The Importance of Staying Invested

Contributed by: Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®

While trying to time the market may seem tempting during times of volatility, investors who attempt to, run the risk of missing periods of quality returns, likely leading to significant adverse effects on the ending value of a portfolio.

The image below illustrates the value of a $100,000 investment in the stock market during the 2007–18 period, which included the global financial crisis and the recovery that followed. The value of the investment dropped to $54,381 by February 2009 (the trough date), following a severe market decline. If an investor remained invested in the stock market over the next nine years, however, the ending value of the investment would have been $227,993. If the same investor exited the market at the bottom, invested in cash for a year, and then reinvested in the market, the ending value of the investment would have been $148,554. An all-cash investment at the bottom of the market would have yielded only $56,122. The continuous stock market investment recovered its initial value over the next three years and provided a higher ending value than the other two strategies. While all recoveries may not yield the same results, investors are well advised to stick with a long-term approach to investing.

Sometimes it can feel very difficult to stay invested!

Crises and Long-Term Performance

Economies and markets tend to move in cycles, and any stock market can have a downturn once in a while. Most investors lose money when the stock market goes down, but some people may think they can time the market and gain. For example, an investor may aim to buy in when the market is at the very bottom and cash out when the recovery is complete, thus enjoying the entire upside.

The problem with this type of reasoning is that it’s impossible to know when the market hits bottom. Most investors panic when the market starts to decline, then they decide to wait and end up selling after they have already lost considerable value. Or, on the recovery side, they buy in after the initial surge in value has passed and miss most of the upward momentum.

The graph illustrates the growth of $1 invested in U.S. large stocks at the beginning of 1970 and the four major market declines that subsequently occurred, including the recent banking and credit crisis. Panic is understandable in times of market turmoil, but investors who flee in such moments may come to regret it.

Each crisis, when it happens, feels like the worst one ever (the most recent one in 2008, as evidenced by the image, actually was). When viewed in isolation on the lower-tier graphs, each decline appears disastrous. However, historical data suggests that holding on through difficult times can pay off in the long run. For example, $1 invested in January 1970 grew to $117.05 by December 2018, generating a 10.2% compound annual return. And in the past, when looking at the big picture, every crisis has been eclipsed by long-term growth.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us when you are feeling uneasy during market volatility.  We are here, working for you!

Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, is a partner and Director of Investments at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She chairs The Center Investment Committee and pens a quarterly Investment Commentary.

---

Returns and principal invested in stocks are not guaranteed. Stocks have been more volatile than bonds or cash. Holding a portfolio of securities for the long term does not ensure a profitable outcome and investing in securities always involves risk of loss. About the data: Stocks are represented by the Ibbotson® Large Company Stock Index. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. Four market crises defined as a drop of 25% or more in the index. Return is represented by the compound annual return. Recession data is from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The market is represented by the Ibbotson® Large Company Stock Index. Cash is represented by the 30-day U.S. Treasury bill. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. The data assumes reinvestment of income and does not account for taxes or transaction costs. Performance of a hypothetical investment does not reflect transaction costs, taxes, or returns that any investor actually attained and may not reflect the true costs, including management fees, of an actual portfolio. Changes in any assumption may have a material impact on the hypothetical returns presented. Illustration does not include fees and expenses which would reduce returns. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Angela Palacios, and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation.

Market Performance and Viral Outbreaks

Contributed by: Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®

Recent market volatility caused by the spread of the coronavirus and a fear of a global economic slowdown has left many wondering if this has happened before and if so, is it different this time?  There have been numerous outbreaks in recent history that we can look at.  Below is a list of different outbreaks (many of which were far deadlier than the coronavirus) that occurred. Check out the return of the S&P 500 6 and 12 months after the epidemic.

But how about a short term global impact?  The chart below shows 1 month, 3 month, and 6 month returns of the MSCI World index.  Again, not the extreme reaction that we are feeling right now in markets. 

While there may have been short term volatility, in most cases it was short lived.

But you may still be thinking that it is different this time.   The world is far more dependent on global trade than it was during SARS in 2003 for example.  There will be some supply chain disruptions and we may not be able to source these goods from other locations quickly enough.  For example, Coca-Cola recently announced that there may be some supply disruptions in the artificial sweetener used in Diet Coke and Zero Sugar Coke…this could be devastating!  I may have to switch to drinking regular coke! Actually, I don’t drink very much pop but now that I know there could be a shortage I’m craving it!  Jokes aside, many industries may face this challenge until China is back up and running around the globe.  The trade war has actually done more to prepare us for this situation than, I think, anything could have.  Companies were already searching for supply sources outside of China or bringing production back into the U.S. after the implementation of tariffs last year.

