ADV 2A, Appendix and CRS – PDF Download
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by Retirement Planners of America), will be profitable or equal any historical performance level. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. Investment strategies such as asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not assure or guarantee better performance and cannot eliminate the risk of investment losses. There is no guarantee that a portfolio employing these or any other strategy will outperform a portfolio that does not engage in such strategies. Any target referenced on this Website is not a prediction or projection of actual investment results and there can be no assurance that any target will be achieved. Changes in investment strategies, contributions or withdrawals may materially alter the performance of an individual’s portfolio. Economic factors, market conditions, and investment strategies will affect the performance of any portfolio and there are no assurances that it will match or outperform any particular benchmark. Projections, forecasts and estimates referenced on the Website are not purely historical in nature and are therefore necessarily speculative and subject to material variation.
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Retirement Planners of America is affiliated with Moraif Financial Group, Inc. (“MFG”), a licensed insurance agency, through common control and ownership. All persons providing investment advice on behalf of Retirement Planners of America are also required to be licensed insurance agents. These persons will earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products, including insurance products they may offer to clients of Retirement Planners of America. MFG will also receive a portion of the commission-based compensation. Insurance commissions earned are separate from Retirement Planners of America’s advisory fees. The recommendation by Retirement Planners of America or a representative that a client purchase an insurance commission product through a Retirement Planners of America representative and/or MFG presents a conflict of interest, as the receipt of commissions may provide an incentive to recommend insurance products based on commissions to be received, rather than on a particular client’s need. No client or prospective client is under any obligation to purchase any insurance commission products through such a representative. Clients and prospective clients are reminded that they may purchase securities and insurance products recommended by Retirement Planners of America through other, non-affiliated broker-dealers and/or insurance agencies.
Photos and images on this Website are not of past or present clients of Retirement Planners of America. These photos should not be construed as an endorsement of Retirement Planners of America or its representatives by any client.
The “Invest and Protect Strategy” (the “Strategy”) refers to a strategy that Retirement Planners of America fundamentally employs for its clients. Retirement Planners of America previously employed a similar strategy that it referred to as the “buy, hold, and sell” strategy or “buy hold, and protect” strategy. Further, Retirement Planners of America’s founder, Ken Moraif is the author of “Buy Hold & Sell: The investment strategy that could save you from the next market crash.” Although the name of this book is similar to the Strategy, it is not an actual representation of how Retirement Planners of America would manage its clients’ assets or a representation of its benefits.
References to recommendations made under the Strategy that predate 2011; and statements such as and similar to: “we told our clients to be out of the market in 2007 and 2008,” “we told our clients to get back into the market in 2009,” and “clients that followed our advice were out of the market in 2008;” refer to strategies collectively employed and recommendations collectively made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals while employed at Eagle Strategies, LLC., and also at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. Three of the five principals remain as principals today, including the Retirement Planners of America’s founder, Ken Moraif. Retirement Planners of America has been employing the Strategy since its inception in 2011. Therefore, any references to Retirement Planners of America’s performance or its investment advisory recommendations predating 2011 generally refer to recommendations made by Retirement Planners of America’s principals at the respective other firms described above.
Like all investment strategies, the Strategy is not guaranteed. It is possible that the sell signal can incorrectly predict a bear market, which is generally accepted as a 20% drop in a market index, and affected investors would not participate in the gains they could have realized by remaining as previously invested. When the “sell” or “protect” portion of the Strategy is implemented, affected investors will incur applicable transaction costs and taxable accounts will incur tax consequences. However, when implementing that portion of the Strategy, Retirement Planners of America generally believes that the benefit of avoiding bear markets outweighs the burden of these transaction costs and tax consequences. Because we help clients establish a total return for necessary to achieve their retirement goals, achieving that total return is dependent on the success of the Strategy predicting market fluctuations, for which there is no assurance. The Strategy may have a significant negative impact on a client’s long-term total return if it does not perform as anticipated. For example, the Strategy may fairly accurately predict a market downturn, but fail to accurately predict a market upturn thereby causing either further losses or lesser gains than necessary to maintain an acceptable long-term total return to meet the client’s investment objectives. Before 2003, Retirement Planners of America’s principals were not using the Strategy, and clients at that time may have experienced different results. Therefore, results prior to that date should not be viewed as indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s (or its principals’, investment advisers’, or other representatives’) skill or as a guarantee that clients or prospective clients will achieve similar results. Backtesting was used in creating illustrations prior to 2003.
