Request a free, friendly, no-obligation annuity quote and suitability consultation from a local agent. * First Name: * Last Name: * Address: * Zip Code:(5-digit US zip code) * Email: * Phone: * Birth Date:Month010203040506070809101112Day01020304050607080910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Investment Money Available: * -- Select --under $10,000$10,000 to $19,999$20,000 to $49,999$50,000 to $74,999$75,000 to $99,999$100,000 + Household Income: * -- Select --0 - $35,000$35,001-50,000$50,001-$75,000$75,000-$100,000$100,000+ Marital Status: * -- Select --SingleMarriedDivorcedWidowed Which of the following do you own? Money Market Savings Account Certificate of Deposit Annuities Mutual Fund Stocks Bonds Life Insurance Among your retirement priorities, which of the following are most important to you? Growth Income Safety of Principal Yield Liquidity Estate Planning

Tips on Organizing and Managing Your Financial and Estate Planning Team

Estate planning and financial planning can at times be overwhelming. Many individuals are daunted by the complexity of putting together a team of advisors and consultants to help them plan for the future.  Because no one person is an expert in every aspect of planning for your financial future, it is essential to work with a team of individuals who are versed in investments, taxes, insurance, and accounting as well as in planning for education, retirement and business success.  Ensuring that you have assembled an effective team means that your hard work is protected with as little frustration as possible; you will have available to you the expertise necessary to craft your estate, care for your estate and pass your estate on to your heirs. 

Not every situation requires the need for a full team and often just putting together a few parts can be enough to start the process.  You should consider your personal situation and how it currently relates to your goals. When considering using advisors make certain they are necessary for your current plan.

Some team members to consider including are:

A Financial Planner creates the roadmap that will guide your interactions with all other team members.  A financial planner is terrifically useful as he or she will be specialized in seeing the whole picture and making certain your financial goals work together to maximize your assets. Many Financial Planners also provide product.  If you elect this option make sure you are fully aware of the compensation the financial planner may receive on his or her recommendations.  There are financial planners who only plan and do not provide product. Make certain you are aware of your options.

A Life Insurance Agent can be key to choosing the right policy for your life!  Because life insurance policies are offered in so many different configurations, it is important to choose a policy that provides you comfort in terms of strength of the company offering the policy, the terms of the policy and the amount of the policy.  Life insurance agents are compensated absed on the amount of premium and the type of policy issued.  Make certain you fully understand the contact being considered.

A Property and Casualty Agent can create the capacity to protect your physical assets.  Loss or damage can be mitigated if you have chosen a sound policy for your situation.  Often times it is intelligent to ask for multiple bids on any specific asset to be insured. 

A Health and Disability Specialist is an essential component of your team as you are planning for your future.  The three most common components of a productive plan with regards to your health and disability are: insurance that protects you should disability keep you from working for a period of time, insurance that pays for needed medical care, and insurance that long term medical care in the case of severe health problems or disability. 

An Investment Specialist provides you with ease in the face of an almost overwhelming array of investment choices.  Because each investment creates different risks and brings different benefits, it is important to have professional guidance in choosing the best options for your purposes.  The financial planner can also be the investment specialist.

A Tax Specialist will make certain your money is working for you to the greatest extent possible.  An effective handling of tax issues can make a great difference in how effective your financial plans play out.  Proper tax planning is essential in any estate or financial plan, make certain you fully understand what future tax liabilities might be assumed.

An Estate Planning Attorney can not only draft a basic will, he or she can also provide guidance on the intricacies of estate planning.  This expertise can save you and your heirs much grief and a great deal of money in taxes, probate fees and administrative costs.

A Trust Administrator should be part of your estate planning if you have chosen a bank or trust company to be the executor of your will or the trustee of your trust.  If children, a disabled family member or an elderly family member is in need of someone to assist them with their finances, a trust administrator is generally used.  Make certain you fully understand the fees and expenses before entering into any trust management agreement

A Planned-Giving Specialist can help you find ways to get the most from supporting charitable institutions as part of your estate.  Lifetime gifts and/or bequests benefit not only the work of the charities you support, but also your heirs.

Of course the most important member of your financial team is you; the other members of the team are there to give you guidance based on expertise, but you will be the one who makes the decisions after careful review of all recommendations.  Choosing your team now can mean creating a stable estate that sees you safely through the future and allows you to leave a healthy estate to your loved ones.