The severity of the virus will dictate the eventual outcome. Right now investors are taking a “sell first and ask questions later” mentality. We have a lot to learn from the individuals in the U.S. under care of physicians here in the U.S. as to exactly how deadly this flu is under our system of healthcare which is one of the best in the world. Markets are selling off on a guess, right now, of where this could head. If history is any indicator, by this time next year, this should be a distant memory.

Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, is a partner and Director of Investments at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She chairs The Center Investment Committee and pens a quarterly Investment Commentary.

---

There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Past Performance does not guarantee future results. One cannot invest directly in an index. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The MSCI World is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure large and mid cap performance across 23 developed markets countries. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Markets Flash Fear as COVID-19 Approaches Pandemic Status

Contributed by: Raymond James

U.S. equity indices fell over 3% on continued news of the coronavirus’ spread.

As coronavirus cases continue to escalate in several new regions, like South Korea, Italy, Japan, Iran, Singapore and the United States, Raymond James Healthcare Policy Analyst Chris Meekins believes we are now in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic. The word itself isn’t intended to cause panic, but rather to prompt increased awareness of the potential economic and health effects of this rapidly spreading virus. Meekins believes the United States now faces a 1 in 3 chance of a widespread outbreak given recent events.

Unfortunately, the illness – thought to have originated in Wuhan, an important Chinese manufacturing hub – has taken its toll on equity markets, causing disruption in several industries, including travel and energy, as well as major supply chains in India and China. Amid the trade war, supply chains generally migrated away from China to places like Vietnam, Thailand and Mexico; however, global supply chains are deep and complex, and disruptions have already led to halts in motor vehicle production in Japan and South Korea, explains Chief Economist Scott Brown. U.S. firms also face a loss of sales to the Chinese market, he notes.

In addition, oil fell on concerns over weakened Chinese demand and the risk of further demand impact outside the Asia-Pacific region. However, Raymond James energy equity research analyst Pavel Molchanov believes oil prices should recover by year’s end, overcoming the virus-related demand headwinds. The current production outage in Libya is also helping to “cancel out” some of the demand headwinds.

While volatility is likely to continue to weigh on certain sectors until the virus is contained, any pullback could be viewed as a potential buying opportunity within favored sectors as the overall fundamental backdrop remains supportive of equities, according to Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam. Opportunities to add fundamentally sound positions to your portfolio may present themselves over the near term. Your advisor will continue to monitor the news for indications of broader impacts and share any developments with you.

It’s hoped that the global response to contain the deadly respiratory disease proves effective soon and that increased public awareness will deter the spread of the virus. To learn more about how to protect yourself and your family, please visit cdc.gov for updates.

Investing involves risk, and investors may incur a profit or a loss. Sector investments are companies engaged in business related to a specific sector. They are subject to fierce competition and their products and services may be subject to rapid obsolescence. There are additional risks associated with investing in an individual sector, including limited diversification. Investing in oil involves special risks, including the potential adverse effects of state and federal regulation, and may not be suitable for all investors. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the Research Department of Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and are subject to change. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. This material is being provided for information purposes only. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation.

The Most Important Question for Every Divorcing Client: How much do you spend?

Contributed by: Jacki Roessler, CDFA®

How much money did you and your spouse earn last year? I bet you can come up with an answer or a pretty close approximation at a moment’s notice. Now, what if I ask you how much you spent last year?

Long pause and nothing more than a vague idea, right? Let me assure you, you are not alone.

When I sit down with clients who are contemplating or in the process of divorce, the most important question I ask is “have you completed a budget yet?” It’s extremely rare for someone to say yes. No one likes the dreaded “b” word. Yet, after nearly 25 years of being a divorce financial planner, creating a budget (let’s call it a spending plan) for the future is the one foolproof way I know for clients to take control of their financial well‐being and have less stress and money anxiety in the future.

On a global level, if you don’t know what you spend every year, how can you make the big decisions that will be facing you in your divorce such as “should I keep the house” or “what amount of alimony can I agree to?”

On a smaller scale, sometimes we don’t realize we’re overspending on discretionary items such as dining out, holiday gifts and personal care. Seeing it on paper is an eye‐opening experience and a powerful tool to get spending under control.

Where should you begin?

Follow this link for my favorite budgeting worksheet or find one online that you like. If you pay for most expenses with credit cards, you have a simple place to start. Pull out a years’ worth of statements and tally up the totals in each category; housing, medical, food, groceries, dining out, vehicle costs, travel, etc.

