BUY LOW.  Assemble a well diversified portfolio of these  asset classes.  U.S. Equities, U.S. Fixed Products, World Bonds, Foreign Equities, Commodities, Real Estate, Sector Funds (Energy, Health, etc.), Inflation Protected Instruments, and Cash.  Next, over a period of a year or six months, begin tracking the actual returns compared to a target investment goal of let's say 8%.  Anytime your portfolio falls below your desired rate of return, add more money.  For example let's say you start with $10,000.  Using 8%, after one year, your portfolio should be $10,800.  If it actually does $10,650, it's a good indication to add more monies.  BUYING LOW. On the other hand if your account does $10,925.  Give yourself a pat on the back and leave well enough alone!   If concerned about past declines in the market, consult us on Behavioral Investing.

As with any investments, READ THE PROSPECTUS, UNDERSTAND ITS' MEANNG AND LOOK CAREFULLY FOR RISKS, FEES, AND EXPENSES. 

 

MEET THE TEAM:  I am proud and honored to be associated with the following colleagues.

BRIAN MACKEY

4Thought Financial Group Inc. 4250 Veteran Memorial Highway, Suite 420E Holbrook, NY 11741 (631) 439-4600 www.4TFG.com

BROCHURE SUPPLEMENT

April 16th, 2012

This supplement brochure provides information about Brian Mackey that supplements the 4Thought Financial Group Inc. brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact Jesse Mackey, Chief Investment Officer if you did not receive our brochure or if you have questions about the contents of this supplement.

Additional information about Brian Mackey is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Educational Background and Business Experience

Year of Birth: 1955

Education: Brian Mackey has a B.S. in Accounting from Quinnipiac University and attended the MBA program at the University of New Haven.

Business Experience: Mr. Mackey is an owner and the Chief Executive Officer of 4Thought Financial Group. He specializes in estate, retirement, investment, business succession and executive benefits planning at 4Thought. He is the owner of Legacy Advisors, LLC, a financial services marketing firm. He is the former Director of National Network of Accountants Investment Advisors, Inc. (NNAIA) and former Regional Director of Advanced Markets and Agency Manager at Mutual of New York. Mr. Mackey started his career as a financial advisor with CIGNA Financial Advisors in 1980, servicing as Equity Coordinator and part of the agency management team.

Professional Designations: Mr. Mackey holds a CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation.

We must provide you with sufficient explanation of the minimum qualifications required for this designation to allow you to understand the value of the designation.

The CLU program is administered by the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. This designation has a curriculum of five required college-level courses and three elective courses that focus on life insurance planning. In addition to successful completion of eight exams, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of full-time, relevant business experience and agree to adhere to the American College’s code of ethics. The designation requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

Disciplinary Information

Mr. Mackey does not have any disciplinary information to report.

Other Business Activities

Mr. Mackey is a licensed life and health insurance broker in several states and may receive commissions or other compensation based on the sale of insurance products.

Additional Compensation

Mr. Mackey does not have any additional compensation to report.

Supervision

Mr. Mackey’s investment activities are supervised by Jesse Mackey, Chief Compliance Officer, (631) 439-4600 Ext. 340.

 

JESSE MACKEY

4Thought Financial Group Inc. 4250 Veteran Memorial Highway, Suite 420E Holbrook, NY 11741 (631) 439-4600 Ext. 340 www.4TFG.com

BROCHURE SUPPLEMENT

March 1st, 2013

This supplement brochure provides information about Jesse Mackey that supplements the 4Thought Financial Group Inc. brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact Jesse Mackey, Chief Investment Officer if you did not receive our brochure or if you have questions about the contents of this supplement.

Additional information about Jesse Mackey is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Educational Background and Business Experience

Year of Birth: 1980

Education: Jesse Mackey has a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Economics and an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management in International Securities Investment, International Development and Entrepreneurship.

