Highlights from 2011

• Our business continues to grow as we begin our tenth year. We are very grateful for all of the introductions you have given us. Thank you for your continuing trust and confidence. All of us here at Secure Retirement Solutions, Inc. wish you all very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012.

• More and more people have begun investing in our PortformulasÒ program. Many of our clients who desire and need to invest a portion of their assets for long term growth goals have utilized this formulaic investing approach. For specific information go to www.portformulas.com. As with any investment strategy there is an inherent element of risk, and we can help you determine if this concept is appropriate for your situation. Be sure to call us to set up an appointment.

• During the year we again advised all clients whose Fixed Index Annuity growth was partially tied to the Eurox Stox index to reallocate to the U.S. domestic indices as European Sovereign debt issues were expected to lead to lower growth opportunities.

• During the second half of the year we expanded our email communications to our clients and prospects. We are now sending 5-6 informational emails each month and the feedback has been very positive. Remember to advise us if you change your email address.

New for 2012

• Look for our new seminar schedule to start in April. We anticipate conducting fewer seminars in 2012 in order to allow us to focus on continuing to provide excellent service to our clients.

• Remember, the premiums you are paying for your Long Term Care Insurance may be tax-deductible - talk to your tax preparer to see if you qualify for a tax-deduction in 2012.

• All of you with retirement accounts who turn 70 ½ in 2012 will need to plan for the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). We advised you on this matter by separate email and can assist you with this when you contact us to set an appointment.

• Recently we have seen several annual annuity statements where the surrender value of the contract is higher than the account value. When this occurs, please contact us to discuss new strategies that may be appropriate for you and may improve your overall portfolio.

John is honored to have received this esteemed designation and wishes to thank those of you who may have been contacted for your vote. John and everyone at Secure Retirement Solutions look forward to continuing to provide top quality service to our current and future clients.

For additional information, click here.

Dropping Interest Rates May Present Opportunities
In this time of seemingly continuous dropping interest rates, an opportunity may be available to you. If you have a Fixed Annuity with a Market Value Adjustment (MVA) clause, it is possible that the surrender value of the account could exceed the account value. If you have a policy like this, or if you are not sure, why not call us and set up a meeting to analyze your policy, and based on your particular situation, see if any changes are warranted.

NOTE: Annuities are generally best suited for long term income and investing purposes. It is important to consider any surrender charges, fees, and other features that may apply. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the underlying insurance companies.

If You Have CD’s Renewing Soon, Now May Be a Good Time for a Review
Many of you may have C/Ds maturing in the near future, and likely at low interest rates compared to history. Before you renew them, we encourage you to review your overall strategy and how your CD’s and/or other financial tools may best help you toward your goals. Call us for a review, and to also consider alternative solutions, such as tax-deferred fixed annuities that may be able to generate tax savings and a competitive rate of return potential for your long term monies.*

Note: CD’s and annuities have different features and liquidity options. CD’s are FDIC insured up to $250,000 and may be subject to interest penalties for early withdrawal. Guarantees offered by annuities are based on the claims-paying abilities of the underlying insurance companies. Annuities are best suited for long term investing. There may be surrender charges and fees associated with annuities, plus a 10-% tax penalty for withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½.

Explore our Financial Wellness Resources
Visit our website at www.SecureRetirementSolutionsInc.com to view the financial wellness resources available to you including: Fascinating Financial Facts archives, informative podcasts, financial planning calculators and links to other important financial websites. Please let us know what you think.

Let us Know if Your Email Address Changes
In order to ensure uninterrupted delivery of the Fascinating Financial Facts newsletter, please notify us as soon as possible if your email address is going to change. Call our office, email us, or contact us through our website to make sure we have your most current, correct information. Rising costs have caused us to significantly reduce contacts by “snail mail” as we move to email as the primary method of communication.

