The American College of Financial Services hosted their second annual Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium this past November. HighPoint Advisors, LLC’s own Patrick Newton packed his bags and made his way to Arizona, one of his favorite states to visit. The symposium was an excellent opportunity for Pat to further his education on special needs planning, especially after recently earning his Chartered Special Needs Consultant Designation.
Over the course of the two-day conference at the Westin Phoenix Downtown, Pat attended several informative educational sessions and networked with peers. Read on to see what he experienced during his time at the conference and in Phoenix!
Day 1:
The Symposium had begun! Pat was excited to gain new insights and refresh his knowledge on financial planning for individuals with special needs. He kicked off this Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium with sessions on tax strategies and Special Needs Trusts (SNTs) including First Party SNTs, Self-Funded SNTs, Third Party SNTs, and Pooled Trusts. Pat also learned what is involved in setting up a proper care team for individuals with special needs. In addition, panel discussions were a part of his day 1 agenda, providing a great way to learn from others in the industry.
Day 2:
For the second and final day of the Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium, the focus was on ABLE Accounts. These accounts can be a key tool for improving quality of life where public benefits may fall short. Pat also learned strategies for individuals that became disabled later in life.
After the conclusion of the final day, Pat stayed in Arizona to visit family and take in some sights. He took a Waymo ride – which is a driverless car service – from Phoenix to Tempe. While in Tempe, he walked to the new LPL Financial office that recently opened there. This was the second LPL office he visited this year; the first being in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Pat spent the remainder of the week on the Arizona State University Campus checking out all they have to offer to all ages in the community.
This concludes Pat’s trip and time at the conference in Arizona! The two conference days flew by, packed with valuable information. The trip was worthwhile, and Pat hopes to attend the third annual Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium next year!
At Highpoint Advisors, LLC, our team seeks out opportunities to attend relevant conferences when possible. We believe these events will be beneficial not only to our clients, but also to the firm as a whole. The knowledge gained from the sessions they attend is put to work to enhance the experience of our clients. We strive to stay on top of industry trends, always improving in order to provide the best possible service and advice to our clients.