Jason Ozur is the CEO of Lido Advisors, a firm dedicated to providing clients with advanced wealth management and comprehensive, holistic financial services.
Today, Jason shares how the firm skyrocketed from $19B to $30B AUM, emphasizing a client-first approach, strategic M&A, and culture-driven growth. He also discusses expansion plans, AI’s impact on efficiency, and the challenges of scaling while maintaining top-tier service.
In this episode, we have with us Samantha Russell, the Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite. Doug and Samantha unpacked FMG’s 2025 Marketing Guide to explore how financial advisors can turn this year’s challenges into opportunities. From optimizing your website to growing your network, we share the strategies to elevate your marketing game.
In this episode, Doug talks with Natalia Keene, an advanced sales consultant at Lincoln Financial, about their proprietary annuity income rider, i4LIFE® Advantage, an optional benefit available only with Lincoln variable annuities for 0.40% per year above standard contract expenses. They discuss how it offers unique tax benefits, especially during the tax season of 2025, and can be a game-changer for retirement income planning.
Natalia explains the history and taxation of annuities, the benefits and limitations of non-qualified deferred annuities, and how i4LIFE bridges the gap between annuitized and deferred annuities. Financial professionals are encouraged to review their clients’ annuity contracts to explore the potential of i4LIFE in optimizing retirement portfolios.
This information is for general educational purposes and is not intended to provide investment advice nor are we soliciting any action based upon it, nor should it be construed as a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Lincoln Financial affiliates, their affiliated distributors, and their respective employees, representatives, and/or insurance agents do not provide tax, accounting, or financial advice. Clients should consult their own independent professionals as to any tax, accounting, or financial information contained herein.
Variable annuities are long-term investment products designed for retirement purposes and are subject to market fluctuation, investment risk, and possible loss of principal. Variable annuities contain both investment and insurance components and have fees and charges, including mortality and expense, administrative, and advisory fees. Optional features are available for an additional charge. The annuity’s value fluctuates with the market value of the underlying investment options, and all assets accumulate tax-deferred. Withdrawals of earnings are taxable as ordinary income and, if taken prior to age 59½, may be subject to an additional 10% federal tax. Withdrawals will reduce the death benefit and cash surrender value.
i4LIFE® Advantage is an optional feature that is available for an additional charge with Lincoln variable annuities.
Investors are advised to consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the variable annuity and its underlying investment options carefully before investing. The applicable prospectuses for the variable annuity and its underlying investment options contain this and other important information. Please call 888-868-2583 for free prospectuses. Read them carefully before investing or sending money. Products and features are subject to state availability.
Lincoln variable annuities are issued by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, IN, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer. The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company does not solicit business in the state of New York, nor is it authorized to do so.
Contracts sold in New York are issued by Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, Syracuse, NY, and distributed by Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer.
All contract and rider guarantees, including those for optional benefits, fixed subaccount crediting rates, or annuity payout rates, are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. They are not backed by the broker-dealer or insurance agency from which this annuity is purchased, or any affiliates of those entities other than the issuing company affiliates, and none makes any representations or guarantees regarding the claims-paying ability of the issuer
There is no additional tax-deferral benefit for an annuity contract purchased in an IRA or other tax-qualified plan.
Lincoln Financial is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. Affiliates are separately responsible for their own financial and contractual obligations.
Ryan McKee is the Senior Vice President and Head of Emerging Product Specialists at Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity provides a wide range of investment and wealth management services, striving to strengthen the financial well-being of their customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses.
In this episode, the focus is product innovation and solutions for financial advisors—from active ETFs to new approaches in portfolio customization.
Topics also discussed:
The rapid growth of active ETFs and alternatives, emphasizing their role in aligning with client needs and offering active management within a tax-efficient structure.
Emerging tools like custom SMAs and direct indexing are enabling highly personalized portfolios, with adoption growing and assets projected to reach $1 trillion by 2027.
FinTech innovations such as unified managed accounts (UMAs), simplifying portfolio management by integrating various investment types, boosting scalability for financial advisors.
