Already Have a Financial Advisor? Here Is Where My Work May Fit.

You may already have someone managing your investments. You may trust that person and feel good about the work you are doing together.

So where would a conversation with me fit?

That depends on the question you want answered.

Before we discuss an insurance policy, an annuity, or a change to what you already have, I want to understand what brought you to the conversation.

Start with what is already working

Having another conversation does not mean you need to replace your advisor, move money, or buy something.

Your advisor may already help you think through retirement income, insurance, and the other parts of your financial life. Ask what is included in that relationship and which questions you can work through together.

If you have an explanation you understand and a plan that addresses the question, another product may not add anything useful.

If something still feels unclear, identify that question first.

Where my work fits

I am an insurance and annuity specialist with Wilshire Group Financial Services in Los Angeles. My work focuses on retirement income and financial protection through insurance and annuity strategies. I do not manage stock or bond portfolios.

That distinction matters. You should know what someone does before deciding whether their help fits what you need.

A conversation with me might begin with questions such as:

• What is my existing life insurance intended to protect, and does that purpose still match my needs?
• How does an annuity I already own work?
• What would I want an insurance or annuity strategy to accomplish?
• What costs, limitations, or access restrictions would I need to understand?
• Which questions should go back to my investment professional, CPA, or attorney?

We can start by sorting out the question and whether it falls within my work. There does not need to be a product decision at the end of the first call.

Wanting to stay invested belongs in the conversation

If staying invested in the market is important to you, say so.

That preference should be part of the discussion from the beginning. So should your need for access to money, your income needs, and the protection you are trying to provide for your family.

An insurance or annuity conversation should make the tradeoffs easier to understand. It should give you room to ask what a strategy would do, what it would cost, and what you would give up by choosing it.

You should also be able to ask whether it adds anything useful to what you already have.

Be clear about who is responsible for what

When more than one professional is involved, it helps to know which questions belong with each person.

I focus on insurance and annuity questions. Investment recommendations and portfolio decisions belong with an appropriately licensed investment professional. Individual tax and legal questions belong with the professionals responsible for those areas.

Ask each person what services they provide, how they are paid, and where their role ends. The SEC’s questions to ask when hiring an investment professional can help you prepare for that part of the conversation with your investment professional.

Having several professionals involved should not leave you guessing about who is handling a decision.

Bring the question you actually have

You do not need to arrive with a finished plan or know every financial term.

It helps to explain three things:

1. What is already in place. Tell me who you work with and which part of your financial life they help you with.
2. What feels unclear. Name the policy, income question, or protection concern you want to understand.
3. What you want to preserve. That might be an existing relationship, access to your money, or something about your current approach that matters to you.

If your main question is how your savings will support retirement, start with your monthly income needs. That can help you put the conversation into context before discussing any particular strategy.

The purpose of another conversation should be clear. You should leave with a better understanding of your question, who can help answer it, and whether there is a useful next step.

Have a question about retirement income or protection?

Tell me what you already have and what you want explained. We can start there and decide whether another conversation would be useful.

Schedule a conversation with Brian

About Brian Daof

Brian Daof is an insurance and annuity specialist with Wilshire Group Financial Services in Los Angeles. He works with individuals and families who want to better understand retirement income, financial protection, and the decisions that come with preparing for retirement.

Educational disclaimer

This material is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended as individualized insurance, investment, tax, or legal advice. Individual circumstances vary. Consult the appropriate professionals regarding your specific situation.