Ken Moraif has worked in the financial services industry since 1988. He has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional since 1998. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements. Ken earned the CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNCELORSM designation in 2019. The CRPC® designation is awarded by The College for Financial Planning® ,which is owned by the Kaplan Company and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Individuals may earn the CRPC® designation by completing a study program and passing a multiple choice exam.
Awards, rankings, ratings, and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications including without limitation from “Barron’s,” “The Financial Times,” “Forbes,” “Financial Advisor Magazine,” the “Better Business Bureau,” “Inc.” and other organizations: are absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance or its clients’ investment success; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that such client will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged to provide investment advisory services; nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients. Rankings published by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications are generally based on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser. Investment performance is not an explicit criterion because clients’ investment goals differ. Working with a highly rated or ranked adviser does not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance. Retirement Planners of America does not advertise its receipt of awards, rankings, ratings, and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications unless it has a reasonable basis to believe that any questionnaire or survey used in the process is structured to make it equally easy for a participant to provide favorable and unfavorable responses and is not designed or prepared to produce any predetermined result.
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to the Barron’s “America’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors,” which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge: the applicable “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” was published Sept. 14, 2019, Sept. 15, 2017, Aug. 27, 2016, Aug. 22, 2015, Aug. 23, 2014, Aug. 24, 2013, and Aug. 27, 2012, generally based upon criteria evaluated over the course of the previous year since last publication of the same ranking. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. Barron’s “America’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” most recently bases its rankings upon data provided by individual advisers and their firms, including submissions by Retirement Planners of America. Barron’s confirms that data via regulatory databases, cross-checks with securities firms and conversations with individual advisers. The ranking reflects “the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms and the quality of the advisors’ practices.” The scoring system assigns a top score of 100 and rates the rest by comparing them with the winner. A ranking of “N” denotes an adviser who is new to the list. The formula Barron’s currently uses to rank advisers is proprietary. It has three major components: assets managed, revenue produced and quality of practice. Investment returns are not a component of the rankings because an adviser’s returns are dictated largely by the risk tolerance of clients. The quality-of-practice component includes an evaluation of each adviser’s regulatory record. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted.
Barron’s does not require membership or payment for award participants and/or applicants to be considered for an award designation. Neither Retirement Planners of America nor any other participating advisers paid a fee to be eligible for the “America’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” ranking. However, after receiving the designation, Retirement Planners of America paid a fee to a third party in exchange for plaques commemorating the designation. While Retirement Planners of America paid this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent, the fact that Retirement Planners of America paid any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if such designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Retirement Planners of America to provide investment advisory services. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this ranking, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other advisors) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other advisors). Barron’s does not publish, nor is Retirement Planners of America aware of the percentage of other advisers that received the applicable ranking. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.
Additional information about Barron’s most recent “America’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors” is available at the following link: http://www.barrons.com/report/top-financial-advisors?mod=BOL_Nav_TAD_hpp; and the ranking lists are available at the following links:
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to Retirement Planners of America being named to “The Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers,” in 2014, 2018, and 2019 which is generally based upon criteria evaluated over the course of the previous year since last publication of the same designation, and provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge: “FT” and “Financial Times” are trademarks of The Financial Times Ltd. (“FT”). The Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers is an independent listing (“The FT 300”) produced annually. FT is not affiliated with Retirement Planners of America. The FT 300 is presented as “an elite group,” not a competitive ranking of one to 300.The results are not based upon information or opinions of participating Registered Investment Advisers’ (“RIA’s”) clients. Therefore, inclusion on The FT 300 is not representative of any participating RIA’s clients’ experiences. Neither the participating RIAs nor their employees pay a fee to The Financial Times in exchange for inclusion in The FT 300. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted.
