WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
We are a local team of financial professionals from Sequoia Financial Group in Troy, Michigan specializing in financial advice for Michigan Law Enforcement Officers. Since 1989, our team has been devoted to serving the men and women who protect our communities. We defend you from the uncertainties of retirement with specialized tax, estate and investment management.
Tax laws specific to public safety officers, annuity withdrawal options, 401(k)s, §457s, DROP plans and retirement payouts are just a few reasons why specialized financial advice is imperative.
We are not a deferred comp provider, nor do we sell products such as insurance, annuities or loaded funds. We help you optimize your current plan. We are able to actively manage select plans while you are still working, advise on your retirement, prepare your taxes, and watch over your family with intelligent estate planning.
Side by side, we’ll develop a plan that meets your unique needs and objectives.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Why did we spend time to develop these resources and become experts in this sector? Why do we like to work with State Troopers, other Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters? Why do we conduct our business the way we do?
We could probably ask you some of the same questions. Why do you pursue armed suspects, work in inclement weather, go to court, or attend public meetings (the last two being the most dangerous)?
Our answer can be explained using Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman’s On Combat. Grossman relays a story from a Vietnam vet and retired colonel, who basically suggests that most people in society are “sheep.” Kind, productive, and gentle; sheep only hurt each other by accident. Given the murder rate is 4.5 per 100,000 (2014 FBI UCR), it’s a reasonable hypothesis to make. “Sheep” is not derogatory, but complimentary. Sheep are peaceful, good creatures without a capacity for violence or danger.
Then there are wolves. The wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. They are evil men who are capable of evil acts, like murder or arson. Wolves have a capacity for violence and danger and lack regard for fellow citizens.
And then there are the sheepdogs. The sheepdogs protect the flock and confront the wolves. Sheepdogs can embrace danger and uncertainty with a deep love for their fellow citizens. As Troopers, Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters, you are sheepdogs. You serve to protect the flock from danger.
We see similar uncertainties and dangers with money. Not the kind of danger that you face, but the danger of a financial crisis affecting your family, being steered into bad investments, or losing wealth. We think you, our sheepdogs, could use a financial sheepdog of your own, someone to look out for you and what you work for, your family.
In 1989, our firm of professional advisors chose to specialize part of our practice on the financial needs of Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters. We learned everything we could; studied the tax laws, the investment options and the nuances of family estate planning. We also studied sheepdogs to see how they tick. Not to our surprise, they tick like we do. We decided that Michigan Troopers, Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters deserve a fee-only fiduciary to look after them and their family—not someone paid on commission.
This is why we continue to write and update our Guns & Hoses books. We want you to be well equipped for your retirement and financial future. We want your family to be financially safe. What’s the catch? We think doing a great job for you might encourage you to hire us to work for you someday. More importantly, we think it’s the right thing to do. In the end, there is only one thing to do—the right thing.
Thank you for your service,
Sequoia’s Guns & Hoses Team: Leon, Matthew, Dawn, and Noel
