Scott welcomed Ruth Raftery in the studio for a discussion about the importance of education in estate and tax planning, the role of financial advisors in collaborating with estate planning attorneys, and shares insights on effective tax planning strategies.

Ruth Raftery, JD, CPA, AEP® is a licensed attorney and a Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience. As President and co-founder of Advanced Planning Educational Group (APEG), Ruth is responsible for creating and executing the design and strategic direction of APEG’s mission to support the needs of professionals who participate in the holistic planning process. In addition to her role with APEG, Ruth also serves as a Senior Advisor to AltaView Advisors, LLC a business valuation firm with offices in Orange County, San Francisco, Dallas, and New York, and is an instructor at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where she teaches Income Tax in the post-graduate certification program.

Ruth has developed and taught various Estate, Gift, Trust, and Tax courses throughout her career. She is past President of the Estate Planning Council of New York City, past Chair of the Estate Planning Committee of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and is an Accredited Estate Planner designee™ awarded by the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils. Ruth received her undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Scranton and her Law Degree from Temple University School of Law. She and her husband Brian live in Westfield, NJ. She and Brian have three college-aged daughters – Brigid, Megan, and Erin.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. The importance of building relationships with attorneys and accountants for financial advisors to effectively incorporate estate and tax planning into their practices.
2. The critical role that financial advisors play in educating clients about estate planning without crossing into legal advice.
3. Innovative strategies, such as leveraging Roth conversions not just for tax benefits, but also for strategic financial planning, such as funding life insurance policies.
4. The unique dynamics of female advisor conferences and the importance of fostering intimate, supportive environments for women in the financial industry. Ruth shares insights into how these settings can encourage authenticity and collaboration, ultimately supporting the growth and success of female financial advisors.

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Steve Prew to the virtual studio for this week’s episode where they discuss discussing the evolution of financial advising, the importance of lifelong learning, and how The American College is adapting its educational offerings to meet the changing needs of both advisors and the financial industry at large.

Steve Prew is the Vice President and National Sales Manager at The American College of Financial Services. In his current role, Steve leads a dynamic sales team focused on exploring, developing, and managing institutional relationships within both the insurance and investment sectors of the industry.

Before joining The American College, Steve held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility, including retail advisor, internal and external wholesaler, key accounts manager, and national sales manager. These experiences have provided him with a well-rounded understanding of the financial services landscape.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Steve holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and an MBA with a focus in Strategic Management from Regis University. He currently resides in Highlands Ranch, CO with his wife, Katie. In his free time, Steve enjoys outdoor activities such as golfing, cycling, and bowhunting.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. How The American College of Financial Services focuses on lifelong learning and the evolving landscape of financial services education.
2. The importance of continuous education in financial services, emphasizing the American College's role in providing specialized designations like the Tax Planning Certified Professional and Wealth Management Certified Professional.
3. The changing dynamics in the financial advisory industry, including the integration of insurance and investments, the recruitment of younger advisors, and the shift away from traditional four-year college degrees.
4. The American College's innovative approaches to education delivery, such as their Personal Pathway model and Knowledge Hub, which offer interactive, accessible, and comprehensive learning experiences for financial professionals.

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott was joined by Walter Young in the virtual studio for a discussion on retirement income strategies, focusing on Young's book "The Fifth Option," which explores innovative approaches to retirement planning that go beyond traditional methods, such as utilizing actuarial science and investments to create a predictable and efficient income stream.

Walter C. Young ,MBA, RICP, is a dynamic financial expert, national speaker, Industry panelist and Amazon best-selling author of The 5Th Option. Walter helps his audiences learn about the challenges retirees face in a modern economic environment and post pension society. His blend of stories, humor and financial planning theory keeps audiences entertained while learning the very latest academic research in retirement income planning. He earns rave reviews and guests often stay long after his presentation has ended to continue conversations.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Walter has become a thought leader in economic-based financial planning theory, helping clients develop strategies to achieve their retirement goals.

Walter holds the prestigious Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation from the American College of Financial Services and a Master's in Business from Seattle University and is a member of the exclusive Forum 400.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. The "Fifth Option" in retirement planning, which challenges traditional financial planning strategies by integrating actuarial science and investments to recreate the stability once provided by pensions and Social Security.
2. The shortcomings of the traditional three-legged stool of retirement (pension, Social Security, and personal savings) and emphasizes the importance of creating a sustainable cash flow strategy, especially in the absence of pensions.
3. The "Beat the Bear" strategy, which involves using non-correlated assets like cash value life insurance to protect against market downturns, and the "Bucket Strategy," which segments assets into now, soon, and later buckets to manage risk and income flow over time.
4. The need for individuals to rethink retirement planning by focusing on creating predictable, risk-managed income streams using innovative financial products and strategies, aiming for a more efficient and confident retirement experience.

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For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here
For more on The 5th Option and to purchase the book click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Roger Cantu, Regional Sales Director at One America, in studio for a discussion on the importance of long-term care planning for the aging population, highlighting the financial and familial impacts of unaddressed chronic health care expenses and advocating for advisors to proactively include long-term care solutions in their client discussions.

Roger works with insurance professionals sharing his decades-long experience with One America’s Care Solutions plans. He provides case design strategies, proven sales presentation as well as marketing resources to grow and enhance an individual insurance business or a financial planning practice. For over 34 years, Roger has worked exclusively with the Care Solutions. 15 years under the original company Golden Rule Insurance, and the last 16 under OneAmerica. A resident of Plano, Texas, Roger is married with four adult children and six grandchildren.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. The "Silver Tsunami," referring to the wave of aging baby boomers and the significant long-term care needs they will soon face as they approach ages where such care becomes more common.
2. The inadequacy of Medicare in covering long-term care expenses, which are significant and not commonly planned for by individuals.
3. The importance of advisors actively discussing long-term care planning with clients is stressed, as many advisors currently avoid or inadequately address the issue.
4. The challenges and opportunities presented by state-level initiatives, such as the Washington state law mandating long-term care coverage, which could influence broader adoption of long-term care insurance and planning.

