We will save you time writing annuities. 

 

  • Expert product selection.

  • Streamlined e-apps and processing.

  • Less time talking with insurance companies.

  • More time doing what you enjoy!

How can FIA Help You? 

Product Selection

You have access to hundreds of products. It’s our job to take the research off your plate and provide you with a customized solution for every client case.

We’ll spare you the research, but we give you all the details to feel confident you’re presenting the strongest solution to your client on each case!

E-apps and Processing

Our team of experts use technology, live e-app assistance, and expertise to ensure advisors spend more time doing what they enjoy.

You can say goodbye to sitting on hold with insurance companies. Our team takes all the follow up off your plate!

Prospecting

Over the past thirty years, we have learned from some of the top annuity writers in the country. In addition, Tom has built his personal practice from $0 AUM in 2006 to over $100m AUM through workshops, an acquisition, and referrals.

Being co-founded by an advisor, we know what it’s like to be in your shoes!

Relationships

This industry is filled with all kinds of advisors. Each of them has something unique to their practice. Whether it is a mentor or simply a collective of your colleagues, we can make the introduction!

Your Team at FIA

  • Hi there! I’m Brian Smith. I’m a wholesaler here at Foundational Income Associates. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, and I love helping advisors find the “right” solution for their clients. It’s like solving a puzzle but the outcome is way more important. I really enjoy getting to know the advisors I work with as well. I fish, golf and hunt with many of them. I feel like getting to know them and their families helps me to understand how they think—and that in turn makes it easier to provide the best options for the safety, accumulation and income puzzles they have with their clients.

    When I’m not helping advisors with their clients’ needs, you can find me spending time with my family, fishing and hunting. I like to fish for walleye in Minnesota, mahi and tuna in Miami and salmon in Alaska. I like to chase pheasants in South Dakota in the fall.

  • Hi, I’m Leah Brandt. My first job in the annuity world was working in customer service for a small life insurance company in 1989. On the other side of the cube wall was our co-founder Tom Wade. In 1995, Tom asked me to come work for American Financial where I was the first administrative support hire. I continued with American Financial, growing their Marketing Support team, until I started my own agent support company in 2011.

    Shortly after my company started, I was hired exclusively by Stan The Annuity Man. Over 11 years, I helped Stan build from a $10M annuity premium shop to $200M. My main duty was working with the clients from completing the application, through policy delivery and beyond.

    I have a unique view of our industry because of my years of experience in a home office, IMO, and a retail office. I’ve seen it from all sides. I understand the frustration of home offices not doing what they say they will, the mountains of forms that are now needed to purchase an annuity, and the constantly changing landscape. I’m here to make all of it easier for you. Feel free to reach out to me. I’d love to talk to you!

  • Welcome! I’m Matt McKay, co-founder of Foundational Income Associates. We started our firm with the goal of bringing the best solutions and service to financial professionals, just like you, regarding your annuity, life, and long-term care insurance needs.

    That goal fits right into my wheelhouse – coming up with creative solutions to fit any need. Whether I’m in the garage rigging up a makeshift pulley system for obscure storage or brainstorming widget ideas with friends where the right thing just doesn’t seem to exist, I always want to find the solution to every need. With my father being a long-time actuary in this space, it may not come as a surprise that I am following in his footsteps to find insurance solutions…I’m just doing it in a more social way! I’ve been in this industry in various forms since 2010, but the insurance insight and lingo has been building up for years longer thanks to inquisitive conversations with my dad over the years.

    Outside of office life, I enjoy being outdoors doing just about anything. Traveling to new destinations helps fill my craving for intrigue and adventure. I am a big hockey fan and a great fantasy football mind (or that’s at least what I tell myself, jury is still out on that). One last random fact about me, I enjoy making homemade maple syrup and if you’re lucky, you may be able to get your hands on some!

    I’m looking forward to getting to know you and helping your business grow!

  • Hello, I’m Tom Wade. In 1993 I founded an independent annuity wholesaling firm, American Financial Marketing Inc. 11 years later I sold AFM to a publicly traded international financial institution and started Income Planning Group LLC, a wealth management firm. The team and I have continued to build IPG over the last 20 years. In addition, I returned as a consultant to American Financial for over a decade prior to co-founding FIA with my son, William, and Matt McKay.

    I’ve been fortunate to build lasting relationships with some incredible people in this business. My role at FIA is to consult with advisors when they want to talk to another advisor. I spend my time discussing how our firm and other advisors are prospecting for new clients, what technology our firm uses, what our meeting process looks like, and anything else that advisors want to talk about.

    Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family, golfing, and spending time at our cabin. You can often find me building deer stands, mowing hunting trails, and working on machinery at the cabin.

  • Hi! I’m William Wade. I’ve been blessed to work with some of the top advisors and their staff to meet the annuity, life insurance, and long-term care needs of their clients. The relationships I have been fortunate enough to build are my favorite part of this business!

    My role at FIA is to be the main point of contact for advisors I work with. I’ll spend my day discussing potential cases with advisors, helping coordinate and execute prospecting events, and doing anything I can to save advisors and their staff time!

    When I’m not working you can find me fishing, hunting, spending time with friends and family, or playing an occasional round of golf. Fishing is the hobby I’m most passionate about, and the two fish I enjoy chasing most are walleye and crappie.