Michael Breault, Agent with New York Life

10/03/2025

Just like the fall season reminds us to prepare for colder days ahead, it’s the perfect time to check in on your financial goals. Whether you're saving for a big milestone or just want to feel more confident about your future, a solid strategy can make all the difference.
Let’s make sure your finances are ready for whatever the season brings — reach out today to start the conversation!

09/09/2025

A permanent life policy for your child isn’t about thinking something bad is going to happen. It’s about giving them a head start. The policy builds cash value they can use later in life, and it locks in their insurability no matter what health issues might come up down the road. We don’t know what the future is going to bring, and we obviously hope for the best, but life doesn’t always go as planned.

A senior agent once told us about a family who bought a policy for their daughter when she was little. A few years later, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. Normally, that kind of diagnosis would make getting life insurance almost impossible. But because her parents had set it up early, she’s covered for life, and the policy will continue to grow with her. That’s what this is really about—protecting their future before life throws any surprises.

07/31/2025

Hi everyone,

I’m on a mission to catch up with more of you and talk about something a bit less exciting than golf or the weather — finances. As a financial professional, I’d love to introduce what I do and see if there’s any way I can help you now or down the road.

No pressure, no hard sells — just a straightforward conversation over coffee or a call. And I promise I won’t talk your ear off, I want to do the opposite and listen to what you want to talk about.

If you’re up for it, shoot me a message. Looking forward to connecting!

07/30/2025

Thinking About Life Insurance is Like Googling Your Symptoms…
You either end up with peace of mind or a full-blown crisis.

Look, talking to a financial professional (like me 🙋‍♂️) isn’t about doom and gloom. It’s about figuring out where you are, where you want to be, and how to make sure your family doesn’t have to crowdsource your legacy with a GoFundMe.

🚫 It’s not just about life insurance.
✅ It’s about your goals, your values, and making sure you’re building something that lasts.

Plus, it costs you nothing to talk. Unless you count bad coffee and dad jokes—then you might owe me a few bucks. ☕😄

Whether you’ve got a plan, no plan, or just a gut feeling that you should probably figure this out… let’s chat.

I promise—no sales pitch, no pressure. Just real conversation about real life stuff. (And maybe a bad metaphor or two.)

07/29/2025

“Life insurance is like a parachute. If you don’t have it when you need it... you probably won’t need it again.”

It’s not about planning for death — it’s about making sure your family doesn’t freefall financially if the worst happens.

Don’t wait to feel ready. You either have a parachute, or you don’t.

Need help figuring it out? Let's chat.

07/23/2025

3 Things Families Should Know About Life Insurance

1. It’s More Affordable Than You Think

Most people overestimate the cost of life insurance—sometimes by 2 to 3, even 7 times. The younger you are, the earlier you can lock in a policy for less than what you spend on coffee or streaming each month. Waiting usually means higher premiums.

2. Your Income is Your Family’s Foundation

If something happened to you, could your family still cover the mortgage? Childcare? Groceries? Life insurance helps protect your income so your loved ones can stay on their feet financially, even when life throws a curveball.

3. It’s Not Just for the Primary Breadwinner

If your spouse or partner stays at home with the kids, their contribution has REAL value—think about the cost of childcare, transportation, and everything else they do. A policy for each of you ensures that your family is protected no matter what.

Bottom Line:
Life insurance isn’t just a policy. It’s love, protection, and peace of mind—written down on paper. The earlier you put it in place, the more flexibility and savings you’ll have in the long run.

If you’re not sure where to start, I’m happy to walk you through your options—no pressure, no jargon.

Let’s protect what matters most.

– Mike Breault
Licensed Agent, New York Life

07/14/2025

Have you switched jobs or maybe even retired and have an old 401(k) out there?

Below are reasons why taking that money and rolling it over to an IRA are beneficial to you.

Your previous employer would prefer you move it anyway so they can cut costs, reduce liability, simplify their plan management, and avoid compliance risks.

The process is simple and I'd be happy to help.

✅ 1. More Investment Options
401(k): Limited to the fund choices provided by your old employer’s plan.

IRA: Access to a wide range of investments—individual stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.

Benefit: Greater flexibility to tailor your portfolio to your goals, risk tolerance, and market outlook.

✅ 2. Lower Fees (Potentially)
Many 401(k) plans have higher administrative and fund fees.

IRAs, especially those held at low-cost brokerages (e.g., Fidelity, Vanguard, Schwab), may offer cheaper or even no-fee investment options.

Benefit: Lower fees = more money stays in your account, compounding over time.

✅ 3. Consolidation of Accounts
If you have multiple old 401(k)s, rolling them into a single IRA simplifies your financial life.

Easier to track performance, rebalance, and manage required distributions later in life.

Benefit: Less paperwork, more control.

