Meet the Financial Educator: Brandon Bowen

Here at American Retirement Institute, we like to meet new faces. In our new “Meet the Financial Educator” series, we’d like to introduce you to a few of the financial professionals we partner with. This time, we’ll be interviewing Brandon Bowen of Bowen Financial Group. Located in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, Brandon helps retirees and pre-retirees with retirement income planning, investment management, tax planning, heath care, and more. We hope you enjoy learning a little about Brandon!

How long have you worked in the financial services industry?

I’ve been helping people through financial services for 13 years now.

What area do you serve?

We serve all of Charleston, South Carolina, though our office is in Mount Pleasant, just outside downtown Charleston.

What drew you to working with retirees?

Growing up on a farm, I saw the value of hard work firsthand. Unfortunately, what I didn’t see was the value of financial planning. My blue-collar parents tried their best to provide for the family while saving very little for retirement.

That experience was the motivation I needed to work hard in school and achieve something different. I want to help people approaching or already in retirement because my parents were at such a disadvantage. When you have a solid financial plan and can trust your advisor, you can relieve a lot of stress and confusion that would normally hold you back.

What would you say is the greatest benefit provided by ARI?

The greatest benefit ARI provides is the avenue to clear education for pre-retirees about the pitfalls and headwinds they will face in today’s financial climate. The sales-free, relaxed setting encourages proactive learning with easy take-home assessment tools for personalization and application.

How are you taking precautions for your ARI courses in light of COVID-19?

Our office is following standard guidelines from the CDC, including wearing masks and safe social distancing.

What is the biggest reason retirees and pre-retirees should attend your next course?

I believe people should attend our next course so they can create or fine-tune their retirement plans. The risks and uncertainties are changing every day, and financial plans must be up-to-date to address today’s financial problems.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge facing retirees or pre-retirees today?

The greatest challenge is the historic low interest rates we’re seeing. A conservative saver who is risk-averse has very limited options to potentially grow their money in a low-risk environment. They are often tempted to accept too much risk at the worst possible time – heading into retirement.

How do you continue helping attendees after they’ve attended a course?

We work hard to keep up with our attendees through periodic, timely communication through email. We share helpful tips about relevant topics like recent rule and policy changes.

If you could say one thing to the next generation of retirees, what would it be?

Discipline leads to freedom in every area of our lives. If you start controlling your money now, eventually it will begin working in your favor. Once you are pointed in the proper direction, make it happen!

I advise working in this order: get a plan in place to live within your means, tackle your consumer debt, then start aggressively saving for retirement while equally paying down your mortgage. Rest assured, I still want you to enjoy life by taking vacations with the family. We aren’t promised tomorrow.

But the bottom line is this: you are in control of your future. Realizing this is how true freedom eventually presents itself. You will achieve the freedom and financial independence you deserve if you exhibit proper discipline today.

If you would like to learn more from Brandon or one of our many other financial educators, you can register for an ARI course here. 

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