Focus on You: Strategies You Can Control for A Better Financial Future

By Trilogy Financial

January 7, 2019

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When we look outwards, most of our world can seem like chaos. Political events impact the market. Technological changes create new employment opportunities and put others to rest. Illness and misfortune affect those we love. It is easy to fall under a sense of helplessness in these moments. The key to weathering these storms is to focus on the elements you can control to make for a better financial future.

The first step is to create a solid plan. Many hope for a good outcome, but hope is not a strategy for a sound future, financial or otherwise. Your plan should reflect personal and financial goals. If you have created a personal mission statement, the goals in your plan should be inspired by that. The key aspect to a plan is that it identifies possible issues and gives you concrete steps to take to weather any storms.

Part of your plan should always include paying yourself first. There are going to be numerous obligations and goals to funnel your finances towards. Be sure that saving for your financial independence is one of them because there aren’t any do-overs when it comes to retirement savings. Just as important as saving is how you save. Make sure to fill your three buckets for more financial flexibility when you retire. The more options you have, the more control you have over your financial future.

After all that work, make sure to protect your plan. Life insurance will cover your debt and obligations, should you pass. Other forms of insurance can also provide during retirement or should you become disabled. Preparing for unfortunate or far-off events is a difficult thing for many to do, but a little planning in this area can protect everything you’ve worked so hard for, for your loved ones and your legacy.

None of us can see the future or know what tomorrow will bring. With a little forethought and planning, though, you can make sure you’re prepared for whatever life throws your way. Be sure to focus on what you can control and those strategies will help you build a better financial future.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

How Are Financial Strategies Tailored to Individual Needs?

Trilogy's financial planners excel in tailoring strategies to your unique financial objectives. They ensure your money works smarter, not harder, covering areas such as:

401k Retirement Planning
Wealth & Asset Management
Estate Planning Strategies
Investment Strategies
College & Education Planning
Insurance Services

This holistic approach embodies the essence of “amplify wealth management”1.

What Expert Insights Are Offered for Investment Strategies?

Jake Claver, a finance expert, emphasizes the need for simplicity in investment strategies. He suggests having a diverse portfolio to reach long-term financial goals 2.

What Makes the Journey to Amplified Wealth a Collaborative Venture?

The journey to “amplified wealth” is a collaborative venture with skilled advisors.A Visual Capitalist survey reinforces this idea by revealing:

74% of Americans engage in financial planning.
Only 29% work with a professional planner, emphasizing the potential for enhanced wealth management with professional guidance3.

How Does Trilogy Help in Bypassing Investment Pitfalls?

Investing in Trilogy’s expertise means bypassing common DIY investment pitfalls. Andrew Lokenauth, a seasoned financial planner, reinforces the significance of professional guidance in achieving financial security through smart investing4.

How Does Trilogy Contribute to Wealth Preservation and Growth?

With Trilogy, you're not merely preserving wealth; you're propelling it to new heights, embodying the essence of “amplify my wealth.” Did you know the alarming statistic that 42% of Americans have less than $10,000 saved for retirement 5?

What Does the Signature Process and Professional Advisors Offer?

Trilogy's signature process and professional advisors offer:

Independent competitive portfolios
Tax-smart strategies
Real-time portfolio adjustments
Risk mitigation approaches

This tailored guidance fast-tracks your financial independence, allowing your money to work tirelessly towards pursuing your financial objectives1.

What Is the Track Record of Success Among Financial Professionals?

The Forbes/SHOOK Top Wealth Advisors have a strong history of success. Utilizing financial professionals who have trusted advisors can have a big impact on your wealth management. It also highlights the advantages of using professional financial planning services, like those provided by Trilogy Financial Services 6.

How Does Technology Optimize Financial Management?

Technology is important in changing finance, and Trilogy Financial Services uses advanced technology to increase wealth.Trilogy has personalized digital platforms that give you real-time insights on your finances, helping you make quick informed decisions.

