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Ask most financial advisors about the standard approach to retirement investing and they will tell you about the 60/40 strategy. A diversified portfolio comprised of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds has been the go-to choice for retirement investing for decades. The bond portion of the portfolio is meant to provide a low-risk component that balances out the volatility that stocks bring to the equation.
Ask the advisors at MDRN Capital and you’ll get a different answer — one that acknowledges the new reality of retirement planning.
“We don’t want to be the traditional 60/40 investment advisor who puts money into an asset class that is still risky,” explains Aaron Cirksena, Founder and CEO of MDRN Capital. “Yes, bonds are risky and low-yielding, which is why we believe the modern investment world offers better alternatives.”
MDRN Capital is a full-service firm that enhances the retirement planning process by leveraging the capabilities of modern tools and strategies. Cirksena and his team of advisors empower their clients with unparalleled levels of flexibility and efficiency, providing a retirement planning experience that meets the modern investor’s expectations.
Building a ‘MDRN’ firm
Cirksena’s vision for MDRN Capital was birthed at Morgan Stanley, where he began his career and quickly learned that big firms are often inflexible in offering their clients a limited number of options designed to support their shareholders more than their investors. If his clients weren’t interested in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, there was little he could do to help them.
“The experiences I had working at a big firm showed me that the advice big firm advisors can offer is determined by decisions at the top,” Cirksena shares. “It didn’t sit well with me that the input I could offer as an advisor was limited. I knew I needed to be able to offer unbiased financial advice to truly serve my clients’ best interests.”
When Cirksena left Morgan Stanley to work for an independent firm, his eyes were opened to a new world of possibilities — one in which he could offer his clients customized packages that fit their unique needs, rather than standardized packages prescribed by the company. The experience laid the groundwork for the “no barriers” brand of advising MDRN Capital now brings to investors around the world.
Developing a ‘MDRN’ approach
Cirksena describes MDRN Capital’s approach to retirement planning as “refined.”
“Our goal for our clients is to provide retirement planning in a way that is refined to the most unique experience,” Cirksena explains. “The unwanted elements have been removed, leaving an efficient process that is cultured, precise, and defined only by our clients’ goals and aspirations — nothing else.”
“Efficient” is another term that properly defines the unique approach Cirksena has developed. MDRN Capital is a completely virtual firm that offers fast access and full connectivity from anywhere in the world.
“With a traditional firm, clients need to make appointments months in advance and then sit in traffic to get to them,” Cirksena says, “but we’ve done away with those inconveniences. Our team is ready for financial planning right now, wherever you are. Whether it’s a quick question or a full review, we can make it happen remotely in a way that fits with the modern world.”
Providing MDRN alternatives
To achieve a higher level of precision for their clients, MDRN Capital offers a broader range of possibilities for retirement planning. The traditional approach of looking to stocks for growth and bonds for stability has not served investors well in recent years, with recent reports revealing that the overall economic landscape has led to significant concerns about the value of bonds as a retirement investment tool.
MDRN Capital’s clients get custom financial strategies that include a wide array of products. CDs, money markets, and fixed annuities are all options MDRN Capital provides to facilitate the “risk off” portion of portfolios. Fixed index annuities are an asset class MDRN regularly recommends for clients looking for a low-risk, no-fee, income-generating option that is similar to bonds.
“Fixed index annuities offer investors three attractive features,” Cirksena says. “First, the risk is lower because they are tied to an external market index. Second, they provide principal protection, which helps investors during a downturn. Third, they can guarantee income for as long as you live.”
MDRN retirement planning begins and ends with the client. It considers every nuance of the client’s current lifestyle to develop a plan that will lead to the retirement they are seeking. It’s retirement refined to the most efficient and effective experience.
Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Sandra Hinshelwood disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.
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