That’s just some of the advice from a Boynton Beach, Florida, investment advisor representative working right in the middle of one of the state’s chosen destinations for retirees living out their Golden Years beachcombing, golfing, lunching, sunbathing and volunteering. Along with retirement’s opportunities come a few serious planning issues one must accommodate to make its dreams a reality, indicates Kevin DeMayo of Wealth Group, Inc.

“My goal is to educate my clients on all the aspects of retirement planning,” he said. “Unfortunately, most people that do retire spend more time planning their vacation than they do actually planning the financial aspects of retirement. They truly have to have a full picture if they are going to get to have the retirement they want.”

That includes learning much more about Social Security than is printed on the quarterly statements issued by the agency. It includes learning strategies to maximize the lifetime value of these benefits, he said. It includes a wake-up call regarding the potential cost of health care as one grows older. It includes an honest assessment of whether the thus-far accumulated assets will be enough to maintain a chosen lifestyle and if not, an identifying of what can be changed without regret or bitterness.

Providing this level of planning is the reason DeMayo began his own firm. His 1983 start in financial services was as a stock broker. At the time, he recalls, he loved the job; couldn’t wait to get back to work on Monday mornings, he said. But as he matured and his knowledge increased, he realized he could provide much better service to clients if he offered them a long-term investment approach rather than just the chase of returns trading stocks.

In 2000, he went independent.

His firm has a reasonable minimum. His test of a client is one based on personality: He takes on clients he likes whom he thinks will trust his advice.

“If I don’t think we can have a relationship based on trust, then I know it won’t work between us,” he said. “What really happens with my clients is that they are not buying a product; they are not buying a brokerage firm. They are buying me. If they trust me, if they like me, they know me and there really is not a problem as to what goes on in the market.”

Learn more about Wealth Group, Inc., online at www.wealthgroupinc.com