As of 2019, applicants are graded on six factors: assets under management (“AUM”); AUM growth rate; company’s years in existence; compliance record; industry certifications; and online accessibility. By considering the “compliance record,” eligibility to appear on The FT 300, FT seeks to ensure that a participating RIA has an established and significant history and record free from regulatory sanctions. For the 2019 publication, FT and “Ignites Distribution Research,” a subsidiary of FT that provides business intelligence on the asset management industry, invited more than 2,000 RIAs to apply for consideration. 740 RIA companies applied and 300 made the final list across 37 states. While Retirement Planners of America is not aware of the number of RIAs that applied to be on The FT 300 in 2018 or 2014, in 2017, approximately 725 RIA companies applied for consideration. Additionally, The FT 300 caps the number of advisory companies from any one state. The cap is roughly based on the distribution of millionaires across the United States. The FT 300 is based on data gathered from RIAs, regulatory disclosures, FT’s research, and/or research conducted on FT’s behalf by Ignites Distribution Research.
As of 2019: The FT 300 represents RIAs with an “average” practice experience of over 22 years and managing $4.6 billion in assets. FT indicates that the methodology used to evaluate inclusion on The FT 300 is quantifiable and objective, and that the participating RIAs had no subjective input in the analysis. AUM accounted for an average of 70 to 75 percent of each applicant’s score, while asset growth accounted for an average of 15 percent. To emphasize long-term client satisfaction, FT and Ignites Distribution Research used a three-year growth rate instead of the one and two-year growth rates that they used in the past.
FT does not include RIAs on The FT 300 if the ratings are not statistically valid with respect to any RIA, and there are no facts that would call into question the validity of the inclusion on The FT 300 or the appropriateness of Retirement Planners of America’s advertising the same. Neither the participating RIAs nor their employees pay a fee to FT in exchange for inclusion in The FT 300. However, Retirement Planners of America may pay a fee to FT, an affiliate, or an unaffiliated third party in exchange for plaques or article reprints commemorating the designation. While Retirement Planners of America would pay this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent to receiving it, the fact that Retirement Planners of America pays any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if such designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Retirement Planners of America for investment advisory services. Inclusion on The FT 300 is not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients.
Additional information about The FT 300 lists are available here:
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to the “Forbes Top 100 Wealth Managers 2015” which is generally based upon criteria evaluated over the course of the previous year since last publication of the same designation, and which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge: “Forbes” is a registered mark of Forbes LLC. Data for the Forbes “Top Wealth Managers” list is compiled by Forbes’ partners at “RIA Database.” Candidate firms qualify based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria.
As of 2015, for an RIA to be considered for inclusion on the Forbes “Top Wealth Managers” list, an RIA must have a minimum of fifty percent (50%) of production with individual clients, an acceptable compliance record, and must be performing wealth management services. RIAs on the list: cannot run a broker-dealer (although they can be affiliated with one), cannot be a bank (although trust companies are permitted), and must be performing wealth management services. Firms cannot have had any regulatory, civil or criminal disclosures. The list looks beyond exclusively fee-only advisors. The list includes 100 firms, ranked by assets under management for year-end 2014, reported as of March 31, 2015. Forbes does not receive a fee or require membership in exchange for rankings. Accordingly, neither Retirement Planners of America nor any other participating RIAs paid a fee to be eligible for the “Forbes Top 100 Wealth Managers 2015” ranking. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted. However, after receiving the designation, Retirement Planners of America paid a fee to a third party in exchange for plaques commemorating the designation. While Retirement Planners of America paid this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent, the fact that Retirement Planners of America paid any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if such designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Retirement Planners of America for investment advisory services.
