The Art of Financial Planning

Advisor One – December 8, 2010
The Pre-Independence Checklist for WIrehouse Advisors
Marie Swift of Impact Communications interviewed independent advisors about what advisors need to know when making the transition from a wirehouse to independent practice.  They identified seven key points to consider before making the change.    John Brackett of BAR Financial urged advisors to carefully think about their motivations in moving.

FOX Business – December 7, 2010
Impact Communications client Brett Ellen, a strong believer in teaching kids about money from an early age, offers tips that parents can use to educate their kids about the principles of sound money sense: save, spend, invest, donate. Get the tips in How to Teach Your Kids the Importance of Money, Volunteering.

The Faster Times – December 2, 2010
Impact Communications client Dave Hubbard says that now is the perfect time to ensure that your Estate Plan is protected.  Determine the value of your estate to see if the potential changes in 2011 will affect you and take appropriate actions.  Read more tips on how to make sure that you are adequately prepared in How to Get Your Estate Plan Together.

Daily Finance – December 4, 2010
John Brackett of BAR Financial, a client of Impact Communications, discusses the ups and downs of ETF in the past year. To find out more about the ETF’s performance read ETFs in 2010.

FinancialPlanning.com – June 16, 2010
SourceMedia's Women Advisors Forum descended on Chicago June 16, 2010. The event offered an opportunity to network with the most successful and influential women financial advisors in the nation, while gaining insight into their career experience and rise to the top. View the online photo gallery - Marie Swift is pictured with some of the speakers and a SourceMedia journalist. You can also read Marie Swift's thoughts after returning home from the event.

Research Magazine – August 2009
Recently stock market rallies have pushed the major indexes above key psychological levels. For the Nasdaq, that level is 2,000 and for the S&P 500, it’s 1,000. We’ve come a long way from the dark days of last year. Economic indicators suggest the global economy is stabilizing. The financial dark cloud of the Great Recession may indeed be lifting. It’s given investors some renewed optimism. In Marie Swift's article, "The Fundamentals Never Change," she writes that no matter how dynamic markets are, the core principles of providing quality client-centered financial advice never really change. Read more.

Research magazine – May 2009
Is Modern Portfolio Theory Dead?
In a remarkable series of interviews with prominent investment management experts, Harold Evensky, Rick Ferri, Bob Kargenian and Deena B. Katz, Marie Swift explores modern portfolio theory and its applicability given the current economic downturn.

Research magazine – December 2008
Military Advice
The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 implements numerous changes to the federal tax code that benefit military personnel and their families. But the new law has received little attention in the mainstream media and may still be under the advisor radar on a national level.

Research magazine – May 2008
The Future of Planning
An interview with life-planning expert, Carol Anderson, founder of Money Quotient, a 501(c)(3) organization that conducts research and develops “life planning” tools and training for financial advisors.  Ms. Anderson has been a participant in a think tank and a long time observer of this new “life planning” trend.  In this article, Marie Swift gets her thoughts on where we’ve been and, more importantly, where we are headed.

Research magazine – April 2008
Talking Turbulence
How can you neutralize the harmful impact the media has on your clients and their confidence?  The importance of proactive client communication during times of volatility in the market is covered in Marie Swift’s article, “Talking Turbulence”. 

Research magazine – March 2008
Crossing the ‘Ts’
Burk and Julie Rosenthal of Rosenthal Retirement Planning help Marie Swift explain the IRS Rule 72(t) that allows investors to take penalty-free early withdrawal from a retirement account, when it is advantageous to break the distribution schedule and when it is not.

Research magazine – February 2008
Too Much of a Good Thing
We all know you can’t get “Too Much of a Good Thing” right?  Marie Swift explores the risks of concentrated stock ownership, when to divest, and some options and strategies.

Research magazine – January 2008
The Conversion Conversation
Marie Swift speaks with Steve Medland, CFP®, a wealth manager for TABR Capital Management, serving an affluent clientele in Orange County, Calif.  As they look at how tax diversification may be as important as portfolio diversification, they create a “Conversion Conversation.” 