Portformulas Eliminates Monthly Account Maintenance Fees!
As of May 1st, 2011, Portformulas will permanently eliminate the $15 monthly account maintenance fee. While this change is made possible due to some internal administration adjustments, the only change you will notice is that account statements will be delivered quarterly instead of monthly. This change will save you approximately $180 per year ($15 x 12 months) and significantly save the volume of paper sent out over the course of the year. The April 2011 statement will be your last monthly statement, and will be received during the first few weeks of May. You will continue to have 24 hour / 7 day per week online access to your account, account value, and holdings. Following the April 2011 statements, all future statements will be sent quarterly and the $15 monthly maintenance fee will be eliminated. If you wish to reduce the paper statements you receive even further, please contact our office to inquire about joining the electronic statement delivery program.

Please do not keep us a secret! Thank you.

Thank you to all the clients and their guests who were able to attend our FIRST ANNUAL Girlfriends’ Valentine’s Party. All attendees were treated to yummy chocolate covered strawberries, Dove chocolates, goodie bags, a non-stop dessert table, a rose, door prizes and a great lunch.

Our speaker, Aimee Johnson from Allianz, gave a very powerful and meaningful presentation about “Women, Money and Power.” All agreed she did an outstanding job.

We hope you enjoy the attached photos of the event.

Sincerely,

Many of you have heard of Portformulas® through seminars or working with us. This formulaic investment strategy tracks economic indicators to help determine the appropriate time to invest in or sell out of the market. We believe this could be a valuable tool in a retiree’s investment plan. If you would like to learn more about this strategy, please call for our C/D.

Are You Minimizing the Taxes You Will Owe for 2010?

Now that you have submitted your tax returns for 2009, it is the best time to do some tax planning for 2010. If you had taxable interest and dividends in 2009, and/or paid tax on up to 85% of your social security benefits – we may be able to help you with tax-reduction strategies. Give us a call and set an appointment.

Do You Anticipate Needing Money in the Next Several Months?

If you anticipate needing money in the next several months, for whatever reason, please call us. We can assist you in planning for your needs in the most efficient way possible.

Have You Planned Appropriately for Taxes on an Inheritance You May Have Received in 2010?

You may be aware that Congress failed to change the laws regarding inheritance tax. Therefore, currently for 2010, there is no inheritance tax. There is also no step-up in cost basis on certain inherited assets in 2010. If you receive an inheritance in 2010, please give us a call or consult with a qualified tax specialist to avoid any pitfalls.

Note: John Hinnegan is not a tax advisor. Please consult with a qualified tax professional for personal tax advice.

Could You Benefit From a Product that Allowed You to Participate in Market Gains While Limiting Downside Risk?

As many of you know, we emphasize strategies to help avoid or reduce unnecessary market risk. This focus has been very helpful given our current economic and market struggles. I show clients how, with the help of an Equity- Indexed Annuity (“EIA”), it’s possible to participate in the market while limiting downside risk. Generally, the principal in an EIA is guaranteed* against loss. However, if the market goes up, they can participate in the market growth.

*Guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the underlying insurance company. An index annuity is a long-term investment and may include, but is not limited to, asset fees, participation rates, caps and/or contingent deferred sales charges. Early surrender penalties may apply, including a 10% tax penalty on distributions made prior to age 59½.

Why Equity Indexed Annuities* May Be A Valuable Financial Tool For Your ‘Retirement Tool Box’.
When looking at your long term income, asset planning, and overall situation, equity-indexed annuities (EIA’s) may be a valuable financial tool to help better protect your retirement assets, while still striving for your retirement goals. This financial tool is one example of how to reduce exposure to significant market losses such as those experienced during the recent recession. To determine if equity-indexed annuities would be a good addition to your ‘retirement toolbox’, call us for a financial review.

*An equity-indexed annuity is best suited for long-term investing and may include, but is not limited to, asset fees, participation rates, caps and/or contingent deferred sales charges. Credited interest is based upon a formula linked to the corresponding stock market index and may be more or less than actual index performance, and thus may not provide the same returns as the corresponding index. There may be significant surrender charges and a 10% tax penalty for withdrawals made prior to age 59½. Guarantees based on the claims-paying abilities of the underlying insurance companies.

