Milo Markovic - True Wealth Strategies

01/13/2026

A few weeks ago, I was working on a case that looked finished on paper.

A high-earning medical specialist.
Income north of $1.5 million per year.
Individual Disability Insurance already stacked across carriers and sitting right at the traditional max.

On the surface, the conclusion was obvious.
That’s it.

Once DI is capped, the next move is usually excess markets, and the conversation moves on. But in this case, there was still another move to consider.

This is the reality with top earners. Income keeps growing, lifestyle keeps scaling, and risk does not politely stop just because a carrier guideline says “maximum.”

That is when I remembered a solution we introduced a couple of years ago. Recently, changes to how the DI rider works made it even more impactful, and that is where Safeguard 360 changed the conversation.

By integrating Safeguard into the overall strategy, we were able to add an additional $10,000 per month of individual DI, even though traditional limits had already been reached. Only after optimizing that layer did it make sense to explore excess options, based on policy language and structure.

If DI planning for high earners is part of your practice, this is a structure worth understanding before defaulting to excess markets.

Producer use only. Not for use with, or distributed to, the general public.

Tracking Number 8670682.1

12/09/2025

Milo Minutes: Turning RMDs Into a Tax-Efficient Legacy

Many clients reach retirement with a sizeable IRA and face the same challenge.
They must take Required Minimum Distributions, even when they don’t need the income.
The result is taxable dollars piling up in a bank account.

There is a smarter way to use those RMDs.

Advisors can turn them into guaranteed income and a tax-free legacy by combining a SPIA with Whole Life insurance.

How the Strategy Works

1.Start with the IRA
The client must take RMDs — taxable whether they need them or not.

2.Use part of the IRA to purchase a SPIA
The SPIA provides guaranteed income, and payments automatically satisfy RMD rules.

3.Use the SPIA income to fund Whole Life
After-tax SPIA income pays premiums on a personally owned Whole Life policy, building long- term cash value and a tax-free death benefit.

Example

$500,000 IRA → used to purchase a SPIA

SPIA pays $40,000 per year

After taxes → $30,000 funds Whole Life

Policy may provide over $700,000 in tax-free death benefit

Why Advisors Use This

Meets RMD requirements

Converts taxable income into tax-efficient wealth transfer

Provides guarantees and protection from market risk

Keeps planning simple for clients who don’t need extra income

Tracking number: 8606534.1

Producer use only. Not for use with, or distribution to, the general public.

Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian), New York, NY. True Wealth Strategies LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of Guardian. CA Insurance License # 4205864.

11/04/2025

Zyn is trending, but it’s quietly creating underwriting headaches.

More clients are starting to use ni****ne pouches, thinking it’s a harmless or “healthier” habit.
But carriers don’t always see it that way.

We’re now seeing cases come back with to***co ratings from something most clients think is harmless.

For financial advisors and insurance professionals, this is more than a lifestyle trend.
It’s a conversation to start before underwriting does.

I shared what’s really happening and how to stay ahead of it in my latest Milo Minutes article:
https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-the-zyn-dilemma-in-underwriting

If you’ve had a client in underwriting who uses Zyn, reach out.

09/18/2025

Executive Benefits as a Strategic Advantage 💡

One of the smartest moves a company can make today is protecting its leadership team. When executives know their income and future are secured, loyalty and performance rise. That’s exactly why Disability Insurance has become such a powerful tool in executive benefits planning.

In my latest Milo Minutes article, I share how this strategy creates measurable value — both for companies and their top talent.

👉 Read the full article here: https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-how-one-bank-strengthened-executive-benefits-with-di

I’d love to hear your perspective:

- Do you see executive benefits as a retention strategy or as part of a broader growth plan?
- How are you positioning income protection in your conversations with clients?

07/29/2025

Milo Minutes: When the Bank Protected the Practice

A $5 million loan.
Two successful physicians.
And a surprise requirement from the lender that changed everything.

The doctors already had personal disability coverage — so why did the bank push for more?

This case reveals a powerful planning strategy most advisors overlook… until it’s too late.

Read the full story:
https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-when-the-bank-protected-the-practice

06/17/2025

Overlooked Market Alert | Global Citizens with U.S. Estate Exposure

Unlike U.S. citizens, global citizens only receive a $60,000 estate tax exemption.
Anything above that? Taxed—up to 40%.

As assets grow, so does the tax bill.
Yet few advisors are talking about this.

In my latest Milo Minutes, I break down how foreign nationals can use properly structured U.S. life insurance—with no 1099s and no estate tax inclusion—to protect their wealth.

Read the full post and help your global clients stay protected:

Milo Minutes: Overlooked Market Alert | Global Citizens with U.S. Estate Exposure

05/07/2025

This 90-second read will either make you laugh… or shake your head.
I just had one of the worst sales calls of the year.

No research. No relevance. Just a cold script and blind hope.

So I wrote about it—what went wrong, why it matters, and how to make sure your calls don’t end up the same way.

👉 https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-the-worst-sales-call-i-got-this-week

If you're in sales, you’ll relate.
If you're leading a team, this is one to share.

Bad first impressions cost more than we think.

04/09/2025

Most talk about student loans and signing bonuses.
But how many offer real, long-term value?

A producer I work with helped a dental office recruit and retain young dentists using a Qualified Sick Pay Plan (QSPP) - a strategy few talk about:

- Tax-deductible income protection
- Unisex pricing (especially valuable for female staff)
- 25% discount with just 3 lives

It worked - and set them apart from other practices.

Full story here 👉 [https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-how-one-producer-helped-a-dental-office-attract-and-retain-rising-talent-with-qspp]

03/11/2025

Milo Minutes: How Brokers Are Helping Business Owners Retain Key Employees

Business owners are losing key talent, and brokers are stepping in with strategic insurance solutions to help them retain their top employees. Learn how executive bonus plans and other retention strategies can make a difference.

📖 Read the full story below:
https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-how-brokers-are-helping-business-owners-retain-key-employees

03/05/2025

🔥 Bridging the Income Gap with DI Solutions! 🔥

Our recent webinar was packed with powerful insights on Executive Carve Out Guaranteed Issue DI and strategies to help advisors elevate their sales approach.

A huge thank you to Sean Lumsden for sharing real-world case studies and sales ideas, helping us navigate the executive benefits marketplace.

And a special shoutout to James Leary for his impactful presentation on OneProtection, showcasing the power of visualizing the Group LTD gap. He highlighted what’s at stake due to unexpected health events and emphasized why Disability Income Protection is essential in safeguarding a client’s lifestyle.

Grateful for such engaging discussions and valuable insights! Thank you to everyone who joined. Let’s keep the momentum going! What was your biggest takeaway?

02/25/2025

We’re always thrilled to be exhibitors at the NAIFA Illinois Annual Winter Conference! 🎉 This event never fails to bring together industry leaders, insightful speakers, and an incredible community.

It’s always a pleasure reconnecting with familiar faces while supporting an organization that plays such a vital role in our industry. Looking forward to another successful and impactful conference!

01/30/2025

💡 Milo Minutes: How a $3MM Key Man Policy Became a $7MM Solution💡

When an advisor focused on AUM came to me, they needed help providing a deeper level of service for their client. Through thorough fact-finding and a comprehensive insurance analysis, we uncovered opportunities others had missed. The result? A $3MM Key-Man policy was transformed into a $7MM solution, offering more value and peace of mind.

This is what happens when strategy meets understanding.

👉 Read the full story here: https://milomarkovic.com/blog/milo-minutes-how-a-3mm-key-man-policy-became-a-7mm-solution