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Wealth Decisions by Brian

Wealth Decisions by Brian

By: Brian D Muller (AAMS©) (BFA™)
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Every day we have the opportunity to make better decisions around our money and our life. My goal is to help you do just that. Whether your goal is financial freedom, retiring early, or becoming a more successful investor, tune in each week. Each episode is 15 minutes or less and can make a significant difference to your future wealth. Brian D. Muller, AAMS® BFA™ Founder, Wealth Advisor Momentous Wealth Advisors www.momentouswealthadvisors.com #financialeducation #investingtips #financialindependence #moneymindset #moneypodcast #moneymanagement #financialplanning #financialfreedom #wealthbuilding #behavioralfinanceCopyright 2026 Brian D Muller (AAMS©) (BFA™) Economics Personal Development Personal Finance Personal Success
Episodes
  • The Secure Act 2.0: Transforming Unused 529 Funds into Tax-Free Wealth
    Jun 25 2026

    Most parents open a 529 plan to pay for college — and that's exactly what it's designed to do. But buried inside the SECURE Act 2.0 is a provision most financial advisors aren't talking about: the ability to roll up to $35,000 from an overfunded 529 directly into your child's Roth IRA, completely tax and penalty free. In this episode, Brian walks you through the five rules you must know to qualify, the real math on how $35,000 in a Roth IRA can grow to over $500,000 tax-free by the time your child retires, and who this strategy makes the most sense for. As a fiduciary financial advisor with 25+ years of experience, Brian gives you the straight story — no fluff, no fine print left out. In this episode you'll discover: The one SECURE Act 2.0 provision changing how parents should think about 529s The 5 qualifying rules you must meet before you can do this rollover Why $35,000 is just the seed — and compound growth does the rest Who this strategy is NOT right for (and what to do instead)

    Your 5-Minute Challenge to see if your family qualifies today

    SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY ZOOM: https://calendly.com/brian-d-muller/zoom-discovery-call

    Get Your Risk Number by taking the FREE RISK ASSESSMENT: https://pro.riskalyze.com/embed/da35a673b96655a2f2b1

    Pick up a copy of my book "Momentous Decisions: 7 Steps to Better Health, More Wealth, and a Richer Life" at: https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/book

    CHAPTERS:

    00:00 529 Roth Rollover Reveal 01:03 Why Congress Changed It 02:00 The $35K Opportunity 02:55 Rule 1 The 15 Year Clock 03:17 Rule 2 Lifetime Cap 03:39 Rule 3 Annual Limits 04:10 Rule 4 Earned Income 04:39 Rule 5 Five Year Funds 05:19 Real Numbers Olivia Example 06:50 Who Should Use This 08:25 Momentous Decisions Mindset 09:09 5 Minute Action Challenge 09:53 Share And Sign Off

    WEALTH DECISIONS PLAYLISTS:

    WEALTH MANAGEMENT: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAO9K0wL6xkwapLaG3ZhyhERK7oB7qy4-

    WEALTH STRATEGIES: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAO9K0wL6xkwwr9zEDFde1J_ac11EkQWs

    FINANCIAL PLANNING: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAO9K0wL6xkyavtgSvnOKAFP59pjMSGsb

    WEALTH DECISIONS on YOU-TUBE: https://to.mysocial.io/s/e2EVRwlOI

    Brian D Muller(AAMS©), Founder, Wealth Advisor Podcast

    Disclaimer The Wealth Decisions Podcast is provided solely for general information purposes and should not be construed as accounting, legal, tax, or any other professional advice. Visitors are advised not to act upon the information or content found here without first seeking appropriate guidance from a qualified accountant, financial planner, lawyer, or other relevant professional. Any hypothetical performance is just that, and there is no guarantee that you will receive a specific average rate of return in any examples in this podcast. THE BASICS OF RETIREMENT PLANNING Retirement planning has several steps, with the end goal of having enough money to quit working and live your version of a richer life. My goal is to help people make better wealth decisions along their financial journey so they can retire and stay comfortably retired

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    11 mins
  • The 4% Rule: Why It Might Be Costing You Years of Freedom
    May 14 2026

    Most retirement calculators are built on a 40-year-old rule that could be costing you a decade of your freedom. After 25 years as a fiduciary financial advisor, I've seen this firsthand — and the math tells a very different story.

    In this video, I break down why you may need 50% less to retire than you've been told — and exactly how to calculate your real number using a 2-phase approach. I also answer the question nobody else is answering in this conversation: what do you do about health insurance before Medicare kicks in?

    What you'll learn: → Why the 4% rule overstates how much most people need — by hundreds of thousands of dollars → The 2-Phase Retirement Method (Bridge + Core) and how to calculate each → How ACA marketplace subsidies can dramatically cut healthcare costs in early retirement → Why the bridge years are a golden window for Roth conversions — and how to use them → What to do if you're already "on track" — you may be able to retire years earlier than planned

    CHAPTERS:

    00:00 Retirement Number Myth

    01:08 Why the 4% Rule Fails

    02:07 Two-Phase Retirement Plan

    02:58 Bridge Phase Breakdown

    03:32 Health Insurance Before Medicare

    04:53 Core Phase With Social Security

    05:47 Putting the Numbers Together

    06:09 You May Be Ahead

    07:00 Health Benefits of Retiring Earlier

    07:33 Three-Step Action Plan

    08:15 Work With Me and Resources

    08:47 Final Thoughts and Subscribe

    SCHEDULE A DISCOVERY ZOOM: https://calendly.com/brian-d-muller/zoom-discovery-call

    Get Your Risk Number by taking the FREE RISK ASSESSMENT: https://pro.riskalyze.com/embed/da35a673b96655a2f2b1

    Pick up a copy of my book "Momentous Decisions: 7 Steps to Better Health, More Wealth, and a Richer Life" at: https://www.momentouswealthadvisors.com/book

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    9 mins
  • The Hidden Costs of Maxing Out Your 401k Contributions
    May 7 2026

    Maximizing contributions to one's 401(k) may appear prudent; however, it can inadvertently cultivate a substantial tax liability in retirement. As a fiduciary financial advisor with over 25 years of experience, I elucidate the critical juncture at which pre-tax contributions transform from a wealth-building strategy into a potential financial burden. The episode delves into the implications of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), escalating Medicare premiums, and the taxation of Social Security, all of which can exacerbate tax inefficiencies. I will guide listeners in calculating their optimal stopping point for 401(k) contributions and propose alternative investment strategies, such as allocating funds to a Roth 401(k) or a taxable brokerage account. Ultimately, the discourse emphasizes the importance of achieving a balanced financial approach that not only secures a prosperous retirement but also enriches one’s present life experiences.

    Takeaways:

    • Maximizing contributions to a 401k may lead to significant tax liabilities in retirement.
    • There exists a critical threshold where pre-tax 401k contributions become financially detrimental.
    • RMDs can impose heavy tax burdens, affecting Medicare premiums and Social Security taxation.
    • Transitioning to Roth 401k contributions can provide tax-free growth and mitigate future tax issues.
    • Utilizing a taxable brokerage account allows for greater financial flexibility and favorable tax treatments.
    • Financial planning should prioritize immediate life enjoyment alongside long-term retirement goals.

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    7 mins
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