Adam Waitzman, CLU®

Thrivent, a Minneapolis-based financial services firm with $193 billion in client assets, is planning a major hiring push in 2025, with plans to add 600 new financial advisors across its employee and independent advisor channels.

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There’s a major opportunity for advisors in how long-term care planning is delivered. In Episode 129 of the Optimized Advisor Podcast, one point becomes clear: The future of LTC planning isn’t about making the process more complex—it’s about making it more structured, guided, and client-friendly. When advisors have the right tools and framework in place, they can: • Walk clients through the planning process with clarity • Keep the conversation plan-first instead of product-first • Reduce friction in decision-making • Improve client confidence and follow-through This isn’t about replacing the human element—it’s about enhancing it. As mentioned in this clip: “This is a tool our entire sales team should be utilizing.” The advisors who lean into this approach will be the ones who differentiate themselves, deepen client relationships, and drive better outcomes. 🎧 Episode 129 breaks down how to implement this into your process. #FinancialAdvisors #LongTermCarePlanning #WealthManagement #InsuranceProfessionals #AdvisorDevelopment

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Advisors — if you're only using AI to write emails or blog posts, you're barely scratching the surface. Watch this to see how AI can transform the way you work.

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Retiring from your retirement annuity at age 55 is often seen as a milestone decision—but in reality, it’s simply the earliest option, not a requirement. In this Moneyweb article, Sherry Tapfuma, CFP® explores why RA retirement should be treated as a strategic planning decision rather than a birthday trigger. From understanding your underlying product and Regulation 28, to managing liquidity, tax, and sequencing risk, the timing of your decision can materially influence your long-term financial outcomes. https://lnkd.in/dxQpgtPr Alex Odendaal, CFP® Corlene Botha Chantelle Cooke Craig Torr Devon Card, CFP® Dominique Roberts Danielle Botha Dumolwayo Moyo, RFP® Eric Jordaan, CFP® Erin W. Hannah Myburgh, CFP® Keziah Fortune Sharon Carter Shaneez Bredekamp Rayarn Barnes, CFP® Sue Torr

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More clients are looking for guaranteed income and protection in today’s markets. Annuities are playing an increasingly important role, and at Athene, we’re focused on helping financial professionals meet this demand with innovative solutions. This Kiplinger article offers a helpful perspective: https://ow.ly/4LOz50WpbVY

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Partner Insight: Tackling the nemeses of a comfortable retirement Sequencing risk is a persistent threat to your clients' retirement portfolios, and the traditional strategies to combat it often come with an uncomfortable trade-off: protection at the expense of potential performance. Living off yield? Income uncertainty. Cash buckets? Potential long-term drag. Rising Equity Glide Path? Opportunity cost in early-year bull markets. Historical data suggests significant bear markets without a quick recovery are rare. Are we over-calibrating the threat and sacrificing long-term growth? The question is: How can we protect against sequencing risk without detrimentally impacting long-term outcomes? Growing evidence points to a strategic balance: integrating guaranteed lifetime income with drawdown. This can provide the necessary protection while allowing assets to work harder for longer. Read the article to learn more about why a tailored, integrated approach is essential and how Fidelity Adviser Solutions Flexible Investment and Retirement Solutions facility offers the opportunity to meet diverse client needs. https://incm.pub/430IfHe

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This recent retirement income planning webinar is a must-watch if your clients include pre-retirees. When your pre-retiree clients have questions, what is your process to provide answers and options? This lesson includes actionable retirement income planning strategies you can implement into your practice right away. You’re going to learn the top 6 financial planning questions retirees have and see how easy it can be to answer these questions in a highly personalized, efficient manner. https://lnkd.in/eVj6zYfR

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