My name is David Lockman. Since 2001, I have specialized in helping individuals financially prepare for retirement, which often includes the strategic use of annuities. Clients appreciate the guidance in maximizing income to cover fixed monthly expenses while maintaining a level of protection for the remainder of their assets to grow for needs or goals that may occur during life and beyond.
Despite the challenges of the economy, including low-yielding traditional bank savings and bond instruments, there are many strategies available that can be put in place to ensure that you do not run out of income while also protecting your hard-earned savings from future market downturns.
While most financial advisors are more than happy to provide you with investment tips and growth opportunities for your portfolio, few financial professionals know how to convert your savings into a long-term, sustainable income so that you can spend with confidence when you retire.
I earned my BA in Business Finance from The University of Toledo in 1991 and began my financial services career with MetLife in 2001. I headed our local division for estate planning for families with special needs children, and also supported beneficiaries continuing the legacy that a policy owner wished for their loved ones. I later assisted hundreds of clients at First Merit Bank (now Huntington) determine if annuity solutions, including both variable and fixed, were appropriate for their situation.
My passion for assisting both the pre- and post-retirees started early in my career, which began just a few months prior to 9/11. A traumatic time for many, I learned quickly how proper planning can provide meaningful confidence to clients even during uncertain times. Likewise, I saw many individuals lose over 40% of their lifetime savings as they played into the hype of investor greed without maintaining proper safety nets to protect their investments.
Since 2019, I have enjoyed the opportunity to manage my own independent planning and wealth management practice. My firm allows clients to have access to an open-architecture platform of investment solutions, while maintaining the capacity to blend various risk management and tax-efficient tools. Importantly, my clients are able to access planning strategies that remove conflicts of interest often found at larger institutions.
My clients are typically strong savers approaching retirement or already retired who are seeking unbiased guidance for long-term income and asset protection. My planning philosophy emphasizes predictable outcomes, rather than relying solely on traditional stock and bond allocations. I incorporate contractual strategies designed to protect against downside risk, tailored to each client’s comfort level. Should an investor wish to use an annuity to achieve their personal goals, I am uniquely able to help distinguish between commission-based contracts versus fee-based ones, thus again taking the conflict of interest away from the decision-making process.
While I reside outside of Cleveland, Ohio, I can work with clients throughout the United States. By utilizing today’s technology systems, not only can we meet “face-to-face” virtually online, but we can also share computer screens so that we are all on the “same page.” That way, you can see firsthand how various income strategies may work for you and your specific goals.
Clarifying the advantages and sometimes disadvantages of the many types of annuity contracts available will certainly help you feel more confident as you navigate the decision-making process. Feel free to reach out if you are looking for retirement planning guidance and annuity recommendations to help you reach your retirement goals.
Sincerely,
David Lockman