Farm Transition Planning in Central Michigan & Thumb
Land As Your Legacy®
When it comes to farm transition planning in Central Michigan & Thumb, or anywhere else for that matter, you need to find someone who not only understands the complexities of the process but can also help you make the best possible financial decisions along the way.
Our founder, Mark Recker, grew up on a small farm in Ubly, Michigan and knows that being a farmer presents its own special set of planning challenges. He understands that it’s not about making the most profit, but rather ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next.
Traditional advisors tend to focus on just two things: 1. Investments of the farm owner and 2. Life insurance needs. Although both of those are important elements in developing a plan, they are only a piece of the larger picture. There are many other significant considerations.
To make sure that you have access to the most comprehensive farm transition planning resources available, we have partnered with Nationwide’s Land as Your Legacy program. Nationwide was founded by farmers, so they too understand that family comes first when it comes to the transition process. It’s a passion project for them just like it is for us here at Recker Financial.
The Land as Your Legacy program gives you access to the very best financial planners and farm planners in the country. It doesn’t matter if you’re a small, first generation farmer or a large farm that’s been in your family for several generations. You’ll have information and tools available to you that you just can’t get anywhere else in Central Michigan and Thumb.
Recker Financial will be with you every step of the way, from the initial meeting to understand your particular situation and needs, to formulating a customized plan, to making sure that plan is executed properly. We’re more than happy to work with your attorney, CPA and any other professionals involved in your farm transition planning. We’ll make sure that everyone is on the same page, and that nothing gets lost in translation.
Here is some more information on Nationwide’s Land as Your Legacy Program...
How Land As Your Legacy Can Help
Through the Land as Your Legacy program, we can help ensure the seamless transition of your farm or ranch to the next generation. When you first meet with us, we will walk you through the five key elements of the transition-planning process. You can trust we'll be there to help you navigate the following:
Succession Planning
In this phase, we'll think about what’s in the best interest of your farm or ranch. We'll give you the tools you need to hold a family meeting so you and the next generation can decide who will be running operations in the future.
Business Planning
We'll examine your operation and evaluate its profitability and health. That way, we can help you determine if the farm can support or grow to support multiple families in the future.
Learn about key person benefits
Risk Management
You need to identify, address and prepare for risks – and we can help. We'll discuss if you should have a plan in place for long-term care expenses, or if supplemental income or insurance is needed by either generation.
Learn about long-term care
Learn about disability insurance
Learn about agribusiness safety and risk management
Financial Independence
This phase includes a discussion about the current generation. We'll help you determine if you can afford to retire and perhaps transition to a mentoring role for the next generation. In this scenario, the current generation helps transition agreements and relationships, while the new generation learns the intricacies of farm management.
See where your retirement progress stands using the My Interactive Retirement PlannerSM.
Estate Planning
In this last phase, our goal is to have a fully-formed plan in place for you. That way, you can work effectively with an attorney to create any documents you may need, such as business documents or beneficiary designations.
Estate planning basics(PDF)
For more information about transition planning, return to the Land As Your Legacy® home page or contact Recker Financial to learn more.
Federal income tax laws are complex and subject to change. Neither Nationwide nor its representatives give legal or tax advice. Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for answers to specific questions.
Guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of Nationwide Life Insurance Company and/or Nationwide Life and Annuity Insurance Company.