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For more on One America click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Travis Ivanoff to the studio along with Nick Bernatowicz for a discussion on seminar marketing and Ivanoff Advisors.

Travis has been licensed in the insurance industry for over 16 years. Following in his father’s footsteps, Travis grew up in the retirement planning industry learning his father's best practices. These years proved to him the importance of client relationships.

Travis believes in taking the time to make sure his clients understand the investment subjects before them and which options provide the best fit for their retirement plan. His investment philosophy stresses that it’s not what you make, but what you keep, promoting a safety-first approach with various strategies for growth. Travis founded Ivanoff Wealth Management Inc. to provide clients with a deeper understanding of investment strategies.

Travis resides in Cypress, California with his wife and three daughters. He is the vice president and development director for Pacific Coast Youth Foundation, a nonprofit for at-risk youth in Orange County that began as a memorial to his cousin Ernie. In his free time Travis enjoys snowboarding, surfing, camping, fishing, and golfing.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. Travis’s background and the evolution of his family's advisory practice.
2. The importance of consistency and adaptability in conducting successful seminars for client acquisition.
3. Long-term care planning is a critical component of holistic financial advising.
4. The importance of time management, hiring strategically to scale a business, and balancing professional success with personal life priorities.

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Connect with Travis on LinkedIn

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For more on Ivanoff Advisors click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Blayne Andersen in studio for a discussion his firm's expansion and strategic approach to financial planning, tax-smart investment strategies, and client relations across multiple states, emphasizing the importance of technology and collaboration with CPAs.

Blayne Andersen, CFP® is the President and Chief Investment Officer of Bander Wealth Management and a Registered Financial Advisor with the NFLPA. With well over a decade of experience in capital markets, he has experience offering best in-class securities and advanced retirement planning strategies to include alternative investments such as real estate, oil and gas, along with structured notes, private equity and venture placements. His commitment to help clients achieve generational-changing wealth is only matched by his fiduciary responsibilities of operating with uncompromising integrity and fidelity to do what is best for our clients and their families.

In this episode you will learn the following:

• Strategic Growth Through Acquisitions and Partnerships
• Emphasis on Client-Centric Communication
• Operational Efficiency and Technology Utilization
• Balancing Professional and Personal Life

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Connect with Blayne on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here
For more on Bander Wealth Management click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott welcomed Nick Bernatowicz in studio to discuss finances, annuities, and wellness.

Nick started his insurance career in 2015, dedicating his time to assisting insurance and Financial Advisors and their Clients within the three facets of Protective Portfolio Planning – annuities, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. Nick took his passion for coaching and transitioned it from the fitness world to the insurance and financial world, quickly becoming a resource for advisors throughout the country.
Nick is currently an Insurance Planning Director at Optimized Insurance Planning, a wholesale insurance planning and marketing organization. Over the 8+ years of experience in the industry, Nick has become an expert in Long-Term Care planning, portfolio distribution and protection strategies, as well as legacy planning. Nick has a passion for partnering directly with Financial Professionals and providing them with direct, back-office support to help plan, protect, and enhance their practices. Nick is an active member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). He maintains the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professional) designation through the American College and the CLTC (Certification for Long-Term Care) designation.

Nick is very active; exercise and wellness are a big part of his day. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, wine tasting, and spending time with his wife, Britne, and daughter, Kylie. Nick currently lives in Texas.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. Key industry trends: strong performance of annuities, particularly due to favorable interest rates, and the importance of guaranteed renewal rates in providing client security.
2. The opportunity for replacing older life insurance and annuity contracts to provide better benefits, such as enhanced long-term care and guaranteed income solutions.
3. Maintaining fitness routines through colder months, recommending consistent exercise.
4. Optimal pre- and post-workout nutrition.

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Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

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For more on Optimized Insurance Planning click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning

Scott Heinila welcomed Sean Humeston to the studio to discuss Sean's unconventional journey from a punk rock band musician to a successful career in the insurance industry. The conversation highlights Sean's innovative approach to marketing annuities, including leveraging newspaper ads and community papers, as well as his experiences with seminars and events.

Sean Humeston was born and raised in Orange County, California where he began his career as a musician in a rock band in 1996 through 2003. During that time, he completed 14 national tours and played in several groups sharing his talents. Sean played bass guitar in these bands, but more importantly he played a huge role in the financial success of these groups. From budgeting to promotion, he developed a passion for finance. Sean then decided to make a shift in his trade and became a licensed retirement planner in 2001, where he specialized in working with school teachers. In 2008, he started Shoreline Financial Services LLC. After 23 years in the financial industry, his areas of expertise have now broadened to include estate and retirement planning, personal budgeting, wealth transfer as well as insurance and income planning. Sean is a proud member of the Better Business Bureau, National Ethics Association and the Institute of Financial Wellness.

Sean now resides in Queen Creek, Arizona. Outside of the office, he loves traveling and spending time with his wife and children. He still has maintained his passion for music over the years and actively plays the piano, guitar and bass.

In this episode you will learn the following:

1. How Sean transitioned from being a bass player in a punk rock band to being a financial advisor.
2. The Shoreline Financial success story
3. The short-term annuity business model to continually engage with clients
4. Advertising in the right markets through newspapers and client seminars creates success.

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Connect with Sean on LinkedIn

For more on The Optimized Advisor Podcast click here
For more on Shoreline AZ click here

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This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at optimizedadvisor@optimizedins.com

Optimized Insurance Planning