us-workers-capacity-to-adapt-to-ai-driven-job-displacement/  Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    18 min

  3. APR 2

    The White House Wants to Give You $1,000 for Retirement

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html There was some retirement news embedded in President Trump’s State of the Union address. He announced a proposal to give workers without employer-sponsored retirement plans access to a government-administered retirement account... with a federal match of up to $1,000 per year. Here's what we know so far… and what we don't. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 A proposed $1,000 federal match could boost retirement participation 👷 Millions of workers lack access to employer-sponsored plans 🔥 The real value may be motivation, not the dollar amount 👩‍💻 Gig workers and spouses could benefit in a big way 📈 Small, consistent contributions can compound into meaningful growth Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    16 min

  4. MAR 26

    Retirement Decisions Aren’t All Black & White

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Financial media loves simple answers: always do this or never do that. But real financial planning doesn’t work that way. Most of the biggest decisions people face in retirement live in the gray. Steve breaks down some of the most common “black and white” retirement decisions and shows why they’re rarely that simple. When advice sounds too simple, that’s usually a sign there’s more to talk about.  Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Roth Conversions: Not Always a Win  ⏳ Social Security: Early vs. Late Isn’t So Simple  💧 Saving vs. Liquidity: Finding the Right Balance  🎯 Target Date Funds: Is DIY better than custom?  Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    13 min

  5. MAR 19

    Popular Financial Advice… But Is It Good Advice?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Everywhere you turn, somebody’s got financial advice. The problem is, they’re talking to millions of people at once… but you only get one retirement. In this episode, Steve takes some of the biggest names and loudest voices in the money world and puts their advice through a real‑life filter: Does this actually make sense for you, your career, and your retirement timeline? Tune in to find out! Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💰 Emergency Savings: Suze Orman suggests larger cash reserves 📊 Net Worth Tracking: Kevin O’Leary stresses constant awareness 🏢 Leverage Strategy: Grant Cardone promotes aggressive borrowing 📈 Retirement Withdrawals: Dave Ramsey advocates higher withdrawal rates 🤖 Future Vision: Elon Musk predicts retirement savings may become irrelevant Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    18 min

  6. MAR 12

    Should You Combine Old 401(k)s?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Many people treat old retirement accounts like collectibles; every job leaves behind another 401(k) sitting somewhere in the background. But having multiple accounts doesn’t automatically mean better diversification. Steve explains why consolidating old 401(k)s into a rollover IRA could potentially create more flexibility in your retirement strategy. If you’ve changed jobs over the years and still have old retirement accounts scattered around, Steve helps you think through your next move. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 💼 401(k) Collecting: Many people unknowingly accumulate multiple old plans. 🧩 Hidden Overlap: Multiple accounts often hold the same investments. 📊 Tracking Problems: Old plans easily get forgotten or ignored. 🔄 Rollover Strategy: Consolidating accounts can simplify management. 🏦 Rollover IRA Benefits: Creates centralized oversight and more flexibility. Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    10 min

  7. MAR 5

    Can You Have Too Much Cash?

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Having “too much cash” sounds like a high-quality problem, until it starts quietly working against you. Steve tackles a subscriber question from someone sitting on $150,000 in the bank and wondering if that’s really so bad. The answer? It depends. Steve also shares simple guidelines on what to consider when cash starts stacking up in low-yield accounts, especially in retirement. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🛟 Emergency Fund Guidelines: Three vs six-month rule 👨‍👩‍👧 Income Stability Matters: Single vs dual household planning 📈 Excess Cash Strategy: When savings becomes overkill 📚 Plan Over Opinions: Why brother’s advice isn’t enough Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    9 min

  8. FEB 26

    Why Powerhouse Focuses on Utility Employees & What’s New in 2026

    Send us Fan Mail 📱 Want expert help in planning for your financial future? Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 ⚡ Get your no-cost Retirement Toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html With 2026 here, it’s a good time to step back and revisit what Powerhouse Financial Advisors is really about. This episode pulls back the curtain on why the firm focuses so heavily on utility employees and how that specialization shapes the planning process. Steve shares the personal experiences that inspired the firm’s mission and walks through what’s evolving behind the scenes. It’s a clear look at who Powerhouse is designed for and where things are headed next. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 🧠 Early 401(k) Lessons: Where the mission began ⚡ Utility-Focused Planning: Why specialization matters 🚀 What’s New in 2026: Tools, technology, and expansion 🧭 Power Shift Path: Aligning benefits and risk 👥 Best-Fit Clients: Who Powerhouse serves best Get your copy of Power Up Your 401K in our toolkit: https://keap.page/ngt919/toolkit.html Follow along on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEE5ZkDedYTsKzkh2UxQ9Sg Book your 401(k) Onboarding Meeting with Steve: https://calendly.com/steven-powerhouse-advisor/401-k-retirement-meeting-1-hour-clone?month=2024-12 Other ways to get in touch: Phone: (775) 266-8867 Our website: https://powerhousefinancialadvisors.com/ Email: info@powerhousefa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/powerhouse-financial-advisors/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors

    21 min
See All (77)

About

Hosted by Steve Smit, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and founder of Powerhouse Financial Advisors, this podcast is designed to help employees of large publicly traded utility companies take control of their retirement planning. Steve, author of Power Up Your 401(k), shares insights on maximizing 401(k) options, navigating self-directed brokerage accounts, and creating a secure financial future. Tune in for practical advice, helpful resources, and strategies to power up your retirement! Subscribe and never miss an episode! Also available in video format on YouTube. For more information about Power Your Retirement, visit PowerhouseFinancialAdvisors.com or call 775-266-8867.

Information

  • Creator
    Steve Smit
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 © 2025 Power Your Retirement
  • Show Website
    Power Your Retirement