The 3 Most Important Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

Video Disclaimer
Any references to protection benefit or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investment products. Insurance and annuity product guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company .An annuity is intended to be a long-term, tax-deferred retirement vehicle. Earnings are taxable as ordinary income when distributed, and if withdrawn before age 59½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. If the annuity will fund an IRA or other tax qualified plan, the tax deferral feature offers no additional value. Qualified distributions from a Roth IRA are generally excluded from gross income, but taxes and penalties may apply to non-qualified distributions. Consult a tax advisor for specific information. This is not a recommendation to surrender or otherwise purchase an insurance product. You should review your specific policy and financial situation with your advisor.
Not all financial advisors are created equal—so how do you find the right one? In this week's Ascend360™ Insider, Bill Smith, RICP®, MRFC®, CEO and Founder of W.A. Smith Financial Group, reveals the three most important questions to ask before hiring an advisor—plus one crucial question to ask yourself. Learn how to identify the right advisor, avoid common pitfalls, and ensure your financial plan is built for long-term success.
