In the high-stakes world of retirement planning, navigating hidden fees and complex investment structures can feel like flying a jet through a storm without a radar. Much like the iconic pilots of Top Gun, who train to be the best in high-pressure situations, understanding and mastering your financial landscape is a mission that requires precision, skill, and the right team by your side. At the 28th Annual Conference in Durant, Oklahoma, RWM Financial Group took the stage—aviators on, Top Gun music playing—to guide attendees through the hidden pitfalls of retirement planning in their presentation, “Vanishing Assets: The Hidden Pitfalls of Retirement Planning.


Understanding the Roles: Financial Advisor, TPA, and Custodian – Your Financial Wingmen

Just as Maverick relies on his wingmen to execute a flawless mission, your retirement plan relies on key players: the Financial Advisor, Third-Party Administrator (TPA), and Custodian. These roles work together like a well-coordinated flight team. The Financial Advisor, your “Top Gun” pilot, leads the charge by guiding investment decisions, educating participants, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The TPA handles the operational logistics, while the Custodian safeguards your assets. Each plays a critical role in ensuring your retirement mission succeeds without a crash landing.

Hidden Fees: The Financial MiG Threats

In the same way Maverick faces unexpected threats in the sky, hidden fees are the silent MiGs of your retirement plan, capable of chipping away at your wealth without warning. RWM Financial Group emphasized that these hidden costs—whether embedded within investment products, commissions, or referral fees—can undermine your financial altitude. To stay in control, it’s crucial to demand transparency and keep your financial radar sharp, ensuring that every fee is disclosed and accounted for.

Best Practices: Your Flight Manual for a Successful Mission

Just as Top Gun pilots follow their flight manuals to complete each mission, RWM Financial Group recommends following best practices to ensure your retirement plan stays on course. Establishing an Investment Policy Statement, reviewing fee structures regularly, and ensuring that fiduciary duties are met are essential steps in your financial playbook. Like any good pilot, you need to know your instruments—monitor your fees, evaluate service quality, and always be prepared for course corrections when necessary.

Key Insights: Lessons from the Top Gun School of Retirement Planning

The conference highlighted that Tribal communities, much like elite pilots, face unique challenges and need specialized strategies to succeed. RWM Financial Group encourages building a strong support network—your own “squadron”—that understands Tribal needs and values. By tailoring programs to serve not just the current generation but the next seven, you create a lasting legacy, much like how the Top Gun academy molds future leaders.

Actionable Takeaways: Execute Your Mission with Confidence

As Top Gun teaches, executing your mission requires preparation, precision, and the ability to adapt under pressure. The RWM team’s actionable takeaways—such as conducting fee comparisons, ensuring fee transparency, and engaging specialized advisors—are designed to keep your retirement plan flying high. By reclaiming hidden assets and refining your strategies, you can lead your financial squadron to victory.


Flying through the complexities of retirement planning doesn’t have to be a solo mission. With the right team and a keen understanding of the landscape, you can navigate past hidden threats and secure a prosperous future. Just like Maverick and his wingmen, RWM Financial Group is here to guide you through the turbulence, ensuring your retirement mission ends with a successful landing.

Ready to take command of your retirement planning? Our team of financial “Top Guns” is ready to help you soar toward your financial goals with precision and confidence.

At RWM Financial Group, our commitment to providing you with exceptional service and support is unwavering. We are excited to announce a significant step forward in our journey to serve you better. Effective September 16th, 2024, RWM Financial Group transitioned our compliance and regulatory oversight to Global Retirement Partners, LLC.


Why This Change?

The financial advisory industry is constantly evolving, with new regulations and increasing complexities. To stay ahead and continue offering you the best possible service, we have decided to partner with Global Retirement Partners, LLC. Based in San Rafael, CA, Global Retirement Partners is an SEC-registered investment advisor with over $140 billion in assets
under advisement. They specialize in the retirement plan space, providing robust regulatory support and comprehensive resources

What This Means for You

We understand that change can sometimes be unsettling, so we want to assure you that this transition is primarily a back-office change. Here’s what you can expect:

Unchanged Account Access

You will continue to log in to your accounts the same way you always have. Your account numbers and access to your information will not change.

Consistent Service

The services you receive, your fee structure, and our relationship with you will remain the same. Our commitment to providing you with exceptional service is stronger than ever.

Enhanced Support

This partnership further strengthens our regulatory and compliance support, including access to in-house legal counsel and a wider range of operational resources. This means even more robust support and services for you.

Broader Access to Investment Options

Our partnership with Global Retirement Partners will provide expanded access to a broader range of investment platforms, giving you more flexibility and choice in managing your investments. This enhancement enables us to tailor our strategies better to meet your individual needs and financial goals.

The Benefits

By aligning with Global Retirement Partners, we are positioning ourselves to provide you with an even higher level of service. This move aims to strengthen our ability to navigate the complex regulatory environment more effectively, ensuring that we remain compliant and ahead of industry standards. The enhanced resources and support will allow us to focus more on your needs and less on administrative tasks, ensuring a smoother experience for our clients.

