Secure Planning Strategies – Financial, Estate, Retirement and Special Needs Planners, Investment & Securities Advisors, Portfolio Managers and Certified Gerontologist located in Southfield, Michigan.

Why do the financial planners at Secure Planning Strategies believe they are different from other financial planners?
A. We are wealth managers, ready to assist you wherever you are in life. At Secure Planning Strategies (SPS) we know that successful financial planning requires careful coordination of all major financial areas. Our knowledge and experience in tax and estate planning, risk management, retirement and investment planning help us take a global view of our client’s situation and allow us to make appropriate recommendations based on their financial objectives. We work to educate our clients as we continue to work with them so that they have full understanding of their planning and feel secure in their future.

SPS is also unique in being able to offer estate and financial planning for families with special needs children. This area of specialty planning allows SPS to assist families with challenging and sensitive issues faced in the long-term care and protection of adults and children with special needs.

As practitioners with nearly 30 years of experience we see the life changes of our clients as they move from active lifestyles to preparing for retirement and the process of aging. Our knowledge and experience as trained Financial Gerontologists help prepare our clients and their family members for the changes to come.

Secure Planning Strategies believes that service excellence is the first step in building a long-term business relationship with our clients. We take great pride in going beyond what is customarily expected of a financial adviser. We look out for our clients, making ourselves available during times of crisis and celebration – helping to envision and protect their extraordinary futures.

Is Secure Planning Strategies tied to specific plans or products?
A. The professionals of Secure Planning Strategies are independent advisers who create custom plans and offer recommendations based on the specific needs of each client. Being independent of product or corporate requirements allows us to be creative in our approach. We strive to achieve the optimum results for each client by working with a broad network of professionals in all areas of financial services to address the singular needs for each situation.

When planning for a Special Needs child, is one planner better than the other?
A. Secure Planning Strategies provides the finest planning services available for the families with special needs children. Special needs planning is a complex and challenging area requiring a thorough knowledge of various government programs and benefits, estate planning and investment planning rules, as well as a familiarity with various disabilities.

SPS was one of the earliest firms in Michigan to recognize the importance of this planning and to specialize in offering services to families in need. In the past two decades we have assisted more than 700 families nationwide. We are very proud of our ability to provide strategies to these complex issues, irrespective of the parent’s net worth. SPS is connected with various advocacy organizations and is part of a network of professionals specializing in this area.

Does SPS advise individuals who do not have Special Needs children/individuals?
A. Secure Planning Strategies is dedicated to maintaining both a general practice and a focus on special needs planning. This balance provides the firm with a unique perspective. SPS serves affluent families, professionals, retirees, widows and small business owners in their estate and wealth management strategies. Families with special needs children require all the basic financial planning in addition to planning for their child.

What is Financial Gerontology?
A. Financial Gerontology deals with economic issues related to the process of aging. It is a fact that a large percentage of our national population, and our clientele, will live into their nineties. This longer life expectancy generates numerous challenges, including health care, dependency on other family members, inability to take care of basic day-to-day necessities, surviving the death of a spouse, etc. Most people are not truly prepared for these changes. In addition, the traditional financial planning and investment management services for an aging population will require adjustments in order for them to have the financial security as long as they need it.

How is SPS compensated?
A. Secure Planning Strategies provides a comprehensive plan document prior to implementation, with strategies in asset management, risk management and estate planning. This initial financial planning service ranges from $1,000 to $7,500, depending upon the complexity of the plan. Investment management services are calculated as a percentage of the assets under management and may vary depending upon the active or passive management style of the asset manager, and also whether they are managed mutual funds, individual securities or alternative investments.

How does SPS determine investment strategies for a client?
A. Before designing a client’s individual investment portfolio, Secure Planning Strategies spends a lot of time understanding their:

Personal and family situation
Need for growth of their assets
Need for income during retirement
Need to leave assets for the next generation
Ability to tolerate volatility

We strive for growth as well as capital preservation for our clients. We have seen the effects of economic turmoil during the 1987 crash, the 1990-91 Iraqi war and during the bear market of 2000-2002 both on investments and on clients’ emotions. We are careful in providing maximum diversification in the management styles of portfolios as well as the underlying products within the portfolios. We select managers for individual securities and mutual funds as well as alternative investments.

Why does SPS insist on a comprehensive plan when I only need investment management service?
A. We are able to provide a better strategy for your investment planning needs once we are familiar with all other components of your financial well being. A basic financial plan provides knowledge of the foundation on which SPS will strive to help build your future. It tells us where you are, where you wish to go or need to go, and how you can bridge the gap. We believe very firmly that all areas of planning, from cash flow/budget, risk management, retirement and investment planning, tax planning, estate and succession planning are connected with each other.

How often do you meet clients for reviews?
A. Once the initial planning is completed and implemented, SPS maintains regular, ongoing communication with each client. We prefer to be involved in all financial decision-making processes, and meet our clients at least once a year for a formal review, or when life, economic or tax law changes make it necessary. We also stay in touch regarding matters of special interest or concern. SPS clients receive monthly statements on their investments, as well as a quarterly portfolio summary.