Planning a Resilient Retirement: ESG and Enduring Stability

As you plan for retirement, you are likely thinking about a range of possibilities— from the needs required for stability to the dreams that you are working so hard to bring to life. At Equitable Financial, we are devoted to guiding our clients through decision-making and planning with an intention for resilience and adaptability— the heart of long-term financial well-being. Our ESG commitments are central to our principles and approach and we believe they shape and inform the perspective and knowledge we bring our clients. 

Retirement planning can be a journey filled with uncertainties, and successful navigation requires an approach that is enduring, resilient, and adaptable. In this article, we will delve into our unique approach to retirement planning, one that mirrors these qualities. But first, let's explore the significance of adopting such an approach.

What is ESG?

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It's a set of criteria used to evaluate a company's impact. ESG factors go beyond traditional financial metrics and take into account environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and governance practices. There's a growing awareness among investors about the impact of their investments on broader societal and environmental issues— a Neilson report found that while 48% of consumers overall say they care about ESG, in the Millennial demographic (ages 25-45) 83% rate ESG factors important. Investors today want to have a positive impact on the world while also ensuring competitive financial returns.

Equitable's ESG pillars

At Equitable, our core values revolve around fostering enduring, resilient, and adaptable financial strategies for our clients. These values underpin our ESG strategy, which is structured around four pillars:

1. Investing in Our People: We believe in nurturing our talent and empowering them to provide the best guidance to our clients. This means expanding our talent programs to support diverse populations so that our experience and expertise is aligned with the needs and plans of the clients we serve. It also means making sure our corporate culture supports employee wellness. This holistic focus is linked to how we help you prepare your portfolio. Beyond a comprehensive approach to budgets and investments, we help you ask the right questions to think about and plan for all the dimensions of your retirement and your life leading up to it. By investing in our people we foster loyalty and trust, ensuring our ability to be supportive long-term, adapt to our clients individual needs, and provide resilient guidance to support the fulfillment of their dreams.
2. Caring for the Environment: Environmental sustainability is at the heart of our approach. We believe that companies with sustainable practices are better positioned to deliver value to stakeholders over an extended period. Our focus on sustainability connects with how we think about the stages and phases of each client’s path toward and through retirement. We want our investments and client relationships to stand the test of the time, adapt to varied needs and circumstances, and be resilient in the face of constant change.
3. Building Stronger Communities: We recognize the importance of giving back to society and are committed to investing in the communities in which we operate through volunteerism and grant-making. Our clients are at the heart of this initiative. We know that when we help clients build strong, resilient portfolios they can confident and free to pursue their passions and give back in ways that are most meaningful to them. This allows us to amplify our intention to do good, through our corporate commitments and employees and with the clients we serve.
4. Upholding Stakeholder Trust: Governance matters. We invest in companies with strong governance practices to help ensure that our clients' interests are protected. At the same time we are continually investing in our corporate culture through ongoing education and training designed to give our financial professionals the tools to provide the perspective and guidance most needed in an always-changing economic environment.

Equitable's mindset: Enduring, resilient, and adaptable

These pillars are at the heart of everything we do and shape our client relationships and how we approach and navigate the investment landscape. With our commitment to endurance, we emphasize the benefits of a patient and thoughtful approach to all we do. From our focus on attracting and retaining top talent, to ongoing education and awareness to keep us tuned into current market dynamics and long-term projections to our holistic approach to retirement savings, we understand what it takes to achieve corporate and client well-being that stands the test of time.

Resilience, too, is vital when it comes to building a retirement portfolio. Financial markets can be volatile, and it's essential to construct a portfolio that can weather any storm. We work with our clients to help them construct portfolios based on the phase of their life and career as well as their ultimate needs and goals. By integrating risk management into investment strategies and incorporating an understanding of changing needs at different stages, we aim to help minimize potential negative impacts, striving to ensure that our clients' retirement funds remain secure.

Since change is inevitable in life and financial markets, an adaptable financial plan is crucial to evolving life circumstances, market dynamics, and regulatory changes. Understanding that your retirement plans may change, you may decide to retire earlier or later, consider a working retirement, or find you need additional long-term care options are just some of the possibilities we are prepared to help you think through. Wherever you are in your planning and investing journey, Equitable helps clients adjust their retirement strategies as needed and offers flexible financial strategies that can accommodate changing retirement needs.

Achieving a healthy financial future

We intend our corporate commitments to reflect and support our work and relationship with each client. We know that helping you achieve a healthy financial future in retirement requires an approach that is enduring, resilient, and adaptable. Equitable's ESG approach, rooted in these qualities, strives to align with our clients' retirement planning goals. We believe that working with a financial professional is essential to help guide you toward a secure retirement.

So, why wait? Reach out to a financial professional now to see how we can help you build a retirement plan that stands the test of time, adapts to your changing needs, and weathers the storms of financial markets. Your retirement dreams are within reach, and Equitable is here to make them a reality.