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Our clients range from retirees, to those beginning to plan. We help young professionals, business owners, and employees craft personalized plans.

Our typical client is seeking a competent advisor to create a course of action and explain options with clarity.

 

They are seeking a financial advisor who can deliver a holistic review of their current financial situation, manage their investment strategy, or provide a second opinion on their plan's strengths, weaknesses,

opportunities and threats.


Our clientele has included:

 

    » Those preparing for, or beginning their retirement;

    » Senior corporate executives with complex tax and compensation considerations;

    » Teachers, professors, and public service employees;

    » Physicians, accountants, attorneys, and self-employed individuals;

    » Sudden wealth recipients (inheritance recipients and lottery winners).

 

We also offer packages suitable for those who do not have complex planning needs including young professionals and those just beginning to plan.

 

How Do I Create a Retirement Income Plan?

Whether you are currently retired or within 5-7 years of retirement, how you withdraw funds from your portfolio can impact how long your portfolio lasts. Conventional wisdom to withdraw from certain accounts first can be entirely wrong for your plan. Many end up paying more in tax in retirement due to having a poor withdrawal strategy, or starting their plan too late.

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QUESTIONS

» How do I minimize taxes on my retirement income? Should I start planning for that now?

» Do I start with my IRA, 403(b), 401(k), Roth IRA, or taxable account to create a tax-efficient withdrawal plan?

» When do I start my Social Security benefits? Are there any strategies that apply to me?

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RESOURCES:

» Annuity Risky Guarantees

» Variable Annuities and Equity Indexed Annuities (EIA) are not retirement income plans

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How Can I Minimize Taxes - Today and in the Future?

Taxes represent a cost against your income, whether taken today or int the future. We regularly review the structure of your investment accounts, as well as consider your options for saving in light of current and expected future income streams. 

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While most financial advisors have disclosures to protect themselves from providing tax advice, as an independent fiduciary to our clients we believe taxes represent an ongoing issue we should review with our clients. Our portfolios are not just "tax-efficient" but we believe they are "tax-personal" to your situation. 

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QUESTIONS

» How do I minimize taxes in retirement? Can I start planning for that now?

» Can you review my income tax return for missed opportunities - current, past, and future?

» How can create a tax-efficient portfolio, while taking advantage of all of the savings opportunities I have today? 

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RESOURCES:

» How to Find a Tax Professional

» Tax-Loss Harvesting is not an Integrated Income Tax Plan

» How to Maximize Roth IRA Conversions

» The Importance of Integrating Tax and Investment Advice

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How Do I Maximize My 401(k), 403(b), and Job Benefits?

While many save to an employer 401(k), 403(b), SIMPLE, SEP, 457, or other plan simply by default, doing so can be costly over a career, even if you have a handful of low-cost investment options. 

 

Likewise, your employer plans may have rules or benefits that you may not be maximizing, or simply may not be aware of. Simply going along with what is easy can be expensive to your long-term financial plans.  

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QUESTIONS

» How do I maximize a stock option or restricted stock plan? 

» What is the best way to investment my 401(k), 403(b), 457, or other investment account and include outside assets?

» Are there other options to maximize my employer investment plans I am not aware of? 

» How can I maximize an HSA plan? Can I move it? Can I contribute more? 

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RESOURCES:

» Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – An Underused Retirement Resource

» Where should I save for retirement after my 401(k), 403(b) or employer plan?

» Lump Sum Pension Considerations

» Is my 401(k) or 403(b) the best place to invest?

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How Do I Tie My Investments to My Goals?

Our investment philosophy begins by linking your investments to your goals, and from there crafting a personalized plan that considers all of your risks - financial and personal. 

 

At Clear Financial Advisors we practice tax-efficient, holistic investing based on evidence, not guessing, gambling, or gimmicks. Our G/P/S Investing™ methodology provides a framework for choosing investments based on desired characteristics for growth, dollar preservation, and stability. 

 

QUESTIONS

» How should I invest? What sorts of returns should I expect? 

» What investment philosophies are sound? 

» How can I invest for any economy?

» How do I create an investment plan over my 401(k), 403(b), IRA, SIMPLE, SEP, brokerage, and other accounts?

 

RESOURCES:

» The Benefits of Diversifying Beyond US Total Market Indexes

» 3 Reasons to Avoid Target-Date Retirement Funds and Online Investment Providers

» The Benefits of a Flexible Market-Based Portfolio

» Why You Should Know Dimensional Fund Advisors DFA

» Chasing Yield Will Get You Burned

» The Myth of Investment Bargains

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How Does My Estate Plan Represent My Wishes?

Estate planning is far more than “who will get your stuff.” An estate plan takes care of you and yours when you are not able to, whether due to disability or death.

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QUESTIONS

» Do I have appropriate and updated documents?

» If I am hospitalized will my wishes be carried out, and who should speak on my behalf?

» What are the most effective ways to transfer my assets during my life? Are there tax advantaged ways to give?

» How can I help a loved one financially, both today and in the future?

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RESOURCES:

» State Bar of Michigan DIY Will and Estate Planning Documents

» Who should be my power of attorney in health and financial matters?

» Estate Planning For Your Digital Assets

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Where Do I Find Insurance Advice I Can Trust?

Insurance is sold and not bought. This simple truth of the sales nature of the insurance industry also reveals a truth: your insurance agent is incentivized to sell you as much of their insurance products as your budget allows.

 

Our approach to insurance is to make sure you are covered across all types of insurance. As a licensed Insurance Counselor, we do not sell insurance, but we can provide advice on your insurance needs and help you choose professionals, policies, and amounts.

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Insurance is meant to cover promises we have to others that our assets do not currently satisfy. By working with an independent, fee-only fiduciary advisor with your interests at heart, we can craft an insurance plan that is right for you and yours. 

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QUESTIONS

» How much life insurance should I have? What is the best type - term, whole life, another? Where should I purchase it? 

» What types of disability insurance should I have? Does long-term care insurance make sense for me?

» As a high net worth individual, how can I make sure my property insurance covers my risks?

» Should I purchase an annuity? What are the benefits and risks?

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RESOURCES:

» Do Not Buy Insurance from Your Investment Advisor

» One Easy Way to Lower Your Life Insurance Premiums

» Should I Buy an Annuity at Retirement?

» Variable Annuities Seek to Bail on Guarantees

» Check Your Umbrella for April Showers

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How can we help you?

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