*SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION*
Questions answered by our Leading Business & Financial Professionals of 2026
What exactly is a Retirement Distribution Specialist?
Most people spend 25 years of the working life accumulating assets in their IRA’s, 401(k)’s, 403(b)’s, 457’s, ROTHs and Brokerage Accounts. This represents a distinct period in your financial life when you’re trying to accumulate wealth. As you’re getting in or near retirement, the accumulation phase becomes less important and you tend to focus more on preserving what you’ve worked so hard to accumulate and developing a strategy for the most efficient distribution for the next 25 years of your life. This requires careful planning and unique knowledge to not fall victim to the multiple dangers of the distribution phase such as longevity, inflation, taxes, market volatility, health risks and sequence of returns. This is what a Distribution Specialist does. Contact us today to take a closer look at your current or upcoming distributions, to see if you are on the right track! BrionHarris@PremierPlanningGroup.com or 443-837-2529.
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Brion Harris – CEO, Founder and Financial Advisor. 175 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Suite 203, Annapolis, MD 21401 – 443-837-2520
Brion Harris, Premier Planning Group
Is the way retirees should invest to protect their portfolios changing?
Yes. Things are always evolving. Music has gone from vinyl to cassette to CDs to MP3 players to Digital Streaming. The telephone has gone from rotary to push-button to cordless to cell phone to smartphone. Investing has evolved similarly as well. The problem is many retirees have portfolios that look like vinyl or the rotary phone. Being diversified* today means you need to be diversified by company, by product, by tax benefit, by asset class and with real assets vs. paper assets. This strategy is called Advance and Protect. Contact us today to look at how top advisors are diversifing portfolios in today’s modern economy. BrionHarris@PremierPlanningGroup.com or 443-837-2529. *A diversified portfolio does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. Brion Harris – CEO, Founder and Financial Advisor. 175 Admiral Cochrane Drive, Suite 203, Annapolis, MD 21401 – 443-837-2520
Brion Harris, Premier Planning Group
Why does education matter in financial planning?
Because informed clients make better decisions. At HF Advisory Group, we take the time to explain each strategy so you understand not just what we’re doing, but why. We never move forward until you’re comfortable—and we encourage spouses and family members to be part of the conversation.
Raymond Hobson, CFP® | Investment Advisor Representative | HF Advisory Group
Historically, what have you noticed about the difference between the way men and women tend to handle their finances?
Frequently, women are more financially conservative than men. This pattern is a perk when working as a team on your finances. However, our conservative nature may lead to inefficient growth decisions in the long-term. Effective solutions include diversification for growth and forming a lower risk account to offset instability. These intentional options are key to feeling financially confident.
Securities offered through J.W. Cole Financial (JWC) member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through J.W. Cole Advisors, Inc. (JWCA). Financial planning, insurance, and tax services offered through Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC DBA Chesapeake Financial Planning, a Registered Investment Adviser. Bay Financial Planning and Tax Services, LLC and JWC/JWCA are unaffiliated entities.
Elizabeth M. Bennett, MBA | Principal and Certified Financial Planner™ | Chesapeake Financial Planning & Tax Services
When is it a good idea to include a trust in your estate plan?
Many people can benefit from a trust, regardless of age or net worth. It provides clear instructions for how and when assets are distributed, offers protection for minor or financially vulnerable beneficiaries, and allows planning for incapacity. Trusts often help families avoid probate, preserve privacy, and ensure seamless management of assets if you can no longer handle them yourself. Trusts are particularly helpful for blended families, business owners, real estate investors, or anyone seeking greater control, efficiency, and peace of mind in passing on their assets.
Beth Burgee | Senior Estate Administration Attorney | Sinclair Prosser Gasior
What do you think makes your firm unique?
I believe our most unique offering is personalized 401(k) account management for individuals. This service helps clients manage what for most is their largest retirement asset—and we do so for a low monthly subscription fee—think Netflix for your employer retirement plan. We want to help investors fully utilize the tools they are given at their workplace, in order to help them efficiently plan for their retirement. We strive to make financial planning very approachable in an industry that can sometimes feel like quite the opposite.
Gregory Ostrowski, CFP®, CRPC®, BFA™ | Managing Partner | Scarborough Capital Management
What does Tax-Loss Harvesting mean?
Tax-loss harvesting means making strategic adjustments with your investments to help reduce the taxes you owe. By using certain investment sales to offset taxes elsewhere, you can keep more of your money overall. At Connect Wealth, this is a strategy that we implement throughout the year during advantageous market conditions.
Greg Karanzalis | Wealth Planner, Partner | Connect Wealth
How does a financial advisor add value beyond investment returns?
Working with a financial advisor is about more than managing money, it’s about having a trusted partner who understands your goals, values, and life decisions. Research shows that quality advice delivers value across four dimensions: stronger portfolios, more coordinated financial planning, reduced stress, and meaningful time saved. Advisors bring discipline to investing, help navigate tax and estate complexities and offer steady guidance during uncertain moments. Just as importantly, they streamline the details so you can focus on what matters most. The real return on advice is confidence, clarity, and the freedom to live your life with greater ease and purpose.
Bill Hufnell, CFP®, CPA | Wealth Manager, Principal | Modera Wealth
What has been the most significant ethics issue that has impacted the legal community over the past year?
Without question — the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In fact, the use of AI may be the most significant development in the legal ethics world in my career. While AI can be incredibly useful for a number of tasks, it can also return results with hallucinations or exaggerations. A recent opinion from the Appellate Court of Maryland stated that tests have shown that some AI models hallucinate 30-50% of the time! Thorough review by an attorney specializing in Legal Ethics and careful verification of AI-generated work is critical to preventing court sanctions and potential disciplinary action.
Richard J. Berwanger, Jr. | Partner | Liff, Walsh & Simmons
What do you see as the biggest fear people have about retirement?
The biggest fear most investors have is running out of money in retirement — worrying they’ll have to go back to work, sell their home, or rely on a reverse mortgage. But retirement should be about enjoying life, not stressing over money. That peace of mind starts with a plan, and the foundation of that plan is your income bucket. When we know how much income you need, we can build a strategy to generate it — whether that’s $30,000, $40,000, or $50,000 a year — regardless of market conditions. With income secure, the rest of your portfolio can be invested with confidence.
Investment Advisory Services offered through Prostatis Group, LLC, a registered investment adviser. This advertisement is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee income or protect against loss.
Ryan C. Herbert, Financial Planner & Partner | Prostatis Financial Advisors Group
