Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as you approach retirement. But how do you know if you’re hiring the right person?

In this Valentine’s Day special of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander, The Sandman, explains why hiring a financial advisor is a lot like dating. Chemistry and trust matter, and asking the right questions upfront can help you avoid costly mistakes later.

David covers the number one mistake people make when hiring a financial advisor, why focusing only on past performance can be misleading, and the key difference between a fiduciary and a suitability standard. He also discusses how to evaluate credentials, understand advisory fees, and determine whether an advisor truly aligns with your long-term retirement income and tax strategy.

Annuities are often misunderstood, yet they continue to be part of many retirement planning conversations. In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander walks through annuities in clear, practical terms and explains how different types work. The discussion covers the differences between fixed annuities, fixed indexed annuities, and registered index-linked annuities (RILAs), along with how annuities are commonly used alongside other retirement planning tools.

Listeners will also learn about key trade-offs to consider, including caps, participation rates, buffers, and surrender periods, as well as how annuities compare to bonds and other income-focused options. The episode addresses common myths about annuities and highlights important questions to ask before considering whether one may be appropriate, emphasizing that suitability depends on individual circumstances.

The New Year’s resolution Financial Boot Camp continues with an advanced look at 2026 tax planning and how recent tax law changes may affect retirement and income decisions.

In this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander walks through updated tax rules and planning considerations involving IRAs, 401(k)s, Roth strategies, and required minimum distributions (RMDs). The discussion highlights scenarios where RMD timing, rollover decisions, and Roth conversions may warrant closer review, particularly for individuals approaching or already in retirement.

A new year is the perfect time to reset your financial habits, and in this episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander kicks off 2026 with a financial boot camp. From simple budgeting rules that give every dollar a job to maximizing updated 401(k), Roth, and HSA contribution limits, this episode walks through practical steps you can take right now to strengthen your financial foundation.

In this special episode of Protect Your Assets, David Hollander sits down with Ethan Agarwal, a technology entrepreneur and candidate for California governor in 2026, for a policy-focused conversation on the state’s economic future. They discuss what it could take to keep innovation and investment in California, including AI infrastructure and manufacturing, modernizing state operations through better technology, improving permitting and regulatory processes, and how policy decisions can influence opportunity across the state.

The conversation also covers the case for regulated and taxed sports betting, ideas for streamlining government services, and perspectives on K–12 education outcomes and workforce readiness.

Important note: This conversation is for informational purposes only. Protect Your Assets and Liberty Wealth Management do not endorse any political candidate, campaign, or party.

If you’re retiring next year, the details you handle before you give notice can make a meaningful difference.

In this episode of Protect Your Assets, The Sandman walks through what to review before you leave work, including 401(k) matching and vesting schedules (cliff vs. graded), what happens to your HSA and FSA, how PTO payouts work (including California considerations), health coverage choices if you’re retiring before 65 (COBRA, spouse coverage, marketplace plans, and Medicare timing), and key pension options that can impact income and legacy.