Our investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that equity markets offer much needed long-term growth but are more volatile than many investors perceive. Multiple studies have shown that individual investors significantly underperform the mutual funds that they own in their portfolios for the simple reason of not staying invested when the markets inevitably go through bear market declines. We believe that our job is to help our clients remain confidently invested through market cycles to take advantage of long-term equity market returns. We have a multifaceted approach to help our clients stay invested for the long term. By educating our clients and understanding our client’s risk tolerance and financial goals we can properly design investment allocations suited to specific time horizons, goals, and needs.
We understand that withdrawing retirement income or making emergency withdrawals from a portfolio when its value has significantly declined can harm a client’s real returns. Studies indicate that the risk of substantial investment portfolio declines in the early stages of retirement can greatly impact the success or failure of traditional retirement income plans. Consequently, we believe that the conventional approach of investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds and withdrawing 4%-5% annually is an imperfect retirement income model that requires new planning techniques. Without a proven solution to this problem, retirees may not enjoy their retirement to the fullest due to the fear that another significant market decline will disrupt their original plans. Read on to learn more about what we consider to be the most significant mistake that most retirees make and our proven solution to mitigate this very real risk.
Watch the video below to better understand the importance
of correctly aligning your investments with your true risk tolerance.
Find your personal risk number and better understand if your investments are correctly aligned. Click the button below for a free portfolio risk analysis:
Utilizing asset allocations for each client by first determining the client’s true risk tolerance and return objectives is paramount, as it greatly impacts investment outcomes. Multiple studies have shown that roughly 90% of portfolio performance can be explained by asset allocation and a disciplined adherence to that plan. Conversely, only 10% of portfolio returns is explained by security selection.
With properly assigned risk targets, we strive to optimize portfolio diversification to reduce individual security and manager risk and create more efficient portfolios.
While we don’t believe that tax should be the only factor in asset allocation decisions, taxes can create a significant drag on the performance of a portfolio. Therefore, we are very mindful in our investment allocation decisions.
Identifying disciplined active managers with superior long-term performance and low costs can add significant value long term. While we believe that effective active managers will provide the most value long term, we believe that both passive and active managers can provide value to a client’s allocation. We have a disciplined methodology to evaluate and select both active and passive strategies.
Withdrawal Risk
Withdrawal Risk is a widely known and thoroughly researched concern that is seldom discussed. Our belief is that the reason this matter is not addressed is that the investment industry is constructed around conventional retirement income models that are simpler to execute and maintain. The problem with these traditional models is that diversified portfolios with specified annual withdrawal rates do not adequately address this actual risk. An example of two similar investors retiring in different decades with nearly identical long-term returns but extremely different retirement outcomes is illustrated to the right.
While we are optimistic about the long-term future returns of the stock market, we don’t have a crystal ball that will tell us if the next 10 years will be a like Mr. Happy’s. Unless you do, we believe you need a solution to help you address this very real risk to your retirement income plan.
The Bucket Plan® is a three-bucket approach to segmenting your money based on the purpose and time horizon. Essentially, to reduce your sequence of returns risk we need to secure your income source for the next 5 to 10 years. By reducing the volatility of your income source, we are then able to invest the remaining assets for long-term growth to ensure that you can reduce your inflation risk. Watch the Video to the left to better understand how The Bucket Plan strategy can help you invest confidently by mitigating sequence of returns risk:
While the bucket plan video addresses those who are approaching or currently in retirement, it can also effectively help any client that may have a near or medium-term liquidity need. Contact us to see how we can help you confidently invest for both today and the future and create your own customized plan.
Start your planning journey with us by filling out the form below.
© 2023 Epiqwest Culver Wealth Advisors, LLC, All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
Investment advisory services offered through Epiqwest Culver Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance services offered through licensed professionals of Epiqwest Culver Wealth Advisors, LLC.
Jack F. Elder, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation) is the Senior Director of Advanced Planning for CBS Brokerage. He has nearly 20 years of experience advising high-net-worth and privately held business clients. Jack is a frequent presenter to attorneys, CPAs, trust advisors, and insurance professionals.
Jack utilizes his legal expertise and deep industry experience to assist CBS’s top producers and accounts with wealth transfer planning, business succession, executive compensation, and charitable giving. He excels at breaking down complex advanced planning strategies into easily understandable, practical, actionable components.
