The "A" Word: What Are Annuities?

The “A” Word: What Are Annuities? One of the most misunderstood investment vehicles are Annuities. A common statement I hear is: “I don’t like annuities” or “Annuities aren’t good investments.” I’m a firm believer that there is a time, place, and person for almost every investment, and most of these objections are based on people’s…

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D.R.O.P. — A benefit to everyone

One of the most unique things that Florida pensioners have is the Deferred Retirement Option Program (aka DROP). We’re going to discuss how D.R.O.P. works and how it’s a benefit for public employees, tax payers, the economy, and the pension plan.   How DROP Works The average DROP Accrual balance is $146,039 as of September…

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5 Needs of Money

5 Needs in Retirement       In 2009, I had a full day of appointments with people getting ready to retire from a local school board. My approach to my clients is simple, I ask questions. One of the questions I’ve always asked is, “What do you need from your investments?” On this day,…

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FRS Investment Plan / Lump Sum Option

In addition to the 4 monthly pension options available at retirement, the Florida Retirement System offers an additional lump sum option called The Investment Plan. The Investment Plan gives you a lump sum payout from the FRS instead of receiving a monthly pension amount. Like almost any choice we make, there are advantages and disadvantages…

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The Importance of Questions

The Importance of Questions   In the financial industry, companies are always trying to set themselves apart. They pride themselves on the best algorithms, the best retirement software, the best website logins, etc. And while these tools help with investment advising, they’re missing the point of why their clients are there to see them.  …

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