Are You Still Managing Your Own Investment Portfolio?

Many people have elected to manage their own investment portfolios and that’s fine but during critical times like these they can take the advice of a professional to get advice and assistance from. Many financial advisors who are qualified and licensed to help you with your securities portfolios do not charge fees to manage money or give advice.

We work with many of these advisors and can connect you with one today. Talk to them about your portfolio share, your current circumstances, your needs and your goals in life.

Expect Minimal Negative Effects When Your Portfolio is Properly Balanced

If your portfolio was properly balanced and balanced sufficiently, you should have seen minimal negative effects considering the 12-year bull market run. Many clients have seen exponential growth on their portfolios, representing the majority of its value, purely because of the unsustainable growth we have seen during the last decade. This has placed their portfolio at a greater risk of a decline in value as we’ve seen and continue to see today.

Don’t continue to make the same mistakes year after year. A licensed professional can help you make the right decision and their services can be free. You have no obligation to work with them and they’re happy to help. We can connect you with one that meets our firm’s criteria. It is your choice to continue to work with them or if you’d like we can always recommend another financial advisor to get a second opinion. When you are ready to connect with an advisor click here to start the process.

Your name and information will only be shared with one financial advisor. Your advisor will notify you in advance of who they are so you’ll be well aware of the contact you’ll be receiving. We ask that you place their phone number in your telephone log so you’ll know when they’re calling.

Understanding How Financial Advisors Are Paid is Important

Fees for financial planning are not always charged by advisors. Many will provide their services free to you and would then be paid a commission from any product you may purchase. They are still obligated under the Best Interests Rule to place your needs ahead of their own. This “The Best Interest Rule” was recently passed and will take affect this summer of 2020.

We suggest that you ask your advisor how they are paid, what commissions they may receive, what their planning fees are and if there are any ongoing fees they may charge you monthly for oversight or management.

Outside Advice

When moving money to tax qualified investments outside of your retirement plan you can choose a financial advisor that works only for you, understands your individual goals, needs and may take on the capacity of a fiduciary overseeing your investments in your best interests. Often your employer’s retirement plan counselor is limited to offering any investing or investment advice leaving you with the job of doing it yourself and you may not be comfortable with that option.

Movement of Money Strategy

TSP and retirement plans available to employees are typically long term and dollar cost averaging growth investing. Once you retire your strategy will need to change form growth to income. To make this change in one movement of money at one time is not always the best choice. Having an outside plan now, while you are still working, will allow you the opportunity to slowly transfer your growth strategy into an income strategy so by the time you do retire you can ease into a stream of income that may better meet your needs.

It’s Easy To Move Your Money From Your Plan

Provided you are age 59 ½ or older you may be allowed an in service retirement funds transfer. This will allow you to transfer all or a portion of your retirement plan funds to an outside retirement plans self directed IRA allowing you to take advantage of selecting an annuity to other qualifying alternative investments for your funds today. Many plans offer the ability to phone in your request to transfer money to a new custodian for a tax qualified IRA account. Sometimes its simple paperwork and your financial advisor should be familiar with each of the processes and walk you through them.

You can learn more about the types of annuities that are available by visiting the annuity selection tab on our website.

Diversify Your Portfolio

You can transfer a portion of your TSP to outside tax qualified programs as well. Many investors do not want all of their retirement managed by one source or having a limited number of choices.

1. Safety

Safety is a great concern for everyone especially with stock market volatility and knowing you have purposely moved money to a safe or even guaranteed investment can make your retirement less worrisome.

2. Outside Advice

When moving money to tax qualified investments outside of your retirement plan you can choose a financial advisor that works for you and understands your individual needs, this person may take on the capacity of a fiduciary overseeing your investments in your best interests.

3. Income

Retirement plans available to employees are typically a tool for long term growth investing. Once you retire your strategy will need to change form growth to income especially when you reach age 72 and begin Required Minimum Distributions. This was recently changed from age 70 1/2.

4. Safe & Planned Movements of Money

To make any changes in one large lump sum movement of money at one time is not always the best choice. Having an outside plan now, while you are still working, will allow you the opportunity to slowly convert your growth strategy into an income strategy so by the time you do retire you can ease into a stream of income that may better meet your needs.

5. Your In-Service Withdrawal Booklet – Download Here

Please visit your TSP website at www.TSP.gov to learn more.

The booklet will explain all of your in service withdrawal options. Your financial advisor will be able to assist you in making the correct withdrawal option for your needs. If you are looking to Transfer your TSP partially or completely your financial advisor will be able to explain the various Tax qualified, IRA investment options to reinvest your money or create a stream of income now or later in life when you want it.

How To Get Started

Getting started is easy. Just fill out our short form to start the process and be on your way to a stable financial future.

General Resources

TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS STEADY RETIREMENT INCOME