As a 401(k) adviser, James Brewer, , has a mission to help:
- Protect owners, CEO, CFO and HR, from the personal risks they face in managing the plan,
- Manage direct (employer, employee) and indirect plan (health care, productivity, legal) costs
- Help workers pursue their idea of financial independence (retirement)
While many companies offer a plan as a convenience or a me too benefit, James Brewer understands the financial risks, today and in the future, of that approach. He believes that in turning me too into a competitive differentiator! Research shows that women need to save more than men and that women and minorities tend to have knowledge and savings gaps. Addressing these issues can make you a hero/heroine, calling for his different and more customized approach.
His approach starts with a different attitude. As a 401(k) adviser, he sees your plan not as accumulated assets under advisement, but your employee’s lives under care. James Brewer’s compassionate approach looks at your plan through the lens of retirement readiness of various age, income, gender and racial demographics. This level of care is consistent with the best interests of your employees that is expected of you by law. He uses these demographics to help advice you on your investment monitoring and plan feature selection, such as automatic enrollment and employee advice.
As a 401(k) adviser James Brewer helps you understand your fiduciary compliance options. You can learn more about his 6 step, fast track process here. His investment monitoring process for including socially responsible investments (Environmental, Social and Governance investing) was highlighted in Forbes (reference cited below In the Media).
Some of his small business owner clients started working with him through Envision Wealth Planning. Once their personal retirement plan determined the need for more tax deferred savings he them on the retirement plan savings design options of an employer sponsored retirement plan. Plan savings design is an often overlooked element of retirement plans by advisors and companies that provide a bundled or one-stop-shop choice. As these options can potentially increase contributions to select classes of employees while helping to manage the company’s financial liability. a plan sponsor, you know that savings is more important than investment returns in retirement readiness.
James Brewer is an advocate for financial literacy. His community involvement includes pro bono volunteer activities through the Chicago Chapter of the Financial Planning Association and Daystar School in Chicago where he educates children about money. As an Adjunct Professor for the College for Financial Planning he helps financial professionals earn financial planning designations. He is currently writing a chapter for Investing Behavior, Nudges in the Financial Planning and Investment Process published by Oxford University Press.
As an advocate of racial diversity in the financial planning profession, he helped plan the inaugural conference of the Association of African American Financial Advisors in 2015. He now serves as Vice President of the Association of African American Financial Advisors.
EDUCATION
- General Motors Institute, Bachelor of Science, Industrial Administration, Marketing, Finance (1985)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Master of Business Administration (2000)
LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS
- Registered Representative (FINRA Series 7)
- Investment Advisor Representative with LPL Financial (FINRA Series 66)
DESIGNATIONS
- Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) This designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary practices.
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ A standard certification for advisors, designees are exposed to nearly 100 topics on integrated financial planning. Major topics include, but not limited to: insurance, employee benefits, securities, state and federal tax, estate tax and planning, asset protection, etc.
- CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR® This program focuses on the pre- and post-retirement needs of individuals, allowing you to transform the retirement planning process into a positive experience
IN THE MEDIA
Voices of Experience, Financial Advisor Magazine, October 2, 2017
Employers: A key to boost financial wellness of minorities, Bloomberg, September 19,2017
Forbes, Is Hobby Lobby Hypocritical or Just Complying with U.S. Pension Law? July 7, 2014
Wall Street Journal, “Voices: James Brewer, on Using ERISA 3(38) Investment Managers”, October 16, 2013
US News, “How to Whip Your 401(k) Into Shape”, Oct 14, 2014
Moderator, “Surviving a Department of Labor 401k Audit”, May 5, 2011
Speaker, Illinois CPA Society North Shore Chapter – “Retirement Plans and Employee Benefits for the Small Business”, April 2009.
“Making Money and a Difference,” Ameriprise Achiever Magazine, Summer 2008
