Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc.
“To teach you the wisdom of how money works for better Stewardship to possible have more, give more and leave more.”
We work with High Net Worth individuals and business owners who are concerned about their retirement or taxes.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide high net worth families and business owners we serve with innovative tax and financial strategies that result in fewer taxes, financial clarity, security, and overall financial health. Making strong commitments to our clients and building life-long relationships are tenets of success at Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc.
Our Services
Insurance Solutions
Insurance Solutions
Some retirees underestimate the impact a big market loss may have on the future of their income. Luckily, insurance can be used to protect more than just your physical assets. It can also be used to help protect your future. Our firm specializes in helping individuals safeguard their retirement nest eggs by offering a variety of insurance products and financial planning strategies.
With the right plan, you can potentially earn money with your money through the use of fixed annuities* and life insurance. Our firm can help you create a dependable and sustainable source of retirement income to be used now, in the future or whenever you need it most./p>
We offer:
- Fixed Annuities
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Care
- Health Insurance
- Medicare Supplements
As an independent insurance firm, we are able to shop dozens of insurance carriers to find the best rates and product solutions to fit your specific needs. We also offer complimentary reviews on your existing fixed annuity and life insurance contracts.
*,Annuities are designed to be long-term investments. Early withdrawals may impact annuity cash values and death benefits. Taxes are payable upon withdrawal of funds. An additional 10% IRS penalty may apply to withdrawals prior to age 59 ½. Annuities are not guaranteed by FDIC or any other governmental agency. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Fixed Indexed Annuities are insurance products and not considered a security or investment. Some restrictions may apply. Call for specific details and availability
Tax Strategies
Tax Strategies
Our team will work with you to develop income & estate tax minimization strategies.
Determining your current and future tax liability and developing a strategy that minimizes how much you pay during retirement is one part of building a retirement strategy. Estate taxes can impact your legacy and the assets you’ll be able to transfer to your heirs and beneficiaries. We recommend taking steps to help ensure that you’re taking advantage of any possible tax minimization strategies to help maintain the retirement legacy you’ve worked hard to build.
Utilizing the skills of CPA’s and other team professionals can be important to your finances. Such a team can help monitor tax law changes specific to your retirement strategy and provide different tax minimization strategy options Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc does not offer tax planning services.
Social Security Maximization
Social Security Maximization
Your Social Security retirement benefit represents a lifetime’s worth of savings, time and work, and is most likely your oldest and largest retirement account. Although many Americans are familiar with the basics of Social Security, very few are able to figure out – on their own – exactly the best way to file so they can get the most out of all they have put in.
At Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc., we help our clients understand their Social Security benefits and educate them on how they can maximize their benefits. Delaying filing for Social Security can potentially increase your benefit amount each year you wait.*
There is a lot to know about Social Security, and the more you know, the better decisions you can make, helping to bring you that much closer to maximizing your benefit. We will help you get the most you can out of your benefit, so you can take one step closer towards the comfortable and happy retirement you have worked so hard for!
*Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc. and Steve Vasgaard are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.
Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning
Our firm takes pride in providing comprehensive retirement planning services to our clients. We review our clients’ wills, estate plans/trusts, taxes and insurance. Our comprehensive services integrate all aspects of our clients’ financial picture in a coordinated effort to provide for financial clarity and multi-generational wealth.
We Offer:
- Insurance Planning
- Beneficiary Review
- Retirement Planning
- Financial Needs Analysis
- Analysis of Present and Future Expenses
- Estate Preservation
- Income Planning
Just imagine a complete portfolio, where all your financial, estate and tax preparation needs are addressed in a customized binder. This is your comprehensive retirement plan. Our coordinated approach is developed using an all-inclusive view. Our experience shows that our clients’ needs are best met by focusing on processes and most importantly, people.
*Steve Vasgaard does not provide tax and/or legal advice, but will work with your attorney or independent tax or legal advisor. In the event that you do not have your own attorney or tax professional we will partner with local CPA firms to provide tax services.
Business Owner
Business Owner
Business owners today fare headwinds that may have a direct impact on the bottom line. One way we assist business owners is helping them to lower their income taxes paid. The tax savings could be dramatic.
We also in some cases, can audit your spending and find several ways to impact in a major way, your costs and net worth. This is a out of pocket costs for this service.Contact us today to learn more.
Long Term Care
Long Term Care
If you or a loved one need long-term care, it is important to have a plan in place to help get the quality care you deserve. At Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc. we believe we have an obligation to tend to our clients’ needs, especially when they are no longer able to do so themselves, and help ensure that each dollar is spent wisely and with our clients’ best interests in mind.
At Wealth and Retirement Strategies, Inc. accounting for your long–term care needs is about more than purchasing an insurance policy, it’s about designing a comprehensive strategy that will protect both your well–being and your assets. You shouldn’t have to choose between your health and your financial future. Let us help you develop a plan that helps ensure your long–term care needs are met, but not at the expense of your finances.
Generational Vault
- A snapshot of your financial picture;
- Detailed records of your assets;
- Important financial reports and dynamic charts;
- And much more!
OUR TEAM
We use a team approach to better serve you.
Meet your Center for Tax Strategies & Resources Team Members:
Steve Vasgaard
RICP®, CLTC® CFF®
President and Founder
Steve Vasgaard
RICP®, CLTC® CFF®
I started my financial planning career with Mass Mutual in Knoxville, TN. I was a career agent with them for five years. My specialty with Mass was family business succession planning. Just like I do today, I coordinated a team of advisors to help the family business with this vital planning.
In 2000 I left Mass and became an independent insurance agent to better represent my clients by offering them many company choices rather than just one. I became registered to sell investments in 1998. In 2015, I formed my own Registered Investment Advisor firm to become an investment advisor or a fiduciary. I focus on teaching clients the wisdom of how money and retirement income streams work for better stewardship.
To further my education, I received the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) certificate. The certification is awarded by The American College of Financial Services, candidates must:
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- Complete RICP® coursework within five months from the date of initial enrollment.
- Complete three in-depth online courses.
- Meet the experience requirements: Three years of full-time business experience within the five years preceding the date of the award. An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited educational institution qualifies as one year of business experience.
- Sign and agree to abide by a Code of Ethics.
- Pass an exam administered by Pearson VUE Testing Center. Minimum test score 70%.
- When you achieve the RICP® designation, you are subject to the PACE Recertification Program, either earning 15 credit hours of educational activities in subject matter that is acceptable to PACE Recertification for the reporting period January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015, and for every two-year period thereafter.
With the emotional and financial stress to an entire family if a one member needs long term care, I added another certification to better advise my clients. I earned my Certification in Long Term Care (CLTC®). The CLTC is a designation that focuses on the discipline of extended care planning. It provides professionals the critical tools necessary to discuss the subject of longevity and its consequences on their Client’s family and finances. To earn the designation, the following must be completed:
Complete course outline including:
- Extended Care: Family vs. Statistics
- Extended Care Services
- What Pays for Extended Care
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Proper Implementation of Long-Term Care
- The Ethical Promotion of Long-Term Care Insurance
- Pass the certification examination of 100 multiple-choice questions accessible on-line.
- To maintain the CLTC designation, all designees are required to complete the CLTC renewal course biennially and making an annual renewal payment to support the continuing education.