People get older and they spend less… except for healthcare. In a 2017 LIMRA survey, 4 in 10 retirees are concerned that their healthcare costs will affect their standard of living. 

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College estimated that a married couple age 65 may pay as much as $260,000 in out of pocket healthcare and nursing home costs. This number could be very low if we factor in all Long Term Care costs.

So, why not offer a product that can address these healthcare needs and provide a tax free death benefit if the money isn’t needed. Come on, take advantage of these great products.  Call us for marketing assistance.

We are in a tremendous profession.  We can really choose to work as much, or as little as we want, as we approach retirement.  We spend a great percentage of our time helping our clients meet their retirement goals. 

But, what about yours?  It all starts today.  You need to have a sound marketing plan that will assist you today, as well as tomorrow.  We need to develop a flow of prospects 2, 5 and 10 years from now.  The question is, how do we do that?  

Well, there is no “secret sauce,” as some would have you believe.  We need to analyze our available time, money and manpower to get the job done.  And, to use another old commercial, “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” 

Things are different.  Today, you have to have a prescription for success that has an equal portion of human touch, as well as a strong compelling digital presence. Let’s look at some ideas:

First, seminars work but they are different.  Todays Boomers check you about before they attend.  Yes, dinners are great, but seminars can be done without a big fancy meal.  We can help you fill the rooms at a much lower cost.  I am sure you see ads that speak of retirement planning solutions.  Have an interest in doing that? Great… we can help.

What about the next generations?  You know, the people that will get the death proceeds of the products we sell.  Do you have an opportunity to work with them?  If not, we do.  In short, we can help.  Why not give us a call, or send an email and let’s jointly develop a plan that make your retirement dreams a reality. 

Yep, that is what we have at the beginning of each year... goose eggs.  We are starting over.  Starting from scratch, and time to try and make the new year the best year ever.  

Hold on, I said "starting from scratch.”  Not all financial pros are starting from scratch...
 

1. The winners have the plans in place, know where they will get a significant part of their business and know just how to approach the year. 
   
2. Also, they have developed strategies and tactics to give them the best opportunity for success.  
   
3. And, they have a marketing budget. 
   
4. But, many, if not most, have a mentor.  Someone that they are turning to for advice and guidance as they plow through his next year.  
   

The year has tremendous promise as well as tremendous challenges.  Who knows what will happen with a "best interest" rule.  Who knows what the new Congress might do? 

Bottom line, you need a plan with plenty of exit lanes.  We have them here at The Ohlson Group. So, if a little nervous about your plan (or lack thereof) give us a call at 1-877-844-0900. Operators are standing by to help.

Well here we are.  I also hope that you are brimming with excitement about the financial opportunities that are staring you right in the face. 

I hope that your business and marketing plan is complete, and that you have already implemented your program. I hope that your lead generation programs are already in gear, and that you are also embarking on clients reviews that are a big part of your referred lead program.  I hope that you have updated your website, made it vibrant, refreshed all content and that you are already getting Google leads and filling your seminar via Facebook. 

Your budget, I assume, is complete and you have factored in marketing, research and education.  Bottom line, there is probably nothing that The Ohlson Group can do to help... am I correct?

If you are like the vast majority of pros... you don't have everything put together. Well, we do and we can help.

Come on, let's talk. You have the aptitude but maybe that attitude isn't so good. Why?  You are not prepared. You don't have a plan and you don't have a mentor.  For goodness sakes, give us a call at 1-877-844-0900 and let's talk -  as "our" financial futures might be dependent on this conversation.

Now, do I have your attention?  Were you thinking that I was going to get a little bit political?  Well, sorry... I am talking about building a wall around your client's retirement nest egg.  

You see, we have been living a pretty "charmed" financial life.  Markets have been moving North since the election, hiring is up, unemployment is down, optimism is up, businesses are hiring... why panic?  I am not suggesting a panic, nor am I suggesting that the sky is falling.  On the contrary, I think America's best days are ahead of us and the economic footing is sound.  But, it is all a matter of timing.  

If your clients have 5 years or more till retirement, I might have a very rough time convincing them to go "100% Safe.”  But, for those in retirement, or near, it might be a good time to re-evaluate their risk tolerance, timeline needs for income and maybe "build the wall" around their retirement nest eggs. Or, at the least... a moat.
 
As I am writing this, the market has responded pretty well, and we are making up a lot of our losses over the last couple of weeks.  Many feel as though 2018 will end up as a "no gain" year.  Think about it.  

Talk to present clients that have index annuities and they should be pretty happy.  What about those that purchased because of the income rider?  WOW... they are in seventh heaven. 

So, I started with a joke about the wall.  Well, the moat with a draw bridge might be a better analogy.  Maybe it is time to lower the gate and escort some riskier vehicles off of the property.  Again, I’m not giving investment advice.  But, I am advising you to speak with your clients and re-visit risk tolerance. 
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