5 GOOD REASONS TO CONSIDER WEALTH ENHANCEMENT PLANNING
1. MANAGING YOUR FINANCES
It has been our experience that many busy people, no matter how well educated or financially sophisticated, don’t have the time or inclination to effectively manage their own financial affairs.
To prepare a financial plan with the same attention to detail as that of a professional advisor would just take too much time away from your personal life, occupation, business or civic responsibilities.
If your financial situation is being monitored by a financial advisor, you can work with them to put your “financial house” is in order. Your time and attention can be focused on effective management of your business and pursuing your personal interests.
2. CONFIRMING THAT FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES ARE BEING ADDRESSED
Many people have several advisors who provide advice only within their own area of expertise. For example, the broker may be knowledgeable when if comes to selecting stocks and bonds, but without access to information concerning your total financial situation may not be able to provide the proper advice with respect to how to register those assets for estate planning purposes.
Your accountant may be doing an excellent job of tax preparation, but may not be able to help you re-position assets to reduce the following year’s taxes.
A professional financial advisor is certainly not intended to replace any of your existing advisors. However, by evaluating your total financial situation, they can coordinate strategies that do not interfere with any of your stated goals and objectives. By focusing on the whole, rather than on a part, this advisor can make recommendations that are consistent with your long-term financial strategy.
3. MONITORING YOUR IMPLEMENTATION
A financial plan that is not implemented becomes merely an educational experience. Your stated goals and objectives can never be met without putting the plan into action. Follow-through is critical!
A financial advisor will ensure that all phases of your plan are properly implemented by your selected agents, not only in terms of the types and categories of investments, but with respect to estate, tax, and retirement planning. All areas of risk assessment are important. Any area if overlooked could wipe out the rewards of years of work and saving.
4. REVIEWING FREQUENTLY TO REMAIN ON SCHEDULE
Your planning is a dynamic process and should be reviewed on a continuing basis to verify that your goals are being addressed and that you are remaining on your financial schedule. Since “nothing is as constant as change itself” your goals, attitudes toward financial risks and family circumstances will change.
Even if we as individuals were to remain the same, the financial world around us changes so frequently that constant monitoring is a necessary part of the planning process. The political, tax, legislative and economic changes increase in frequency.
The on-going review and reporting also holds the planning firm accountable to you—the client. Quarterly reviews also ensure that any necessary adjustments are made before it is too late.
5. PROVIDING EDUCATION
Many people have expressed the sentiment that the planning process has made them much more comfortable with their financial situations—their financial questions and concerns have been resolved.
Dealing with a financial advisor will give you the confidence in knowing that your financial situations are being handled by a full-time professional who is dedicated to your financial needs and who is in constant pursuit of your goals.
PLANNING PROCESS OBJECTIVE
- Review of your Objectives and Risk / Reward Attitudes: Short term, medium range and long term goals as well as perceptions of risks and expected rewards
- Asset Structure: Review of current holdings, present value, cost basis, growth and expected purchases
- Liabilities: Present and anticipated debt obligations
- Income Tax Analysis: Projections for ten years, with review of personal tax returns for last two years
- Cash Flow Management: Projections for ten years, determine effective use of anticipated surplus, managing deficits
- Investment Review: Analysis and recommendations
- Insurance Review: Analysis and recommendations
- Employee Benefits: Review and recommendations co-ordinate with personal assets and spousal plans
- Disability Income: Analysis and recommendations ten year projections of taxes, cash flow and net worth
- Estate Distribution: Costs and taxation analysis methods of reducing probate costs and estate duties
- Capital Needs and Survivor Income Analysis: Analysis and recommendations
- Retirement Income: Analysis and recommendations inflation, qualified plans and increasing net cash flow
- Financial Organizer File: For all documents, policy records
- Income Tax Organizer File: Used each year to accumulate and store vital records to support tax returns
- Master Implementation Checklist: To monitor your financial progress and be aware of advisor performance
- Periodic Review Sessions: Verify progress evaluation of investments, benefit plans and document completion