Planning For You

Are you a Planning Client?

Goals

• To clarify, simplify, and organize their financial life: They see the value in partnering with experienced Advisors to take a holistic approach to defining goals, analyzing options, making informed decisions, and implementing strategies to achieve their financial goals.
• To address their questions, reduce financial worries, and decrease complexity so that they can focus on what matters most in life.

Services

• Planning Clients work with us to design and implement an integrated financial plan covering selected aspects of their financial life, which can include:
  • Building, protecting and distributing wealth
  • Portfolio construction
  • Asset allocation
  • Estate planning
  • Life insurance
  • College funding
  • Retirement planning
  • Executive compensation
• Planning Clients partner with us, initially and over time, to manage and maintain their financial plan through ongoing communication and collaboration that reflects changes in their life, planning strategies, the laws and the investment markets.

Are you an Investor Client?

Goals

• To seek professional knowledge, expertise and support to align their investment strategy with their financial goals.
• To partner with experienced advisors to design, implement, and manage their investments, allowing them to stay invested whether the market is up or down.
• To accomplish investment objectives while freeing up valued personal time.

Services

• Investor Clients design and implement an investment strategy appropriate to their situation, risk tolerance and goals.
• Investor clients receive ongoing investment guidance and service, which can include:
  • Investment goals
  • Risk tolerance
  • Investment strategy
  • Investment research
  • Investment analysis
  • Investment selection
• Investor Clients receive support and communication as it relates to investment management.
• Important to this process is a qualitative discussion regarding client risk parameters. We follow a regular cycle to implement and monitor client investments.

Are you Ready for Retirement?

One of the most common questions we get from our clients is “How will we know when we are ready to retire?” We’ve put together a list to help clients identify what they need to think about so that they are comfortable making the transition.

See how many of the following you can say “yes” to:

• I know and have openly discussed when I would like to retire and what that looks like for me.
• I have identified the top three priorities I’d like to focus on in the first three years of retirement.
• My values are aligned with my spending habits and where I devote my time.
• I have a financial plan in place that takes into consideration my retirement income needs, inflation, budgeting, spending, a longer life and future expenses.
• I can easily see if I’m on track toward my goals and have help if adjustments need to be made to the plan.
• I am comfortable with the risk level associated with my investments, and I evaluate my tolerance annually.
• My financial life is consolidated, organized and disclosed to trusted sources.
• I have thought about the amount of money I would like to leave behind to my heirs and/or charities.
• I have a Power of Attorney and Will that are up to date.
• I have an emergency fund for unexpected life events.
• I understand how taxes will impact my retirement income and spending.
• I understand my Social Security benefits and when to start taking them.
• I understand my Medicare benefits and how to maximize them.
• I have calculated my projected medical care and/or long-term care costs.
• I have identified the activities I will find fulfilling in retirement and can access them.
• I am ready for this next chapter of my life.

When to Contact us

You would be surprised how often clients experience financial, personal, or life changes and don’t think to contact their financial advisor. It is a good idea to get in touch, especially before big financial decisions or in situations like these:

• Personal or life changes
  • Marriage
  • Divorce
  • Birth or death in the family
  • Major illness
  • Lawsuit
• Financial changes
  • Inheritance
  • Significant debt repayment that may free up cash
  • Work-related bonuses or stock options
  • Buying or selling a primary residence, vacation, or rental property
  • Other major purchases
• Business changes
  • Purchase or sale of a business
  • Other business related or large-flow expense
  • Adding or updating employee benefits
  • Business Succession
• Estate Planning Issues
  • Long-term care insurance
  • Asset transfer
  • Generational planning
  • Estate taxes
  • Charitable giving
  • Creating or updating a trust

Preparing to Work with us

Being a well-prepared client: How to get the most value out of your advisor relationship.

Here are some practical questions to consider as you begin your new relationship with us:

• What services do you provide?
• What can I expect from you?
• How often will we meet?
• When will you contact me?
• How are you compensated?
• How often do we review my portfolio and its performance?
• How often do we review the progress toward achieving my goals?

The financial advisor-client relationship can be similar to the doctor-patient relationship. Success in both is based on mutual respect, honesty, and trust.

Before we meet, think carefully about the nature of the discussion and what you wish to accomplish. Prepare any questions you have in advance. During the meeting, take notes and ask questions until you are comfortable with a concept or suggestion. However, don't feel compelled to reach decisions right away. We encourage you to discuss your questions and concerns with us before making a decision.

Remember: our job is to look out for your best interests and help you achieve your financial goals. Establishing a mutually open, honest relationship is an important step in realizing those goals.