Design your future

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Create special needs trust

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Obtain financial stability

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Eliminate debts

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Fund your trust

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Understand social security

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

In the News

As released on: AP Press

As released on: MarketWatch

As released on: Yahoo Finance

As released on: MorningStar

As released on: Daily Journal

Rob Wrubel Joins the people progressing family podcast

Rob Wrubel has had an amazing journey to get to where he is. He talks about following his purpose and passion on his life’s journey. He is the father of a special needs daughter. Rob uses his knowledge to help special needs families by serving as their financial advisor and by speaking to families and professional groups throughout the country. “Special needs families face financial challenges not faced by other parents, such as protecting governmental benefits by good planning and balancing savings for retirement while having funds available to pay for disability-related expenses. People often come to my office in a state of fear and anxiety. They are overwhelmed with the decisions they need to make about their financial life and future planning. I understand their concerns because I am in their shoes. I look at this as a personal and professional mission”.

 

FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS MEMBERS AREN’T PREPARED

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 21, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The importance of estate planning for families with a special-needs member cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, many people are confused anxious and fearful of getting their estate planning work in place. With that in mind, Rob Wrubel, CFP recently published 30 Days to Your Special-Needs Trust. The compact but informative and easy-to-read book provides explanations of terms, importance of government benefits, and recommendations for actions from Wrubel–a special needs planning expert and author who is also the father of a daughter with Down syndrome.  Wrubel’s previous books were the award-winning and best-selling book “Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families: 9 Building Blocks to Reduce Stress, Preserve Benefits, and Create a Fulfilling Future“ and “Protect Your Family: Life Insurance Basics For Special Needs Planning.” 

REAL FULL ARTICLE…

develop your financial health to strengthen your physical health

Financial success brings physical and emotional stress. And as any healthcare professional will tell you, chronic stress puts our health at risk. Limiting our stress, in all aspects of our lives, should be one of our goals, As a financial planner, I see that people who eliminate debt, build emergency funds, set up reserve accounts, and put money towards future goals reduce a major stress inducer in their lives — money fears. 

REAL FULL ARTICLE…

PREPARING SPECIAL-NEEDS FAMILIES THROUGH BETTER PLANNING

Special-needs planning requires advisors to consider two planning objectives that do not show up for typical families. Governmental benefits play a significant role, and those benefits can be worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars to the family member with a disability. People with disabilities are living long lives, and many are expected to outlive their parents; therefore, we need to plan for two generations.

There are two programs that are invaluable. First, let’s talk about SSI and Medicaid. SSI is an income benefit available to a person over 18 with a qualifying disability. The 2020 federal rate is $783 per month. A person receiving SSI can bring in more than $375,000 in a 40-year period. Medicaid-funded services including health insurance, supported living and therapy could total millions over that same time period. Directing someone to improve their estate plan to include these two programs could change a family’s financial life.

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FINANCIAL PHYSICAL...Financial Check up after a crisis

The COVID-19 crisis stress-tested our financial lives, and while there’s no simple device to strap around our arms, there are financial measurements we can check to see how we are doing with our financial fitness.  

My daughter with Down syndrome has her annual physical this week. It was scheduled for mid-March, just like it is every year, but this year was different. The COVID-19 crisis caused her appointment first, to be postponed, and then canceled , as the medical system reacted to the sweeping pandemic.

She runs on her high school track team and both her school and summer camp require an updated vaccination and health record each year. Like most of us, i hoped that schools, camps, sports, and her other activities would resume by the end of March and, like most of us, I was wrong. 

READ FULL ARTICLE…

Special Needs Advisor Says Public Dollars Can Preserve Private Wealth

When it comes to clients with special needs children, Uncle Sam may be a financial advisor’s best friend, according to Rob Wrubel, a senior vice president with Cascade Investment Group in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Many special needs children are living longer than they used to,” Wrubel said. “Those children will likely not become financially independent, so families have to plan for them to live with their family into adulthood.”

Government benefits are a crucial cornerstone of financial planning for families with a special needs child, he noted, adding that he learned that lesson the hard way from personal experience.

Two decades ago, he was a newly-licensed insurance agent with a new-born son. Eighteen months later, in 2003, Wrubel and his wife were blessed again, this time with a daughter. Unlike his first child, however, his second arrived with unforeseen medical complications.

“My son was a typical kid and didn’t have any special needs, but my daughter had Down’s Syndrome,” he said.

READ FULL ARTICLE…

Down Syndrome Center of Western Pennsylvania Podcast

EP 58: A Dad’s Perspective About Raising Children With Special Needs | Part 2

EP 57: A Dad’s Perspective On Raising Children With Special Needs | Part 1

PLAN WELL FOR YOUR EXCEPTIONAL CHILD...AND THEN ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR TIME WITH THEM.

Sassy, friendly, confident. These are just several words people use to describe my daughter Sarah. She has many positive characteristics, even if as a junior in high school she’d rather be left alone with her friends. Every so often she expresses that she would like to drive, even though I know deep inside she loves having a chauffeur. Typical families save for retirement, have term life insurance, get out of debt, and fund other desired life goals; so do special needs families. However, special needs families also need to plan for benefit programs to provide income, health insurance, and supported living.

READ FULL ARTICLE…

Six Methods for Dealing with a Roller Coaster Market

Corrections and bear markets never come at the right time. Distressing world events materialize, and the stock market pullbacks just add stress and anxiety to the difficult times.  In January, the world was fine; schools were in session, stocks were up, politics were divisive — it was business as usual. But a few weeks later our world was turned upside down and daily living has all but halted.

