Join the presenters and other participants following Tuesday's Live Virtual Seminar (5/27,3:00 PM ET) as they share thoughts about the presentation.

To participate in the conversation, you must first register and log-in to this site. The handouts for this session are available starting 24 hours prior to the session in the downloads area, under today's session date and title.

On behalf of FPA, I'd like to thank our presenters for their time today. We had a few remaining questions, and I've added those below.

Randy writes:
Along the same lines as Michael's question: Have any of the states or other regulatory agencies specifially mentioned any particular designation as being acceptable, and if so  what are they?

Ann asks:
What percentage of a senior's portfolio show be dedicated to growth?  The rules of thumb that are out there seem to apply to an earlier time when life expectancy in retirement were not as long.

Steve wants to know:
Of the lunch sweeps that were conducted, how many were deemed sales presentations for insurance based products?  As a follow-up, what types of products were identified and what were the qualifications of those presenting at said events?

Stanley comments:
Memory Impariment is almost impossible to diagnose.  If you are in doubt get permission to contact their doctor for some confirmation or with permission contact a close family member for further inquiry.

Mike writes:
I understand aarp is discouraging the use of senior designations.  Is aarp providing any education to members on professional designations that are legitimate?

Greetings,

I can respond to the last question from my own perspective, but it's not necessarily official AARP policy. 

AARP does not discourage financial professionals from obtaining or holding out credentials and designations.  We have in recent times, along with regulators, media, and even financial professionals themselves, grown increasingly concerned about the use of some to mislead older Americans.  We are working to promote standards in both public policy and business practices which promote standards for financial professional credentials and designations and clear communication about them.

Concerning our education to members about credentials and designations, we employ a variety of tactics including our web site, internal publications such as AARP Magazine and the Bulletin, and other direct outreach such as state office-based events.  While we don't provide any particular "approved" list, we do encourage members to ask any financial professional holding out a credential about how they obtained it, what they must do to maintain it, and what procedures exist for complaints and revocation.

Michael Herndon

Manager, Financial Security

AARP