Brad Chastain serves as Managing Director, Global Head of Research at U.S. Money Reserve, one of the largest private distributors of government-issued precious metals. Brad joined U.S. Money Reserve in 2022 after 18 years with Vanguard, one of the largest investment firms in the world. There, Brad specialized in delivering financial education to clients, first as a retirement counselor and then as a manager of retirement education. With an extensive background as a financial educator on topics ranging from portfolio construction and health savings accounts to 401(k)s, IRAs, Social Security, and Medicare, Brad is dedicated to helping clients reach their financial goals and build a more secure future with precious metals.
Understanding Gold IRA Fees and Custodian Costs For many savers exploring retirement diversification, one of the first questions that comes up is also one of the most practical: What does it actually cost to own a gold IRA? It’s a fair question. A gold or precious metals IRA involves something a traditional brokerage account does…
For many savers, the conversations that matter most aren’t about their portfolios today—they’re about the future. Who inherits the account? How quickly do funds have to be withdrawn after the original owner passes away? What might the tax bill look like for the people you love? These questions may matter even more when the account…
Baby Boomers are often described as confident—sometimes even labeled stubborn. But that confidence doesn’t come from optimism alone. It was shaped by decades of navigating change, recalibrating during uncertainty, and making decisions without a guaranteed road map. Boomers built their careers during periods of shifting economic conditions, adapted to new technologies mid-career, and lived through…
Throughout my years working in retirement education, I’ve watched Americans navigate uncertainty during some of the most challenging economic periods in modern history. One thing quickly became clear: Risk isn’t just a financial concept—it’s something people feel. And for those above age 60, retirement risk begins to take on a new meaning. It’s no longer…
Generation Xers—those born between 1965 and 1980—rarely ask for permission and rarely expect guarantees. Often described as pragmatic, skeptical, and self-directed, this generation learned early that systems change, institutions fail, and adaptability matters. As Gen Xers moves through peak earning years and deeper into long-term financial planning, they are approaching portfolio decisions increasingly shaped by…
After decades of conversations with retirees, we find that one theme reappears again and again: Most people aren’t searching for complicated financial theories—they’re looking for clarity. After age 60, people’s financial priorities often shift. The focus tends to move away from accumulation narratives and market speculation and toward stability, predictability, and peace of mind. Many…
In conversations with retirees, one tense question comes up frequently: “Do I focus on building more wealth or on keeping what I’ve already built steady and secure?” It’s a deeply personal question. For some, wealth represents flexibility, opportunity, and more options regarding their future. For others, stability represents comfort, predictability, and peace of mind. While…
A precious metals IRA is a self-directed retirement account that allows you to hold physical, IRS-approved gold, silver, platinum, or palladium. For many savers, incorporating tangible assets into retirement planning is a way to help balance traditional paper-based holdings with assets that have historically served as long-term stores of wealth. Precious metals can help add…
Financial success doesn’t happen by chance—it’s the result of informed strategy, careful risk management, and the right mix of assets. That’s where portfolio management models come in. These models provide frameworks for building diversified portfolios, balancing risk and reward, and making confident financial decisions. Whether you’re new to strategic allocation or refining your approach, you’ll…
A Roth IRA can be a powerful retirement tool—but what you hold inside it may matter as much as just having the account. One approach that some savers utilize is diversification, the process of including a variety of assets covering multiple asset classes in a portfolio. While diversification can’t guarantee profits or eliminate losses, it…
Asset protection refers to legal and financial strategies designed to help shield property, savings, and other assets from risks such as lawsuits, creditor claims, or economic downturns—including unforeseen financial crises. For individuals with significant assets, wealth protection strategies play a key role in preserving family legacies and long-term financial security. Asset protection is a cornerstone…
Portfolio management techniques are methods designed to help individuals balance growth and stability within their savings strategy while managing risk. Whether you’re building your first portfolio or refining an existing one, you can use these strategies to provide a framework for making informed decisions. By using proven portfolio risk-management techniques—such as asset allocation, rebalancing, and…
