Author Archives: investsense

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About investsense

I am an ERISA/securities attormey, CFP Emeritus, and Accredited Wealth Management Advisor. I am also a former securites compliance director, I provide forensic investment analyses to help 401(k)/403(b) plan sponsors and other investment fiduciaries avoid legal liability exposure and protect their financial well-being. I am the creator of the Active Management Value Ratio metric, which analyzes the cost-efficiency of investments for investment fiduciaries and attorneys.

Does Your 401k Owe You Money?

Posted on November 20, 2014 by investsense

In addition to this blog, I also write for the Paladin Registry. I just posted a new article on excessive fees within 401k plans. The article is available at  http://iwd.paladinregistry.com/products/401k-plan-owe-money/

Posted in Asset Protection, ERISA, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Advisor Advertising Disguised as an Award

Posted on August 16, 2014 by investsense

From time to time I run across articles that share my concern about certain issues in the financial planning and investment industries. This article from Russ Thornton, a friend and a colleague, addresses an issue that I have also written … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Sense, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investor Protection, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faux Wealth Management: The Need for Integrated Estate Planning

Posted on August 9, 2014 by investsense

A fellow estate planning colleague of mine called the other day and asked me to review a client’s investment portfolio for legal issues. I had previously reviewed my colleague’s portfolio and had pointed out some issues that were not consistent … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Integrated Estate Planning, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Throwing 404(c) Participants (And Sponsors) Under the Bus: ERISA Section 404(c) False Promise of “Sufficient Information”

Posted on June 3, 2014 by investsense

The Supreme Court’s decision in LaRue v. DeWolff, Boberg & Associates(1) in 2008 started a trend recognizing the need for greater protection of participants in defined contribution pension plans. The LaRue decision signaled the long overdue recognition by the judicial … Continue reading →

Posted in ERISA, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Put Up or Shut Up!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by investsense

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to delay action on a proposed universal fiduciary standard that would require anyone providing investment advice to always put a customer’s best interests first. While investment advisers are currently required to put a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Fraud, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, Retirement Planning, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wealth Preservation and Those Pesky 401(k)/403(b)/IRA Beneficiary Forms

Posted on March 9, 2014 by investsense

Everybody hates paperwork. So when employees and investors are asked to fill out all the paperwork associated with 401(k) plans and individual retirement plans (IRAs), most people just enter something without giving it  much thought. When I was a compliance … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Common Sense, ERISA, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, Life Advice, pension plans, Retirement, Retirement Distribution Planning, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Wealth Distribution, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Avoiding Costly “Closet” Index Funds

Posted on February 26, 2014 by investsense

I am a member of the Paladin Registry, a select group of attorneys and investment advisers dedicated to educate investors so that they can better protect themselves against investment fraud and other questionable activity by the investment industry. You can … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Uncategorized, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1 + 1 = 34: The True Impact of Mutual Fund Fees

Posted on February 3, 2014 by investsense

One of the most common mistakes I see investors make is failing to understand the true cost of investment fees. Many investors dismiss an annual management fee of 1 percent as “just” 1 percent. Just as investment returns compound over … Continue reading →

Posted in ERISA, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lagniappe

Posted on January 19, 2014 by investsense

While I normally write about investing and strategies that investors can use to improve their chances for success, every now and then I come across a non-investing piece that I think is worth sharing. Over the years I have seen … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Sense, Life Advice | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The Power of the Informed Investor

Posted on December 19, 2013 by investsense

“Your account is a brokerage account and not an advisory account. Our interests may not always be the same as yours. Please ask us questions to make sure you under-stand your rights and our obligations to you, including the extent … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment