WhyPeak Pro Financial?
We are the boutique agent development firm advisors turn to for powerfully unique and proven alternative tax-smart solutions.
Constantly tested and consistently trusted
The decision to meet with Gabe, Sarah and the Peak Pro Financial team changed the trajectory of my business. Today, I am serving more people, my meetings are more productive and I am capturing more business. The ideas, service and help I have received from Peak Pro Financial has been second to none. I’m so fortunate to have them as part of my business and look forward to many more years to come.
I chose Peak Pro Financial because I was looking for a higher level of relationship and service, as well as the feeling of partnership.
I wanted to add IUL to my practice but needed a deeper level of support. The hands-on training and tools they provide help me educate my clients so they understand various concepts. With Peak Pro Financial, I'm putting my clients in strategies that I can be confident in.
Peak Pro Financial is much more than a product provider. They serve as a resource in so many ways, helping me re-engineer myself from a product salesman to a full-service advisor. The team is committed to helping me achieve maximum success, and they've been a big part of it.
I have recommended several advisors to the firm. And yes, I will keep recommending. Sarah, my Sales Development Advisor, and the team are a big part of my planning. Even in 2020 during the lockdown, my business has been up 20%. That would have been tough to do without Peak Pro Financial.
Latest blog posts
MARKET PULSE: Surprising consumer spending habits and more
Introducing our new series from our own Patrick Waters, former Wall Street analyst and all-around economic guru here at Peak Pro Financial. Here's what should be on your radar this week.
Your last wake-up call: Breaking down the lunacy of the current stock market
Today’s stock market is nuts. Over the past six months, I’ve highlighted just how crazy it is in webinars and countless conversations with advisors. I’ve sourced graphs, tables and hard data from reputable sources. But I recently stumbled across the most telling graph to describe the pure lunacy of the current market. Here's why it's so powerful.
COMMENTARY: Putting the M.O. (Modus Operandi) back in I.M.O.
The IMO positions itself as the trusted partner, the group that has it “all figured out so all you have to do is sit across the table from your client and sell.” How many times have you heard this before? And how many times has the IMO failed to deliver?
Pivot to win it: The importance of commodities in an IUL index strategy
Some advisors are having conversations about loss for the first time in recent memory. One way to mitigate the potential for market downturns is through indexed universal life (IUL). Not all IUL policies and their respective indices are, however, created equal. Here's why it's time to consider commodities in an index strategy.
5 things advisors need to know about the SECURE Act 2.0
In case you haven't heard, the House passed their draft of the SECURE Act 2.0 in March 2022. The Senate is currently drafting their own version of the bill, which will most likely be signed into law. Here are five things every advisor should know about proposed legislation.
Laddering annuities in a wildly volatile market
Way back since the invent of bank CDs, clients and advisors alike have been laddering their CDs. Why you may ask? Longer duration solutions provide better rates of return but the longer your client is “locked” into a solution, the more they could potentially miss out on relative to market conditions.
Growth: Is the 4% rule fact or fiction?
In this week's installment of True GRIT, I wanted to share with you an [interview conducted by ThinkAdvisor's Jane Wollman Rusoff with Dr. Wade Pfau on the topic of the 4% rule](https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2020/04/14/wade-pfau-virus-crisis-has-slashed-4-rule-nearly-in-half/). Often advisors are still quoting or abiding the 4% rule with regards to clients managed accounts, this could cost your clients significantly in the long run.
Greatest risks to retirement: Let's start with sequence of returns
Wall Street is notorious for saying things like, “Based on this asset allocation, over an extended period of time, you could expect to earn an average of 5% per year.” This type of thinking could be disastrous for people that have recently retired. The reason: They do not care about the returns of an extended period of time as much as they do care about the returns that they will receive in the first five years of retirement.
Inflation: How long will it last this time?
Inflation is here. As in the Spring, the most recent CPI inflation report showed that prices rose across the board in July. By a lot.
First things first: your brand
Where is the true value in having a brand, promotion and lead generation? Quite simply, without the brand, promotion and lead generation are irrelevant. As we near 2022, you can either be a financial professional 1.0 which means you are being left in the dust by the financial professional 2.0. What a 2.0 advisor has realized is that having a brand, website and social presence are a must-have in today’s tech driven world.
SECURE Act: Did you know?
The Secures Act which went into effect January 1, 2020 and featured four major highlights: - Contribution age limits to an IRA - Age change for taking RMD’s - A new exemption for access to an IRA without penalty - Non-spousal inherited IRA’s
Does seminar marketing leave you feeling like a bag of nails?
As in-person seminar opportunities become more popular, what will you be discussing? The True G.R.I.T. workshop will focus on growth, retirement, income and have a heavy focus on tax-efficient strategies. A product-agnostic presentation, this will event marketing system will fit the mold for an event focusing on safe-money strategies.
Website marketing: When "judging by the book cover" goes digital
It goes without saying (I hope), that advisor marketing requires an online presence. Did you know there's an estimated 218,050 personal financial advisors in the market (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020)? How do you stand out from pack? And how many other advisors are attempting to convert the prospect you spoke to earlier today?
Retirement statistics: What you need to consider with new and existing clients
The 2021 Retirement Confidence Survey represents the 31st installment of this specialized survey. Goals of the survey include measuring worker and retirement confidence about retirement and is conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research.
Social Media: Don't get left behind!
The pandemic forced many advisors to embrace technology in ways never considered before. Whether you became introduced to webinars or video marketing - social distancing opened the door to creativity in communications and marketing strategy.
The volatility index: The fair shake offer
With so much to consider with regards to choosing the right index, perhaps a simple story might be the ticket? You have heard from wholesalers about the aging demographic and the fact that it holds the largest concentration of wealth (roughly $32-35 trillion) in American history.
About the speaker: Govinda Quish
Have you ever been underwhelmed with risk assessment projection and software resources? It's time to look at risk from a different point of view!
Regulation Best Interest: Suitability in annuity transactions
For licensed-only agents, there is a **new NAIC BI 1 hour training course **that needs to be completed. As of today, **Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Rhode Island** have all implemented the new NAIC rule. Depending on what state you are in, there are different timelines in which to complete the course. Call me to get the specifics on your state, where and how to complete the course. Below is a very brief overview of NAIC Model 275:
About the speaker: James Hahn
You won't want to miss out on this chance to learn from James, as he is an expert at crafting sustainable business ideas that result in increased revenue and powerful value propositions. Seats are fill quickly, reserve yours today!
Do you stand out as an ace-high or a crowbait advisor?
Given that this is an educational piece and this week’s focus is on retirement, let's discuss designations. I see more and more agents earning designations and I think it's fantastic. This is a phenomenal way to separate yourself from your competitors and allows your clients to know you are dedicated to your craft. With this in mind, there are two designations that should be at the top of the list: NSSA® and RICP®.
No taradiddles: Planning strategies based on proven success
At Peak Pro, we can provide both the education and sales process to break down where, how and why an FIA holds value in a portfolio. When we speak, let's discuss the True G.R.I.T index investing sales process.
Do you feel 'at sea' when it comes to tax planning?
The problem surrounding tax-efficient planning is simply a lack of knowledge. At the end of the day, financial professionals do not provide tax advice (unless you are a CPA and a planner).
About the speaker: Bob Wolf
Ready to stand out from the competition and dominate the business owner market? Bob Wolf will share strategies aimed at providing value for business owners.
Income focus: In apple-pie order
Income planning is at the top of the list for most if not all pre- and post-retirees. For a number of years, the chief goal with income planning process was to identify an income shortfall or gap and then discuss an income-driven solution to fill or plug the shortfall or gap.
About the speaker: Kim Coulter
We're excited to welcome to Kim Coulter of Northstar Funding Partners to the AMP speaker lineup. Stay on the lookout for more details about our many accomplished guest speakers.
Retirement focus: Make your jack*
Welcome to our second installment focusing on Retirement. This week, we continue the discussion on the shift or transition away from high risk/high earning potential to safety/less growth potential. In the initial installment True G.R.I.T.TM Weekly's Retirement focus, we shared thoughts on the psychological conversion your clients are going through.
Hang fire: Address the gaps in your growth strategy now
As clients approach/enter into retirement, their risk tolerance shifts from higher growth/earning potential to safety/less growth potential. Saving a lifetime of earnings while receiving a meaningful rate of return becomes the most important factor for most, if not all retirees. This week we break down the different growth vehicles and how each fits your client’s needs.
Are you ready to get AMPed?
Our complimentary two-day training program is designed to give you unique turnkey systems you can put into action right away.
Growth, retirement, income and taxes
As we just closed out our fourth installment of True G.R.I.T. Weekly, we thank you for the overwhelming amount of positive feedback and interest we've received! If you missed an installment, we would like to take this week to recap our introduction to True G.R.I.T. - our proprietary sales system based on: Growth, Retirement, Income and Taxes. Our goal is help you better position the value of the underlying strategies and solutions you discuss with your clients.
Taxes: The focal point of a comprehensive retirement income plan
We believe the tax discussion is imperative to retirement income planning. Taxes, within the context of a low-interest rate environment and an inability to find sound solutions for fixed income, become a focal point of a comprehensive financial plan. More and more, clients and their advisors are looking to fixed indexed annuities as that solution. Annuities offer tax deferrals for maximizing growth, create lifetime income streams and bypass probate - these are just a few of the benefits.
The income discussion: Don't be a one-trick pony
When addressing the need for income, the discussion tends to lean towards lifetime versus non-lifetime income (income rider / no income rider). Additionally, an overview of bucket modeling as a potential solution invariably enters the discussion.
Retirement: Are your solutions aligned with your clients' goals?
Do pre-retirees constitute a bulk of your book or are you working with retired clients? Either way, what’s your formula and how do you address the three phases of retirement? This week, we introduce RETIREMENT, our second True G.R.I.T.TM essential.
Growth: Are you offering your clients the right strategies?
As your clients move into the senior market, there is more time behind them than on the horizon. Are you offering the right GROWTH solutions for your clients to match their tolerance on the risk/reward spectrum?
Google My Business for financial advisors
Financial advisors can no longer ignore the need to be seen on Google. But how, exactly, do you make sure you're on the first page? Here's one super-simple (and FREE!) way to make magic happen.
Adding the four-letter word to "tax"
In March 2011, David Walker declared on national radio that income tax rates in our country would have to double. Otherwise, we’d go bankrupt. Bummer, huh? So, who is David Walker and why should we care? And is there any merit to his claim?
Why today's tax fire sale probably won't last for long
It’s everyone’s favorite topic! Most likely to complain about, that is. Some people look at taxes as a necessary evil. Others view it as a civic duty. No matter where you stand, it’s safe to say that it’s one of the highest “fees” you’ll pay throughout your lifetime.
A ticking tax time bomb? What your clients need to know about the SECURE Act and inherited IRAs
Imagine you’re in the middle of playing an intense game of baseball. Both teams are tied in the bottom of the ninth inning. You’re on the mighty home team, and you have a runner on third base, eagerly waiting to score. There’s only one out.
Risky business: How sequence of returns can make or break your client’s retirement
Sequence of returns risk, or sequence risk, analyzes the order in which returns occur. Poor returns during your distribution years can do lasting damage to your long-term retirement outlook. To get an idea of how sequence of returns works, let’s examine the following scenario.
The truth about IUL bonuses and multipliers
Indexed universal life (IUL) bonus credits and multipliers have been in the spotlight for quite some time. While attractive on the surface, advisors need to consider the reality of these enhancements. That is, whether or not clients will actually receive them.
The battle to break even
2020 has been a crazy ride. From COVID-19 and extreme market volatility to social unrest and the presidential election, there’s a lot going on. How can advisors and their clients cut through the clutter and decipher fact from fiction? And how can they stay ahead of a market that doesn't mirror what's going on in the economy?
Peak Pro(file): Getting to know Jane Upton
Peak Pro(file): Getting to know Jane Upton If you want to talk to the "brains" behind Peak Pro Financial, then you need to connect with Jane Upton. With more than 30 years' experience in the life insurance industry and holding the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation, she is responsible for developing and perfecting the firm's Advanced Markets and plan design capabilities.
Market volatility: How low will we go?
It's the one thing on almost everyone's mind. With COVID-19 cases on the rise and the stock market in a tailspin, advisors and clients alike are wondering when everything's going to get back to "normal." Even the passage of the CARES Act, the $2 trillion dollar stimulus package, wasn't enough to bring a glimmer of hope to the market.
Peak Pro(file): Getting to know Nick Lowitt
Many of our advisors know Nick Lowitt, Senior Managing Sales Development Advisor, pretty well. Hard-working, ultra-determined and disciplined, Nick is one of Peak Pro Financial's greatest assets - always sharing expertise and going the extra mile to help advisors take it to the next level.
The CARES Act: A quick primer on RMDs
By now, many of your clients have heard about the COVID-19 relief bill that was signed into law in late March. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a $2 trillion dollar package that provides financial assistance to eligible taxpayers and businesses affected by the latest pandemic.
Marketing in the age of coronavirus
What a week. We woke up the morning of Monday, March 9th, to a thunderous market storm. First, we heard about oil plunging a whopping 24%, its worse day since 1991. Saudi Arabia slashed its oil prices. And what was the main driver of all this? Coronavirus, of course.
5 reasons to attend AMP
We know we've been making a big deal about Advanced Market Planning (AMP). Why? Well, because this is going to be one of our best AMP programs yet! We've been working for months, fine-tuning the agenda and recruiting the best speakers in the industry. If you haven't heard about it already, here's your CliffsNotes
The LTC advantage
There are a lot of misconceptions around long-term care (LTC) these days. And unfortunately, these myths are holding back many advisors and clients from incorporating LTC as a fundamental part of their overall retirement plan. According to a Genworth study, only six out of 10 people are convinced they'll ever need long-term care.
IUL know-how: The index crediting game
Since the advent of AG 49, many carriers have tried to find creative ways to increase the illustrative crediting rate of their products. Essentially, illustrations are required to show the basic costs and benefits in an insurance product with projections of performance over time.
IUL know-how: What is arbitrage, exactly?
As financial professionals, we know that one of the biggest problems in retirement is the fact that every time you spend a dollar, you lose a dollar. If you have $10 in your retirement savings account, and you withdraw $5, you now only earn interest on the remaining $5 account balance—and nothing on the $5 withdrawal.
Annuities: What really happens when interest rates bounce back?
Over the past couple months, the news cycle has been blasting headlines about interest rate cuts. Well, the Fed reduced rates in late July—the first time in over a decade. And now they're hinting to another rate drop. We know a rate cut means insurance carriers will reduce fixed rates offered on annuities.
Do you really need to prospect?
Prospecting is a grind. From endless calls to dead-end conversations, the constant process of building your pipeline and developing clients can be downright challenging and disheartening. The good news? We've created a proven framework designed to help you get away from prospecting.
NEW REPORT: The most common annuity pitfalls
Let's face it. Too many financial professionals are falling victim to the annuity rider trap. Meanwhile, their production continues to drop and clients are stuck in annuities that don't address their needs.
