This course examines off-channel business communications from the standpoint of the individual investment adviser representative. It traces how the recordkeeping requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 collided with text messaging, social media messaging applications, and video conferencing, and explains what that collision means for the IAR who receives a client text on a Saturday night. The course treats the subject as an ethics and professionalism matter rather than a purely administrative one, addressing client boundary-setting, fiduciary detachment, data security, imposter and account-takeover risk, remediation of off-channel exchanges once they occur, and the current direction of regulatory reform. Short, real-world advisor scenarios appear throughout to connect rule text to daily practice.
Off-channel communications are communications that take place outside of ordinary or official communication channels. When used and managed correctly, they can be very beneficial. When they aren't managed correctly, violation of supervision and recordkeeping rules and regulations surrounding such communications can occur. This course will discuss communications in general, the different categories of off-channel communications, the rules and regulations governing their use, and real-world examples of failure to comply.
This course provides a detailed overview of the standards and best practices for off-channel communications within the financial services industry. It covers regulatory requirements from agencies like FINRA, the SEC, and the CFTC, emphasizing compliance in using digital platforms, social media, and electronic communication methods. Through case studies, real-world examples, and regulatory guidelines, learners will understand the potential risks and compliance obligations associated with off-channel communication. Ultimately, the course aims to help financial professions maintain regulatory standards and protect both the firm and clients in an increasingly digital environment.
This course teaches participants about investing in oil and gas limited partnerships. In particular, participants learn about how limited partnerships are structured and how they are taxed. Also, participants are taught about the characteristics of different types of oil and gas limited partnerships based on risk (i.e., exploratory, developmental and income) as well as the different types based on the industrial supply chain (i.e., upstream, midstream, downstream). Additionally, the unique tax benefits enjoyed by oil and gas investors are examined, as well as the major risks, such as high costs, illiquidity, oil and gas price volatility, dry holes, regulatory risk, climate change, and fraud.
With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) set to expire at the end of 2025, financial advisors face uncertainty about the future of various provisions. With tax policy proposals, ideas, and speculation flowing through the news in a near-constant stream, many clients are left feeling anxious and unsure of what will actually come to pass. In this timely and informative session, Ben Henry-Moreland breaks down the key provisions of the TCJA, what's likely to change or stay the same, and how the current political landscape could shape upcoming tax legislation. Throughout this presentation, Ben provides ideas of how to balance helping clients remain calm with thoughtful communication strategies while also taking steps to plan based on what is currently known about the state of these tax provisions. Key TCJA provisions such as the SALT deduction, alternative minimum taxes, estate tax exemptions, and business owner provisions like Section 199A are discussed.
Every day, financial advisors help clients plan for their retirement. Retirement goals are discussed, financial models are run, and retirement withdrawals are optimized. However, financial preparation is only one pillar of happiness in retirement. Michael Finke, Ph.D., CFP' walks us through the latest research on retiree happiness, highlighting other areas where clients should invest to secure their future life satisfaction. Topics discussed include the impacts of relationships on retiree happiness, cognitive decline's relationship with investment performance, and the factors associated with having a higher likelihood of overspending or underspending in retirement. Throughout the presentation, Michael provides strategies that advisors can use to ensure that once they help clients prepare for retirement financially, they can also help them prepare to actually enjoy it.
Helping clients to figure out how to spend their money in retirement is a large part of advisor's work and no easy task. Clients can get confused about strategies. And strategies themselves become more and more complex given the complexity of the client (is the client a couple, high-income, business owner, have inheritance or giving goals). Yet, one unifying principle is that advisors and clients both want as much income in their hands as possible and this brings taxes and tax efficiencies front and center. Join us and learn not only about efficient strategies, but rules of thumb that can be taken back to practice and ease client-advisor conversations about planning and spending complexities in and through retirement.
In this continuing education session, learners will review 2 Nerd’s Eye View blog articles: Why Delaying Social Security Benefits Isn’t Always The Best Decision and Creating A Flexible Retirement Date ‘Window’ To Mitigate Sequence And Cohort Risk.
In the first article, Derek Tharp, Ph.D., CFP, CLU, RICP, challenges the common assumption that delaying Social Security to age 70 is almost always optimal, arguing that traditional research ignores real-world risks, opportunity costs, behavioral factors, and expected utility.
In the second article, Georgios Argyris, Ph.D., argues that retirement timing should be treated as an active planning decision rather than a fixed assumption, because even a modest one- to two-year shift can materially improve retirement outcomes by changing the market environment a retiree enters.
Every year, countless individuals approach retirement with concerns about their financial security, seeking ways to optimize their savings and minimize potential tax burdens. As financial advisors work with clients through the intricacies of retirement planning, another significant challenge often surfaces; how to effectively manage tax liabilities through strategic Roth conversions. With evolving tax laws and market conditions, the complexity of executing Roth conversions has grown, especially for those aiming to maximize their retirement funds without unforeseen tax consequences. In this course, participants will gain practical insights into Roth Conversion strategies, learning to navigate the intricate rules that govern these conversions. The course will cover essential tactics for optimizing the timing and execution of Roth conversions, evaluating potential risks, and leveraging opportunities for tax optimization. Through practical applications and mastering these strategies, financial advisors will be better equipped to guide their clients in implementing Roth conversions that enhance their financial security in retirement.
As millions of Americans transition into retirement each year, they face a critical challenge that can make or break their financial security: determining how to efficiently withdraw from their retirement accounts. Financial advisors increasingly encounter clients grappling with complex questions about sustainable withdrawal rates, tax implications, and how to transform their accumulated assets into reliable retirement 'cash flow'. With multiple account types, varying tax treatments, and the need to balance current lifestyle spending needs against long-term sustainability, creating an effective withdrawal strategy has become more crucial and complex than ever before. In this course, advisors will master the essential components of retirement withdrawal planning. The course will explore key aspects of withdrawal sequencing, refining asset location priorities, and tax optimization techniques that significantly impact retirement outcomes. Through practical applications and comprehensive understanding of these strategies, financial advisors will better design and implement custom client withdrawal policies to align with their clients' spending goals while maximizing tax efficiency and overall wealth.