✅ 4. Continued Tax-Deferred Growth
A rollover to a Traditional IRA keeps your retirement savings tax-deferred (just like your 401(k)).

You won’t owe taxes until you withdraw funds in retirement.

Benefit: Seamless transfer with no immediate tax consequence (as long as it's a direct rollover).

✅ 5. Estate Planning Flexibility
IRAs often offer better beneficiary planning options than 401(k)s.

You can name multiple beneficiaries and often have more control over how distributions are handled after your death.

Benefit: Helps your heirs and aligns with your legacy goals.

✅ 6. No Ties to Old Employer
Keeping your 401(k) with an old employer means you're still subject to their plan rules.

Rolling over to an IRA gives you full control of the account.

Benefit: Independence and freedom to manage your own retirement strategy.

✅ 7. Roth Conversion Flexibility
Once in a Traditional IRA, you can convert some or all of it to a Roth IRA, depending on your tax strategy.

Benefit: Potential to create tax-free income in retirement.

05/15/2025

“I at least thought I’d get to see him tomorrow.”

A group of friends gathered for dinner—laughter, stories, and that feeling of familiarity that only comes from years of friendship. They talked about old memories, future plans, and the things they wished they had more time to do. When the night wrapped up, they all went their separate ways, promising to catch up again soon.

But the next day, everything changed. One of them was gone—unexpectedly, without warning. The shock was paralyzing. “I at least thought I’d get to see him tomorrow,” one friend said, his voice heavy with disbelief.

Moments like these remind us that life is unpredictable. We make plans for tomorrow, but tomorrow is never promised. Life insurance isn’t just about finances—it’s about protecting the people you love from unexpected loss. It’s about making sure that when life takes a turn, those you care about most are taken care of.

If you’ve been putting it off, maybe it’s time to have that conversation. Not for you, but for them.

Let’s make sure your plans for tomorrow are protected—no matter what.

05/09/2025

Money.com just recognized New York Life for best permanent life insurance policies.

Here's why they are great to have in your portfolio:

1. Lifetime Coverage
Whole life insurance guarantees coverage for your entire life as long as premiums are paid, unlike term life insurance, which only covers a specified period.

2. Guaranteed Death Benefit
Your beneficiaries are assured of receiving a death benefit, providing financial security to cover expenses, debts, or legacy planning.

3. Cash Value Component
Part of your premium goes into a cash value account that grows over time, tax-deferred. You can borrow against it, withdraw from it, or use it to pay premiums in the future.

4. Dividends (if participating)
Many whole life policies from mutual insurance companies pay dividends, which can be used to buy additional coverage, reduce premiums, or be taken as cash.

5. Fixed Premiums
Premiums are locked in at the time of purchase and remain consistent throughout the life of the policy, protecting you from rising costs as you age.

6. Estate Planning Benefits
The death benefit can be used to cover estate taxes, ensuring more of your estate is passed on to heirs.

7. Living Benefits
In case of financial emergencies, you can tap into the cash value or leverage riders for chronic or terminal illness.

https://bit.ly/42QoHFT

Read on to see why NY Life made our list as best for permanent life insurance policies.

05/08/2025

I was listening to a podcast the other day..

It reminded me of how, when you buy a new car, you suddenly start seeing that same model everywhere.

One of the hosts shared a story about going out to dinner with friends.

They enjoyed their evening, said their goodbyes, and went their separate ways.

Tragically, one of the friends passed away that night from an unexpected health issue.

The host's voice broke as he said, “I thought I’d get to see him tomorrow.”

They weren’t talking about life insurance or anything like that, but given the work I do, my first thought was, “I hope his family is taken care of.”

I know it’s not an easy conversation—no one likes thinking about not being here anymore.

But if you’ve ever wondered what your family would do if something happened to you, it’s time to have that conversation with someone who can help.

05/02/2025

Today is National Life Insurance Day — a reminder that love isn’t just in what we say, it’s in what we plan for.

As parents, you spend your lives protecting your children — from scraped knees to broken hearts. But one of the most powerful ways to protect them is by ensuring their future is secure, even if you’re not there to provide it.

That’s what life insurance is:
- A legacy of love
- A financial safety net
- A promise that says "I’ve got you," even when we no longer can.

Yes, your workplace life insurance policy is a great start — but for most families, it’s not enough to cover long-term needs like the mortgage, education costs, or daily living expenses.

Today, take a moment to ask:
If something happened to me, would my kids have what they need — not just today, but for years to come?

If you’re not sure, it might be time to take a closer look. Because protecting your children doesn't stop with car seats and night lights — it continues with thoughtful planning.

04/22/2025

Good morning!!

Finding someone you know in the financial world can be challenging, then you also have to be able to trust them. So, if you're not sure where to start, and it all seems like a lot, please reach out and let's just have a conversation. I know there's a lot of information out there, but I'm happy to help in any way I can.

Sincerely,
Mike