Business Experience: Mr. Mackey is an owner and the Chief Investment Officer of 4Thought Financial Group Inc. He provides investment planning and investment management services for financial advisors and third party firms to service their clients. He is also heavily involved in the economic theory, research and publishing activities of the firm, having been published in the CPA Journal, The National Conference of CPA Practitioners (NCCPAP) Journal of the CPA Practitioner, Das Torr, Innovative Planning Services/Sound Wealth Financial Group Investments Monthly Update, The NNAIA Navigator, 4Thought Financial Group Compass & Crosshairs, and on AdvisorFYI.com. Mr. Mackey is the former President/COO of National Network of Accountants Investment Advisors, Inc. and a former Investment Specialist at Park Avenue Securities, LLC. He began his career working in the financial services industry with JPMorgan Chase, AXA Financial, and MassMutual.

Professional Designations: Mr. Mackey holds the RFC (Registered Financial Consultant) designation.

We must provide you with sufficient explanation of the minimum qualifications required for this designation to allow you to understand the value of the designation.

The RFC designation is issued by the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC). This designation has an education requirement which can be met through various college or graduate degrees, other professional designations or degrees or completion of an IARFC curriculum and written examination. In addition, candidates are required to have a minimum of four years of professional experience in financing planning or financial services, meet local licensing requirements and adhere to the RFC code of ethics. The designation requires 40 hours of continuing education every year, including two hours of business ethics every two years.

Disciplinary Information

Mr. Mackey does not have any disciplinary information to report.

Other Business Activities

Mr. Mackey is a branch manager and OSJ (Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction) supervisory principal of American Portfolios Financial Services Inc. ("American’), a third party broker-dealer. He is also a registered representative of American. By agreement and instruction from clients, 4Thought Financial Group places transactions through American.

Mr. Mackey is a licensed life and health insurance broker in several states and may receive commissions or other compensation based on the sale of insurance products.

Additional Compensation

Mr. Mackey may receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation based on the sale of securities or other investment products, including as a BD rep and including trail fees from mutual funds when such products are utilized for clients.

Supervision

Mr. Mackey is the Chief Compliance Officer of 4Thought Financial Group (as well as the Chief Investment Officer) and is therefore responsible for monitoring the advice provided to clients by 4Thought Financial Group Investment Adviser Representatives.

 

MARTIN E. LEVINE

4Thought Financial Group Inc. 4250 Veteran Memorial Highway, Suite 420E Holbrook, NY 11741 (631) 439-4600 www.4TFG.com

BROCHURE SUPPLEMENT

April 4th, 2012

This supplement brochure provides information about Martin E. Levine that supplements the 4Thought Financial Group Inc. brochure. You should have received a copy of that brochure. Please contact Jesse Mackey, Chief Investment Officer if you did not receive our brochure or if you have questions about the contents of this supplement.

Additional information about Martin E. Levine is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Educational Background and Business Experience

Year of Birth: 1953

Education: Martin E. Levine has a BBA from the University of Miami and an MBA from St. Johns University.

Business Experience: Mr. Levine is an owner and the Chief Financial Officer of 4Thought Financial Group. He specializes in estate, retirement, investment and business succession planning at 4Thought. He is a specialist in financial advisory services for widows, having authored the "Widow’s Survival Guide" in 1998. In 2011 a revised edition of the "Widow’s Survival Guide" was published, which includes helpful websites and updated information. He also works with clients to develop tax savings strategies that involve charitable giving and planning. Mr. Levine owns Macro Financial Services, LLC, a financial services marketing firm.

Professional Designations: Mr. Levine is a certified public accountant (CPA), holds a ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation and the CAP (Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy) designation.

We must provide you with sufficient explanation of the minimum qualifications required for these designations to allow you to understand the value of the designation.

