What we do well.

1. The Retirement Plan Cake. While most focus on the first layer of the cake, 401k, there are actually 3 layers, the Profit-Sharing plan and Cash Balance plan. Each layer has opportunties for small business owners that are not widely understood by the industry. Our team speaks nationally on the topic.

2. Insurance.

Not what many get excited about in the morning, but the living benefits are not well understood. Did you know that an insurance company can fund thousands per year into whole life if your bump in the road is permanant total disability? So much more in this area. Leonard speaks nationally on the topic at conferences and has edited exam study materials.

3. Financial Planning

A financial plan reveals what you need to know regarding your "on track for retirement" status. Many take more risk in the stock markets because they don't know they are on track for retirement. Having a financial plan helps to deliver peace of mind when the stock market drops 50% or bond interest rates rise. Different options and opportunities are modeled and reviewed every quarter. And yes, lives change quarter by quarter. Sometimes quite a bit, sometimes not so much. Leonard Speaks nationally on the topic.

4. Wealth Management

For more information, request our investment philosophy statement. Such an amazing opportunity to position assets, engage in micro-roth conversions and so much more. When economic events unfold, Leonard is a panelist nationally on what to consider in the current economic envitornment.

We are excited to serve and share many opportunities and options that exist in this space.

Connecting with You and your Future

Close up of woman in deli with two workers in background

Employer retirement plans: creating a retirement-ready nation

The Retirement Plan Cake and Your Company Culture:

We work with you to ensure that your company's Retirement Plan Cake matches your company’s unique culture. We find that retirement plans create successful outcomes by matching the plan to your company’s culture, and the plan is designed to consider what is important to your company.

As of 2023, there were about 6.1M business owners with employees, 725,000 401(k) plans, and about 23,000 cash balance plans. With such a low implementation rate, there are clear barriers to communication.  Our team has developed imagery that simplifies complex conversations and helps you understand how you, as a business owner, can achieve significant tax deductions and creditor-protected asset growth, reward your key employees, and transform your plan to tie into your company culture.

Our unique perspective is how we engage your company with the options around significant tax deductions, rewarding key employees, and enhancing the outcomes for your employees.

While all companies are different, we find that the discussions around your opportunity to set aside significant tax-deductible contributions while also being able to set aside substantial Roth contributions are not properly framed in the marketplace. We have developed a win-win strategy for you and your team.

Two simple changes to a plan document fundamentally transform participation;

Automatic enrollment and escalation.

How do I know this?

As Co-Chair of the California Society of CPA’s (CalCPA) State IRA Task Force, our team worked with the California State Treasurer’s office to share our thoughts around implementation for business owners and what would make the program successful. The outcome was a 70% participation rate and 1 of 3 participants’ contributions from multiple employers. 

Supporting our communities nationwide

1. On behalf of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Leonard has been an active leader. The current Chair of the AICPA Personal Financial Planning Task Force which he will serve until May 15, 2028. The PFP Committee has numerous responsibililties that include the technical review of the global fiduciary investment standards at Fi360, global CPA financial planning standards, and much more

2. Speaker on national webcasts, the Engage Conference, the largest CPA conference globally, and will be presenting at the premier tax conference in America in Washington D.C. on the topic of Small Business Retirement Plans. Other topics Leonard speaks on are the holistic view of life insurance in an integrated financial plan, integration of annuities and the impact on retirement income stability and related mortality credits, various financial planning topics, and how current economic events can create opportunities and where to watch for pitfalls

3. Editor, study materials for the risk management portion of the Personal Financial Specialist exam.

4. Financial National Disaster Guide for the American Red Cross, a three-person task force with the American Red Cross and National Endowment for Financial Education to highlight the importance of disaster planning in your community. Whether it is a weather emergency, natural disaster or personal crisis due to illness, unemployment or disability, most families will experience some form of disaster that leaves them with little or no time to think before making important decisions.

5. Original Money Doctor for the now transitioned financial literacy initiative.

 

 

The Northwestern Mutual difference

No. 1

Best life insurance company for consumer experience, 2023. (NerdWallet)1

Top 5

We're one of the Top U.S. Independent Investment Broker-Dealers.2

$8.2B

In dividends expected to be paid in 2025.3

A++

AAA, Aa1, and AA+ - we've earned the highest financial strength ratings awarded to life insurers from all four major rating agencies.4

Boost your financial knowledge.

Our discussions around your financial plan tied to your mission vision values and goals will boost your financial knowledge around a number of options. Because we have a long term professional relationship with our clients, we can take the time to education you on options that are availabe to you. You decide what is in your best interest.

Financial planning

Our financial planning conversations don't begin with your finances. Instead we start with you - your life, your family, your priorities, and goals. Once we have your big picture in focus, we'll tailor a plan from a range of financial options using multiple strategies designed specifically to help get you to where you want to be.