Dear Clients and Friends,



This is the time of year that we get a reprieve from the heat of summer. We welcome the cool morning air that has descended on south Florida. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote "Life starts all over when it gets crisp in the fall". As we reflect on all that has transpired in the financial markets this year, many of us wish we could start all over. Still, despite the market's losses, there is some good news we can glean from recent events. For the first time in a long while, savers can earn a decent return on their cash. Money market accounts are now commonly crediting 2.5% or more in interest while some brokered CDs are yielding as much as 4.5%.

In this edition, you will find a variety of resources such as a case study on maximizing the value of an IRA, a brief note on the use of a Backdoor Roth and our quarterly economic commentary. In addition, in our new Community Impact Corner section, we spotlight our company's support of the Walk to End Alzheimer's next month. Finally, we share some personal updates from members of our team.

During this turbulent year in the market, it's fitting to say thank you for the many years of trust and confidence you have placed in us to guide your financial future.

With gratitude,

Bill

Valmark Member Summit Update

Valmark Financial Group’s Member Summit conference took place at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando earlier this month. Some highlights from this year’s meeting included a mid-term election analysis from National Political Correspondent Mara Liasson, a market outlook from economist Anirban Basu and an inspiring story from a Ukranian women who has devoted her life to supporting her embattled native country. However, the best part of this year’s conference was having my wife, Tanya, join me for the first time. Attached is a picture from this conference.

Father's Weekend at Indiana University

Also, in October, I visited my son, Ben, at Indiana University for his fraternity’s father’s weekend. Ben is majoring in Finance at the Kelley School of Business. I met many of Ben’s closest friends along with their dads. Aside from not being able to keep up with Ben at the frat parties (not even close), it was a perfect weekend.

- Bill Miller, Managing Partner