Money Mountaineering with Actuary Peter Neuwirth

Season 2: Episode 5 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features an interview with Freedom Writer Foundation founder, award-winning educator, and bestselling author Erin Gruwell

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA, host, “Money Mountaineering: The Sharing Economy” — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? In the fall of 2023, we launched Season 2, where we focus on the power of the Sharing Economy.

Meet the month’s guest: Freedom Writer Foundation founder, award-winning educator, and bestselling author Erin Gruwell

Our topic: Educating children well is the ultimate sharing economy

About our guest: Freedom Writers founder Erin Gruwell is a teacher, author, and activist fighting for social justice for more than two decades; Erin first gained national attention in 1998 when she and her 150 students appeared on an ABC special–PrimeTime Live–with Connie Chung. Erin’s students – affectionately called the Freedom Writers – came from backgrounds of poverty, gangs, and violence, and many were at risk of dropping out of school due to the school-to-prison pipeline. But, under Erin’s guidance, all 150 Freedom Writers graduated from high school and pursued higher education.

In 1999, Erin and the Freedom Writers published their book, The Freedom Writers Diary, which detailed their unique journey from hardship to hope. The book became a #1 New York Times bestseller and was adapted into a major motion picture, Freedom Writers, starring two-time Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank as Erin. The film brought Erin’s work to an even wider audience, and she has since used her platform to continue her fight for equity and inclusion with her non-profit, the Freedom Writers Foundation.

Erin’s work has been recognized with several humanitarian awards, including the prestigious Spirit of Anne Frank Award.

Erin and the Freedom Writers have appeared on multiple television shows to promote educational reform, including Oprah, The View, Good Morning America, and NBC’s TODAY. They have also been featured on National Public Radio, numerous newspapers, and national magazines, such as People. In 2019, Erin and the Freedom Writers were the subjects of the Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart. Erin also hosts The Freedom Writers Podcast with guests who are authors, activists, and civil rights icons.

In 2022, Erin and the Freedom Writers Foundation released their latest book, Dear Freedom Writer. This critically acclaimed book combines heartfelt letters written by the next generation of student authors with deeply personal responses from the original Freedom Writers. Be it in the classroom, or otherwise, Erin’s powerful message of hope and possibility is sure to resonate with any audience, whom she encourages “to stand up, speak up and speak out.”

About Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA: Pete is an actuary specializing in retirement plan issues. He is a 1979 graduate of Harvard College with a BA in Mathematics and Linguistics. After leaving Harvard, he went to work at Connecticut General Life Insurance, now CIGNA, and for the next 38 years, he worked continuously as an actuary holding significant leadership positions at a variety of firms around the country, including most of the major consulting firms (Aon, Hewitt Associates, Watson Wyatt, Towers Perrin and finally Towers Watson). He spent 5 years as a chief actuary at a regional benefits consulting firm (Godwins), 7 years running a small actuarial firm (Coates Kenney), and one year in a large accounting firm (Price Waterhouse). At the end of 2016, he retired from Towers Watson to focus on writing and researching financial wellness issues.

Pete continues researching various financial wellness issues, including using home equity to generate retirement income. In 2018 he taught a graduate seminar on this subject for the actuarial science department at the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is currently associated with the Academy for Home Equity in Financial Planning at the University of Illinois.

In addition to his books “Money Mountaineering” and “What’s Your Future Worth?”, his research has been published in professional journals, including the Journal of Deferred Compensation, Contingencies, and Journal of Financial Planning. His articles have also been published in numerous online actuarial web publications. He is a frequent speaker at professional conferences such as the Conference of Consulting Actuaries, Enrolled Actuaries, and Western Pension and Benefits Conference. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Conference of Consulting Actuaries.

Click here to learn more about actuary and author Peter Neuwirth: www.PeterNeuwirth.com • Listen to our podcasts on PeterNeuwirthRadio.com • Watch all of our episodes: www.PeterNeuwirth.tv

Since graduating from Harvard with a degree in mathematics and linguistics in 1979, Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA has held actuary leadership positions at consulting firms including Aon, Hewitt Associates, Watson Wyatt Towers, Perrin, and Towers Watson. He also ran the actuarial firm Coates Kenney and spent a year at Price Waterhouse.

