Total Black

Think you deserve more? We think so too. Introducing “Total Black.” This unique program is for clients of Black Oak with more than $500,000 of assets invested. We’ve created strategic partnerships with the top CPA’s and attorney’s in the area.

Through this program you’re granted access to these partnerships just for being a client. Membership in this program includes personal tax returns completed annually by one of our CPA partners, wills implemented, reviewed and updated every five years at a minimum by one of our strategic partner attorneys, initial estate plan consultation and quarterly reviews of your portfolio with us at Black Oak - all at no additional charge.

Are you getting this with your firm?

Give us a call. We eagerly await the opportunity to show you Total Black.

Getting Started

You may be an experienced investor, a beginner nearing retirement or just a beginner. No matter what financial position you’re in, Black Oak stands ready to help. Below are a few questions to ask any potential adviser you’re considering to help guide you through these turbulent times.

• Tell me about your client base. You may want to consider working with someone that works with others in your financial position.
• How many clients do you have and how much money do you manage? This will further help you decide if the adviser is working with clients like you.
• How do you get paid? I’ve found that most clients want to shy away from this. However, this is vitally important. You hear the stories of advisers only looking out for themselves. By understanding how they get paid, you can understand if they’re always working for you. We actually let clients know upfront how we get paid and how much - just goes to our motto "if we’re not different, who is?"
• Are there any violations or pending cases against them? You can actually do a little research on your own through broker check at finra.org.

At Black Oak, after answering your questions about us, we want to get to know you. You’ll notice we never have a product to push. Instead, we want to understand you and let that lead us where we should go. We’re heavy believers in the SMART principle. We use this to set goals. If goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely we can let you know upfront whether or not we can help you. It’s better to know that upfront rather than making statements that generate false hopes and beliefs.

After establishing clearly defined goals, we want to look at all assets and liabilities to gather more information to form educated strategies that give you a chance at success. While learning more about you, we’ll identify potential road blocks so that they can be navagated properly and risks minimized.

We look forward to showing you a different way of doing business.

Our Investment Policy

Our investment policy is firmly grounded in our belief in non-correlation of assets. If you ask your neighbor what the long term return of the market is, you’re likely to receive an answer of 8-9% per year. Sadly, this isn’t true. Looking back to 1926 to the end of 2009, the geometric return of the market is 6.37%. This lower rate happens because of volatility. Therefore, it is likely to conclude that reduced volatility could ultimately lead to higher returns.

Going back to risk management 101, how do you mitigate the risk of volatility. Esteemed professor Harry Markowitz wrote in 1952 that investors should be just as concerned with risk as they are with returns. You can’t avoid it unless you’re completely out of the market. Markowitz described being in the market as a systematic risk. Really, the only way to go about garnering higher returns is through risk reduction. So we succumb to the theory that prudent investing only comes from investors expect the uncertainty of expected returns.

Non-correlation of assets is our way to reduce portfolio risks while being in the market. We believe in owning assets over a given period of time. Due to the fluctuation of asset prices at different times, we strive to maintain the integrity of the portfolio. In recent years, we’ve seen what true diversification can do. Let us show you how this philosophy has played out. Let us show you how our clients benefit.

Investment Plans

At Black Oak we’re often asked about various “systems.” First, no one size fits all. That’s why you’ll never be pigeon holed into any one thought. Second, no system is perfect. If it were, everyone would use it. Third, you may be using one system and not even know it! There’s much confusion surrounding systems. Our goal is to provide insight and dispel myth.

I start with Monte Carlo - the most widely accepted retirement planning strategy for withdrawal of retirement assets. At Black Oak, we’re believers in using this as a foundation for identifying the likelihood of success of income distribution in retirement. We use this a step further. When looking at this study, the principles apply to life insurance as well. Income needs are often the greatest driving factor of how much insurance you need. If a given portfolio has a given chance to succeed in retirement, why would that not carry over to insurance?

Capital wealth transfer, etc. - regardless of what this is called, this could be right, this could be wrong. When looking at any insurance strategy, our goal is to determine the need. If the need is $1 Million, quite frankly whether term or permanent insurance is purchased is not overly important. At the end of the day, if the death benefit is claimed, the main concern of the surviving spouse or beneficiary is not what kind of policy they had. The main thing that matters at that point is how to convert that benefit into income. With that in mind, there are times when using certain systems is helpful. As we say, there’s no one size fits all. Your friends, neighbors and colleagues may have different goals and risks than you. I ask all clients, regardless of what they have heard, to keep an open mind. The minute you rule out a strategy is the minute you cut off potential strategies that make sense.

Roth v. 401(k) - I often get the question which is better. The simple answer is there’s no right answer. Every situation is different. For example, a client within a high income bracket who needs tax breaks, is ineligible for Roth contributions, and who receives a match on qualified plan contributions will probably be better off using the 401(k). A client in a middle tier income bracket who receives no match on 401(k) contributions might need to consider a Roth IRA. Always ask yourself, am I receiving a match for 401(k) contributions? Whatever the answer, the answer to Roth v. 401(k) is probably easier to determine.

Brokerage Services

Full brokerage account services with stocks, bonds, options, etc. Get everything that you want with the large, national firms, yet receive it with a local feel.

Life Insurance

Instead of looking at product, take a 30,000 foot view of what your financial picture would like if an untimely death occurred. The last thing we’ll actually review is the product needed.

Pension Management Services

We facilitate a full turn-key option from the beginning. From actuarial service to plan administration to management of the funds, we provide access to third party ERISA fiduciaries that can do it all. We partner with the best names around to provide a comprehensive package, priced to give true value for services rendered.

401(k) Management Services

Whether you’re in the market for open-architecture with all the bells and whistles or something more vanilla, easy maintenance and low cost we can provide the right plan for you. It's not our job to sell a plan. It's our fiduciary responsibility to provide a comprehensive look at what's available so the best option may be chosen.

401(k) Rollovers

Don’t make the mistakes of many. The mistakes may be costly and could be avoided. Let us show you how.

403(b) Management Services

The forgotten plan alongside the 401(K). Just like the 401(K) plan, we can handle all administrative and investment services in turn-key fashion. With little work on your part, you can have a plan you’re proud of.

457 Management Services

The 457 plan is a tax advantaged deferred-compensation retirement plan available to government and some non-government workers. For the most part the plan operates similarly to 401(K) and 403(B) plans. The key difference is unlike a 401(k) plan, there is no 10% penalty for withdrawal before the age of 59½ (although the withdrawal is subject to ordinary income taxation).

Long Term Care Insurance

Whether you’re looking to fund this upfront in a lump sum or pay as you go, we have a wide array of long term care products to suit your needs. Just as with life insurance, we look at the need well before the product.

Disability Insurance

Do you have own-occ, non own-occ or do you even know? We take the time to explain the differences and nuances of each contract so that in the event of a disability, you’re covered.

Estate Planning Strategies

The basic function of our estate planning strategies is to ensure that your goals and wishes extend far beyond your life. From basic functions of wills and life insurance to titling of assets and utilization of trusts, we partner with the most knowledgeable in the industry.

Health Insurance & Group Benefits

We partner specifically with ShawHankins, an industry leader in this field. ShawHankins has been in business for decades. Let us help facilitate this process to ensure the very best benefit package is put into place to retain high level employees and recruit rainmakers.

Tax Planning

We partner with CPA’s and tax accountants to specifically plot the best course of action needed within your financial strategy.