From Protecting Your Community to Planning for Life On and Off Duty
The moments that shape our lives often shape the kind of financial guidance we need beside us. And while clients may be facing those moments for the first time, our experienced advisors have helped many others through similar situations before – developing their own distinct way of guiding people through uncertainty, important decisions, and what comes next.
Signature Moves highlights those approaches, so people can more easily recognize the advisor they’ll want beside them when life happens.
Meet Kevin McGarry, Wealth Advisor and Managing Director at Hightower Signature Wealth in Ambler, PA.
Signature Move
Helping first responders navigate the financial decisions unique to their careers through straightforward education, personalized planning, and a relationship built on trust.
Who This is For
As a first responder, you spend your career looking out for others. When it comes to your own financial future, there are important decisions to navigate, from understanding your pension and retirement benefits to planning for the life you want to lead.
- You want to make the most of the benefits available through your career, from your pension to 457 plans, Deferred Retirement Option Programs (DROP), and other retirement benefits that may apply to you.
- You’re thinking about how to protect yourself and the people you care about, from reviewing insurance coverage to putting wills, powers of attorney, and other important documents in place.
- You want to make thoughtful decisions about how much to save for the future while still making room for the things that matter to you today.
- You’re looking for an advisor who understands the financial realities of your career, meets you where you are, and takes the time to earn your trust.
Where You Are Today
You may have some financial pieces in place and others you’ve yet to address. From your first shift on the job to your final years of service, you want to understand where you stand and what steps make sense for your situation.
What You’re Going Through
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to financial planning, especially for first responders. The right decisions depend on your career and personal circumstances, not simply what someone else in your profession has done.
- Your retirement benefits may involve important decisions about pension income, lump-sum distributions or DROP assets, depending on the programs available to you and the choices they allow.
- Your financial priorities may shift throughout your career, from managing income and retirement contributions to preparing for retirement on a timeline that may differ from other professions.
- The nature of your work makes having financial protections in place especially important, including arrangements for who could step in and make decisions on your behalf if needed.
You shouldn’t have to navigate these decisions on your own. Financial planning should give you the opportunity to ask questions, consider your priorities, and move forward at a pace that works for you.
Kevin’s 3-Step Approach
1. Build a genuine connection – take the time to understand your background and priorities before diving into financial recommendations. Create a space where you feel comfortable asking questions and having honest conversations about money.
2. Create a plan around your life – take a closer look at your financial situation, retirement benefits, protection needs and long-term goals to develop a strategy that reflects your circumstances. Explain the recommendations in plain English so you understand how the different pieces fit together.
3. Move forward on your terms – explain the available options, answer your questions and give you the space to make decisions you’re comfortable with, without pressure or judgment.
Signature Perspective
“My dad was a firefighter, so I’ve always felt a personal connection to the first responder community. I know how hard you work for your money, and I believe you deserve someone who takes the time to get to know you, earn your trust and help you make financial decisions without pressure.”
What You’ll Experience
- Personal attention that goes beyond your financial accounts, with an advisor who takes an interest in your career, your well-being, and the priorities shaping your life.
- Straightforward financial guidance that makes complex benefits and planning decisions easier to understand, without overwhelming you with technical details.
- Regular communication and ongoing reviews to revisit your financial plan as your needs and priorities evolve.
Where You’ll Be Tomorrow
You move from navigating the unique financial considerations of your career to feeling more confident in a plan built around your needs and priorities, with a trusted partner who understands the life you lead.
Connect With Kevin
This material is for general information and educational purposes only. Information is based on data gathered from what we believe are reliable sources. It is not guaranteed as to accuracy, does not purport to be complete and is not intended to be used as a primary basis for investment decisions.
Find answers to your questions about Hightower Signature Wealth
Hightower Signature Wealth is a fiduciary wealth management practice that provides investment management, financial planning, estate strategies, insurance, and banking solutions. We work with families, business owners, professionals, women, and retirees across more than 40 offices nationwide. Our advisors take the time to understand your financial priorities, develop a plan around your goals, and adjust that plan as your life and circumstances evolve.
Hightower Signature Wealth provides a broad range of wealth management services designed to address different aspects of your financial life. Our capabilities include investment management, financial planning, retirement planning, estate strategies, insurance and risk management, banking solutions, and charitable giving strategies. By considering these areas together, our advisors can develop a coordinated approach based on your goals, priorities, financial circumstances, and plans for the future.
Hightower Signature Wealth advisors work with a broad range of clients, including women, families, business owners, professionals, retirees, and high-net-worth individuals navigating major life or financial transitions. Rather than applying a generic playbook, each advisor tailors the plan to a client’s specific goals and current stage of life – from early-career decisions to multigenerational wealth transfer.
Yes. Hightower Signature Wealth advisors serve as fiduciaries, which means they are committed to acting in their clients’ interests when providing investment advice. We offer fee-based advisory services, with fees depending on the services provided and the specifics of your relationship. Your advisor will discuss the applicable fee structure with you so you can understand how you are charged and what services are included.
Hightower Signature Wealth has more than 40 offices nationwide, allowing our advisors to serve individuals, families, and organizations across the country. Depending on your location and preferences, you may be able to work with an advisor locally or connect with a team in another market. Visit our Locations page to explore our office locations, learn more about the teams in each market, and find an office near you.
Getting started with Hightower Signature Wealth is simple. Complete our online contact form with some basic information about yourself and what you are looking for, and we’ll connect you with an advisor who can discuss your needs and financial priorities. That initial conversation is an opportunity to learn more about our approach, ask questions, and determine whether working with a Hightower Signature Wealth advisor may be a good fit.
Your first conversation is an opportunity for us to learn more about you, your financial circumstances, and what you hope to accomplish. An advisor may ask about your goals, current investments, family considerations, business interests, and other priorities that could influence your financial plan. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask questions, learn about our approach, and discuss what working together could look like.
