Investment Services for
Retirement, Wealth, & Education

Westex Investment Services

Individual Retirement Plans (Traditional & Roth IRAs)

Investing “to make as much as possible” is like saying a speedometer contains the same information as a road map. Your financial journey towards retirement, just like a road map, has two end points and a number of twists and turns along the way. It is impossible to develop a plan in the beginning without the ability to make adjustments. What are your priorities? How long do you plan to work? How many children and grandchildren do you have? Have there been unexpected events in your life? The factors that go into a financial plan are many but the adjustments along the way can be many more. We will walk you along that journey and help you make the right decisions.

The team offers many retirement account types and services, including the following:

  • Traditional IRA Accounts
  • Roth IRA Accounts
  • Options and/or strategies for former employer-sponsored retirement plans. (including 401(k)’s, 403(b)’s, SIMPLE IRA’s, etc.)

Business Retirement Plans (401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA)

Many business owners today are faced with an increasing need to provide a retirement benefit for themselves and their employees. At Westex Investment Services, listening to you and helping you and your employees plan for retirement are top priorities. Selecting the right retirement plan for your business is a crucial step, and providing one has many benefits.

One advantage is that contributions to a retirement plan today can help you meet tomorrow’s goals of financial independence. Additionally, establishing a retirement plan may provide tax advantages. Eligible contributions are deductible expenses to your business, and all contributions grow tax-deferred until withdrawn. Another key benefit is that it can create positive employee relations, helping to attract and retain quality employees, while reducing turnover.

For many business owners, the question is not “Should I implement a retirement plan?” Rather, it is “Which plan is right for my business?” The Team at Westex Investment Services can assess your business’ needs and help to implement any of the following plans:

  • 401(k) profit sharing
  • Safe-harbor 401(k)
  • Owner only/one-person 401(k)
  • SIMPLE IRA
  • Simplified Employee Pension (SEP)
  • Profit sharing
  • Age-weighted/comparability profit sharing plans
  • Defined benefit pension

Wealth Management

Wealth management is usually a term reserved exclusively for the high net worth clients. This isn’t so at Westex Investments! Whether it is saving towards the purchase of a first home or managing an inheritence, we will guide you through the thought process to determine what investments are appropriate to best meet your goals for your nest egg! Some of the situations that would entail the use of wealth management services:

  • Corporate investments - a small business that has excess money to invest
  • Personal liquid net worth - wealth derived through inheritance, professional success, gifts, and so on
  • Goal based investing - first time home purchase, equipment purchase, new car, second home, etc.
  • Gift & charitable gift planning

Education Savings

Investing for education now includes not just college level education but it can also be used for private school. Proceeds can benefit the client and can also be a great way to make meaningful gifts to children and grandchildren. These accounts are easy to establish and have very low minimums. Contact one of our advisors today to see which option is best for you!

We offer the following educational investing account types:

  • Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
  • 529 College Savings Plans

Investors should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any tax or other benefits that are only available for investment in such state’s 529 college savings plan. Such benefits include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. 529 plans come with fees and expenses, and there is a risk they may lose money or underperform. Tax implications can vary significantly from state to state.

Saving Solutions

This is one of the often overlooked services we offer. Through our access to money market accounts, cd’s, and other fixed income based solutions we can work with the client to develop programs as an alternative to a conventional bank savings account. A CD ladder is an example of a tool that we use frequently that may derive higher returns than bank savings account but can still provide a decent level of access to the capital.

Life Insurance

Life insurance payments can help you transfer wealth to beneficiaries on a tax-efficient basis. But did you know they also can be used to fund business succession plans, provide individual supplemental retirement income and offer a tax-free source of income upon the passing of the insured? Among our offerings are term life insurance, universal life, variable universal life and whole life insurance.

Annuities, Long Term Care and Disability Insurance

Annuities: Whether you’re facing retirement in a few years or are already there, selecting an appropriate annuity can help provide you with tax-deferred growth as you save and plan for regular income once you’ve reached retirement. We offer several types of annuities, including but not limited to fixed and fixed index annuities that provide principal protection, as well as variable and structured annuities, which can be used as investment vehicles.

Long Term Care Insurance: Speak with us about creating a specific funding plan to prepare for the potential of you and/or your spouse experiencing a long-term care event. We offer LTC insurance solutions for home care and facility care alike, as well as asset-based long-term care solutions and life insurance with long-term care payout riders. The latter two options give you the flexibility to leave money to heirs and use the insurance death benefit to pay for long-term care assistance on an income tax-free basis.

Disability Insurance: One of the most valuable assets you may wish to protect is your income. If you are unable to work due to illness or injury, disability insurance can provide income tax-free cash flow to help you pay your bills. Disability insurance allows you to replace a portion of your income to help provide financial independence until you are healthy enough to return to work. We offer disability insurance for individuals who may need to replace a portion of their wages as long as they are unable to work. We also offer disability insurance for business owners whose needs may include covering overhead costs, selling their business or replacing a key employee in the event that the business owner or key employee is no longer able to work.

Disclaimer

Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. This information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Be sure to contact a qualified professional regarding your situation before making any investment or withdrawal decision. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.

These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health and the type and amount of insurance purchased. As with most financial decisions, there are expenses associated with the purchase of life insurance. Policies commonly have mortality and expense charges. In addition if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the insurance company.

These policies have exclusions and/or limitations. Guarantees are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company. Long Term Care Insurance or Asset Based Long Term Care Insurance Products may not be suitable for all investors. Surrender charges may apply for early withdrawals and, if made prior to age 59 ½, may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to any gains being taxed as ordinary income. The cost and availability of Long Term Care insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased. Please consult with your financial professional when considering insurance options.

Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of variable annuities carefully before investing.

A fixed annuity is a long-term, tax-deferred insurance contract designed for retirement. You should also know that a fixed annuity contains guarantees and protections that are subject to the issuing insurance company’s ability to pay for them.

Investments and account types mentioned may not be suitable for all investors.