Personalized Digital Platforms: Trilogy offers personalized digital platforms that provide real-time insights into your financial portfolio, enabling you to make informed decisions swiftly.
Robust Data Analysis: Utilizing advanced data analytics, Trilogy's financial planners can dissect complex financial data to unearth lucrative investment opportunities and mitigate potential risks.
Secure Digital Transactions: With a focus on security, Trilogy ensures that all your financial transactions are conducted securely, protecting your wealth from potential cyber threats.
Virtual Consultations: In an era where digital interaction is paramount, Trilogy facilitates virtual consultations with financial experts, ensuring that you remain on the right financial track, irrespective of regional constraints.

These technology-driven approaches not only streamline the financial management process but also provide a seamless, interactive experience. By integrating modern technology, Trilogy Financial Services demonstrates a forward-thinking approach in helping clients “amplify their wealth.” Combining financial advice and technology helps people grow their wealth. Trilogy is a great option for investors who want to succeed in today's digital financial world.

How Can You Embark on Your Pathway to Amplified Wealth?

“Amplified wealth” with Trilogy isn’t a distant dream, but a tangible reality awaiting your action. Engage with Trilogy Financial Services and set the cornerstone for a financially secure and affluent future.

Life Insurance Advice

Living Benefits with Life Insurance: Protection Against AMC Costs

Rebecca DeSoto, CDFA®

September 18, 2017

Generally, people purchase life insurance because they have a spouse or child they want to protect financially in case they pass away. But, there are several other reasons to buy life insurance that can benefit more than just those who need to protect their family. One of those benefits is accumulating tax-deferred, tax-free, cash value. Just like a Roth IRA, the cash value in a permanent life insurance policy can grow on a tax-deferred status and be accessed tax-free, but without the consequence of incurring a 10% penalty if accessed before attaining age 59.5. “Living Benefits”, also known as “Accelerated Benefit Riders” are another advantage of life insurance other than the death benefit. As the name suggests, “living benefits” can be utilized in certain circumstances by the policy holder without passing away.

Common living benefits allow the policy holder to access all or some of the death benefit of their policy to help provide managed care if they are diagnosed with a critical or chronic illness. ABRs originated in the 80s and 90s when companies called “viaticals” found a market for purchasing life insurance policies from people that were very sick who realized they needed money now to help pay their medical bills more than their beneficiaries needed the death benefit. The insurance industry realized what was happening and started adapting policies to include Accelerated Benefit Riders to help their consumers get access to expensive medical care, outside of what health care would cover, while they were sick.

Living Benefits that are common today are terminal, chronic and critical illness or critical injury riders. It is important to talk to your advisor and read the fine print when considering different insurance policies because riders can differ significantly between insurance companies and policies. Terminal illness riders will allow the insured to accelerate a portion of their death benefit, tax-free if they are diagnosed with a terminal illness. Some companies require a diagnosis of 24 months or less to live while others require 12 months or less to live. A chronic illness rider is generally triggered when the insured has a long-term illness in which they are unable to perform two of the six “Activities of Daily Living” including eating, dressing, toileting, transferring, bathing, and maintaining continence. Some companies structure these riders to pay a large benefit upfront and some will provide a much smaller amount but spread over a long period of time. Lastly, critical illness/injury can include many things – heart attacks, stroke, cancer, brain trauma, severe burns etc. and the amount of benefit that is paid out depends on how critical the injury/illness is and how much it will affect the insured’s life span.

Because medicine and medical technology have advanced so rapidly, people are living much longer lives than they used to live. The US Census Bureau reports that at least 70% of people over age 65 will require some long-term care at some point in their lives . In 2014, the annual rate for a skilled nursing facility was $95,707 . Because traditional, stand-alone Long-Term Care policies can be incredibly expensive, utilizing life insurance can be a great way to build assets throughout your income-earning years that are earmarked for advanced medical costs later on and can protect yourself and your loved ones from unknown health scares.

Riders are additional guarantee options that are available to an annuity or life insurance contract holder. While some riders are part of an existing contract, many others may carry additional fees, charges and restrictions, and the policy holder should review their contract carefully before purchasing. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Withdrawals from the policy may result in the reduction of the death benefit.

US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2013
Univita Cost of Care Survey, Feb 2014

Focus on You: Strategies You Can Control for A Better Financial Future

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Amplify Wealth with Trilogy Financial Services