Enjoy the latest installment of Weekend Reading for Financial Planners. This week’s issue begins with the news that the Social Security Fairness Act was signed into law this week, eliminating the Windfall Exemption Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) provisions, which were previously “covered” (Social Security It reduced Social Security benefits for individuals who worked in both “non-covered” (jobs that typically didn’t pay) and “non-covered” jobs (jobs that typically didn’t pay). civil service job that provided his or her pension) during his or her career (in the case of a WEP), or spousal or survivor benefits received by an individual who worked in an “ineligible” job (in the case of a GPO). . In particular, the new law could impact clients of various advisory firms, with those currently receiving Social Security covered by WEP/GPO expected to see an increase in benefits, while spouses on Social Security Individuals covered by the GPO who have not applied for benefits may be affected. You may find that they are eligible for benefits (but would have to apply!) (as they would have been excluded by the GPO cuts).
This week’s industry news:
One study found that nearly 71% of new financial advisors quit within the first five years, compared to companies that offer better training and mentorship opportunities (entry-level positions with no business development goals). It has been shown to have high employee retention rates. How FINRA, the broker-dealer self-regulatory organization, is likely to face a variety of political and judicial challenges to its authority in the coming years.
From there, there are several articles on investment planning.
How advisors can address clients’ concerns that rising stock valuations may portend a short-term market decline While you may be frustrated by poor performance, historical data suggests that geographic diversification may be beneficial in the long run. Historical studies have shown that periods of market concentration (such as today) tend to be associated with bull markets and are not predictive of the timing of future bear markets.
There are also many articles about the value of advisors.
5 ways financial planners can exceed client expectations in 2025. From educating yourself on technical topics that are valuable to your ideal target client to increasing the number of touchpoints with your clients (without taking up a significant amount of your advisor’s time). Differentiate financial advice provided by generative artificial intelligence tools, which are expected to become increasingly popular in the coming years Advisors can use feedback surveys to understand what their clients value most from their relationships How to determine your value and adjust your service model to provide better service
Finally, here are three articles about credit card benefits.
Advisors help clients determine the best credit card rewards approach for their unique circumstances, and how taking a strategic approach can help them earn thousands of dollars worth of perks and perks throughout the year. Can you get the most value out of your accumulated credit card rewards, airline miles, and hotel points?
Enjoy “light” reading!
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