Reserve Your Spot at One of Our 2010 Educational Workshops Now
We have added some new financial planning modules to our educational workshop. We encourage all of our clients to attend and bring your friends. Many of our clients who have done this found it a very easy and non-threatening way to introduce their friends to us. Upcoming workshop dates are March 30, April 13 and April 27. Please call or visit our website to reserve your place.

Provide Your Email Address to Keep Receiving Our Monthly Newsletter
As many of you know, we are switching from snail mail to email for our monthly newsletters and notes. If you are receiving these notes by snail mail please call us with your email address so we can continue to deliver the notes and newsletters to you on a monthly basis. This is the preferred mode for most people and also allows us to control our costs. Thank you.

Don’t Miss Ed Slott’s Stay Rich for Life on local WTVS
“Ed Slott’s Stay Rich for Life” is the follow-up to his first special, “Stay Rich Forever and Ever”, which is the top fund-raising show for public television across the country. Ed is widely regarded as a leading expert on IRAs, and his advice is highly sought after. We feel that if you have an IRA, his program is a must see. As you know, John is a member of Ed Slott’s IRA Advisor Group, and is available to assist you with retirement and tax savings strategies based on the often complex tax laws. Check your local public television station for program air dates and times.

Low Interest Rate Environment May Provide Opportunity for Existing Annuity Owners
If you own a fixed annuity invested in prior to the recent drop in market interest rates, you may want us to review your annuity contract. Some contracts contain a provision known as a Market Value Adjustment (MVA). If so, when interest rates decline, as they have recently, it is not unusual for the surrender value of your annuity to be worth more than the accumulation or annuitization value. This allows you the ability to consider other alternatives - if more suitable for your situation - in addition to obtaining a greater current value. Be sure to carefully review all annuity provisions prior to making any decisions. If you have an annuity you would like us to review and give you an objective opinion, please call us.

If You Have CD’s Renewing Soon, Now May Be a Good Time for a Review
Many of you may have C/Ds maturing in the near future, and likely at low interest rates compared to history. Before you renew them, we encourage you to review your overall strategy and how your CD’s and/or other financial tools may best help you toward your goals. Call us for a review, and to also consider alternative solutions, such as tax-deferred fixed annuities that may be able to generate tax savings and a competitive rate of return potential for your long term monies.

** Note: CD’s and annuities have different features and liquidity options. CD’s are FDIC insured up to $250,000 and may be subject to interest penalties for early withdrawal. Guarantees offered by annuities are based on the claims-paying abilities of the underlying insurance companies. Annuities are best suited for long term investing There may be surrender charges and, fees associated with annuities, plus a 10-% tax penalty for withdrawals made prior to age 59 ½.

Determine That Your Required Minimum Distribution is Being Handled Correctly
If you are turning 70 ½ in 2010 you will be required to take the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA account and possibly other retirement accounts. If you are in this group be sure you have verified the correct RMD with your tax advisor. The taxes and penalties for not following the rules are significant. Also, depending in your overall goals and situation, you may want to visit with us regarding various IRA distribution options. One question to ask is whether it is best for you to only take the RMD due to possible higher future tax rates and other goals? If this is an area where we can assist you, please give us a call.

Late IRS Rule Change Delays First Trust 1099s
Due to a late rule change by the IRS, for those invested with First Trust, your 1099 from First Trust will be delayed this year. They will have all 1099s mailed out by March 15, 2010. If this pertains to you, you will need this information to complete your 2009 tax return.

Your Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums May Be Tax Deductible
If you are paying premiums for long-term care insurance, your premiums may be tax deductible. Please call us if you have any questions on this.

Not only was the movie a great story, the complimentary soda and popcorn was quite a hit with the guests as well.