Success is subjective for many. As a financial advisor, however, your success is directly tied to the financial success of your clients. While hard work and strategically helping them invest their money certainly play a part, there’s more to building a reputation—and a life—than merely putting in the hours and recommending the “right” portfolios.

Consider these three elements that may help you achieve new heights of success and, in turn, help your clients do the same.

The meltdown in risk assets late last year culminated in a sharp retrenchment by investors accompanied by a stampede into safe-haven assets, most notably U.S. Treasury securities. Was the abrupt shift from risk-on to risk-off investing in October justified? How should investment portfolios be positioned for the year ahead? Do current underlying economic, financial, and policy conditions suggest that a recession is not imminent? Is the economic outlook for 2019 favorable for risk assets, most notably common stocks?

As April 15 draws near, many of your clients may face uncertainty about whether they should claim various investment income on their taxes and, if so, how. This is especially true in light of recent tax code changes signed into law — the first major revisions since 1986.¹

The circumstances surrounding a large inheritance usually involve a combination of emotions — sorrow over the loss of a loved one and appreciation for the financial gain. Conflicted feelings on top of indecision about what to do with an inheritance may have clients in this situation seeking your guidance to help avoid any pitfalls.

To help clients wisely guard and grow their new-found wealth by keeping things in perspective, consider using these three steps:

Martin Powell, Head of Annuity Distribution was quoted extensively in a recent article in Financial Planning that focused on overall growth in the annuity market and the growing demand for guaranteed income products. The article, citing new data from LIMRA, noted that fixed indexed annuity sales soared by 40% year-over-year in the fourth quarter to $19.5 billion, which it attributed to equity volatility and rising interest rates.

As an asset class, cash generally elicits one of two responses from investors: “cash is king” or “cash is trash.”¹ Most of your clients probably are in one camp or the other, while some could be conflicted. On the one hand, they may see the positive benefits of holding onto cash — shielding against the unexpected or having more flexibility to invest as opportunities arise.² On the other hand, they may harbor a genuine fear of missing out on investment returns and resulting portfolio growth.³

In the 1980s, 60% of U.S. companies offered employees pension plans.¹ In the decades since, that number has dropped radically to 4%.¹ Pensions gave way to 401(k) plans, leaving employees to tend to their retirement savings themselves. The freedom to make decisions about future finances may be liberating to some, but statistics suggest otherwise. Only 41% of eligible employees contribute to a 401(k) plan, and many of those who do enroll aren’t setting aside enough money, investing appropriately, or considering the financial consequences of market downturns.¹

MADISON, Wis. – CUNA Mutual Group announced that its account management, wholesalers and sales management team have obtained their Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™) designation after completing a rigorous course of study and training.

About 20% of people who are 55 years old or older have some type of mental health concern, most of which go undiagnosed.¹ Further, an estimated 5 million seniors who are 65 years old or older have been diagnosed with severe cognitive impairment, commonly Alzheimer’s Disease.¹ Given the aging U.S. population, these statistics may not be particularly startling; however, they should serve as a wake-up call for financial advisors.

Nearly 75% of investors would rather have portfolio protection than portfolio performance.¹ This preference nearly perfectly squares with how financial advisors report they prioritize clients’ investment and retirement planning strategies, as 74% put wealth preservation/risk management at the top of the list.²