Before joining CBS, Jack thrived in a variety of advanced planning roles in the life insurance industry. Prior to his career in life insurance, he was an estate planning attorney in suburban Maryland. Jack graduated from George Mason University School of Law in Virginia, and he earned his Master of Laws in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center in the District of Columbia.
In his free time, you can find Jack playing with his two daughters, Maggie and Dottie, and spending time with his wife, Jenny, in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Operations
Noah graduated from Colorado State University in May 2023, holding a dual bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance. After completing his studies, he joined the Epiqwest Culver team as a Client Relationship Representative, the first step towards becoming an Advisor for the firm. Over the next few years Noah is looking forward to starting the Paraplanning role, where he aims to gain practical experience in financial planning and successfully pass the necessary licensing exams, with the long-term goal of progressing to the position of licensed advisor at Epiqwest Culver. He feels grateful for the opportunity and is thankful to learn by working side by side with the team of knowledgeable and experienced advisors at Epiqwest Culver.
Originally from California, Noah spent some of his early years in Santa Cruz before moving to Durango, Colorado, in 2007, where he resided until he started college in Fort Collins. Currently settled in Boulder, Colorado, he enjoys the wide range of hobbies the Front Range offers. During the winter, Noah can often be found skiing the different mountains nearby, while in the summer, he enjoys getting on the river and fly fishing. Additionally, he likes traveling to explore new destinations and experience his favorite pastimes across the country.
Interesting Fact #1 – I have been a flutist (or flautist if you prefer) since childhood and accompany the main choir at church Sunday mornings. While not an expert, I have been told that I play very nicely.
Interesting Fact #2 – I may have actually seen the Loch Ness Monster (and I was sober at the time). In 1980 I was on a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales when we stopped by Loch Ness & while walking along the water’s edge, I saw something poke its “head” out of the water. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture as proof.
Originally from Arlington, VA, Clare’s family moved to Colorado in the mid 1960’s and settled in southwest Denver. Clare and her husband Tom live in Broomfield, CO with their adorable little Yorkie, Ellie. They love spending Sunday evenings with their daughter Kelly and son-in-law Jesse having dinner and having a family movie night.
Clare has worked in the insurance industry since 1980 starting at ING/Security Life of Denver (now part of Voya Financial) earning her CLU, ChFC, FLMI and ACS designations before joining Culver Retirement Services, Inc. in 2002 (now Epiqwest Culver Wealth Advisors, LLC). Clare mainly works with Don Culver with the insurance business and also helps Ivan Sichkar with the investment business. Clare also helps Mark Culver and Bryan Sullivan with Compliance.
Sarah brings over 15 years of versatile administrative knowledge with comprehensive experience in the development and implementation of organizational practices. Throughout her career, she has used these skills in various fields to include tax advisory, business management, legal services, and healthcare. This vast experience has led her to constantly seek creative and innovative ways to achieve personal, team, and organizational results. Sarah thrives in situations where an answer is not readily available and excels when assigned unconventional projects.
Sarah was born and raised in the North Denver Metro area where she now resides with her husband and children. She enjoys art, design, music, travel and taking on home improvement projects. Sarah shares good humor and a big smile with everyone she meets.
Sarah has a passion for helping others and loves incorporating her talents into charitable deeds.
She has worked with abused and neglected children through her calling as a court appointed advocate. Since then, Sarah has enjoyed hosting painting classes for nursing home residents in her community and currently, she volunteers her time by designing promotional material for a local church.
Operations Manager
Niki earned her Bachelor of Science as well as her Master’s in Accounting. She has worked in the financial services industry since early 2010 and is well-versed in the pressures and rewards of our clients’ financial journeys.
Niki is delighted to manage all aspects of the client relationship and prides herself on efficient communication, attention to details, and delivering results. While striving to exceed expectations in service and client care, she continually prioritizes clients’ needs with professionalism and compassion.
Niki is extremely passionate about her family; she enjoys sharing beautiful and invigorating experiences with her husband and their two charismatic children, Maci and Jet. In her free time, Niki enjoys kickboxing, exercising, traveling, camping, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Portfolio Manager
Ivan worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Denver, where he taught a graduate level course, Ethics in Finance. As the Advocacy Chair for CFA Society Colorado (CFACO), Ivan engaged U.S. Congressman Ed Perlmutter to be the first speaker in the District Dialog series and introduced Governor Hickenlooper to Investors First Month of May.