How technology is making traditionally inaccessible investment options like semi-liquid and illiquid alternatives more manageable, driving greater adoption and usability.
Fidelity supports advisors with specialized teams and resources to integrate these innovative solutions, offering portfolio guidance through platforms like i.fidelity.com/portfolio.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including risk of loss.
Unless otherwise expressly disclosed to you in writing, the information provided in this material is for educational purposes only. Any viewpoints expressed by Fidelity are not intended to be used as a primary basis for your investment decisions and are based on facts and circumstances at the point in time they are made and are not particular to you. Accordingly, nothing in this material constitutes impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity, as defined or under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, both as amended. Fidelity and its representatives may have a conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this material because they have a financial interest in the products or services and may receive compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the management, distribution, and/or servicing of these products or services, including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and products, and certain investment services. Before making any investment decisions, you should take into account all of the particular facts and circumstances of your or your client’s individual situation and reach out to an investment professional, if applicable.
Information provided in this document is for informational and educational purposes only. To the extent any investment information in this material is deemed to be a recommendation, it is not meant to be impartial investment advice or advice in a fiduciary capacity and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for you or your client’s investment decisions. Fidelity and its representatives may have a conflict of interest in the products or services mentioned in this material because they have a financial interest in them, and receive compensation, directly or indirectly, in connection with the management, distribution, and/or servicing of these products or services, including Fidelity funds, certain third-party funds and products, and certain investment services.
Views expressed are through 2/3/2025 and do not necessarily represent the views of Fidelity. Views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and Fidelity disclaims any responsibility to update such views.
Advisorpedia is an independent company and is not affiliated with Fidelity Investments. Listing them does not suggest a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity Investments.
Fidelity Investment®, provides clearing, custody, and other brokerage services through National Financial Services, LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC. Members NYSE, SIPC.
Host, Chris Battaglia, interviews Keiko Honda, an adjunct senior research scholar at Columbia University and a prominent figure in global investment. Keiko shares insights from her experience in management consulting, academia, and leadership roles, including as CEO and CIO of the World Bank’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. They discuss the evolution, challenges, and importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing, exploring regional perspectives on ESG, particularly in Japan and the U.S.
The podcast was recorded ahead of the Global Fiduciary Symposium which took place from November 11th to 14th in Tokyo, Japan.
Robert Huntsman is the Chief Data Officer at iCapital, a company dedicated to powering the world’s alternative investment marketplace.
In this episode, Doug and Robert explore the advancement of data management and solutions, highlighting the technology-driven tools transforming private market investing.
Also discussed:
Robert’s role at iCapital, focusing on optimizing data governance, analytics, and AI to improve private market investing.
How wealth advisors are seeking tools to analyze large datasets and make personalized investment recommendations, with iCapital leveraging AI and tools like Alts Decoded to support these needs.
iCapital prioritizing data privacy through encryption, strict governance, and evolving systems to meet changing regulatory requirements, especially around PII.
AI transforming private market investing by automating data extraction, streamlining processes like document reconciliation, and enabling faster, more accurate reporting.
The future of data solutions, combining AI and human expertise to handle increasing data complexity, ensuring scalability and efficiency in alternative investments.
Paul Ma is the Vice President and Lead Portfolio Strategist at Fidelity Investments. Fidelity provides a wide range of investment and wealth management services, striving to strengthen the financial well-being of their customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses.
This episode explores how portfolio construction (PC) analysis tools and innovative review strategies help financial advisors enhance client engagement, improve accuracy, and balance technology.
Topics also discussed:
Paul Ma shares his career journey and transition into financial services, emphasizing a passion for finance and his eventual role as a lead portfolio strategist at Fidelity Investments.
Ma supports approximately 7,000 advisors annually, using Fidelity’s brand and asset allocation research to help them build effective, client-centered portfolios.
Paul explains how portfolio construction tools help advisors assess both intentional and unintentional risks, allowing them to make adjustments aligned with market conditions and client goals.
