Alpha Dog Advisors

10/15/2026

Timing a $100,000 Roth Conversion
One of the analytical puzzles I enjoy most with clients is identifying that narrow window after retirement—when your tax return is quieter, but before the flood of benefit income arrives—where a Roth conversion can make the most sense. For example, if you’re receiving a $45K pension and not much else, a $100,000 Roth conversion lands very differently than it would once Social Security and required withdrawals start piling on. Once those retirement benefits begin, the conversion can push your provisional income higher, making up to 85% of those benefits taxable—a shift that can quietly increase your total tax bill. There’s also the ripple effect: Medicare’s federal health program looks back two years, so a large conversion today could mean Part B and Part D premium surcharges down the road. In 2026, those surcharges began at $109K for single filers and $218K for joint, so timing a conversion could push you into higher premium tiers. I often find it’s worth comparing smaller, incremental conversions against a single large move, and weighing which year offers the least competition from benefits, surcharges, and required withdrawals. These are the moments where a methodical review—grounded in real-world experience—can make all the difference in achieving your long-term goals.

10/14/2026

A mother in California picked up the phone and heard her daughter's voice, panicked, saying she'd been kidnapped and needed money immediately.

What she'd heard wasn't her daughter. It was an AI-generated clone of her voice.

In a 2025 study, scientists found that when people heard a cloned voice, they correctly identified the voice as AI-generated only about 60 percent of the time.

The FBI attributed more than $890 million in 2025 losses to AI-enabled fraud, and voice cloning is one of the main drivers behind that number.

It is not only older adults being targeted. Younger family members get these calls too, often framed as a sibling or friend in trouble. Older adults just tend to lose the most per incident.

Two ways to protect your family.

🔐 Agree on a private code word or question with the people a scammer is most likely to impersonate (kids, parents, spouse)

📞 If a call like this comes in and you have not set up a code word yet, hang up, then call the real person back

When in doubt, slow down and verify.

www.alphadogadvisor.com

10/14/2026

Marriage changes everything, including your insurance needs. Here are some things to look out for.

Marriage changes everything, including your insurance needs.

10/14/2026

US Final 5-Year Retirement Moves
As someone who has spent over 35 years guiding clients through the complexities of business and personal finance, I’ve seen firsthand how the final five years before retirement can set the stage for lasting security and peace of mind. The process begins with a clear-eyed assessment of your net worth—tallying up retirement savings, weighing assets against liabilities, and thoroughly reviewing your current contributions. Only then can you set a retirement goal that reflects your real circumstances and aspirations.

Next, estimating your retirement income needs is about more than numbers—it’s about envisioning the life you want. I encourage clients to carefully account for housing, food, healthcare, taxes, travel, emergency reserves, debt obligations, and the possibility of future care costs. The details matter.

With the finish line in sight, it’s wise to maximize contributions to 401(k)s and IRAs. The IRS allows those over 50 to make catch-up contributions—an extra $1,000 for IRAs and $7,500 for 401(k)s—which can make a meaningful impact. As retirement nears, shifting from riskier holdings toward more conservative, income-generating investments such as dividend stocks, savings accounts, CDs, bonds, and government-backed securities can help mitigate unnecessary risk.

The final five-year window is about maintaining discipline: continue saving diligently, reduce exposure to volatility, and—when appropriate—seek trusted, experienced counsel to help you stay on course. Having navigated my own journey from humble beginnings to ringing the closing bell at the NYSE, I know that careful, thoughtful planning can open doors to new chapters and enduring peace of mind.

10/13/2026

Estate Planning: Protect Your Legacy and Secure Your Family’s Future
A well-structured estate plan ensures your assets are protected and passed on according to your wishes.
https://www.roomvu.com/services/page/estate-planning?agent_profile_name=eduard-hamamjian

10/13/2026

Money Habits Mark Cuban Says Retirees Should Quit
Mark Cuban’s advice for retirees on money habits aligns closely with the principles I’ve seen lead to lasting financial security over decades of hands-on experience. Paying off high-interest debt is foundational—those compounding rates can quietly undermine the best-laid plans. Avoiding lifestyle inflation is equally important; it’s easy to let spending creep upward, but real peace of mind comes from maintaining thoughtful discipline. I always encourage clients to keep a six-month emergency fund—life has a way of throwing curveballs, and preparation is everything. When it comes to investing, focusing long-term savings on low-cost index funds can provide growth while limiting unnecessary fees. I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping essential funds away from speculation; safeguarding your base is key. Finally, diversifying income sources beyond Social Security helps create true retirement security. These steps reflect the analytical approach I bring to every conversation—practical, time-tested, and grounded in real-world outcomes. It’s a privilege to draw on a lifetime of navigating financial challenges and opportunities to guide others toward their goals.

10/12/2026

US Social Security: What the 2032 Forecast Means
Social Security’s long-term outlook is firmly in the spotlight: projections now indicate the trust fund could be depleted by 2032, resulting in an automatic 20% reduction in benefits unless policymakers intervene. As someone who’s spent decades balancing risk and opportunity across business and real estate, I find it’s the fundamentals that matter most. Social Security, at its core, depends on the vitality of our workforce—who’s participating, their earnings, their health, and their savings habits.

Major risks to the program include a sluggish labor market, uneven wage growth, economic downturns, and policies that don’t keep pace with the needs of working Americans. There are practical ways forward: broadening workforce participation, supporting phased retirement, strengthening childcare and family leave, and enacting immigration policies that encourage sustainable worker growth. It’s worth noting that current policy trends could dampen population growth—recent projections for 2025 and 2026 even show the U.S. may experience net immigration losses.

Having immigrated to this country and built a life and career here, I’m particularly attuned to the role that opportunity and policy play in shaping our collective future. These issues aren’t just headlines—they’re central to the financial well-being of every family and business I advise.

10/12/2026

Business owners should consider a succession plan sooner rather than later.

There are a number of reasons for business owners to consider a business succession plan sooner rather than later.

10/11/2026

Honoring the Significance of Indigenous Day

10/11/2026

How To Choose A Financial Advisor
Selecting the right financial advisor is a decision that can shape your path toward reaching your most important goals. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how expertise in investment, tax, retirement, and estate planning can make a meaningful difference. It’s essential to work with fiduciaries—those who are legally bound to act in your best interest—with transparent fees. Traditional advisors typically charge around 1% of assets, while robo-advisors often cost less. Before making a choice, always review an advisor’s credentials and background. My own journey—from building businesses to ringing the closing bell at the NYSE—has taught me that a trusted, experienced guide is invaluable. I consider it a privilege to help others navigate these decisions with clarity and confidence.


https://www.vusocial.com/agent-news/eduard-hamamjian/1912982-How-To-Choose-A-Financial-Advisor