To those considering saving your investment funds,

For approximately 30 years, I had been putting money into a Roth IRA and 2 traditional IRAs with Morgan Stanley. My gains with Morgan Stanley were minimal at best with 2 - 4% increases when the market was good. When the market wasn't so good, I would lose everything that I had gained and then some. After the 30 year period, I had lost nearly half the value of my accounts.

In 2017, I then moved the funds into the same kind of IRAs with Mass Mutual hoping to do better, but experienced the same losses even though the agent was my friend and said he would manage my funds personally and conservatively. I was not a happy camper. In the meantime, while considering mortgage insurance on my house, the agent asked if I would be interested in a financial consultation regarding my retirement accounts.

I agreed and very soon met with Vance Mitchell who represented the Athene program. I had to say I was astonished by the claims and guarantees of the program. Vance took the time to explain the performance of a fixed annuity versus the IRAs that I had before and there was no high pressure sales pitch. His vast knowledge, together with the charts he used and the patience with all of my questions convinced me to go with Athene. Vance set me up with a fixed annuity that also offered a 13% bonus, which was more than enough to cover the surrender fee charged by Mass Mutual.

I feel at ease knowing the Innovative Financial Group is now overseeing my remaining investment funds, especially since I am a retired senior. Thanks to Vance and his team for introducing me to Innovative Financial Group. Since then, I have closed a savings account earning only 2% with my bank and put it into another fixed annuity account with Athene earning an average of 7.5 % and I never fear losing funds.

Talk about financial peace of mind!

When we finally retired “for real” in 2016, we had to make a decision of what to do with our 401k accounts. We really knew little about who, what or where to turn.

We chose Edward Jones, who is widely known, who invested our money conservatively for over a year. When we started to compare what was lost in the stock market in 2018 we noticed one statement showed a loss of $12,000.

We had filled out a card requesting information on Mortgage Protection. It was a very pleasant surprise to realize that Vance and Tina were also dedicated to bass fishing like we were.

They were not only charming, they were also very knowledgeable about retirement accounts with Athene where there are NO losses but only steady gains. We researched the company and then had our current financial planner come out and meet with us, and Vance and Tina, to go over the pros and cons of both.

We then decided we really, really liked the idea of NO LOSS of income so we readily changed to Athene’s Fixed Index Annuity. We were able to take money out when we needed it and it would be available for us in the future.

If we had known these wonderful and knowledgeable agents, Vance and Tina, sooner we would not have lost so much money.

The other good thing is that they also have insurance plans with all kinds of options. If you have an opportunity to work with these two people you will be pleasantly surprised to find that they only have your best interest in mind.

My wife passed away from cancer in January of 2019 and I wanted to make sure that my three teenagers were taken care of if anything happened to me.

I had an old 401k, from a previous employer, that was just sitting in the market with the value going up and down. My friend, Tina, told me about a Fixed Index Annuity and how I could SECURE that money and not lose a penny.

I had accepted that it was “okay” for that value to go up and down. I thought losing money when the market went down was acceptable. Little did I know that there was an option out there that could secure my money and I wouldn’t lose any of it, even in a “down market”.

With this Fixed Index Annuity my money set up to grow which will put me in a very good financial position when I am ready to retire in 15 years. It also provides a growing death benefit for my three children in the event I die.

I was able to get a 15% cash bonus which took care of the bills I had left over from my wife’s burial, hospice and other miscellaneous medical expenses. I was able to take a 10% withdrawal immediately, without penalty, and I wound up taking my three teenagers to Hawaii as that was where we had planned to go with their mom before she passed.

This product is a great fit for me. Not only do I know my hard earned retirement is now secure but I know the growth is there to give me a comfortable future when it’s time to retire.

I highly recommend Tina Smith and Vance Mitchell with IFG. I have known Tina for over 25 years and she has been working in the insurance industry since I have known her. She is a very trustworthy person and will do right by those she encounters.

Vance and Tina are friendly, helpful, and professional. My wife and I had originally met with them for Mortgage Protection in January of 2020. During the meeting we talked about my 401k that I brought from retiring in another state. They suggested, at that time, that we consider moving that 401k to a Fixed Index Annuity with Athene. (My wife had moved her 401k to the same type of annuity the year before). I was hesitant to move my 401k at that time but told them to reach back out to me in April.

We all know how 2020 started with the pandemic beginning in March along with the stock market becoming even more unstable. Tina reached out to me a few times prior to April but I hesitated again.

Finally in April, after losing almost $20,000 from my 401k I decided it was time to move to the annuity. Thankfully, I qualified for a bonus of $20,000 which made up for loss I took from the stock market.

They kept in touch with me throughout the entire rollover process and answered all of my questions accurately and timely. They made the process easy.

In addition to their professionalism, we have become friends. If you need any assistance with your retirement, I recommend calling Vance and Tina. They will get you on the right path for retirement.

We came quickly to a decision to alter our investment strategy. It required prompt action, beginning with research. Coincidently, we met Vance and Tina at Innovative Financial. The research immediately included checking them out and the packages they had to offer.

I have to say they checked out, and so did their proposal. But more importantly, once the decision was made, the two of them jumped into making it happen for us efficiently and effectively. It was smooth as silk and with the pleasure of their company and attitude.

I’m not sure there is more that could be asked of financial counselors. We wholeheartedly endorse them to help select instruments to meet the investors’ needs, and get the job done with ease and timeliness - including their way expedition of the details!

First off I want to thank Tina and Vance for their time and expertise.

We lost a ton of money during the recession of 2008-11. Our home value tanked and our retirement accounts were severely impacted. We needed to expand our portfolio and find something that was recession-proof. Tina and Vance helped us explore some options with Athene Annuities that would fit our needs. They also helped us with our life insurance needs as well.

They are a fun company to work with, real down-to-earth people.