Retirement Planners of America is not aware of the number of participants that applied to be on “Forbes Top 100 Wealth Advisors” for the year upon which Retirement Planners of America appeared. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this ranking, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other advisors) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other advisors). Inclusion on the “Forbes Top 100 Wealth Managers 2015” is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients.
This ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.
Additional information about the methodology behind the Forbes Top 100 Wealth Managers ranking is available at the following link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveschaefer/2015/05/01/top-wealth-managers-2015-investing-advice/#6e428014be01
The ranking list itself is available at the following link: https://www.forbes.com/special-report/2015/top-100-wealth-managers/table.html
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to the “Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” in 2020 and 2021, which is generally based upon criteria evaluated over the course of the previous year since last publication of the same designation, and which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge: “Forbes” is a registered mark of Forbes LLC. The Forbes ranking of “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” is developed by SHOOK Research. Candidate firms qualify based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria. Candidates must have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the ranking algorithm weights factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research received a fee or requires membership in exchange for rankings. Accordingly, neither Retirement Planners of America nor any other participating RIAs paid a fee to be eligible for the “Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” ranking in 2020 or 2021. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted. However, after receiving the designation, Retirement Planners of America paid a fee to a third party in exchange for plaques commemorating the designation. While Retirement Planners of America paid this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent, the fact that Retirement Planners of America paid any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if such designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Retirement Planners of America for investment advisory services.
Retirement Planners of America is not aware of the number of participants that applied to be on “Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” ranking for the years upon which Retirement Planners of America appeared. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this ranking, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other advisors) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other advisors). Inclusion on the “Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” rankings in 2020 and 2021 is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients.
This ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.
Additional information about the methodology behind the “Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” ranking for 2020 is available at the following link:
Additional information about the methodology behind the “Forbes Best-in-State ranking for 2020” is available at the following link:
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to the “Financial Advisor Magazine RIA Survey & Ranking” in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge: the RIA Survey & Rankings in which Retirement Planners of America appeared were generally based upon criteria evaluated over the course of the previous year since last publication of the same designation. Financial Advisor Magazine is a monthly news publication that delivers market information and strategies to help advisors better serve their affluent clients, as well as practice management ideas to help advisors build their firms. Retirement Planners of America is not affiliated with Financial Advisor Magazine.
Candidates for Financial Advisor Magazine’s RIA Survey and Ranking must complete an online survey that contains approximately 26 to 30 questions (the number of questions may vary year to year) concerning the candidate firm’s clients, RIA size, RIA age, services, and growth efforts. The questionnaire contains inquiries concerning: the RIA’s total number of clients and demographics; the RIA’s total assets under management, additional assets, and techniques employed by the RIA that promoted or hindered growth to the RIA’s asset base; the RIA’s registration status as an investment adviser and/or broker-dealer; identification of the RIA’s custodians; the date of the RIA’s most recent ADV filing; identification of listed services currently offered to clients; the RIA’s total number of employees and the firm’s employee recruitment practices over the preceding three years to completing the survey; the RIA’s likelihood of expansion efforts in the 3 years preceding completion of the survey and in the forthcoming twelve 12 months from the date the RIA completed the survey; whether the RIA hired a strategy consultant, obtained a valuation appraisal, added one or more offices, engaged in merger discussions, rejected a merger proposal, or hired former registered representatives; and asks the RIA to reveal one thing that it would do to improve the advisory profession.
The criteria upon which the final ranking is presented ranks candidates based on 5 categories: 1) year-end discretionary and non-discretionary AUM reported on the RIA’s Form ADV; 2) the RIA’s percentage of growth in assets for the relevant calendar year; 3) average assets per client relationship; 4) percentage of growth in assets per client; and 5) the RIA’s percent change in number of client relationships.
