Team Vance at FIG

09/01/2026

Your tech stack should make running your business easier, not create more work.

If you're constantly switching between systems, re-entering data, or searching for information across multiple platforms, the issue may not be the tools themselves. It may be how they work together.

This article explores why integrated technology has become one of the biggest drivers of advisor efficiency, visibility, and scalability. ⬇️

Business Growth How to Build a Financial Planning Tech Stack That Scales by FIG Marketing August 19, 2026 written by FIG Marketing August 19, 2026 264 Technology is supposed to make running an advisory business easier. And in many ways, it has. But then the tsunami of tech tools came crashing down o...

08/26/2026

For years, annuities were often viewed primarily as retirement income tools.

But today, it's interesting to see so many younger investors are also considering them for accumulation, portfolio diversification, and protection from market volatility.

This article highlights why millennials and Gen Xers are taking a fresh look at annuities and how advisors are incorporating them into broader financial planning conversations.

Nationwide's latest Advisor Authority study found that a majority of millennials and Gen Xers are likely to put part of their portfolio in an annuity.

08/25/2026

The advisors who stand out aren't trying to be everything to everyone. They're known for solving a specific problem for a specific group of people. This article explores why a focused message can be more effective than broad branding.

Advisory firms should focus on solving specific client problems rather than offering vague promises about retirement

08/24/2026

When it comes to recruiting talent, bigger isn't always better.

Many independent firms have advantages that larger organizations can't easily replicate, including direct access to leadership, stronger mentorship, more autonomy, and a potential path to ownership.

This article explores how firms can lean into those strengths to attract and keep great people.

Business Growth How Financial Advisors Can Win the Talent War (Without Matching Mega-Firm Salaries) by FIG Marketing August 11, 2026 written by FIG Marketing August 11, 2026 217 The talent shortage facing the financial advice industry is real, but independent financial advisors aren’t powerless ag...

08/18/2026

Many retirement plans account for market risk, inflation, and longevity. But what about the cost of needing care later in life? This article examines why long-term care planning deserves a permanent place in the wealth planning conversation.

Because of its complexity and importance, expertise in long-term care planning is increasingly a competitive differentiator for financial advisors.

08/17/2026

There's no shortage of uncertainty right now.

Inflation remains a concern, interest rates are still elevated, and market headlines seem to change by the day.

That's why I've been having more conversations with advisors about balancing growth opportunities with strategies designed to help protect retirement assets.

This article highlights several trends advisors are watching, including inflation expectations, interest rate uncertainty, and the role protected solutions can play within a broader retirement income strategy.

Security Benefit found that 76% of advisors consider geopolitical instability the most difficult risk to plan for.

08/14/2026

Retirement income planning has become more complex as pensions disappear and clients face longer retirements. This article explores why annuities are playing a larger role in retirement strategies and what the industry can do to simplify the advisor experience, from product research through ongoing servicing.

Retirement planning has changed dramatically over the last decade.

08/13/2026

A client's last working year is often one of the most important planning windows. Helping them prepare for income distribution, evaluate Social Security options, and align investments with retirement goals can make a meaningful difference. This article explores five conversations worth having now.

Check all of these off your list to approach retirement with more confidence.

08/12/2026

I've had a lot of conversations with advisors about retirement income lately, and one theme keeps coming up: it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing decision.

This article highlights a study that found the highest-scoring retirement income strategy wasn't based entirely on portfolio withdrawals or entirely on annuitization. Instead, it combined guaranteed income with continued access to invested assets.

It's a good reminder that retirement income planning is often about balance, balancing growth potential, income certainty, liquidity, and legacy goals.

Worth the read if you're helping clients navigate how to turn accumulated assets into sustainable retirement income.

Researchers compared four ways to turn a $1 million nest egg into retirement income, weighing lifetime payouts, liquidity, and money left for heirs and emergencies.

08/11/2026

Can you believe that we're already in the last month of summer?

Before the fall calendar fills up, now is a great time for advisors to focus on the parts of their businesses that often get pushed aside during busy seasons.

If you're looking for some ways to improve your business before the fall, here's an End-of-Summer Advisor Checklist:

✅ Re-engage clients who haven't had a review meeting this year
✅ Audit your CRM for incomplete client records
✅ Refresh client communication templates
✅ Identify year-end tax planning opportunities
✅ Review your referral strategy and centers of influence
✅ Schedule fall educational events or client seminars
✅ Evaluate technology and workflow efficiencies (are there places you can automate with AI)?
✅ Take a look at your marketing strategies (which campaigns were most successful that you wish to repeat)?

A few improvements now can help create a smoother, more productive fall season.