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Jack R. Wolff
Investment Financial Services
By Annette Duda
Jack R. Wolff, President, Investment Financial Services, Inc. (IFS) considers his work his second family. Blessed with a terrific staff and clients, Jack feels lucky that he stumbled upon a career in financial planning when his wife accepted a part-time position for a financial planner in 1978. Quickly she recognized that Jack would love the role of providing clients with an opportunity to build a solid financial foundation. At the time, Jack was a marketing executive for IBM, specializing in the finance industry. AT his wife’s’ suggestion, he opted to meet with her new boss and liked what he heard. As Jack says, “The rest is history!”
Jack has been building his own successful foundation in Sarasota since 1983 as a retirement account specialist focused on providing comprehensive financial and estate planning for clients 55 and older. Jack recognizes the importance of helping new clients make decisions based on the best up to date knowledge available to them. While assessing the needs of new clients, they spend a great deal of time discussing the realities of life today along with their priorities in the years ahead. Quality of life is always the focus, as well as maintaining quality of life in the future.
During these discussions, a common goal expressed by clients is the need to assure a surviving spouse would be financially sound and operationally at ease. Jack is sensitive to this topic. It is a major concern for most clients; it is an important task to achieve as a financial planner. Jack comfortably addresses this area of concern with his married clients assuring they are financially prepared when an unfortunate death of a spouse occurs. For the surviving spouse, this emotionally challenging time can be eased when the comfort of knowing there will be enough assets and income to maintain his/her lifestyle, and that the assets would pass without probate. In his many years in business, Jack has dealt with the passing of a client many times. Though it is the saddest of times for him and his staff; there is also a sense of pride knowing the surviving spouse is landing on his/her feet from a financial perspective. Knowing that he has truly made a difference is one of his greatest rewards.
With Jack’s longstanding career in the financial industry, he has witnessed many changes in how we plan for our future. People traditionally insured their home, automobile and body to protect these assets from damage. Today we can also do that with our nest egg. We now have the ability to insure income streams and protect assets from market decline. These solutions did not exist until 10-12 years ago. This solution has been both valuable and comforting to Jack’s clients, especially during the market drop in the 2007-2009 time periods.
Acknowledging he has important work on the line, Jack enthusiastically approaches each day filled with meetings, portfolios, and responding to the never ending inbox of emails. However, while he considers his work his second family; his family does come first. He balances his work life with an active family life. Jack and his wife, Marilyn celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary in June. They travel several times a year, enjoy a competitive game of scrabble, an occasional movie. They have a close family and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren on a regular basis. Jack is grateful to share his work day with their two sons, Marc and Dan, who are also financial planners in Sarasota.
It is hard to see where Jack would find the time, however, Jack has an extensive dedication to charitable work. He works with several local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, as well as international trips to volunteer in Costa Rica, Malawi, Lima and Haiti. He has provided four-year college scholarships to area high school graduates, dating back to 1993. He considers it a privilege to provide financial assistance to children who will then serve their families, their communities and the nation well.
Jack considers himself as “one lucky guy.” Jack is fortunate in many ways; however it is probably safe to say “luck” didn’t have much to do with it. Addressing his own need for strategic planning, he maintains an admirable balance and quality of life. His love for his family, his career, and the community of Sarasota is an asset to us all.
[1]Jack R. Wolff
Investment Financial Services, Inc
6710 Professional Parkway West, Suite 203
Sarasota, FL 34240
(941) 907.8888
jwolff@investmentfinancial.net [2]
www.investmentfinancial.net [3]
Copyright © 2012 REAL Magazine
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