WALNUT CREEK, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 24, 2011) - The San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency (SFBAA) LLC, a Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) General Agency, today announces that Mary Grodin, a financial professional with Grodin Financial Services in San Leandro (associated with the SFBAA), has earned the Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) professional designation from The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA. As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Ms. Grodin is trained to provide expert advice on such topics as special needs trusts; wills; powers-of-attorney; guardianships; Social Security and Medicaid; tax deductions and/or credits that apply to special needs; and more.
This designation is considered the most comprehensive credential available for financial advisors interested in effectively providing special needs individuals and their families with informed financial advice to help preserve assets without jeopardizing access to essential support services. To earn this credential, Ms. Grodin completed a minimum of 120 hours of study as part of three college-level courses that include six hours of exams.
"Today the rights of students with disabilities are protected by federal law, but parents still must fight for a fair and equal education for their special needs children," said Ms. Grodin. "And on top of that, I work with families to make sure that we can find the income they need to educate their children adequately, and also help them get the insurance they need as well as show them how to save for the future. Parents appreciate looking at their entire financial picture in a holistic manner. It is quite complex and you don't want to make mistakes."
"Understanding the unique circumstances of special needs families and knowing the rules, regulations and strategies for financial planning for these people is difficult and requires sophisticated knowledge," said Robert Fakhimi, CEO and Managing Partner, San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency. "With this new professional designation, Mary is highly qualified to provide this important service to families."
Ms. Grodin is completing her 25th year in the financial services business with the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency and today her son, David Grodin, works and teaches financial planning classes with her out of their San Leandro office.
To contact Mary Grodin or learn more about her specialty, visit www.grodinfinancial.com, 510-357-3715.
About the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC
With roots going back to 1891, the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC is a significant contributor to the local economy, as shown by the following figures about the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency and its detached offices (as of December 31, 2010):
- More than 36,000 policyholders and clients1
- Managing over $863 Million in assets (including assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual and its subsidiaries)
- More than $4.7 billion in life insurance face amount in force2
- Will return more than $8.3 million in dividends to its participating policyholders in 20103
Robert Fakhimi is CEO and Managing Partner of the San Francisco Bay Area Insurance Agency LLC. Recently named as one of the Bay Area's Best Places to Work, the agency is headquartered in Walnut Creek with branch offices in San Francisco, Fremont and Milpitas. Mr. Fakhimi can be reached at 888-803-3631, ext. 320 or by e-mailing him at rfakhimi@finsvcs.com. Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, member SIPC, Inc. 2121 N. California Blvd. Suite 395 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 979-2300.
About MassMutual
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders every year since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.
MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC., member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.
For more information, visit massmutual.com.
1 An insured, owner, or payer of a MassMutual policy or contract.
2 Amount of individual life insurance in force at the end of the period related to products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries, C.M. Life Insurance Company and MML Baystate Life Insurance Company.
3 The amount of dividends to whole life policyholders in 2010.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Erica Zeidenberg
925-631-0553