ACT 2 PLANNING

Act 2 Planning works almost exclusively with individuals who are nearing retirement or already retired. The firm concentrates on restructuring portfolios for lifetime income generation rather than pure asset accumulation. This includes strategies around Social Security claiming, fixed-income laddering, and systematic withdrawal planning.

Act 2 Planning operates as a traditional registered investment adviser serving individual retail clients, not as a family office. Its services are designed for retirees and pre-retirees rather than ultra-high-net-worth families with multi-generational governance needs. The firm does not provide family office services such as concierge, bill pay, or multi-entity tax coordination.

The firm typically constructs income-oriented portfolios emphasizing stability and predictable cash flows over benchmark-relative total return. Portfolios often incorporate bond ladders, dividend-paying equities, and structured income products. Tax efficiency is a central design consideration, with drawdown sequencing intended to minimize the tax drag on distributions.

Act 2 Planning provides tax-aware financial planning but generally does not serve as a tax preparer. The firm coordinates with clients' CPAs and estate attorneys to ensure that investment decisions, withdrawal strategies, and beneficiary designations align with broader tax and legacy plans. Direct document drafting is typically referred to outside counsel.

As an advisory firm serving individual clients, Act 2 Planning likely charges a fee based on a percentage of assets under management, with potential planning fees for initial engagement. Specific fee schedules are disclosed in the firm's Form ADV Part 2A, which registered investment advisers are required to provide to prospective clients. Commission-based product sales are generally inconsistent with this advisory model.

The primary distinction is Act 2 Planning's exclusive focus on the decumulation phase of the financial lifecycle. Standard advisory practices often apply accumulation-era mental models to retired clients. Act 2 Planning dedicates its practice to the specific challenges of turning a lifetime of savings into a reliable, tax-sensitive income stream that must last an unknown horizon.

Registered investment advisers in the United States are held to a fiduciary standard under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This requires Act 2 Planning to act in clients' best interests when providing investment advice. Clients should confirm this status in the firm's current regulatory filings and advisory agreement.