In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat react to a listener being pitched a complex direct indexing strategy using margin, while another wrestles with whether setting up trusts for their grandchildren is worth the hassle—breaking down what actually adds value and what doesn’t.

They expand into tax strategies for larger portfolios, including when more sophisticated approaches create more cost and complexity than benefit. You’ll also hear practical guidance on estate planning, gifting, RMDs, and charitable giving through QCDs.

What You’ll Learn:

• When a direct indexing strategy using margin may do more harm than good
• How to approach tax strategies for larger portfolios without overcomplicating your plan
• When trusts make sense for gifting—and when they don’t
• Smarter ways to handle RMDs and reduce taxes with QCDs
• Why some strategies are driven more by firm incentives than investor outcomes

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.

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat take calls from high-income listeners facing real financial crossroads—from deciding whether to return to work to navigating major portfolio and tax decisions. Along the way, they break down when a Roth conversion strategy makes sense, how taxes impact big financial decisions, and why timing and sequencing can have a long-term effect on wealth.

The conversation also covers portfolio risk, income needs, and how to approach leaving money to the next generation without overcomplicating the process. Scott and Pat explain how a well-thought-out Roth conversion strategy fits into a broader financial plan that balances flexibility, taxes, and long-term 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.

In this episode of Money Matters, Scott and Pat break down real-world tax strategies for high net worth investors dealing with multi-million dollar IRAs, brokerage accounts, and rising future tax liabilities. They walk through detailed listener cases—including a couple with over $18 million in assets trying to minimize RMD taxes, IRMAA surcharges, and legacy tax burdens—while sharing actionable tax strategies for high net worth investors.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How to handle upcoming RMDs on multi-million dollar retirement accounts
• Why Roth conversions may have limited impact at higher income levels
• How gifting appreciated assets can reduce your taxable estate
• When to use a donor-advised fund instead of giving cash
• Why you should stop reinvesting dividends in taxable accounts
• How tax-loss harvesting technology can improve portfolio efficiency
• The importance of asset location (and how mistakes can cost you)
• How to better prepare large portfolios for generational wealth transfer
• Why AI can assist—but not replace—real financial advice

If you’re serious about optimizing your wealth, understanding the right tax strategies for high net worth investors can help you reduce taxes, protect your assets, and build a more efficient long-term plan.

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.