Most people spend their working years building the mountain. Then retirement arrives, and nobody has taught them how to come down without handing the IRS a bigger share than expected.

In this episode of Fiduciary Alchemy, Craig Andrews talks with Erik Brenner, Private Wealth Advisor at Hilltop Wealth & Tax Solutions, about the tax problem hiding inside retirement planning. Erik explains why the old assumption that taxes automatically go down in retirement can fail, especially when income sources, withdrawals, and required minimum distributions start colliding.

They dig into why IRA and 401(k) balances can act like a joint account with the IRS until a real plan is built. Erik also breaks down how up to 85% of Social Security can become taxable, why provisional income matters, and why retirees can get caught off guard when RMDs rise later in life.

Erik draws a sharp line between tax preparation, tax planning, and tax mitigation. Filing a return tells you what already happened. Planning looks ahead. Mitigation asks what can be done now so the future does not arrive with a tax bill nobody saw coming.

Craig and Erik also talk about Roth conversions, and why they can be powerful when used correctly but dangerous when treated like a magic trick. The bigger point is simple. A fiduciary advisor who claims to do comprehensive planning should understand the client's tax return, because the return often tells the truth that the portfolio alone cannot.

They close with a practical look at AI in advisory work. AI can help with document review, notes, and planning support. It cannot replace judgment, context, or the trust built inside the advisor-client relationship.

Want to learn more about Erik Brenner's work? Visit Hilltop Wealth & Tax Solutions at https://hilltopwealthtax.com/.

Connect with Erik Brenner on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/podcast/apply/

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews' work? Check out https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/

Peter Culver, co-founder of Wealthrive, joins Fiduciary Alchemy to explain why proactive tax strategy can create more real-world value for entrepreneurs than small gains in investment performance. Drawing on decades of experience across asset management, tax planning, and work with high-net-worth families, Peter breaks down how thoughtful tax moves can unlock measurable savings while helping business owners make better financial decisions.

In this conversation, Peter shares why he and his team leaned harder into tax strategy, what entrepreneurs should expect from their advisors, and why too many CPAs fail to bring forward even basic planning opportunities. He also walks through examples like the Augusta Rule and home office strategy to show how seemingly simple tax ideas can have meaningful impact when applied correctly.

Want to learn more about Peter Culver’s work? Visit Wealthrive at https://www.wealthrive.com/.

Connect with Peter Culver on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/pculver/.

You can also reach Peter directly at peter@wealthrive.com.

Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/podcast/apply/

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews’ work? Check out https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/

In this episode of Fiduciary Alchemy, Mark Miller, President & CEO of Hilton Wealth, shares how investors can benefit from strategies typically associated with family offices and ultra-high-net-worth households. Drawing on decades of experience in tax and wealth management, Mark explains how a more protective, disciplined approach can help investors reduce volatility, avoid unnecessary losses, and build wealth with greater confidence.

Mark breaks down what sets affluent investors apart, not just in what they invest in, but in how they think about risk, liquidity, and long-term financial security. He also explains why protecting the downside is often more important than chasing upside, and how thoughtful portfolio structure can help investors sleep better at night.

Listeners will also hear Mark’s perspective on bringing sophisticated wealth strategies to a broader audience, including the role of tax planning, risk mitigation, and smarter decision-making in building durable financial outcomes.

Want to learn more about Mark Miller’s work? Visit Hilton Wealth at https://www.hiltonwealth.com/.

Connect with Mark Miller on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markmiller-hiltonfo/.

You can also reach Mark directly at mmiller@hiltonwealth.com.

Think you’d be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/podcast/apply/

Want to learn more about Craig Andrews’ work? Check out https://fiduciaryalchemy.com/