Hallmark Consulting Group, Inc. has the unique ability to develop and implement creative strategies which present new possibilities and options for clients that are not found in traditional retirement and tax planning. Hallmark provides specialists in the design, implementation and management of personal retirement plans, revocable trusts, philanthropic tax planning strategies, and family foundations.  We believe choice is important to investors.  As mentioned under "Our Firm", Hallmark offers both Retirement Planning and Philanthropic Estate Planning Services, and each begins with three initial steps:

RETIREMENT PLANNING

The vast majority of successful athletes, business executives and entrepeneurs will tell you that had it not been for a particular coach or mentor who worked diligently with them at a critical point in their career, they would not have achieved the level of success they enjoy today. Yet every year millions of hard working people come to the end of their professional careers without the benefit of a coach or mentor to help them chart a successful retirement. Indeed, according to a recent survey, 85% of retirees had someone else manage all of their retirement plan benefits throughout their working career, only to have this awesome responsibility thrust upon them the day they retire. Today, more than ever, retirees can benefit greatly from the assistance of a Retirement Coach, a professional who can work closely with them in meeting their retirement goals and objectives through the concept of a Fully Endowed Retirement.

To help you achieve your retirement goals, Hallmark has formulated a comprehensive 8 step plan to address all your retirement needs:

A. Retirement Workshop - The first step in planning for a financially secure retirement is to become an informed consumer.  The Retirement Coach workshop has been developed to accomplish two primary objectives: inform you of the tools & techniques you can employ to reach your retirement goals and introduce you to a coaching firm with a unique process for embracing your goals and employing the right income distribution strategy to fund them.

B. Private Consultation - The initial free consultation gives you an opportunity to meet with Retirement Coach Don Hartmann, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and Chartered Financial Consultant with more than 34 years of experience in financial services.  The topics discussed in this initial consultation are entirely up to you.  You can use the time to discuss a specific concern or situation, or to simply learn more about our firm and the retirement planning services we offer.  

C. Retirement Goals Analysis - Many of us have enterained dreams of what we would like retirement to be: hobbies we would like to pursue, special trips we would like to take and perhaps a special place to retreat to either permanently or in certain seasons. Prioritizing each of these goals, and the financial implications of each, is a critical part of the endowed retirement process.  

D. Risk Tolerance Profile - The single most important factor in determining "peace of mind" in retirement is understanding your risk tolernace profile and making certain your investment capital is allocated accordingly.  The Risk Tolerance Profile will help you to understand the implications of market risk and inflation risk, and will allow you to settle on the appropriate risk / reward objectives for investing your retirement capital.  

E. Investment Policy Statement - As registered investment advisors, we have both a legal and an ethical responsibility to make certain that every investment recommendation is suitable for you, with due regard for your investment objectives, time frame and risk tolerance profile.  The Investment Policy Statement sets the parameters for all investment decisions and it must continually be reviewed with regard to any changes in your objectives or situation.   

 F. Capital Allocation Model - Having determined your risk tolerance profile and your current amount and sources of retirement capital, we are now able to create a capital allocation model that will establish the guidelines for investing your retirement assets.  The most effective way to mitigate risk and preserve your retirement capital is broad market diversification.  Hallmark employs a macro management approach, focused on economic indicators as opposed to short term performance.  

G. Income Distribution Strategy - The greatest concern facing most retirees is whether they will have sufficient income to continue to enjoy the lifestyle they have become accustomed to during their working years.  Accomplishing that objective requires identifying those investment alternatives that will provide a predictable stream of income, while offering a reasonable expectation of capital appreciation to offset the effects of inflation.  

H. Annual Progress Reviews - True peace of mind comes from the knowledge that there are sufficient assets, properly invested within acceptable risk parameters.  The Annual Progress Review maintains the integrity of the Endowed Retirement Plan by assuring that the plan is producing sufficient income to maintain the desired lifestyle, while at the same time providing for any future contingencies or emergencies.  This review also allows for necessary adjustments to the plan as retirement circumstances change. 

PHILANTHROPIC ESTATE PLANNING

Philanthropic Estate Planning involves more complex strategies that build on the client's investment planning in determining their estate planning situation and ascertaining their financial and philanthropic objectives, and consists of two separate components:   

Planning - Analysis, Design and Implementation

• Detailed analysis of the client's current estate plan
• Design and presentation of a new comprehensive estate plan tailored to the client's financial, family and philanthropic objectives
• Strategy for implementing the plan.  

Compliance, Management and Administration (CMA)

• Continued compliance with federal laws and regulations
• Asset management and investment advisory services
• Annual trust administration services. 

During the CMA Agreement, Hallmark Consulting Group, Inc. will manage the client's strategic plan, including the coordination of all the administration services required by trust instruments and partnership agreements. Hallmark would also serve as the Agent of Record with all investment management and insurance firms chosen to provide the services and financial products essential to successful implementation and ongoing management of the client's strategic plan.  The Agent of Record appointment allows Hallmark to be compensated for its annual management services directly from those firms, eliminating the need for the client to pay any additional annual fees directly to Hallmark.

HALLMARK TRUST ADMINISTRATION

Clients may also secure the services of Hallmark Trust Administration Services, Inc. to provide annual administration services for charitable trusts and private family foundations. Services include:

IMPLEMENTATION SERVICES:
Review all charitable trust documents submitted for administration to ensure:

• Completeness and consistency.
• Conformity with applicable Internal Revenue Code sections and regulations.
• All designated remaindermen are qualifying charities.

Review the nature of the proposed gift for suitability as a Charitable trust asset

Provide the donor with guidelines for selecting an Independent Special Trustee (if required).

Calculate the donor’s charitable income tax deduction.

Prepare a special tax report, upon initial trust funding, for the donor’s tax advisors.

Obtain all necessary information to establish the trust’s accounts on an automated administration system.

Perform the initial trust valuation to determine proper income distributions.

Collect all documents and records used to establish the trust and its relationships with the trust administrator and trust asset manager(s), complete them into a single manual and provide this personalized manual to the donor/trustee for efficient record keeping and reporting.

ACCOUNTING & COMPLIANCE SERVICES:

Establish trust valuations annually (to determine distributions to income beneficiaries).

Verify accuracy and ascertain tax character of all trust asset transactions.

Maintain records required for CRT four-tier accounting rules and determine allocation of trust earnings to principal and income.

Review all trust transactions to guard against improper or jeopardizing investments and taxable expenditures.

Determine trust distributions in accordance with trust terms and reinvestment instructions.

Coordinate the receipt of distributions from asset managers to facilitate income distributions to trust beneficiaries.

Transmit trust distributions to income beneficiaries.

Secure all trust accounting records for potential audits.

REPORTING & COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES:

Prepare annual trust valuation reports.

Report actual income distributions and income deficiency account (make-up fund) balances.

Prepare summary report of trust activity including receipts (by character of income), disbursements attributable to trust amounts, expenses, capital loses and the unrealized appreciation/depreciation in the market value of trust assets.

Provide accounting of all trust transactions for each calendar year.

PrepareAnnual IRS Form 5227 and supplemental schedules.

Prepare Annual IRS Form 1041-A and supplemental schedules.

Prepare Annual IRS Schedule K-1(s) for reporting to income beneficiaries.

Prepare Annual IRS Form 1041 (if needed) and supplemental schedules.

Prepare IRS Form 8283 for contributions, when required.

Prepare any additional federal tax reports required for trust administration.