Next, consider items you don’t charge on credit cards, for example, mortgage, tax and insurance payments which are generally automatically debited from a bank account. Other items that can be overlooked are those that are deducted directly from your paycheck such as Federal and State taxes, FICA, health insurance premiums, retirement account contributions and healthcare savings accounts.

Another place to look for spending “clues”? Not sure what your annual property taxes are on your home or what you donated to charities in the past? Look at your income tax returns for the past 3 years to give you some insight.

Once you’ve completed this time consuming task, stop and give yourself a high‐five! Creating a spending plan is a lot of work.

Next, give your completed spending plan to your divorce financial advisor and your attorney. They’ll provide valuable feedback about items you’ve missed and/or things you may need to scale back on. Discussing your spending plan together is also a good way to share your financial priorities with your professional team. Most importantly, your spending plan is a necessary tool your attorney needs in order to advocate for you in your divorce.

Jacki Roessler, CDFA®, is a Divorce Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and Branch Associate, Raymond James Financial Services. With more than 25 years of experience in the field, she is a recognized leader in the area of Divorce Financial Planning.

Matthew Chope, CFP® Named to Forbes 2020 Best-in-State List

Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is pleased to announce that Matthew Chope, CFP® has been named to Forbes 2020 list of "Best-in-State" Wealth Advisors in Michigan for the 2nd consecutive year, where he ranked 82nd in the state.

“Matt always puts his clients first,” said Josh Bitel, CFP®, an Associate Financial Planner who works closely with Matt. “Over the course of 30 years in the industry, he’s helped hundreds of clients by genuinely caring about their needs. Matt remains an outstanding example of how to build and maintain relationships through trust and honest work.”

In addition to helping individuals and families with financial planning, Matt also works with local corporations and non-profits on strategic planning and business management decisions. He oversees and manages several local endowments and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Michigan, The Estate Planning Council of Metro Detroit, and the CFA Society Detroit.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 32,000 nominations, more than 4,000 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD Named to Forbes 2020 Best-in-State List

Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® is pleased to announce that Timothy Wyman, CFP®, JD has been named to Forbes 2020 list of "Best-in-State" Wealth Advisors in Michigan for the 3rd consecutive year, where he ranked 62nd in the state.

“It’s great to watch Tim in action, both in his roles as a financial planner and as a leader,” said Andrew O’Laughlin, a Client Service Manager.  “The first words that come to mind when I think of Tim are commitment, enthusiasm, decisiveness, fairness, and diligence.  Tim exudes the core values of The Center, taking phenomenal care of the clients we serve, and leading by example for the people who get to work with him every day.”

In addition to working directly with clients and helping them achieve their financial goals, Tim is the firm’s Managing Partner and a member of the Operations Committee. He is a leader in his profession, serving on the National Board of Directors for the 28,000-member Financial Planning Association. Tim is frequently asked to speak on financial planning topics by local and national media outlets.

The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 32,000 nominations, more than 4,000 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of advisor's future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

The SECURE Act Changes the “Stretch IRA” Strategy for Beneficiaries

Contributed by: Robert Ingram, CFP®

It’s hard to believe that we’re nearly two months into the New Year. As people have had some time to digest the SECURE Act, which was signed into law in late December, our Center team has found that many clients are still trying to understand how these new rules could impact their financial plans. While several provisions of the Act are intended to increase retirement savers’ options, another key provision changes the rules for how non-spouse beneficiaries must take distributions from inherited IRAs and retirement plans.

Prior to the SECURE Act taking effect January 1st of this year, non-spouse beneficiaries inheriting IRA accounts and retirement plans such as 401ks and 403(b)s would have to begin taking at least a minimum distribution from the account each year. Beneficiaries had the option of spreading out (or “stretching”) their distributions over their own lifetimes.

Doing so allowed the advantages of tax deferral to continue for the beneficiaries by limiting the amount of distributions they would have to take from the account each year. The remaining balance in the account could continue to grow tax-deferred. Minimizing those distributions would also limit the additional taxable income the beneficiaries would have to claim.

What has changed under the ‘SECURE Act’?

For IRA accounts and retirement plans that are inherited from the original owner on or after January 1, 2020:

Non-spouse beneficiaries who are more than 10 years younger must withdraw all of the funds in the inherited account within 10 years following the death of the original account owner.

This eliminates the non-spouse beneficiary’s option to spread out (or stretch) the distributions based on his or her life expectancy. In fact, there would be no annual required distributions during these 10 years. The beneficiary can withdraw any amount in any given year, as long as he or she withdraws the entire balance by the 10th year.