Research magazine – December 2007
Making It to Retirement
Marie Swift interviews award-winning journalist Gail MarksJarvis who spent a decade as a personnel finance columnist hearing from thousands of distressed readers about their investing errors.  In her recent book, Ms. MarksJarvis helps middle class investors avoid making some of these common mistakes. 

Research magazine – November 2007
A New Consultative Model
“A New Consultative Model” is uncovered as Marie Swift explores a methodology pioneered by Edward A. Jacobson, Ph.D.  Appreciative Financial Planning shifts clients’ and planners’ attention away from limitations, problems and “fixes,” toward a focus on the clients’ proven capacities.  

Research magazine – October 2007
Anatomy of a Niche
David E. Zumbusch, CFP®, discusses with Marie Swift how he found his niche by uncovering shared interests and beliefs with his clients.  The result has been the development of the business of his dreams, Sportsmen Dream Financial, a specialized extension of Zumbusch’s thriving practice in Buffalo, Minnesota. 

Research magazine – September 2007
Retirement Well Being
What brings health, prosperity and happiness into retirement?  Marie Swift looks into the retirement well-being model created by John Nelson, co-author with Richard Bolles of What Color Is Your Parachute? For Retirement.  

Research magazine – August 2007
A Winning Team
There are many ways to define a team.  Marie Swift explores the benefits to clients and professionals alike in having core teams with satellite support from CPAs and attorneys.  Devery “Rusty” Cagle, founder and president ASE Wealth Advisors in Greenville, S.C. adds his views on how to build a healthy team and keep it operating. 

Research magazine – July 2007
Is the Pension Plan Dead?
“Is the Pension Plan Dead?”  As large defined-benefit plans die out, advisors are finding a viable niche selling small plans.  Marie Swift explores some of these plans, and their advantages with Alex Donnell, president of Colorado Comprehensive Wealth Management in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

Research magazine – June 2007
Income in Respect of a Decedent
Poor advance planning and an unexpected death can cause big tax trouble for heirs.  Marie Swift shines a light on the IRD tax, Income in Respect of a Decedent, with help from an expert on the subject, James W. Coleman Sr., president of Coleman Financial Advisory Group in Waterbury, Conn. 

Research magazine – April/May 2007
Incorporating the Value-Add 
Beyond Investment Advice
In this two-part series, Marie Swift speaks with several financial advisors who are finding their client relationships extending beyond traditional investment management and planning into all aspects of their clients’ lives.  Instances where advisors have profitably reacted to various concerns are covered and the discussion deepens by examining ways that advisors are making these “above-and-beyond” services part of their core business model. 

Research magazine – March 2007
Retirement Conversations
Why are so many people in denial and uncertain about their futures?  Best selling author Lee Eisenberg claims that most people suffer from "IDD" or Inspiration Deficit Disorder, a condition characterized by inertia and fear.   In this article, writer Marie Swift goes on to detail how advisors are embracing various methods for helping their clients articulate their goals and focus on realizing their most cherished life dreams.  She talks about George Kinder and his famous "The Three Questions" and shares the questions used by long-time financial advisors Rick Junk and Rick Kent  to generate better conversations with clients.

Research magazine – February 2007
Advisor Directed Trusts
Patricia Hinds, a Minnesota-based advisor through Securities America helps Marie Swift uncover the benefits of Advisor Directed Trusts.  While traditional trust company services have the client appoint a corporate trustee taking away any direct role their financial advisor has in the investment management of the trust assets, with the Advisor Directed Trust, clients can appoint their already trusted advisor as the investment fiduciary for their trust.

Research magazine – January 2007
‘Late Stage’ College Planning
Marie Swift interviews Deborah Fox, a long-time financial advisor and founder of Fox College Funding in San Diego to reveal the many ways for affluent families with insignificant savings to whittle down costs and free up resources for college-bound kids. 

Research magazine – December 2006
Protecting More Than Pensions
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 that Congress recently created and ratified is a comprehensive reform package that covers both defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans and introduces many other changes.  These changes and enhancements are both important and relevant to the advisory industry, especially when it comes to encouraging employee participation and overseeing employer due-diligence.  In this article, Marie Swift explores if this package can really increase employee financial literacy, solve employer fiduciary problems and provide an opportunity for advisors.

