Category Archives: Variable Annuities

InvestSense 101: Assets Under Management…or Mismanagement? – Separating Fact From Fiction

Posted on January 21, 2024 by investsense

James W. Watkins, III, J.D., CFP Board Emeritus™, AWMA® The other day I noticed yet another publication announcing their list of top investment advisors.  I always enjoy reviewing such lists, not so much for who is on the list, but rather … Continue reading →

Posted in annuities, Asset Protection, Consumer Protection, investing, investments, Investor Protection, Uncategorized, Variable Annuities, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

At What Cost?: Annuities, Cryptocurrency, and 401(k) Plans

Posted on November 4, 2022 by investsense

For many people, their 401(k) or 403(b) accounts are their primary retirement savings. So, it’s only natural that they want their 401(k) or 403(b) plan to offer investment options that are truly in their best interests and their beneficiaries’ best … Continue reading →

Posted in 401k, Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, Consumer Protection, cost efficient investing, cost-effficiency, Equity Indexed Annuities, ERISA, Estate Planning, Fiduciary, fiduciary prudence, fiduciary responsibility, Fixed Indexed Annuities, investing, Investment Advice, Investment Fraud, investments, Investor Protection, pension plans, plan sponsor, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, retirement readiness, Uncategorized, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

REAL Wealth Management 2021 – Accumulation

Posted on June 8, 2021 by investsense

As promised, over the next few days I will discuss what I believe are the three aspects of real wealth management – accumulation, protection/preservation and distribution.  Most of the posts and white papers on wealth management deal with the accumulation … Continue reading →

Posted in Absolute Returns, Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, Closet Index Funds, Consumer Protection, Equity Indexed Annuities, Fixed Indexed Annuities, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, portfolio planning, Uncategorized, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Variable Annuities: Estate Planning Saboteurs

Posted on August 23, 2018 by investsense

As a wealth preservation attorney, my practice involves various areas of the law including investment portfolio analysis, asset protection, risk management and estate planning. Three primary wealth saboteurs are investment portfolio mismanagement, tax erosion, and personal liability exposure. I recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Estate Planning, Fiduciary, Integrated Estate Planning, Investment Advice, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement Distribution Planning, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

1+1=33%, or the Myth of the 1% Annual Investment Fee

Posted on July 11, 2018 by investsense

This post is going to be short and sweet, as I keep getting calls and emails from people who wonder why their portfolios are not performing as well as they think they should. In most cases, their portfolios are the … Continue reading →

Posted in Active Management Value Ratio, AMVR, Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Fiduciary, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Uncategorized, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The New DOL Fiduciary Rule – Effective June 9, 2017

Posted on June 7, 2017 by investsense

On June 9, 2017, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) new fiduciary rule (Rule), or at least parts of same, go into effect for retirement plans covered by the Employees’ Retirement Income Security Act, commonly known as ERISA. The Rule was … Continue reading →

Posted in Best Interests, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, DOL fiduciary rule, Equity Indexed Annuities, ERISA, Fixed Indexed Annuities, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, portfolio planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Variable Annuities, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Investor Alert: Variable Annuities and Fixed Indexed Annuities

Posted on April 8, 2017 by investsense

The Department of Labor announced the other day that it was delaying the effectiveness of certain part of their new fiduciary rule for 60 days. This delay was essentially requested by the Trump administration in order to evaluate the fairness … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Consumer Protection, Consumer Rights, Equity Indexed Annuities, Estate Planning, Fiduciary, Fixed Indexed Annuities, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investor Protection, IRA, pension plans, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Investor Self-Protection Guide 2019

Posted on February 18, 2017 by investsense

As a securities/ERISA attorney, Certified Financial Planner® professional and an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor®, I am interested in providing the public with quality financial advice and helping to address the ongoing problem of financial abuse and fraud. One of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Asset Protection, Closet Index Funds, Common Sense, Consumer Protection, Investment Advice, Investment Advisors, Investment Fraud, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, IRA, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Variable Annuities, Variable Annuity Abuse, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Promoting “Financial Wellness” and “Retirement Readiness”

Posted on December 3, 2016 by investsense

Two of the hot buzzwords today in the financial media are “financial wellness” and “retirement readiness.” While many people consider financial and investing matters confusing and intimidating, the truth is that people can simplify most matters and still be successful. … Continue reading →

Posted in Absolute Returns, Asset Protection, Integrated Estate Planning, Investment Advice, Investment Portfolios, Investor Protection, Portfolio Construction, portfolio planning, Portfolio Planning, Retirement, Retirement Plan Participants, Retirement Planning, Variable Annuities, Wealth Accumulation, Wealth Management, Wealth Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Special Report: Empowering Teachers for Retirement Readiness

Posted on November 6, 2016 by investsense

Let’s get straight to the point – teachers at all levels have gotten, and continue to get, inequitable treatment when it comes to options to allow them to become “retirement ready.” My sister-in-law was an assistant principal in a local … Continue reading →

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