CPAs are licensed and regulated by their state boards of accountancy. While state laws and regulations vary, the education, experience and testing requirements for licensure as a CPA generally include minimum college education (typically 150 credit hours with at least a baccalaureate degree and a concentration in accounting), minimum experience levels (most states require at least one year of experience providing services that involve the use of accounting, attest, compilation, management advisory, financial advisory, tax or consulting skills, all of which must be achieved under the supervision of or verification by a CPA), and successful passage of the Uniform CPA Examination. In order to maintain a CPA license, states generally require the completion of 40 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) each year (or 80 hours over a two year period or 120 hours over a three year period). Additionally, all American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) members (as well as any non-AICPA members whose state board of accountancy has adopted either the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct or similar ethical code) are required to follow a rigorous Code of Professional Conduct which requires that they act with integrity, objectivity, due care, competence, fully disclose any conflicts of interest (and obtain client consent if a conflict exists), maintain client confidentiality, disclose to the client any commission or referral fees, and serve the public interest when providing financial services. The vast majority of state boards of accountancy have adopted the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct within their state accountancy laws or have created their own.

The ChFC program is administered by the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. This designation has a curriculum of seven required courses and two elective courses that focus on various areas of personal financial planning. In addition to successful completion of nine exams on areas of financial planning, including income tax, insurance, investment and estate planning, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of full-time, relevant business experience and agree to adhere to the American College’s code of ethics. The designation requires 30 hours of continuing education every two years.

The CAP program is administered by the American College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. This designation has a curriculum of three required graduate-level courses in philanthropy offered through the American College. In addition to successful completion of three exams, candidates are required to have a minimum of three years of full-time, relevant business experience and agree to adhere to the American College’s code of ethics. The designation requires 15 hours of continuing education every two years.

Disciplinary Information

Mr. Levine does not have any disciplinary information to report.

Other Business Activities

Mr. Levine is a registered representative of American Portfolios Financial Group Inc. ("American’), a third party broker-dealer. By agreement and instruction from clients, 4Thought Financial Group places transactions through American.

Mr. Levine may receive commissions, bonuses or other compensation based on the sale of securities or other investment products, including as a BD rep and including trail fees from mutual funds when such products are utilized for clients.

Mr. Levine is a licensed life and health insurance broker in several states and may receive commissions or other compensation based on the sale of insurance products.

Additional Compensation

Mr. Levine does not have any additional compensation to report.

Supervision

Mr. Levine’s investment activities are supervised by Jesse Mackey, Chief Compliance Officer, (631) 439-4600 Ext. 340.

Financial times are changing at break-neck lightning speed for both investors and advisors alike.  As part of my value to you, I am now offering a new page to bring you up-to-date information to help you navigate through these challenging financial times.

OUR QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge of Financial Basics

Working with a trusted financial professional is one of the best ways to help improve your overall financial situation, but it's not the only thing you can do. Educating yourself about personal finance concepts can help you better understand your advisor's recommendations, and result in more productive and potentially more prosperous financial planning discussions. Take this brief quiz to see how well you understand a few of the basics.

Questions

1. How much should you set aside in liquid, low-risk savings in case of emergencies?

a. One to three months' worth of expenses

b. Three to six months' worth of expenses

c. Six to twelve months' worth of expenses

d. It depends

2. Diversification can eliminate risk from your portfolio.

a. True

b. False

3. Which of the following is a key benefit of a 401(k) plan?

a. You can withdraw money at any time for needs such as the purchase of a new car.

b. The plan allows you to avoid paying taxes on a portion of your compensation.

c. You may be eligible for an employer match, which is like earning a guaranteed return on your investment dollars.

d. None of the above

4. All of the money you have in a bank account is protected and guaranteed.

a. True

b. False

5. Which of the following is typically the best way to pursue your long-term goals?

a. Investing as conservatively as possible to minimize the chance of loss

b. Investing equal amounts in stocks, bonds, and cash investments

c. Investing 100% of your money in stocks

d. Not enough information to decide

Answers

1. d. Conventional wisdom often recommends setting aside three to six months' worth of living expenses in a liquid savings vehicle, such as a bank savings account or money market mutual fund. However, the answer really depends on your own individual situation. If your (and your spouse's) job is fairly secure and you have other assets, you may need as little as three months' worth of expenses in emergency savings. On the other hand, if you're a business owner in a volatile industry, you may need as much as a year's worth or more to carry you through uncertain periods.