As a result, many beneficiaries will have to take much larger distributions on average in order to distribute their accounts within this 10-year period rather than over their lifetime. This diminishes the advantages of continued tax deferral on these inherited assets and may force beneficiaries to claim much higher taxable incomes in the years they take their distributions.

Some beneficiaries are exempt from this 10-year rule

The new law exempts the following types of beneficiaries from this 10-year distribution rule (Eligible Designated Beneficiaries). These beneficiaries can still “stretch” their IRA distributions over their lifetime as under the old tax law.

• Surviving spouse of the account owner

• Minor children, up to the age of majority (however, not grandchildren)

• Disabled individuals

• Chronically ill individuals

• Beneficiaries not more than 10 years younger than the original account owner

What if I already have an inherited IRA?

If you have an inherited IRA or inherited retirement plan account from an owner that died before January 1st, 2020, don’t worry. You are grandfathered. You can continue using the stretch IRA, taking your annual distributions based on the IRS life expectancy tables.

Your beneficiaries of the inherited IRA, however, would be subject to the new 10-year distribution rule.

What Are My Planning Opportunities?

While it still may be too soon to know all of the implications of this rule change, there are number of questions and possible strategies to consider when reviewing your financial plan. A few examples may include:

• Some account owners intending to leave retirement account assets to their children or other beneficiaries may consider whether they should take larger distributions during their lifetimes before leaving the account to heirs.

• Roth IRA Conversions could be a viable strategy for some clients to shift assets from their pre-tax IRA accounts during their lifetimes, especially if they or their beneficiaries expect higher incomes in future years.

• For individuals age 70 ½ or older, making charitable gifts and donations directly from your IRA through Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) could be even more compelling now.

• Clients with IRA Trusts as part of their estate plan should review their documents and their overall estate plan to determine if any updates are appropriate in light of the this new 10-year rule.

It’s important to remember that your individual situation is unique and that specific strategies may not be appropriate for everyone. If you have questions about the SECURE Act or you’re not sure what these changes mean for your own plan, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Robert Ingram, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® With more than 15 years of industry experience, he is a trusted source for local media outlets and frequent contributor to The Center’s “Money Centered” blog.

The Single Most Important Investing Decision

Contributed by: Nicholas Boguth

Unsurprisingly, I think investing is fun. This is one of the reasons I’ve chosen a career in investment management. With that being said, my career is only 6 years in. Is it possible that I only think investing is fun because the stock market has hit a new all‐time high every single year of my career? Do stocks ever fall? Why even own bonds that pay 2% coupons?

With the decade being over, and the S&P 500 rising almost 190% over the prior ten years, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of a few key investing principles.

• Stocks are risky. Their prices can fall.

• Bonds are boring, but they have potential to help preserve your portfolio.

• Asset allocation is the single most important investing decision you will make.

Asset allocation in its simplest form is the ratio of stocks to bonds in your portfolio. More stocks in your portfolio means more risk. More bonds in your portfolio means more potential to balance out the risk of stocks. As financial planners, one of the first decisions we’ll help you make is the decision of what asset allocation is most likely going to lead to your financial success.

Take a look at the drawdowns of a portfolio of mostly stocks (green line) compared to a portfolio of mostly bonds (blue line). Stocks may have roared through the 2010’s, but no one has a crystal ball to tell us what they will do in the 2020’s. This chart is a good reminder of what stocks CAN do. Be sure that your portfolio is set up to maximize your chance of success no matter what stocks do. If you are unsure about your current portfolio, we’re here to help.

Source: Morningstar Direct. Stock index: S&P 500 TR (monthly). Bond Index: IA SBBI US IT Govt Bond TR (monthly).

Nicholas Boguth is a Portfolio Administrator at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He performs investment research and assists with the management of client portfolios.

---

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation.

The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. The IA SBBI US IT Government Bond Index is an index created by Ibbotson Associates designed to track the total return of intermediate maturity US Treasury debt securities. One cannot invest directly in an index. Past Performance does not guarantee future results.

Are Your Medications Covered? How to Choose the Right Medicare Plan

Contributed by: Josh Bitel, CFP®

Let’s take a look at an important aspect of Medicare coverage: Part D, which covers prescription medications (think “D” for drugs). Each Medicare Prescription Drug Plan has a unique list of covered drugs which is called a formulary.