Research magazine – November 2006
Know Your Options
Today, ongoing investigations related to companies backdating their employer-awarded stock options have once again brought new media attention on this method of equity compensation.  As a result, advisors should be prepared for a resurgence of questions.  Are you ready to answer stock option questions from your current and potential clients?

Research magazine – October 2006
Creating Income for Life
Marie Swift and John Barton, CFP® explore how to help advisors find ways for retirees to select methods for generating safe, predictable income for a protracted period of time not seen in previous generations.  The evolving retirement distribution models can help to secure clients’ golden years.

Research magazine – September 2006
Get Moving on New Tax Act
A close look at the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, the purpose of which was to extend the favorable dividend capital gains rates and to provide relief for a growing number of middle-income families who pay the alternative minimum tax.  Marie Swift and Ron Kelemen, CFP® suggest being proactive with your clients, reviewing the parts of the legislation that apply to them and then referring them to their tax professional.

Research magazine – August 2006
Accidents Will Happen
Statistics show that one third of Americans between the ages of 35 and 65 experience a disability of some kind whether it’s a freak accident or an extended illness.  The loss of income can be devastating.  Marie Swift and Alan Gappinger encourage advisors to help their clients mitigate the financial pain that can come with a sudden disability by understanding the risks and options, and planning properly.

Research magazine – July 2006
Beyond the B Word
Budget discipline is a tough sell, but soaring gasoline prices are starting to help convince many people.  Now that personal debt is at an all time high, Marie Swift and Mary Lacey Gibson, CFP® uncover some of the ways that advisors can encourage their clients to budget.

Research magazine – June 2006
For the Long Term
The Deficit reduction Act has revised Medicaid’s “look-back period” and set up a nationwide long-term care insurance partnership program.  Marie Swift and Holly Gillian Kindel, CLU, CFP® let advisors know how they can help their clients plan by communicating these changes.

Research magazine – February 2006
Raising Your Profile
Getting publicity for their clients isn’t the only thing publicity consultants do.  In this article by David Drucker, PR professional Marie Swift talks about the many ways she and her team  work with their advisor/clients.  “A good PR professional is part matchmaker, part charm school teacher and part business advisor/coach,” Swift says.

Research magazine – January 2006
Buy or Lease
Marie Swift and co-writer Mary Gibson, CFP® analyze when clients should buy or lease a vehicle.

Research magazine – November 2005
Ensuring the Retirement Paycheck
Marie Swift and co-writer Sheryl Garrett, CFP® discuss the value of immediate annuities in your client's financial plan.

Research magazine – October 2005
The Tax Man Cometh
Marie Swift and co-writer Larry Annello, CPA/PFS, CFP® talk about how you can help your clients manage their tax liability.

Research magazine – September 2005
Ethical Wills
Marie Swift and co-writer Holly Gillian Kindel, CFP® talk about ways your clients can record life's meaning through an ethical will.

Research magazine – August 2005
Liquidity Made Simple
Marie Swift and co-writer Jim Christie, CFP® discuss the importance of cash reserves and where to suggest your clients park the money. 

Research magazine – July 2005
Facing Death and Taxes
Marie Swift and co-writer Brian Puckett, JD, CPA/PFS discuss estate planning essentials for advisors who want to help clients with complex issues.

Research magazine – June 2005
Debt: Good, Bad and Ugly
Marie Swift and co-writer Dan Danford, MBA, CRSP, tell advisors how they can help their clients use debt wisely and add long-term value to their portfolios.

Research magazine – May 2005
The Deadline is Now
Marie Swift and co-writer Randy Hallier, CFP®, address the topic of what baby boomers must do to adequately prepare for retirement.

Research magazine – April 2005
Small Business Owners Need Lots of Planning Help
Marie Swift and co-writer Rick Mayes, MBA, discuss a handful of financial planning strategies you'll need to know if you want to serve small business owners.

Research magazine – February 2005
How to Save for College and Qualify for Financial Aid              
Research Magazine’s new column, Focus On Financial Planning, features premier article by Marie Swift and William Kelly, MS, CCPS that looks at some of the options for college saving, especially the difficult issue of saving for college without decreasing or completely eliminating a child’s eligibility for financial aid.  Read this article to get a better understanding of how to help your clients.