Ivan is the past president of CFACO, the largest financial society in Colorado with over 1,400 members, where he arranged the annual forecast dinner with 400 industry professionals. Also, he organized the CFA Institute Research Challenge for Colorado and Wyoming universities for four years. He has partnered with top executives to engage them as the subject companies of the research challenge: Ball Corp, Molson Coors, Charles Schwab, DaVita, and Arrow Electronics.
In recognition for his contribution to enhancing the standing of the CFACO and raising the stature of the CFA Charter, Ivan was awarded the annual Jonathan Holtzinger Award of Excellence by CFACO.
Ivan is the past Director of Global Association of Risk Professionals in Denver. Ivan organized chapter meetings, including lectures at the Fed.
Ivan earned M.A. in Economics degree from University of Denver, B.A. in Economics from Idaho State University, and B.S. in International Economics and Business from Kiev National Economics University in Ukraine. He holds three professional designations: Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA), Financial Risk Manager® (FRM), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Ivan loves exploring the world and has visited 25 countries, and his favorite vacation was his honeymoon trip to Hawaii. He married the love of his life, Tanya, and has a son, Dennis. In his spare time, Ivan writes about economics, finance, risk management, behavioral finance, and retirement. This research is published on his personal website: ecnfin.com.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Ron has been a financial advisor and investment analyst since 1998 and has been with Epiqwest since 2007. Ron’s unique skills for analyzing prospective investments reflect not only his experience as an investment advisor, but also his experience working for operating companies and input from his personal advisory board.
Prior to joining Epiqwest, Ron was the CFO of an environmental construction company that averaged 300% annual revenue growth during his tenure. He was also the assistant to the executives of several non-profits, and he worked for FedEx Corporation where he worked in the areas of strategy, forecasting, marketing, and product management.
Ron has a BS with a double major in Economics and Finance from St. Cloud State University (summa cum laude) and an MBA in finance from Vanderbilt University.
Ron was born and raised in rural Minnesota. After venturing out from MN and living all over the U.S., Ron eventually returned to MN and now lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Laurie, and son, John. Ron and Laurie love to travel internationally, visiting dozens of first-through-third world countries over the years. His most impactful destination was China, where he crisscrossed the country in the process of adopting his Chinese son. He had the opportunity to meet the wonderful Chinese people and immerse in the rich culture and history of the country.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
John started his retirement plan career in 1999. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of South Carolina at Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a 2005 graduate of Webster University with an MBA. Over the years, he has earned several designations from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries and the Internal Revenue Service.
John is originally from Mount Pleasant, SC, where much of his extended family still lives. He moved to Colorado in June of 2010. He enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his family and friends. John especially enjoys cruises and vacationing them.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Gabriel joined the Epiqwest Culver Wealth Advisor’s team in April 2022. He received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Central Florida School of Business in 2018. Gabriel began his career in financial services in June 2018 at Charles Schwab, where he worked as a Relationship Specialist. During his tenure at Charles Schwab, Gabriel obtained various industry licenses, including the Series 7, 9/10, 63, 66, and his Certified Financial Planners designation. He served as an Operations Specialist for a Schwab Branch in Plantation, Florida, and interacted with clients daily in a support-role, continuing to learn and absorb knowledge through shadowing and partnering with the Financial Consultants he worked with.
Gabriel was promoted to the role of Associate Financial Consultant after obtaining his CFP® designation in March 2021. In this role, he partnered with clients to help them achieve their desired goals and objectives while operating in their best interest. Currently, Gabriel works directly with Managing Partner Trent Culver in a mentor-mentee type role, where he is continuing to learn, grow, develop, and implement his craft. Gabriel is passionate about providing exceptional service and is dedicated to helping his clients achieve their financial goals. Gabriel grew up in South Florida and currently lives in Broomfield with his fiancée, Tara, and two dogs, Bronco and Cali. He is a life-long fan of the Denver Broncos and Nuggets, enjoys playing basketball, spending time with his family, reading, and music. He and his fiancée are currently saving for their first home and hope to be married by the end of 2024.
INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Josh was born and raised in Colorado Springs, graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1997. From there, collegiate baseball led his journey to Kansas and Missouri, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Park University (Kansas City, MO) and was an Academic All-American. With a two-year stop in Orem, UT, where he coached high school baseball, Josh returned to Colorado in 2004 to begin his career in financial services; he has been serving clients’ financial interests since 2005.
He and his wife, Katie, also a Colorado native, now live in Westminster with their two sons and young daughter. When not helping his clients reach their financial milestones, Josh enjoys coaching his boys’ athletic teams, strength training, and closely following the Colorado Rockies.
