When searching for a financial advisor, you might notice the alphabet soup following their names. There are over 100 certifications available to financial professionals, all with different meanings and specializations. But among the most distinguished is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional, or CFP®. There are several reasons why it is considered such an important designation, and one you should look for in your financial planner. Reason 1: Education, Experience, and Credibility The CFP® designation, offered by the CFP Board, is significant because it requires an impressive amount of study, experience, and preparation. It takes from nine months to two years of study, and that’s after earning a bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of working as a financial professional. A candidate is then required to sit for a rigorous test that covers many different areas of financial planning. Reason 2: the CFP® Indicates a Holistic Approach Training and experience for a CFP® don’t end at financial planning. While they receive rigorous experience and training in financial planning, a CFP® also receives education and experience on a wide range of related topics, such as risk management and insurance planning, investment planning, tax planning, and estate planning. This comprehensive experience helps a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ Professional to be a sounding board for clients and helps to consider th
Annuities have been in insurance agents' and financial advisors’ toolkits for decades. It’s a product designed to provide a steady income stream for retirees. It’s no secret that annuities have been a popular option, but are they always the best investment choice? Here’s the rundown of the pros and cons of annuities. Let’s see if they could be suitable for your financial strategy. Firstly, it's crucial to understand that every financial strategy has its place, including annuities. Many people value the relative financial security annuities can provide. However, annuities come with several drawbacks. One major issue is the lack of liquidity – meaning once you invest money in an annuity, you are often limited as to how and when you can get it out. At the very least, they’ll likely have a surrender charge. Some have even more limitations – like how much they can withdraw each year! Often, these products aren’t fully explained at the time of purchase, leading to confusion and frustration down the road. By the time you encounter an issue, the original salesperson may no longer be available to assist, leaving you to navigate the complexities on your own. So, there can be many challenges annuities offer, but how would investors know? Annuity companies are required to report all details to a third-party service. We can access these tools and provide you with a no-obligation annuity intelligence report. Thi