The expanded access to a variety of investment platforms means we can continue to offer diversified strategies tailored to your unique financial objectives, helping us serve you better in achieving your long-term goals.

Thank You for Your Trust

We are honored to have you as our client and are excited about this new chapter in our journey together. Your trust and support mean the world to us, and we are confident that this change will bring about even better service and support for you.

We look forward to continuing to serve you and to the exciting opportunities this new partnership will bring!

This partnership represents our commitment to enhance your financial journey with superior support, expanded resources, and a steadfast focus on your success. We are excited to take this step forward together!

Embarking on a financial journey can often feel like setting sail on vast, uncharted waters. With so many decisions to make and potential storms to weather, having a seasoned navigator by your side can make all the difference. This is where the concept of a SmartVestor Pro comes into the picture, and RWM Financial Group has stepped up as a valued partner in capacity. Let’s delve into what this partnership means for you and how RWM Financial Group can be the compass you need.


Who is a SmartVestor Pro?

SmartVestor Pros are confidants and strategists who listen to what matters to you. They can help you understand investing options like mutual funds, IRAs, 401(k), and 529 College savings accounts. They believe are in alignment with Dave Ramsey’s core financial principles. These include the belief that eliminating debt and investing with a long-term perspective is the surest path to financial independence. RWM Financial Group, as a SmartVestor Pro, embodies this philosophy, offering guidance rooted in these foundational beliefs.

They advocate for Dave Ramsey’s teachings but also practice them in their financial advising. This ensures that when you partner with a SmartVestor Pro like RWM Financial Group, you’re getting advice from someone who genuinely walks the walk, ready to guide you toward financial freedom.

Why Choose RWM Financial Group as Your SmartVestor Pro?

In the vast sea of financial advisors, distinguishing those who genuinely have your best interests at heart can be daunting. RWM Financial Group stands out in this crowd, committed to being a partner you can rely on, value, and feel comfortable with as you share your financial goals and concerns.

Save You Time

Picture this: no more late-night scrolls through financial news or worrying about market swings. With RWM as your SmartVestor Pro, you can kick back and relax, knowing that we’re diligently keeping an eye on things for you. Your time is valuable, and we’re here to help you reclaim it.

Teach You

Investing can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. Think of us as your friendly guides through the maze of financial jargon and market trends. We’ll break things down in a way that’s easy to understand and empower you to make informed decisions about your money.

Think Big Picture

Life is full of ups and downs, and the market is no different. When things get rocky, we’ll be your steady hand, helping you see the forest for the trees. Together, we’ll focus on your long-term goals and navigate through market changes with grace and perspective.

Embarking on Your Financial Journey with RWM Financial Group

Choosing RWM Financial Group as your SmartVestor Pro means embarking on a financial journey with a partner equipped to navigate the complexities of financial planning. They understand the importance of each decision you make and are committed to guiding you through each step, ensuring a journey that’s not only successful but also true to your values and goals.

Whether you’re taking your first steps towards financial independence or looking to navigate more complex financial challenges, RWM Financial Group, as a SmartVestor Pro, is ready to be your ally. Their expertise, aligned with the trusted principles of Dave Ramsey’s teachings, ensures you have a knowledgeable and dedicated guide by your side.

As you set sail on your financial adventure, consider the difference a dedicated partner like RWM Financial Group can make. With them, you’re not just charting a course to financial success; you’re laying the foundation for a future where your financial dreams can become reality. Contact RWM Financial Group

The SmartVestor program is a directory of investment professionals.  Neither Dave Ramsey nor SmartVestor are affiliates of RWM Financial Group or LPL Financial.

We are pleased to announce Desiree Jacobs as RWM Financial Group’s new executive assistant. Desiree has more than 21 years of professional experience in marketing and administrative support. Her background has broadened her exposure to various roles and responsibilities, giving her a diversified approach to problem-solving and marketing techniques.

Desiree joins us following a seven-year tenure at Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant, as the director of sales and marketing and former executive assistant to the general manager. Desiree excelled in the high-pressure environment, managing staff, analyzing problems, and developing solutions. For example, when the hospitality sector severely suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, Desiree developed a sales and marketing strategy that was overwhelmingly successful due to her out-of-the-box approach and solutions to numerous challenges. Her extensive experience has helped her to build flexibility, focus, and diplomacy.

At RWM Financial Group, we are confident Desiree will approach her new role with the same enthusiasm and professionalism. She has been training side by side with Ashley, our former executive assistant. These past few weeks have been significant in ensuring a solid understanding of our clients needs and objectives. Her unique individualized perspective will contribute to a valuable environment for all.

Finally, we would like to thank Ashley Silveira, for five years of incredible service. She will be missed, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors in education.

Feel free to reach out to Desiree at desiree@rwmfinancialgroup.com. She will be happy to answer any questions you might have.