2. b. Diversification is a smart investment strategy that helps you manage risk by spreading your investment dollars among different types of securities and asset classes, but it cannot eliminate risk entirely. You still run the risk of losing money.

3. c. Many employer-sponsored 401(k) plans offer a matching program, which is like earning a guaranteed return on your investment dollars. If your plan offers a match, you should try to contribute at least enough to take full advantage of it. (Note that some matching programs impose a vesting schedule, which means you will earn the right to the matching contributions over a period of time.)

Because 401(k) plans are designed to help you save for retirement, the federal government imposes rules about withdrawals for other purposes, including the possibility of paying a penalty tax for nonqualified withdrawals. You may be able to borrow money from your 401(k) if your plan allows, but this is generally recommended as a last resort in a financial emergency. Finally, traditional 401(k) plans do not help you avoid paying taxes on your income entirely, but they can help you defer taxes on your contribution dollars and investment earnings until retirement, when you might be in a lower tax bracket. With Roth 401(k)s, you pay taxes on your contribution dollars before investing, but qualified withdrawals will be free from federal, and in many cases, state taxes.

4. b. Deposits in banks covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank. This means that if a bank should fail, the federal government will protect depositors against losses in their accounts up to that limit. The FDIC does not protect against losses in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, life insurance policies, annuities, or municipal securities, even if those vehicles were purchased at an insured bank. It also does not protect items held in safe-deposit boxes or investments in Treasury bills.

5. d. To adequately pursue your long-term goals, it's best to speak with a financial professional before choosing a strategy. He or she will take into consideration your goals, your risk tolerance, and your time horizon, among other factors, to put together a well-diversified strategy that's appropriate for your needs.

 

 

SELF-DIRECTED OPTIONS:  Whether you participate in the New York State Deferred Compensation plan, are an educator covered under TIAA-CREF, or have a 401K Plan through your employer, I can enhance alternatives and provide professional guidance with your retirement plans.  Employees and Employers alike have been requesting the need for more investment choices and professional guidance.  Why?  They are not satisfied with their performance.  Specifically, a recent study showed an alarming trend of what the average investor's plan performs versus the benchmark.

In 20 Years Average Equity Fund earned 4.25%, S&P yielded 8.21%!

 

For Average Fixed Income Investor, results are WORSE; .98% VS. Barclays Index of 6.34%

SOURCE:  Dalber Study, Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behavior, March 2013.  We can provide the full report  upon request. 

As a result, SELF-DIRECTED OPTIONS have become a viable alternative to your Pension Plans.  A vast majority now have access to dozens of additional investment options.  Chances are we can add these choices to your investment program.  As with all investments, please consult a prospectus for investment objectives and fees and expenses.

Please call 518 377 3245 or email me at rfowler@americanportfolios for a review.  I would love to have the opportunity to see if we can help you secure a comfortable retirement. 

One very real threat to the financial health of families is the cost of extended care at an assisted living facility and/or Home Health Care.  Unfortunately to cover such costs, LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE has been too pricey and sometimes even hard to obtain.  To compound this problem, many insurance companies are not even offering it any longer.   One of the values I bring to you and your loved ones is to offer new, exciting and highly effective ideas to help you financially and to enjoy a comfortable retirement.  With that in mind, click here for a Guide to Group Long Term Care  .  Here you can help your Employer  install a Group Long Term Health Care Plan.  It has three (3) powerful benefits.  First, you can receive a 10% discount.  In addition, you can obtain simplified underwriting contingent on satisfying some guidelines.  Furthermore, family members (Parent, grandparents, etc) can obtain this protection even though not employed at your workplace.  Let's discuss this priceless financial tool.