As you approach retirement or as a retiree, have you ever said this to yourself...

"Am I going to run out of money before I run out of life?"

"When do I start Social Security?"

"Do I have the right Medicare plan?"

If any of that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Stewart Smith, LUTCF®, RICP®, and Mitch Davies, CFP®, break down exactly what separates a true retirement planning advisor from a general financial advisor and what you should look for (and look out for) before you hire one.

In This ClearPath Retirement Radio Episode:
→ The difference between accumulation planners and retirement distribution planners
→ Why fiduciary status and dual licensing (securities and insurance) matter
→ How to decode advisor designations like CFP, RICP, and CFA
→ Why real-world experience is critical when it comes to retirement planning
→ The exact questions to ask before hiring an advisor
→ Red flags to watch for, including guaranteed returns and pressure tactics
→ What a complete retirement income plan should actually cover

Timestamps:
→ [00:00] Intro
→ [01:53] Two types of financial advisors: accumulation vs. distribution
→ [03:49] Signs your advisor isn't built for retirement planning
→ [07:31] Why fiduciary status and dual licensing matter
→ [09:00] What it really means to be a fiduciary
→ [11:16] Decoding designations: CFP, RICP, and CFA
→ [15:50] Weaker designations to watch out for
→ [18:34] Why experience matters in retirement planning
→ [21:06] Character matters: why military service stands out
→ [25:07] Key questions to ask before hiring an advisor
→ [29:00] Ask about their planning process
→ [31:01] Understanding your custodian
→ [33:19] Breaking down fee structures and hidden fees
→ [38:59] Red flags: urgency, guaranteed returns, and unrealistic promises
→ [42:03] What a complete retirement income plan should include

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ClearPath Retirement Planning helps retirees and pre-retirees in the Upstate SC and Columbia areas and Western NC create tax-efficient retirement income strategies.

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📞 (864) 775-5033

Schedule your ClearPath Retirement Review today www.clearpathretirement.com

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Important Disclosure:

Investment advisory services offered through Alphastar Capital Management, LLC, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the adviser has attained a particular level of skill or ability. Fixed insurance products are offered through Clearpath Retirement Planning, LLC and Alphastar Capital Management is not involved in the offer, recommendation, sale or management of commission-based fixed Insurance products. Alphastar Capital Management and Clearpath Retirement...