By Larry Sparks
At the May Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce meeting, the American Legion Post 2008 sponsored breakfast. Post Commander Ryan Fitzgerald spoke about the Legion’s mission and legacy, emphasizing its commitment to patriotism and community service. He also highlighted the Flag Exchange program, where community members can trade in worn flags for new ones, and shared information about the Legion’s youth leadership and patriotism programs.
Patrick Yeoman and David Wilcox from New York Life Insurance focused on their Macro Balance Strategy — a comprehensive approach to retirement planning.
This high-level strategy addresses today’s complex financial environment by targeting three key areas: tax impact, investment return optimization and risk mitigation.
A central theme was the importance of tax diversification. By balancing pre-tax accounts (like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s with post-tax options like Roth IRAs), individuals can reduce their tax burden in retirement. The presenters also discussed life insurance as a tool not just for death benefits, but also as a tax-advantaged asset that can provide tax-free income.
New York Life offers complimentary services, such as annual asset reallocation and personalized portfolio reviews. Their goal: Educate clients and provide tools to manage risk while meeting evolving financial goals.
A flexible investment framework combines traditional assets (stocks, bonds) with alternatives, aiming to balance growth and protection. With active management guided by market insights, it adapts to changing conditions while staying focused on long-term success.
Diversification is key — spreading investments across sectors and regions to reduce the impact of market downturns and enhance portfolio stability.
New York Life’s Macro Balance Strategy offers a holistic, adaptable approach to retirement planning — blending education, tax efficiency and diversified investing to help clients plan with confidence.
The chamber appreciated the American Legion’s contribution to the breakfast and their message of patriotism, as well as New York Life’s insightful presentation on building a resilient financial future.
The chamber meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Grace Community Church in Falcon. For more information, visit https://www.easternplainschamber.com/.
