Forbidden Titles-Retirement Specialist? Retirement Advisor?

[njh_lfg]

You are WRONG about the RIA=Registered Investment Advisor. It is a desuignation. You damn well better be registered if you want to use that designation. If you manage $25 million or more you must be registered with the SEC. If you manage less than $25 million you do not have to register with the SEC but you are still under their control. You do have to register, however, with the state Securities Commission (or similar agency) in your state of domicile and each state where you do business.

Foot in mouth................

 

[Frank Stastny]

This is why it's just better to go to WORK vs spending all this time and effort on what 'name brand" or 'designer' label to put on your business card.

Stop using your wife's "real housewives" way of presenting whom you are, your $40 business card "title" isn't as important as the 'designer' that made her purse, so cut it out.

I know some of you guys want to 'project' an image but this ain't Hollywood.......... so stop California dreaming only an *** chooses you BECAUSE of the TITLE on your business cards.

Move on to more important stuff, like whether or not to pay extra for the gold foil.

Spot on!

I believe a business card serves one purpose and one purpose only, to give someone your contact information. I don't hand out cards to people I haven't spoken to. I don't hire a plane to fly over an area and throw thousands of business cards out the window.

As Arnguy said, my official title is "Your Insurance Agent". I want people to know at a glance who I am and what I do. I'm not embarrassed to be "just" an insurance agent.

Titles mostly impress the person who is handing out the card, not necessarily the person they are giving the card to. If one is truly a "Financial Adviser" then use that title. It is not appropriate for someone like me who is "just" an insurance agent.

As an example: if someone uses the title "Senior Adviser..." what does that person really do? Are they a "Senior Adviser..." as opposed to a "Junior Adviser"?

The way one presents themselves is going to instill confidence not some made up title. KISS it!

 

[DHK]

Can i use the title retirement advisor or retirement specialist with a Life and Health license only?

I don't know what state you're in, so let's take a look at some resources in one of the more stricter states: California

Senior Designation FAQ'S

Senior Designations

While these links are in regards to "Senior Designations", you can get a feel for the concern: Presenting yourself with additional credibility where it wasn't earned. Also keep in mind that some people use these designations in addition to "co-authoring" books they didn't write and magazine articles they weren't really featured in... all to present the idea that the agent is "bigger" than they really are. IMO, very deceptive and not necessary to win business.

Another aspect is how you perceive your services.
- Are you truly a retirement advisor, or do you ONLY sell annuities?
- Can you help with LTC?
- Various Retirement Income strategies from other assets?
- Can you advise when to rollover a 401(k) plan balance... and when NOT to?
- You understand Section 72(t) or (q) in its entirety? (You may be surprised to know that it's more involved than some agents think.)

Here's another one: Would you walk away from a potential deal if you know that it wouldn't be a good fit for the client? IMO, that's the ultimate definition of a consultant - someone looking out for the best interest of the client even though they could've made a sale.

This is not an "exhaustive" list... but it can be a small list to verify the body of knowledge you have and are advising from.

Strategies and advice are separate from your product knowledge. I have a thorough understanding of retirement planning... and I have a life/health license. (Used to have securities licenses.) I also have an advanced designation that I would have no problem using as a title: Chartered Financial Consultant.

Just because one ONLY uses annuities where appropriate doesn't mean that the advice is any less valuable or credible.

BTW, using the word "consultant" in your title has far less regulation in it than 'advisor' or 'planner'.

 

[VolAgent]

Can i use the title retirement advisor or retirement specialist with a Life and Health license only?

It depends. Do you want to be fined and have your license revoked when your advice consists solely of buying fixed or fixed indexed annuities?

You're an insurance agent. Love it, embrace it. The sooner you accept this, the happier and more productive you will be.

 

[iceco1d]

Can i use the title retirement advisor or retirement specialist with a Life and Health license only?

Probably a VERY bad idea.

 

[arnguy]

No, you are WRONG completely.

#1 - Individuals are NOT RIAs. Individuals are IARs (investment advisor representative).

#2 - Individuals CAN use "IAR" as a title, but not "RIA."

#3 - The AUM limits are now different. It is $100MM to register with the SEC. Below that is with the state(s).

WTF? You stated RIA, not IAR in your post. Merriam-Webster defines designation as "a distinguishing name sign or title." I would suggest you google the term and look at wikipedia for a definition. Methinks you are playing with semantics (RIA is used to describe an Investment Advisor who is registered with SEC or a state's securities agency). Are you implying that one cannot be a sole practicioner as an RIA? I wholeheartedly disagree with both you and njh_lfg!

 

[STIBROKER]

I believe a business card serves one purpose and one purpose only, to give someone your contact information.

You forgot about picking your teeth......

 

[njh_lfg]

WTF? You stated RIA, not IAR in your post. Merriam-Webster defines designation as "a distinguishing name sign or title." I would suggest you google the term and look at wikipedia for a definition. Methinks you are playing with semantics (RIA is used to describe an Investment Advisor who is registered with SEC or a state's securities agency). Are you implying that one cannot be a sole practicioner as an RIA? I wholeheartedly disagree with both you and njh_lfg!

You clearly do not know the securities world. The SEC and all States make it very clear RIA is not a designation (nor is IAR, IAR is a title). You cannot use it as a designation PERIOD

 

[iceco1d]

WTF? You stated RIA, not IAR in your post. Merriam-Webster defines designation as "a distinguishing name sign or title." I would suggest you google the term and look at wikipedia for a definition. Methinks you are playing with semantics (RIA is used to describe an Investment Advisor who is registered with SEC or a state's securities agency). Are you implying that one cannot be a sole practicioner as an RIA? I wholeheartedly disagree with both you and njh_lfg!

You can disagree, but that would make you wrong.

RIA = Registered Investment Advisor. It is an entity, not a person. Someone who advises clients through an RIA, is an IAR (Investment Advisor Representative).

You can use the title "IAR" or "Investment Advisor Representative" if you want (but again, if you have a b/d, they have to approve it in advance).

I am not implying that you cannot be a solo practicioner. You can. But you're still an IAR (which is a person) of your RIA (which is an entity).

 

[GeminiGroup]

Can i use the title retirement advisor or retirement specialist with a Life and Health license only?

Wow......I will admit 'defeat' when it's obvious the question asker, isn't paying attention at ALL.
I'm done

If ppl ignore you, even when you point them towards the big OPEN sign in the window...
they don't deserve your attention anymore.

Best of Luck, my friend.