Episode 40: Personal CFO Strategies for High-Net-Worth Planning

What if the biggest financial risks you face aren’t while building wealth—but when you start spending it?

In this episode of Sterling Insights, Roger sits down with Erik Brenner, CFP®, President & CEO of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions. Together, they explore the complexities of transitioning from wealth accumulation to wealth distribution, sharing valuable insights and practical strategies for listeners. Erik draws from over 30 years of experience to discuss tax mitigation, retirement pitfalls, the Personal CFO model, and the challenges facing today’s high‑net‑worth families, offering actionable advice for anyone navigating the modern financial landscape. This episode is a must-listen for high‑net‑worth individuals, business owners, physicians, and advisors seeking deeper planning insights, providing both knowledge and tools to make smarter decisions on the way down the financial mountain.


Key Takeaways:
● 💼 Retirement Isn’t What It Used to Be: Today’s retirees face far more complexity—fewer pensions, more choices, and higher stakes.
● 🧭 The “Coming Down the Mountain” Risk: Most financial mistakes happen during the distribution phase, not the accumulation phase.
● 🧾 Tax Mitigation: Tax Planning: Erik explains why minimizing taxes this year—not deferring them—is essential for high-income and high‑net‑worth individuals.
● 🏛️ The Power of the Personal CFO Model: Comprehensive planning that integrates investments, tax, and estate strategy leads to better long-term outcomes.
● 🌅 Secure Act Changes Everything: New laws have reshaped inheritance, RMDs, and Roth strategy—making guidance more important than ever.


Quotes from Erik Brenner:
● “It’s not your parents’ or grandparents’ retirement anymore.”
● “Most deaths in mountain climbing happen on the way down—and financially, it’s no different.”
● “Tax mitigation means reducing tax today and never paying it back—not just kicking it down the road.”
🔗 Conclusion: Navigating wealth today requires more than investment management—it requires a coordinated, strategic Personal CFO guiding every major financial decision.


Connect with Erik:
Website: ⁠https://hilltopwealthtax.com/⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠  / ⁠  
LinkedIn: ⁠  / ⁠  
Facebook: ⁠  / hilltopwealthtax⁠  
Instagram: ⁠  / ⁠  
YouTube: ⁠   / @hilltopwealthtaxsolutions  


Connect with Roger:
Website: ⁠https://www.sterlingfoundations.com⁠
Facebook: ⁠  / ⁠  
Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/SterlingFndMgt?mx=2⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠  / ⁠