Knowing When You are Financially Vulnerable

Its hunting season out there, and unfortunately, youre the target! The financial services industry is on the hunt for your account and they know when you are most likely to take their bait. Knowing when you are most vulnerable is the first step in keeping you and your nest egg from being snared. "Guarding Your Wealth" is a nationally syndicated weekly personal finance column written by Jeffrey D. Voudrie, CFP. Please visit our website, www.guardingyourwealth.com to read past articles in our archive.

(PRWEB) March 7, 2005 -- Its hunting season out there, and unfortunately, youre the target! The financial services industry is on the hunt for your account and they know when you are most likely to take their bait. Knowing when you are most vulnerable is the first step in keeping you and your nest egg from being snared.

First, you are vulnerable to financial advisors when you retire and get the biggest check of your life. Suddenly youre faced with the most important financial decision of your life. Nothing less than the security of your golden years is at stake. Your quality of life for decades will be determined by the advisor you choose and the investments you make.

Advisors know how emotionally difficult this time in your life can be. They also know its a once-in-your-lifetime chance to get their hands on $250,000, $500,000, $1 million or more. Commission-based advisors, depending on the investments they recommend, can 'earn between $25,000 and $50,000 by simply convincing you to invest $500,000. Now you know why they are so serious about their hunting!

Advisors are taught there are only two ways to motivate investors to take action: fear and greed. And with those nearing or in retirement, fear is used. Theyll try to convince you that unless you buy their hot new annuity, you could lose tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars and that unless you buy from them, you wont have enough income to make it through your golden years.

Retirees can feel surrounded by countless advisors, each wanting to bag your hard-earned savings. Many retirees have the mistaken impression that the advisors they talk to have the retirees best interest at heart. They dont realize the tremendous, hidden conflicts of interest in the advisor's recommendation. In all of the confusion, its easy for an investor to be overwhelmed and make a choice they will live to regret. I dont want this to happen to you!

The number one mistake retirees make is buying a high-commission annuity product. You dont see the commission, what you do face are years and years of surrender penalties that can result in you getting back less than you invested. The advisor makes money regardless of whether you do and you are left holding the bag. And forget about service after the sale-the advisor will have moved on to bag the next trophy.

Secondly, youre most vulnerable when those long surrender charges or back-end loads expire. Thats when your money is up for grabs again. And Once again, here come the hunters. They wont help you manage your money but they are meticulous about keeping track of when it is up for grabs.

Advisors will bait you by explaining how it will be so much better than your existing one, but it is all just an attempt to get the sale. If your existing penalty-free investment isnt meeting your needs, why step right back into the frying pan by allowing yourself to be talked into moving that money to a different high-commission annuity product? Dont take their bait.

Third, you are vulnerable any time your money can be easily transferred to a new investment. The commission advisors make taking clients from other advisors is second only to the money they make bagging a retirement distribution. They are trained to make your existing investments look bad so they can motivate you to make a change.

This is one reason why advisors sell products like annuities where they, in effect, get paid 7-10 years worth of commission up-front. They have the option of only receiving 1% per year (then the client doesnt have any surrender penalties), but what happens if another advisor steals you away? Instead, they take the 6%-10% up-front commission option. That way, they arent financially at risk if you choose another advisor. Any time an advisor is recommending an investment with a surrender penalty, they are looking after their interests, not yours.

Remember, commission-based brokers make the bulk of their money bagging new money or reinvesting old money. Their working hours are spent uncovering the three times you are financially most vulnerable.

So dont be taken in by slick seminars, high-pressure sales pitches and fear tactics. If youre nearing or just entering retirement, have money coming due or surrender penalties ending, or you have investments that can be moved without fees, be aware. The hunters are lurking, but you dont have to become their prey.

If you would like free, clear, unbiased advice send your questions to jeff@guardingyourwealth.com today, youll be glad you did.

Mr. Voudrie is the President of Legacy Planning Group, a private wealth management firm that employs sophisticated proprietary strategies designed to protect and grow its clients' investments. He can be reached toll-free at 1-877-827-1463 or at jeff@guardingyourwealth.com.

Looking for an energetic expert who is passionate about financial and wealth management? Mr. Voudrie is an excellent speaker who will excite and inspire your audience. Mr. Voudrie is available for a limited number of speaking engagements, television appearances and radio talk shows.

For booking information, contact Christine Lavender at (877) 827-1463 or email christine@guardingyourwealth.com.

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