READ FULL ARTICLE…

Dad to Dad - Interview with Rob Wrubel - Special Needs Planner, Author and Father of a Daughter with Downs Syndrome

On this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast, host David Hirsch speaks with Rob Wrubel, a father of three, including Sarah, who has Down Syndrome. Rob is a financial planner who specializes in helping special needs families invest in their future. He’s an author, an advocate for children with special needs and he’s David Hirsch’s guest on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad podcast.

LISTEN HERE…

Staying Calm When the World is Not

Financial basics that people must institute to prepare for disasters.

It has been rough turning on the TV news these days. Or visiting social media. Or talking to just about anyone. There is no lack of issues that can cause stress and anxiety. The coronavirus. The stock market. Families with special-needs members need to take even greater care that they are prepared for times like these. Medically fragile people are at higher risk of complications from viral infections, and any lack of continuity of care—whether medical or nutritional–could be disastrous. These people and their caregivers must be prepared should a primary caregiver get sick and communication with support networks need to increase.

READ FULL ARTICLE …

14 Tax Deductions That Parents and Grandparents Shouldn't Overlook

Parental Guidance

It’s that time of year that a lot of people dread: tax season. Taxes can be very confusing when it comes to knowing what you can and can’t claim, deduct or write off. And the rules are ever changing, so keeping up to date with the current year is important. Hiring a tax professional is one way to help you ensure you are doing it all right, but that can be costly. Whether you hire a tax professional or not, the following are some important tax credits and deductions you should be looking for as a parent or even as a grandparent when filing your taxes this year.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

StriveCast Podcast- Season 2, Episode 19: Financial Planning with Rob Wrubel

On today’s episode of the #STRIVECast, Noel and Jeff speak with financial planner, Rob Wrubel! Rob focuses on financial planning for families with a special-needs member. Rob has also written a book titled “Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families”. Rob gave the STRIVECast team some great advice. We hope you find it as informative as we did! We also got some #ValentinesDay dating tips during “Yaking With You”, discussed favorite and least favorite presidents (in honor of Presidents Day), and played a riveting game of alphabet categories during Susie’s Q’s! #HappyListening #podcast #finance #valentine

LISTEN HERE

No Excuses! Advice from a Single Dad of Down Syndrome Daughter

Planning for a family member with special needs means planning for a second generation

On any given day I am not sure if I learn more from my children or they from me. I’m a single father of three and so much of my learning continues to come from my high schooler, Sarah, who has Down syndrome. One of the lessons I have learned is that if we can make our schools, social groups, and work environments more friendly and accessible to people like my daughter, then we will improve the quality of life for each member of our community….

Read Full Article Here!

I'm not sure, guide me

Can one hour change your life? Special needs planning starts when you make the decision to take action to improve your life. Many steps in planning are actually simple once you’ve set your heart and mind on living a better, happier and stress-free life. There are many people who can help you build financial security and protecting benefits through good estate planning but none of them can help until you’ve made the decision to move forward.

Life comes at families like ours too fast. It’s easy for months and years to go by without feeling like there’s been any progress in our goals. That feeling changes when you have outcomes in mind and when you’ve taken steps to achieve those outcomes.

We have appointments with doctors, therapists, school administrators and agencies in addition to everything else we do with our work and family lives. Creating a vision of what we want to happen helps us remember why we do what we do and can turn those appointments from drains to steps along the path towards achieving better outcomes.

Pro tip

Block off your calendar for one hour and head to a local coffee shop or park bench. Write down everything you want out of life, your goals and what needs to take place for you to live with less stress and more enjoyment. Don’t stop yourself – just write down every thought.

Able ACT - Rob Wrubel

There are newer tax laws that can benefit parents of those with disabilities and help take some of the sting out of taxes and expenses associated with the disability. “The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities (designated beneficiaries). Funds from these 529A ABLE accounts can help designated beneficiaries pay for qualified disability expenses,” explained Rob Wrubel, senior vice president with Cascade Investment Group. “ABLEs shield income and capital gains from tax while the money grows and, if the money comes out for Qualified Disability Expenses, the growth is tax-free. A big win.”

Also, with the ABLE Act, some of that money can be shifted to a tax-free vehicle…read more

UCCS to graduate first class in special needs program

Family planning is essential

Expenses related to medical appointments, procedures, therapies, devices and transportation can be hard enough to bear, let alone saving money for college and care in the future, parents say.

“So many families struggle with debt,” said Rob Wrubel, author of “Financial Freedom for Special Needs Families” and father of 16-year-old Sarah, who has Down syndrome and is a cheerleader and varsity track and field competitor at Palmer High School.

“Families are overwhelmed,” he said, adding that he regularly speaks around the nation to “help get people motivated and simplify financial planning so they can take some action.” 

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Special-needs families may get squeezed by tax reform

Gerardo and Mercedes Orozco have two daughters with autism spectrum disorder: Karla, 14, and Andrea, 12.

Each child may have more than a dozen doctor appointments in a typical year, Gerardo said, plus hours of therapy, including occupational and speech therapy, and more.

The couple said they pay as much as $50,000 per year out-of-pocket in healthcare costs. Until now, Gerardo was able to deduct a large portion of those expenses from his taxes because of a medical-expense deduction that is slated for elimination under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, released on Nov. 2. 

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

my Articles & News from years past- still great info and resources!

Families can pool resources for disabled in ABLE accounts- READ MORE

How to work with clients who have special needs- READ MORE

Parent of Down syndrome child pens book on financial planning for special needs family members- READ MORE

Financial Freedom for Special-Needs Families – planning essentials – READ MORE