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Some financial advisors call themselves "senior specialists" to make it seem like they have special training and knowledge about issues that are important to older people. But, there are over 50 different "senior designations" that financial advisors use, and it can be very confusing for people. Some of these designations are just marketing tricks to sell risky financial products to older people. It's important to check with your state or federal securities regulators to make sure the person you're dealing with is properly licensed and doesn't have any complaints against them. Don't be fooled by fancy titles!
Financial advisors may use the title "senior specialist" to make it seem like they have special training and knowledge about issues that are important to older people. However, there are over 50 different titles that financial advisors can use, which can be very confusing for consumers. Some of these titles are legitimate and require a lot of education and training, but many of them are just marketing tools that are used to sell risky financial products to older people.
For example, some senior specialists will hold seminars where they review older people's assets, including their investments. They might recommend that the older person sell their investments and use the money to buy complex and risky financial products that are not suitable for them. This can be very dangerous for older people who are relying on their investments to support them in retirement.
If you are an older person who is considering working with a financial advisor, it is important to check their credentials and make sure that they are properly licensed. You can also check with your state or federal securities regulators to see if there have been any complaints or disciplinary actions against the advisor.
Examples:
These examples illustrate how financial advisors can use misleading titles to sell risky financial products to older people. It is important for older people to be aware of these tactics and to do their research before working with a financial advisor.
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