To be eligible for this ranking, candidates must be registered investment advisors and provide financial planning and related services to individual clients. RIAs must have filed their Form ADV before completing the questionnaire associated with the award. Corporate RIA firms and investment adviser representatives (“IARs”) are not eligible for this survey. From year to year, RIAs with a certain minimum of assets under management are recognized in the print version of Financial Advisor’s Magazine’s ranking list. Firms with less than the respective year’s prescribed minimum of assets under management are recognized in the Financial Advisor’s Magazine national online digital ranking list on FA’s website, https://www.fa-mag.com/. Retirement Planners of America was recognized for the award in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted.
Financial Advisor Magazine does not require membership or payment in order for award participants and/or applicants to be considered for an award designation. Financial Advisor Magazine does not publish, nor is Retirement Planners of America aware of the number of participants that applied to be on “RIA Survey & Ranking” for the year(s) upon which Retirement Planners of America appeared. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this ranking, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other advisors) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other advisors).
This award designation may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The award designation is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. The award designation should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.
Financial Advisor Magazine’s “RIA Survey & Ranking” information is available at the following links:
2016: https://www.fa-mag.com/userfiles/2016_FA_Issues/July_2016/RIA_Files/jul_fa_RIA2016_Ranking_3.pdf
With respect to references on this Website, or in any other Retirement Planners of America publication or broadcast, to Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) Accreditation, which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge:
Accreditation means the Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) has determined that company bearing the accreditation logo meets certain standards with regard to licensing, regulatory complaints, consumer complaints, advertising and other business practices. In order for a company to be eligible for the BBB accreditation, the company must: (1) be in business for at least six months; (2) possess the requisite bonding and licenses in the appropriate jurisdiction; (3) not have any unresolved customer complaints; (4) not have any governmental ethics violation; (5) fulfill all contracts and promises made through its business practices and advertising; (6) follow governmental and BBB advertising laws and codes; (7) have a website that provides and follows a privacy policy and uses secure financial transactions (if applicable). BBB accredited firms must also agree to abide by the BBB Code of Business Practices which represents the standards for business accreditation by BBB in the United States and Canada. To be accredited by BBB, the company must (1) establish and maintain a positive track record in the marketplace; (2) adhere to established standards of advertising and selling; (3) honestly represent products and services, including clear and adequate disclosures of all material terms.; (4) openly identify the nature, location, and ownership of the business, and clearly disclose all policies, guarantees and procedures that bear on a customer’s decision to buy; (5) abide by all written agreements and verbal representations; (6) address marketplace disputes quickly, professionally, and in good faith; (7) protect any data collected against mishandling and fraud, collect personal information only as needed, and respect the preferences of customers regarding the use of their information; and (8) approach all business dealings, marketplace transactions and commitments with integrity.
Additional information concerning BBB accreditation standards can be found at the following link: https://www.bbb.org/council/for-businesses/about-bbb-accreditation/bbb-accreditation-standards/.
The BBB rating system rates businesses on a scale of A+ to F, with A+ being the highest. Clients and prospective clients can view details of the rating system at https://www.bbb.org/overview-of-bbb-ratings. BBB accredited businesses pay a uniform fee in advance for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the designation. By virtue of disclosing this designation, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other companies) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other companies). Retirement Planners of America is not aware of the percentage of other registered investment advisers that received the applicable rating. BBB does not require membership or payment in order for applicants to be considered for the designation. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted. The rating may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The accreditation is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This accreditation or any other rankings, designation, and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.
