Working With American Retirement Pros
What does a free retirement review include?
Our free retirement review is a 30–45 minute conversation in which we review your current retirement situation, identify specific risks and gaps in your protection strategy, and show you what a more protected retirement could look like in your actual numbers. There is no obligation to move forward and no cost.
Do you work with clients outside of Colorado?
Yes. We serve clients nationwide, both in person and virtually. The majority of our client interactions happen via video conference, phone, and secure document sharing — making geography irrelevant to the quality of service we provide.
How are you compensated?
We receive compensation in the form of commissions from insurance and annuity products we recommend and implement. We are committed to recommending only products that genuinely serve our clients’ best interests. We disclose all compensation before any product is recommended.
What types of clients do you work with?
We work primarily with pre-retirees (ages 55–70) and retirees who have accumulated savings they want to protect and optimize. Our clients typically have between $250,000 and $5 million in retirement assets. We also work with clients at any asset level who are specifically looking for long-term care protection, life insurance, or Social Security optimization.
Do you replace my existing financial advisor?
No — we complement your existing team. We specialize in retirement protection strategies that often fall outside the scope of traditional investment advisors: guaranteed income, tax efficiency, healthcare cost protection, and legacy planning. We coordinate with your CPA, estate attorney, and money manager rather than replacing them.
Social Security Questions
When should I claim Social Security?
The optimal claiming age depends on your health, marital status, other income sources, IRA balances, and tax situation. There is no single right answer. For most married couples, the higher earner should delay as long as possible (ideally to 70) because that benefit becomes the survivor benefit. For singles in poor health, earlier claiming may be appropriate. We model every scenario for our clients at no cost.
Can I claim Social Security and still work?
Yes, but if you claim before your Full Retirement Age (67 for those born in 1960 or later) and earn more than $24,480 in 2026, your benefit will be temporarily reduced — $1 withheld for every $2 earned above the limit. After reaching FRA, there is no earnings limit.
Is Social Security taxable?
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefit may be subject to federal income tax, depending on your combined income. Roth IRA withdrawals are excluded from this calculation — one of the most powerful reasons to execute a Roth conversion strategy before retirement.
Medicare Questions
When should I enroll in Medicare?
You must enroll during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period around your 65th birthday, even if you are still working. Missing this window results in permanent premium penalties. COBRA coverage does NOT qualify as a reason to delay Medicare enrollment.
What is the difference between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a supplement?
Medicare Advantage bundles your coverage through a private insurer, often with $0 premium but with network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, and copays. Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement (like Plan G) has a monthly premium but gives you nationwide access to any provider that accepts Medicare, no referrals, and near-zero out-of-pocket exposure for covered services. The right choice depends on your health, lifestyle, providers, and travel habits.
Annuity Questions
What is a Fixed Indexed Annuity and is it right for me?
A Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA) credits interest linked to a market index with a 0% floor — meaning you cannot lose principal due to market downturns. It is not a direct investment in the market. FIAs are most appropriate for the portion of your portfolio that needs to be protected while still having the potential to grow. They are particularly powerful when combined with an income rider that provides guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits.
Are annuities safe?
Fixed and Fixed Indexed Annuities are backed by the financial strength of the issuing insurance company and protected by state insurance guaranty funds (typically up to $250,000 per insurer per state). We only recommend annuities from highly-rated insurers (A-rated or better).