ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa (July 19, 2019) – As an extension to his commitment to service and placing the needs, goals and desires of others first, Carstens Financial Group is proud to announce the return of the fifth-annual Carstens Financial Group Charity Pro-Am. 

​This year’s Pro-Am, benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), will be held August 5 and August 6, at Emerald Hills Gold Club in Arnolds Park. The Pro-Am will feature professional golfers from The Dakota Tour, a 19-event professional golf tour played in the Midwest states of Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming and North and South Dakota. Players will be paired with up to 80 amateurs during the Pro-Am. 
The Pro-Am gives local, amateur golfers the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf for a good cause while playing with professional golfers. The event will include several events at Emerald Hills Gold Club with proceeds benefiting the WWP as well as promoting comradery among veterans, golfers and community members.

Activities will include:

• Charity Auction: To help raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project and provide participants with a chance to network, a charity dinner will be held at the Emerald Hills Golf Club.
• Pro-Am Tournament: Hosted by Carstens Financial Group, this 18-hole golf tournament will provide local, amateur golfers the chance to play golf with players from the Dakota Tour.

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The Wounded Warrior Project will help serve more than 100,000 warriors by 2019, through employment opportunities, health and wellness programs and a variety of other services. Carstens Financial Group recognizes the positive impact of the Wounded Warrior Project on warriors’ lives and is excited to support a cause that will not only help local veterans, but veterans across America. They have raised more than $63,000 to date for the WWP.

For more information on Carstens Financial Group Charity Pro-Am visit Emerald Hills Golf Club or Carstens Financial Group in Arnolds Park, Iowa. RSVP to the charity dinner by calling 712.332.5960 or by sending a completed registration form and payment to Carstens Financial Group, P.O. Box 751, Arnolds Park, IA 51331.
 
About Carstens Financial Group
Carstens Financial Group understands that your retirement needs are as individual as you are and works to address those unique needs through estate strategies, pre-retirement and retirement funding and business insurance services. By taking a “big-picture” approach, the company provides clients with solid communication and candor, as well as a full range of products and services to meet the individual goals and objectives of each client. President Kirt Carstens has more than two decades of experience cultivating long-term client relationships and striving to help them create the retirement of their dreams. To learn more about Carstens Financial Group, visit www.kcarstens.com. Licensed Insurance Professional.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through Client One Securities, LLC Member FINRA/SIPC and an Investment Advisor. Carstens Financial Group and Client One Securities, LLC are not affiliated. 16701 - 2018/6/25

In an ideal world, you could save money and prepare for retirement without any risks or threats. Unfortunately, risk is a natural part of any financial strategy. There are a wide range of risks that could potentially derail your plan. Medical emergencies, disability, job loss, and more could cut into your savings and limit your ability to retire comfortably.
 
Your savings and investments also face market risk. Volatility is a component in nearly every financial market. Assets rise in value, but they can also fall. Depending on your allocation, those declines could put your investments at risk.
 
Risk and return also tend to go hand-in-hand. Many of the assets that have the highest long-term historical returns also have the high levels of volatility. Assets that tend to have little risk exposure also may have limited return potential.
 
How do you grow your assets without taking on too much risk exposure? One effective strategy is to align your allocation with your risk tolerance. Your risk tolerance is your own personal threshold for downside movement. Everyone’s risk tolerance is different. It should be based on your specific needs and goals, as well as other factors.
 
Is your allocation aligned with your risk tolerance? Do you know your risk tolerance level? If not, now may be the time to review your plan. A financial professional can help you determine how much risk is right for you. Below are a few factors to consider as you get started:

Goals 

Any risk tolerance analysis should start with a review of your goals. Why are you saving money? The size of your goal will influence your strategy.
 
For example, assume you’re saving for retirement, which is a sizable goal. You’ll likely need to grow your money over a long period of time to reach your objective, so you may need to take some risk to get your desired level of return.
 
However, assume you’re saving for a down payment for a home purchase. In this case, growing your money may not be as important as simply protecting it. An account or asset with little or no risk could be more appropriate for a goal of that size.