Currently a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Conference of Consulting Actuaries, Pete regularly consults with the largest corporations in the world about their retirement plans with a focus on time risk and money.

“These fundamental concepts shape our world,” explains Pete, a sought-after speaker for professional conferences and frequently quoted in national mainstream and trade publications.

After being asked too many times: “What is an actuary, exactly?” Pete has written two books in response and also explains: How does an actuary think, and why does it matter?

His first book, What’s Your Future Worth, is an accessible step-by-step guide to using the powerful concept of Present Value. Pete explains, “My goal is to help readers determine the value today of something that might happen in the future and evaluate outcomes that might arise from choosing one path instead of another.”

In his newest book, Money Mountaineering, Pete shares his views on the challenges we face to survive and thrive in a complex, uncertain, noisy and sometimes irrational wilderness. “I hope to help readers better understand the financial world they must live in and what they must do to make their way through it,” Pete shares.

Pete is also a senior consulting actuary for CapAcuity, a member of the University of Illinois Academy for Home Equity in Financial Planning, and the outside director at Rael & Letson. He is a longtime resident of Northern CA. Learn more at www.peterneuwirth.com.

Upcoming Podcasts

Previous Episodes
Tuesday, November 14th, 2023

Season 2: Episode 5 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features an interview with Freedom Writer Foundation founder, award-winning educator, and bestselling author Erin Gruwell

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA, host, “Money Mountaineering: The Sharing Economy” — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? In the fall of 2023, we launched Season 2, where we focus on the power of the Sharing Economy. Meet the month’s guest: Freedom Writer Foundation founder, award-winning educator, and bestselling authorClick here to listen to the podcast!

Friday, October 13th, 2023

Season 2: Episode 3 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features critical thinking expert Richard Conn, Jr, author of “The Earthbound Parent”

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA, host, “Money Mountaineering: The Sharing Economy” — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? In the fall of 2023, we launched Season 2, where we focus on the power of the Sharing Economy. Meet the month’s guest: Critical thinking expert Richard Conn, Jr., author of “TheClick here to listen to the podcast!

Friday, September 1st, 2023

Season 2: Episode 2 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features Rebekah Wright, Bookstore Manager for Barnes and Noble in Santa Rosa, CA

September 2023: A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this month’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? This is Season 2 of the show, and we explore the Sharing Economy: What we each consider as “assets” to live on comprises far more than our financial assets and real estate; but also includes ourClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

Season 2: Episode 1 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features Steve Shirrell, owner emeritus of Santa Rosa’s Stanroy Music Center

August 2023: A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for Season 2 of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, experts, friends, and colleagues discuss  What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Steve Shirrell, owner emeritus of Santa Rosa’s Stanroy Music Center  Today’s topic: The Power of the Sharing Economy Pete and Steve discuss: “The story of Stanroy is a great example of what makes Santa Rosa an unusualClick here to listen to the podcast!

Wednesday, June 28th, 2023

Episode 10 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features Russ Proctor, AVP and Managing Director of Pensions at Pacific Life Insurance Company

July 2023: A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Russ Proctor, AVP and Managing Director of Pensions at Pacific Life Insurance Company Today’s topic: Shaping the Future of Retirement Income Solutions Pete and Russ discuss:  How have retirement income sources changed forClick here to listen to the podcast!

Thursday, June 1st, 2023

Episode 9 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features actuary Ken Steiner, author of the website, “How Much Can I Afford to Spend in Retirement?”

June 2023: A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Actuary Ken Steiner Today’s topic: How Much Can I Afford to Spend in Retirement? Pete and Ken discuss: What are the basic actuarial and financial economics principles and processes to help retired andClick here to listen to the podcast!

Monday, May 1st, 2023

Episode 8 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features critical-thinking experts Leland Faust and Richard Conn Jr., founders, Agents for Critical Thinking

May 1, 2023: A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guests: Leland Faust and Richard Conn, Jr., co-founders of Agents for Critical-Thinking Today’s topic: How to Become an Agent for Critical Thinking Pete asks:  What is “critical thinking”? How does it differ fromClick here to listen to the podcast!

