Listen to the Episode
About the Episode
Erik Brenner, CEO and President of Hilltop Wealth & Tax Solutions, joins host George Grombacher for a focused conversation on designing sustainable retirement income. The discussion covers portfolio construction, understanding true risk tolerance, navigating increased tax complexity, and why retirees benefit from coordinated planning rather than product-driven solutions.
Erik also highlights a key mindset shift: long-term success isn’t determined by how much you make—it’s determined by what you do with what you have.
Key Insights
1. Retirement planning is more complex today
With the decline of pensions and the rise of individually managed accounts, retirees are responsible for navigating market cycles, taxes, income sequencing, and longevity risk.
2. Risk tolerance must be quantified—not assumed
Erik explains how Hilltop uses data and scenario testing to show clients how their portfolios would have performed in real historical downturns to ensure alignment with true risk capacity.
3. A data-driven core portfolio provides stability
Hilltop’s approach combines:
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A quantitatively managed core portfolio
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The ability to adjust risk based on data
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A selective individual stock sleeve to capture incremental alpha
This structure balances long-term growth with downside protection.
4. Taxes are often a retiree’s largest long-term expense
Roth conversion timing, RMDs, Social Security taxation, and filing status all influence net income. Integrated tax planning helps retirees avoid preventable tax drag.
5. Your success depends more on behavior than income
Erik notes he has seen middle-income savers retire as multimillionaires—and high earners struggle—because financial outcomes are driven by discipline, planning, and structure.
Who Should Listen
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Pre-retirees and retirees
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Individuals navigating complex account structures
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Investors concerned about taxes
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Listeners seeking a coordinated retirement income strategy