Time Horizon 

When will you actually need to use your savings? The amount of time you have until you need to use your assets is known as your time horizon. The longer your time horizon, the more tolerance you may have for risk.
 
Assume you intend to retire in five years. You may not have much tolerance for market loss. If the market declines, you may not have time to participate in the recovery. On the other hand, assume you aren’t retiring for 30 years. If the market declines, you have plenty of time to recover, so it may make sense to take on greater risk exposure in the pursuit of higher returns.

Personal Preference 

Every person is different, so there’s no universal correct answer on how much risk is appropriate. Your personal preferences should be an important consideration. Some people are naturally more comfortable with risk than others.
 
How do you feel when your investments decline in value? Does it cause stress and anxiety? Or does it barely register on your radar? If your risk level keeps you up at night or causes you to question your strategy, that could be a sign that you are allocated too aggressively.
 
Ready for an allocation that is right for your risk tolerance? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Carstens Financial Group. We can help you analyze your needs and implement a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
 
19014 - 2019/7/1

​Fireworks, parades, and pool parties. That’s what comes to mind for most people when they think about the Fourth of July. The holiday is a great midpoint in the summer to enjoy a couple days off work and celebrate with friends and family.
 
Amid the festivities, it’s easy to forget what we’re celebrating. The Fourth marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The signing of that document declared that the 13 American colonies were free, independent states and were no longer subject to British rule.
 
Retirement is your time to declare your own independence from the constraints of a busy career. You get to take control of your schedule, and spend your time doing what makes you happy. Whether you want to travel, pursue a favorite hobby or simply relax with family, retirement is your time to truly live independently.
 
Financial independence is a key element in an enjoyable retirement. You’ll need enough assets and income to support your lifestyle for several decades or more. It takes focus, discipline and a long-term strategy. Below are a few tips to help you declare your financial independence.

Save more. 

Saving is always important, but it’s even more so as you approach retirement. The final years of your career represent your last opportunity to contribute to your 401(k), IRA, or other savings vehicles. This is the time to scale back your spending and boost your savings rate.
 
Use a budget to cut your spending as much as possible. Then allocate savings contributions to both long-term and short-term vehicles. Your 401(k) plan and IRA can be effective long-term accounts because of tax deferral, though you can’t access those funds until age 59½. You also may want to save money in nonqualified accounts, which won’t offer tax deferral, but which you can use to generate income earlier in life.

Minimize risk. 

Nothing can derail your journey to financial independence like risk. There are a variety of risks that could threaten your retirement. One is market risk. Volatility is a natural element in the financial markets. However, you can take steps to minimize your exposure. If you haven’t reviewed your strategy lately, now may be the time to do so. As you get closer to retirement, it may make sense to shift to a more conservative allocation.
 
Also consider vehicles that reduce your risk exposure. For example, annuities offer features that minimize risk. In a fixed indexed annuity, you receive interest based on the performance of a market index, like the S&P 500. If the index performs well, you may receive more interest, up to a limit. However, if the index performs poorly, your annuity value doesn’t go down. An annuity could be an effective way to get growth potential without downside risk.

Create guaranteed income. 

Annuities aren’t just for risk protection. They can also be used to create guaranteed lifetime income. Guaranteed income is important to establishing financial independence. When your retirement income is guaranteed, you can make confident, informed spending decisions. You can also be sure that you won’t outlive your income, no matter how long you live.
 
Many annuities offer guaranteed withdrawal benefits. With this feature, you’re allowed to withdraw a certain percentage of the contract value each year. As long as you stay within the allowed amount, your withdrawal is guaranteed for life, even if your annuity value goes down.
 
Ready to chart your path for financial independence in retirement? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today Carstens Financial Group. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
Annuities contain limitations including withdrawal charges, fees, and a market value adjustment which may affect contract values.

Annuities are products of the insurance industry; guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. Guaranteed lifetime income available through annuitization or the purchase of an optional lifetime income rider, a benefit for which an annual premium is charged.
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
 
19012 - 2019/7/1