Free workshops at Pasadena libraries. Free calculators for Roth conversions, IRMAA, and guaranteed income. Honest annuity quotes when they fit, honest "you don't need one" when they don't.
If you're a retiree in Pasadena, the questions that will shape the next 30 years of your finances aren't the ones your CPA has time to answer or your advisor is incentivized to dig into. How much to convert to Roth and when. When to claim Social Security to maximize lifetime benefits. How a single Roth conversion can spike your Medicare premiums two years later. What it takes to lock in guaranteed monthly income that doesn't depend on the stock market.
The Retirement Literacy Foundation runs free workshops and publishes free calculators specifically for retirees in Pasadena and the broader LA area. Founder Hans Goldstein is a licensed insurance agent based in Huntington Beach who teaches the math first and only quotes products when they actually fit. RLF is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit — donations are tax-deductible, and all workshops and tools are free.
We run live, in-person workshops at Pasadena libraries on Social Security optimization, Roth conversion strategy, and Medicare IRMAA brackets. 90 minutes. No products, no pitch. Just the math, with examples worked out on the board.
Three big things drive the biggest differences in retirement outcomes for Southern California retirees, and they're the same three things most CPAs and advisors don't have the bandwidth to go deep on:
And when guaranteed income makes sense — for retirees who want a portion of their essentials covered no matter what the market does — we run independent SPIA and MYGA quotes across top-rated A-rated carriers. Independent means we're not contractually obligated to any single carrier, so the quote you get is the one that actually fits your situation.
Run your own numbers. Every tool below was built and maintained by RLF, free to use, no email required:
Yes. RLF is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit. There is no charge, no product being sold at the workshop, and no obligation. About 5-10% of attendees later choose to work with Hans on the product side — those engagements are what fund the foundation.
No. Hans is licensed for life insurance, long-term care, and annuities, and works with top-rated A-rated carriers. But the framework comes first: most retirees don't actually need to buy anything to dramatically improve their plan. Roth conversion strategy, Social Security timing, and withdrawal sequencing are usually higher-value moves than any product purchase.
RLF is based in Huntington Beach. Workshops have run in Pasadena (Lamanda + San Rafael libraries), La Cañada Flintridge, Atwater, Edendale, Mission Viejo, Laguna, Huntington Beach, and more. Hans takes 1-on-1 client meetings by Zoom or phone with retirees throughout California and selected nearby states.
A SPIA (Single Premium Immediate Annuity) starts paying you monthly within 12 months. A MYGA (Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity) grows at a guaranteed rate for 3-10 years, then either pays out or rolls into another product. SPIA = income now. MYGA = guaranteed growth now, income later. Most Pasadena retirees who need an income floor benefit from a blend of both, sequenced across age. Run the math on the Income Floor Calculator.
Free 20-minute walkthrough by phone or Zoom. No charge, no products being sold, no pressure. Just the math on your specific situation. Available for Pasadena, La Cañada, Altadena, San Marino, South Pasadena, and surrounding LA-area retirees.
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