Here are some important notes regarding Medicare Part D coverage:

• Drugs may be placed into different cost “tiers” within the specific formulary

• More common/generic drugs will often be in a lower tier costing you less

• You can choose your Part D plan based on your current list of medications to help you obtain the most appropriate plan for you

• Commercially available vaccines that are medically necessary to prevent illness must be covered by a Medicare drug plan (if not already covered under Medicare Part B)

• You should receive an “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) each September from your plan which explains what your Medicare drug plan covers, how much you pay, etc.

  • You should review this notice each year to determine if your current plan will continue to meet your needs or if you need to consider another plan for the next calendar year

  • If you do not receive this important document, contact your plan representative

    • Your plan’s contact information should be available via “Personalized Search” on the Medicare website

    • You can also search by your plan name

Common Coverage Rules:

• Prior Authorization: Your prescriber may be required to show that the drug is medically necessary for the plan to authorize coverage

• Quantity Limits: Different medications may have limits on quantity fillable at one time (ex: 10 days, 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, etc.)

• Step Therapy: You must attempt treatment with one or more similar, lower cost drugs before the plan will cover the prescribed drug

If you or your prescriber believe one these coverage rules should be waived, you can contact your plan for an exception. Your plan’s contact information should be available via “Personalized Search” on the Medicare website.

• You can ask your prescriber or other health care provider if your plan has special coverage rules and if there are alternatives to an uncovered drug

  • It is not uncommon to be required to attempt treatment with other similar drugs (often less expensive, lower tier) on your formulary first

• You can obtain a written explanation from your plan which should include the following:

  • Whether a specific drug is covered

  • Whether you have met any requirements to be covered

  • How much you will be required to pay

  • If an exception to a plan rule may be made if requested

• You can request an exception if:

  • You or your prescriber believes you need a specific drug that is absent from your plan’s formulary

  • You or your prescriber believes a coverage rule should be waived

  • You believe you should pay less for a more expensive, higher tier drug since your prescriber believes you cannot take any of the less expensive, lower tier options for your condition

• If you disagree with your plan’s denial of coverage there are five additional levels in the appeals process

Additional Considerations:

• Your Medicare Part D plan is allowed to make changes to its formulary during the year

  • These changes must be made within existing Medicare guidelines

  • If a change is made to your formulary:

    • You must be provided written notice at least 60 days prior to the effective date of the formulary change

    • OR your plan will be required to provide the current drug for 60 days under the previous plan rules

• Many Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) cover prescription medication coverage, and you cannot have concurrent coverage of prescriptions through both a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare prescription drug plan. You’ll be unenrolled from your Advantage Plan and returned to Original Medicare if you have an Advantage plan with prescription coverage in addition to a Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

• Even if a desired medication is covered, it is important to note that some plans may require fulfillment via mail order services in lieu of local retail pharmacy pickup

• This may be very inconvenient for some (ex: people that travel often) and may be avoidable when comparing plans

If you have any questions, please contact your financial advisor at The Center. We are more than happy to help you or refer you to one of our professional resources.

Josh Bitel, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He conducts financial planning analysis for clients and has a special interest in retirement income analysis.

---

Sources: www.medicare.gov this information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete.

Any opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Raymond James is not affiliated with Josh Bitel. This material is being provided for information purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation.

Center Welcomes New Partner Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP®

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

We are excited to announce Nick Defenthaler, CFP®, RICP® as the newest Partner at The Center! He will continue to lead the firm’s Financial Planning Department and contribute to the Operations Committee in addition to his primary role as Senior Financial Planner. We look forward to working with Nick in his new leadership role.

Growing with the Firm

Nick has been involved in the financial planning profession for over 12 years and joined The Center in 2013. In addition to being a Senior Financial Planner, he is Director of The Center’s Financial Planning Department and a member of the firm’s Investment and Operations Committees. Now, he takes on even more duties as he advances to Partner.

“Soon after joining The Center, I knew that I wanted to be a partner one day. The Center walks the walk when it comes to comprehensive financial planning”.

An Offer of Partnership

The current leadership team invited Nick to become a Partner. Managing Partner Tim Wyman CFP®, JD says that Nick is a tremendous leader at The Center.

“He is a highly technical practitioner who cares about the success of our clients and team members. But most importantly, Nick is a model for our Center Values. Nick’s energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the financial planning process for the benefit of our clients and the entire Center team is inspiring.”

A Bright Future

Over the firm’s 35 year history, Defenthaler is the tenth employee to advance to Partner. He is a role model for The Center’s mission and values. As we begin our 35th year in business, the partnership couldn’t come at a more exciting time.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.