Should Annuity Advisors Diversify or Specialize?

What kind of practice are you building? Is it a one-stop shop or are you more of a specialist? This is a question that comes up frequently as we speak with advisors around the country.

I was reminded of the topic recently when I read a newsletter put out by Stephani Lucas, president of the San Diego-based The Annuity Consultants. In the article, Stephani poses the question of the importance of being a specialist.

She writes: “As you come across clients and prospects there will be many variables: age, retirement concerns such as income planning, life insurance and LTC planning needs. The one common theme amongst everyone is that they have had previous experience with another advisor. It’s critical that you are able to highlight the value of your skills and expertise as a retirement planner.”

She goes on to say that: “It’s important to let (these clients) know that their previous relationship has benefited them well though the years but to also ask them this: Would you prefer to work with someone who is an expert in a certain area or someone who does a number of things well? The reality is that there are not many advisors out there that can be experts in all areas of financial planning for all ages of people.”