Why Annual Financial Reviews Matter More Than You Think

A strong financial plan needs regular attention. This video explains why annual reviews help ensure nothing is missing or outdated. Russell shares a story of how an annual review helped locate a client’s lost retirement account worth over $100k.

Topics Discussed:

  • The hidden value in planning

  • Locate overlooked retirement accounts

  • Use annual reviews to catch gaps

Transcript:

Hey everyone. I'm Russell Rivera, founder and president of Voice Wealth Management, and this is Sidewalk Talk. Sometimes the most valuable part of financial planning isn't making a new investment or putting new money to work. It's uncovering what's already yours.

So I've had a client who recently who thought an old annuity was gone for good. She came to our annual review concerned. It had been a long time since she'd gotten a statement for this thing, and so she assumed the account was closed or maybe even just lost without getting documentation. It was just gone. That's a scary place to be, thinking you've lost track of your retirement savings.

So as part of our full picture review, I dug in, and sure enough, we found it - an annuity, about a hundred thousand dollars worth. It hadn't disappeared. It was still there, just sitting unnoticed, because the statements were no longer coming. That's why these annual meetings are important. It's not just about performance. It's about making sure every account, every policy, every piece of your financial life is present and accounted for.

So if you're not reviewing your full financial picture every year, now that it's 2026, you should be making a call, and you don't want to overlook something big. So you can visit us at voicewealth.com to schedule a consultation or your annual review and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Thanks, everybody. See you next time.

Russell D. Rivera, CFA, CFP®, is the Founder and President of Voice Wealth Management, an independent financial services firm serving professionals, entrepreneurs, and families in New York City and beyond. Focusing on helping clients make informed decisions about saving, investing, and financial planning, Russell is committed to providing a customized approach that reflects each client’s unique priorities and experiences.

Crystal Lee Butler, MBA

Crystal Lee Butler, MBA, is the founder and visionary force behind Crystal Marketing Solutions (CMS), a premier done-for-you virtual marketing agency dedicated to independent financial advisors and small advisory firms. With two decades of experience, CMS excels in developing customized, compliance-friendly marketing strategies that seamlessly integrate proven digital and traditional tactics. They execute your marketing, so you can focus on your clients.

https://crystalmarketingsolutions.com
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