The discussion highlights the importance of financial planning software for goal-based client portfolios, along with regular portfolio reviews, including tools like Monte Carlo simulations to track clients’ progress.
Ma describes Fidelity’s “Portfolio Quick Check” tool, which helps advisors evaluate portfolio alignment with benchmarks and detect asset allocation gaps or misalignments.
He emphasizes balancing technology with personalized service, discussing Fidelity’s Managed Account Exchange (FMAX) for customizable client portfolios, and the potential of AI to enhance portfolio commentary and productivity for advisors.
Fidelity Investments is an independent company, unaffiliated with Advisorpedia.
Fidelity Investments is a registered trademark of FMR LLC.
Fidelity Portfolio Quick Check (PQC) is provided to investment professionals by Fidelity Distributors Company LLC (“FDC”) and may be made available by FDC, Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, or National Financial Services LLC, Members NYSE/SIPC. Content provided is intended for informational and educational purposes only based on information you entered into the PQC tool. It should not be considered as legal, tax, investment or insurance advice or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by any Fidelity entity. As an investment professional, you are solely responsible for determining whether any investment, investment strategy, or related transaction is appropriate for your customer based on your customer’s investment objectives, financial circumstances and risk tolerance.
Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC (“FIWA”)® is a registered investment adviser and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC. FIWA is the sponsor of the Fidelity Managed Account Xchange® program (“FMAX” or the “Platform”). FMAX is a comprehensive wealth management platform consisting of advisory tools, programs and services, and investment products from Fidelity and other leading asset managers. Some services are provided by affiliated and unaffiliated 3rd parties. FMAX offers robust Fidelity service & support and a simplified client experience. FMAX provides investment advisory and platform services for a fee. FMAX is offered by FIWA, an affiliate of Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Members NYSE, SIPC and National Financial Services LLC. The FMAX Platform is not a brokerage product.
Fidelity Investments® provides investment products through Fidelity Distributors Company LLC; clearing, custody, or other brokerage services through National Financial Services LLC or Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Members NYSE, SIPC; and institutional advisory services through Fidelity Institutional Wealth Adviser LLC.
Advisorpedia welcomed Craig Martin, the Managing Director and Global Head of Wealth & Lending Intelligence at J.D. Power. This episode unpacks the findings from J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Advisor Online Experience Study, highlighting how asset managers can thrive by prioritizing ease of doing business.
WisdomTree works to create a better way to invest, offering a leading product range that offers access to an unparalleled selection of unique and smart exposures.
Kevin Flanagan is the Head of Fixed Income Strategy at WisdomTree, joining us to discuss the latest developments in monetary policy, inflation trends, fixed income strategies, and investment opportunities for 2025.
Also discussed:
The Federal Reserve’s recent rate cuts and its cautious outlook for 2025, including a shift from four expected cuts to two.
Flanagan’s predictions for inflation in 2025 and its impacts on fixed-income strategies and portfolios.
The normalizing of the now inverted yield curve, with Flanagan suggesting a barbell approach for investors to manage duration risks.
Treasury floating rate notes are highlighted as a strategic opportunity in the current environment, offering stable yields with less volatility than other fixed-income options.
Mortgage-backed securities compared to U.S. credit and high-yield investments.
The potential risks from new fiscal policies in 2025, such as changes in tariffs and legislation, emphasizing the need for flexible, active approaches to fixed income allocations.
In this podcast, Chris Battaglia talks with economist and author of “Money Magic: an Economist’s Secrets to More Money, Less Risk & Better Outcomes”, Larry Kotlikoff, to discuss his innovative financial planning tools, Maxifi.com and MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com. The episode emphasizes the latest feature of the Maxifi Planner—the Roth conversion optimizer—which helps maximize lifetime discretionary spending by strategically planning Roth conversions. Larry demonstrates the tool through a detailed client scenario, illustrating the profound financial benefits of precise, economics-based planning over a lifetime.
Be sure to go to the @Advisorpedia YouTube channel to watch Larry’s presentation on the tools discussed in this episode!