With respect to references on this Website, or in any other Retirement Planners of America publication or broadcast, to the North Central Texas Better Business Bureau’s (“NCTBBB”) Torch Award for Ethics (“Torch Award”), which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’s knowledge. Retirement Planners of America is not affiliated with the North Central Texas Better Business Bureau (“NCTBBB”). NCTBBB does not endorse Retirement Planners of America or any of its representatives. The NCTBBB’s Torch Award for Ethics (“Torch Award”) results are not based upon information or opinions of participating companies’ clients. Therefore, consideration for the Torch Award is not representative of Retirement Planners of America’s clients’ experiences. Neither Retirement Planners of America nor its employees paid a fee to NCTBBB to be considered for the Torch Award. NCTBBB does not require membership or payment in order for award participants and/or applicants to be considered for an award designation. Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted. NCTBBB grants its Torch Award based upon internal evaluation of narrative responses regarding 6 criteria that focus upon ethical issues to evaluate “the integrity and ethics behind their business dealings as demonstrated by their policies, education, business-to-business recommendations, customer reviews and financial track-record, among many other criteria.” The award is granted to companies divided among (5) separate categories based on company size as determined by a respective company’s number of employees. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of how many nominees are considered to receive the award. As of September 2017, 19 companies received the award. A company is ineligible to receive the award if any of the following conditions apply: (1) the company has been in business for less than three (3) years; (2) the company has earned less than a “B” rating from BBB;(3) there are indications that the company has have not met its financial obligations; or (4) the company has been a Torch Award in the past three (3) years. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this designation, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other companies) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other companies). Receipt of the Torch Award should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients. The receipt of the Torch Award is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’s and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments.
Additional information about the methodology behind the Torch Award for Ethics is available at: https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/nomination/83704/2018/2018-torch-awards-for-ethics
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to the 2018 “Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies” which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’ knowledge:
Companies on the 2018 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2014 to 2017. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2014. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent–not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies–as of December 31, 2017. Since then, some on the list have gone public or been acquired. Growth rates used to determine company rankings were calculated to two decimal places. In the case of ties, the companies with more revenue were placed higher. The minimum revenue required for 2014 is $100,000; the minimum for 2017 is $2 million. Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
Retirement Planners of America applied for consideration, and the result was independently granted. However, after receiving the designation, Retirement Planners of America may pay a fee in exchange for logo licensing, plaques, or other means to commemorate the designation. While Retirement Planners of America would pay this fee after receiving the designation and not as a condition precedent, the fact that Retirement Planners of America paid any fee with respect to its receipt of the designation should be considered if such designation is a factor in a client or prospective client’s evaluation of whether to initially to engage or continue to engage Retirement Planners of America for investment advisory services.
Retirement Planners of America is not aware of the number of participants that applied to be on “Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies” for the year upon which Retirement Planners of America appeared. Retirement Planners of America is unaware of any undisclosed facts that could potentially invalidate the appropriateness of the ranking. By virtue of disclosing this ranking, Retirement Planners of America is disclosing favorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked above other companies) and unfavorable ratings (to the extent that Retirement Planners of America is ranked below other companies). Inclusion on the “Inc. 5000 America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies” is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients.
This ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’ and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients. The ranking list is available at the following link: https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2018.
With respect to references on this Website or in other Retirement Planners of America publications and broadcasts to Retirement Planners of America being named as a 2019 “Dallas Business Journal 50 Fastest Growing Mid-Size Companies in North Texas,” which is provided to the best of Retirement Planners of America’ knowledge:
Mid-size companies were defined as having revenue between $25 million and $750 million. The nominees were ranked on a weighted growth index of revenue from 2016 to 2018.
The full list and additional information about the methodology behind the Dallas Business Journal 50 Fastest Growing Mid-Size Companies in North Texas is available at https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2019/05/28/dbj-middle-market-50-dfw-2019.html.
Inclusion in the “Dallas Business Journal 50 Fastest Growing Mid-Size Companies in North Texas” ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments; should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services; and should not be construed as a current or past endorsement of Retirement Planners of America by any of its clients.
This ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience because of the way in which it is calculated. The ranking is absolutely not indicative of Retirement Planners of America’ and its advisors’ future performance, or any future performance pertaining to its clients’ investments. This ranking or any other rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed as a guarantee that a client will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Retirement Planners of America is engaged, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement by any of its clients.