I’m sure it’s true to one extent or another in every industry…

a lot goes on ‘behind the scenes’ for the betterment of clients, consumers, and investors of which these same groups are rarely aware. Recently, I had the privilege of participating in one such endeavor.

As part of an effort initiated and organized by the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) — the leading professional society of 401(k) plan administrators — I traveled to Washington, DC to participate in their annual conference concerning legislation and industry practices. A major topic of heated discussion was the new proposed legislation attacking 401(k) plans. In total, more than 2,000 retirement industry professionals were in attendance. Read the rest of this entry »

The first snow of the season lent an ideal backdrop to the festive spirit felt by those involved in FMi’s 2011 holiday party. The cheerful atmosphere was evident from the moment everyone climbed aboard the chartered bus at corporate headquarters. There was a ‘buzz’ in the air, and while the precipitation remained constant, the excitement among the participants was snowballing. Read the rest of this entry »

Like any complex system with multiple moving parts, FMi works best when all its components work right. Ever since founder Peter L. Macaluso set his new enterprise sailing three decades ago, that’s meant more than researching and employing the smartest retirement strategies – it’s meant keeping FMi’s heart as strong as its brains.

Keeping the spirit of its founder in mind, FMi has always been generous in support of numerous good causes.  Each holiday season, in lieu of office gifts, employees donate funds and dedicate them to various charities. Read the rest of this entry »

Do you have a retirement solution?

You hear that term a lot today, “retirement solution,” but what is it about, really? For some, that’s a difficult question to answer since their retirement solution is not clear. At FMi, that’s not a viable option. We say there’s a correct retirement solution for everyone, and finding it is about planning and preparing.

Are you saving? How much? Sure, you work hard, but are you taking money out of your retirement plan to travel and buy cars? The 401(k) plan was created as a vehicle for retirement, but all too often we think of it like a checking account, with an available balance to be constantly attacked – by loans and other in-service withdrawals that stop the 401(k) from growing and providing its top retirement income. Read the rest of this entry »