Saturday, April 1st, 2023

Episode 7 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features bestselling author Annie Duke taking about her new book, “Quit”

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Bestselling Author Annie Duke Today’s topic: When to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em Pete says: QUIT, by Annie Duke, is an extraordinary book by an extraordinarily practical author who thinks like an actuary. ThisClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, February 28th, 2023

March 2023: Episode 6 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this month’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro Today’s topic: The journey to becoming a financial planner — Diary of a CFP® Pro Petes asks Marguerita: Why did you become interested in retirement income planning? Tell us about your newClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, January 31st, 2023

February 1, 2023: Episode 5 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features Steve Vernon, F.S.A., president of Rest-of-Life Communications

A Note from Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Steve Vernon, FSA, president of Rest-of-Life Communications Pete asks: Exactly what is longevity risk, and how can people prepare themselves for a long retirement? In managing their assets, how can retirees protect themselves against the possibility of diminished capacity dueClick here to listen to the podcast!

Sunday, January 1st, 2023

January 2023: Episode 4 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth features David Scharf, president-elect, Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA)

A Note from Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: David Scharf, president-elect, Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA) Today’s topic: The important role of a practicing actuary Petes asks David: What is the Conference of Consulting Actuaries? What role does it play as an organization whose members are consultingClick here to listen to the podcast!

Thursday, December 1st, 2022

December 2022: Join us for Episode 3 of Money Mountaineering with Peter Neuwirth: Meet our guest — Mary Jo Lafaye, a licensed Home Equity Retirement Income (HECM) specialist with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage

A Note from Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, financial experts help us answer the question: What’s your future worth? Meet our guest: Mary Jo Lafaye, a licensed Home Equity Retirement Income (HECM) Specialist with Mutual of Omaha Mortgage Today’s Topic: The practicalities of getting a reverse mortgage, the real-life considerations that individuals and couples need to make when deciding to get one, the challengesClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, November 1st, 2022

November 2022: Join us for this month’s episode of Money Mountaineering with Actuary Peter Neuwirth — Meet our guest Barry H. Sacks, PhD, JD, Reverse Mortgage/Retirement Portfolio Longevity Expert

November 2022: A Note from Actuary Peter Neuwirth — I invite you to tune in for this month’s episode of my podcast and video show, Money Mountaineering, where for 30 minutes, we learn from experts how to plan for your best financial future. Today’s Topic: From reverse mortgages to leaving a legacy, learn how to generate lifetime income Meet today’s guest: Barry H. Sacks Ph.D. earned his Ph.D. in semiconductor physics from M.I.T., then taught at U.C. Berkeley. He earned a J.D. fromClick here to listen to the podcast!

Saturday, October 1st, 2022

October 2022: Let’s Go Money Mountaineering with Actuary and Author Peter Neuwirth — Welcome to Pete’s Podcast!

October 2022: A Note from Hope Katz Gibbs, producer, Inkandescent Radio — Hello and welcome to our first episode of a new show on the Inkandescent Radio network — Money Mountaineering with actuary Peter Neuwirth, FSA, FCA — entitled What’s Your Future Worth? I’m Hope Katz Gibbs, producer of the podcast network InkandescentRadio.com, and I am thrilled to be here today with Pete! About Pete: After graduating from Harvard College in 1979 with a degree in Mathematics and Linguistics, Pete wentClick here to listen to the podcast!

Friday, January 21st, 2022

Episode 49: Margaritas with Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro — Meet Peter Neuwirth, author of Money Mountaineering and What’s Your Future Worth

A Note from Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro — I invite you to tune in for this week’s episode of my podcast and video show, Margaritas with Marguerita, where for 15 minutes each Friday at 5 pm EST, women learn from industry experts how to flex their financial muscles live on Facebook. Meet our guest: Peter Neuwirth, author, Money Mountaineering: Using the Principles of Holistic Financial Wellness to Thrive in a Complex World and What’s Your Future Worth: Using Present Value to Make Better DecisionsClick here to listen to the podcast!