University Faculty

We are our university clients’ top choice in wealth management. We use our combined expertise of over 45 years working with employees of universities and higher education to create comprehensive solutions beyond the tools that most retirement plan providers offer. 

University employees have unique financial planning needs that include tax optimization, outside income strategies, and consultations for start-up businesses while navigating through the complex benefit offerings of the university. Most major custodians, including TIAA and Fidelity, partner with us to provide specialized solutions beyond their traditional capabilities, creating confidence in what their employees need today, and in the future.

Questions to ask during the planning process:

  • With my university-sponsored retirement plan, what investments should I use to meet my goals?
  • What is the difference between a 457 plan, a 401a plan, a 403b plan, and any supplemental plan offering? Which one(s) make the most sense for me?
  • Am I using all of the plans available to me to maximize my contributions and employer match?
  • How can I put away more money?
  • What happens if I want to work past full retirement age? How does that impact me and my family?
  • My retirement plan offers a guaranteed solution, does it make sense to use it? If I do, is it locked up for 10 years or can I use it when I want it?
  • Do I qualify for an outside retirement plan as well?
  • When should I apply for Social Security benefits and what is the impact on my retirement goals?
  • How does medicare work if I am still covered by my university health care plan?
  • How does spousal Social Security work and what is the impact to our financial plan?
  • Can I qualify for a spousal IRA?
  • Do I have a financial plan that includes trusts, real estate, guardianships, and legacy planning?

At Darden Wealth Group, we partner with accountants and attorneys to give you the best solution for you and your family’s future at no additional cost. It is like having a general manager for your team in your back pocket. 

Imagine this:

When Professor Sample joined the University, she set up accounts with two custodians sponsored by the University since both custodians had great options, and she wanted maximum flexibility. While she was married, her spouse had helped take care of the children and entertain their guests from the University and the other associations they were involved with.

A personal review of the family finances left the professor feeling that their family was a little behind in savings and searching for ways to maximize the possibilities. In addition, to the University income, there was also had outside income from a separate business and consulting income from outside lectures on her craft.

After being promoted to University administration, she realized their situation wasn’t as simple as it had been in the past. In addition, Professor Sample had two kids to put through college and did not want them to have to worry about the financial burdens so many students worry about on a daily basis. Navigating the computer modeling from the sponsored benefits providers was difficult and time-consuming, and it never felt like she could organize and understand information and options the providers gave her.

Too often she felt she needed to ask the “right” questions to get the answers she wanted or she needed to follow up too many times to make sure her requests for changes or information were processed correctly. With time as her most valuable commodity, she found this process frustrating and the errors unacceptable. How could something that seemed so simple turn out to be so hard?

Does any part of this sound familiar? 

Darden Wealth Group specializes in working with employees of local and national Universities. We appreciate that your time is your biggest asset. As clients have worked with us through the wealth management process they have told us that they never felt more in control of their finances and their future. They also appreciate how easy it is to work with the team at DWG. Call us so we can help you achieve your goals and dreams. The first meeting is on us.