Accelerated Wealth Colorado Springs - Colorado Springs, Colorado

Warren J.

My wife and I were clients of Accelerated Wealth Advisors from August 2017 until March 2023. Our initial exposure to AWA was via their local radio program and then a dinner meeting in which they outlined their financial strategy (diversifying resources among number of "baskets" - life insurance, long term care, investments, etc.) Here is a summary of our experience. (FYI - neither of the two investment advisors we had at AWA are currently working there.)
PROS:
Nice people - friendly, engaging
Wealth management strategy appeared to "cover all the bases" as we entered retirement
Set up a hybrid Long Term Care policy, which could be used as a life insurance policy as well (rather than the standard "use it or lose it" long term care vehicle)

CONS:
The other recommended products were questionable
* My entire 401k was rolled over into an "IRA" which proved to be a fixed annuity with "no downside risk". However, the "caps" and "spreads" (learn what these mean!) were very restrictive, along with a ten year surrender charge. I subsequently learned that my advisor earned a hefty commission by getting me into this product. I have had better returns on my own conservative investments.
* I was directed into a whole life insurance policy (which also earned my advisor a commission) with very high annual premiums, which required me to dip into my savings to cover the premiums each year.
* A limited partnership and an income fund (which my advisor had connections with) that were supposed to provide an "income stream" to fund the life insurance premiums, proved to be high risk and have lost money, while, for the first several years, I was still being charged an annual 2% advisory fee by AWA.
* Although touted as "fiduciaries," I would characterize my advisors as "fiduciaries in name only."

Be careful!

Bob C.

I started with AW after a bad experience with another firm. At first, they were extremely helpful, considerate, and communicated well. Over time, however, that didn't last. They stopped communicating except for all their marketing and advertising. Then they started encrypting all useful information and there was no way I could read it. They stopped returning phone calls too. The people managing my account changed frequently so commitments made by one person didn't mean anything after they shuffled chairs. When it came time to start drawing on my annuities, I was 100% on my own. AW didn't help at all. In fact, because I asked Chris to send me information, such as allocations, in clear email, they marked my account that I was no longer a client. Again, no communication about this. I found out when I called them for advice. Be careful with these people. Once they sell you on their products, you're pretty much on your own.

Harry W.

We attended one of the free dinners where they provide you with information related to retirement investment and social security retirement benefits and how to optimize your retirement income when you reach retirement age. We were very impressed with their presentation and scheduled a follow up meeting with them. They provided detailed information on how we could optimize our Social Security distributions and the best approach to handing our 401K's. All of these services were provided to us at no cost. We were extremely pleased that they did not try to push products on us or try to hard sell us and we really felt that they sincerely had out best interests at heart. Thank you for taking the time to listen to us and understand our situation. As we get closer to retirement or when we need future help with our 401K investments this is the company that we plan to work with. They are awesome! Thank You, Harry and Paula

Martha N.

I work with Bill Walton and Constance and just love them both. I understand that I am tying up my money for a guaranteed return that is less than the market, but knowing that I won't lose 40% like we did in 2008 and would JUST be getting back to even now.

I don't worry about loss and just keep keepin' on knowing that it's either level or increasing. At 64 that helps me sleep.

T G.

I have worked with the Colorado Springs office to do my retirement planning - their process is low pressure / high trust building with a solid solution for retirement income. Highly Recommended.

Rex P.

Max S.

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