Socium Advisors

We’re proud to see our Founder and CEO, Scott Underwood, featured in Wall Street Journal Buy Side discussing life insurance laddering and how thoughtful planning around both coverage and cost can help families prepare for changing financial needs.

As Scott shared, some of the life events that increase the need for life insurance can also stretch a family’s budget. Families should start by determining how much coverage they need and continue to revisit that number as their circumstances change.

Looking at coverage needs alongside term and permanent insurance options can help families find an approach that supports their broader financial plan. Thank you to Kimberly Lankford and WSJ Buy Side for including Scott’s perspective.

Read the full article here: https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/life-insurance/when-to-ladder-life-insurance-coverage

Check out the latest! Our Partner Christopher O. Koon, was featured in MoneyLion discussing an often-overlooked part of retirement planning: the emotional transition that can come with stepping away from a career.

Christopher shared, feelings of guilt or uncertainty after retiring early do not necessarily mean the decision was wrong. Reconnecting with the goals behind retirement, establishing new routines, and regularly reviewing the financial plan can help retirees approach this next chapter with greater confidence and purpose.

Big thanks to the team at MoneyLion for including Christopher's perspective in this important conversation.

Give the article a read here: https://www.moneylion.com/trending/money/financial-advisor-early-retirement-guilt-not-proof-retired-too-soon

Many families don't realize the value of estate planning until they're forced to navigate the challenges of settling a loved one's estate.

Excited to share that our Partner Travis Bearden, CFP®, is featured in AGEIST, sharing why estate planning is ultimately about giving your family clarity, confidence, and peace of mind, not simply passing along assets.

From reviewing beneficiary designations to preparing for unexpected medical or financial decisions, small planning steps today can help prevent significant challenges tomorrow.

We appreciate AGEIST for highlighting this important topic.

Read the full article: https://www.ageist.com/money/the-costly-estate-planning-mistakes-that-catch-families-off-guard-and-how-to-avoid-them/

Divorce can bring complex financial decisions to the surface all at once, and the choices made during that transition can have an impact for years to come.

We are proud to see our Partner, Lauren Lanigan, CFP®, ChFC®, share her perspective with The Business Journals, BizWomen Strategies, on how women can prepare for their financial lives after divorce. Lauren discusses the importance of understanding assets, liabilities, and future expenses while considering how taxes, liquidity, and long-term goals can affect the true value of a settlement.

Her perspective underscores the value of looking beyond the immediate transition and building a financial strategy designed to provide clarity, stability, and flexibility for the next chapter. This is exactly the kind of guidance that helps people move forward with confidence, knowing they have a plan built for where they are going, not just where they have been.

Read Lauren's full article here: https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/profiles-strategies/2026/08/how-women-can-prepare-for-post-divorce-finances.html

Business travel is an industry built on connection, and there is no better place to see that in action than the GBTA Convention. That's why Steve Pitel recently attended this year's convention in Chicago, reconnecting with the industry he called home for more than 25 years.

With 5,000+ business travel professionals from around the world, the event brought together industry leaders, buyers, and suppliers to explore the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of business travel.

Steve also hosted a dinner, bringing together a great group of colleagues, friends, and clients for an evening of conversation and laughs. It's that kind of connection, beyond the convention floor, that makes GBTA so valuable.

For Socium Advisors, GBTA isn't just a travel industry event. It's a chance to build relationships with leaders who value that same kind of connection.

We are so excited to share some highlights from Bethany Walmer's recent adventure, and the story behind it matters just as much as the photos.

Bethany just returned from her four-week paid sabbatical, a benefit we are proud to offer every member of the Socium Advisors team. She spent two weeks with her family and two weeks exploring five cities across Japan, a destination that had long been on her bucket list.

Her journey took her through:
Tokyo — Temples and skylines that took her breath away
Sapporo — Cherry blossoms in full bloom
Osaka and Nara — The food capital of Japan, wild deer, and the best mountaintop views
Kyoto — Tea ceremonies and iconic Torii Gates
Fujiyoshida — Mt. Fuji

But beyond the sights, what Bethany brought home was something deeper. Japanese culture is rooted in honor and respect. Those values stayed with her. And she came back with a renewed commitment to living up to that standard in everything she does.

That is exactly why this benefit exists. We believe that when our team has the space to step away, experience new cultures, and return with fresh perspectives, everyone around them is better for it. Time to recharge is not a luxury. It is an investment in the people who show up for our clients every single day.

Bethany, thank you for bringing us along on this journey. We are so glad you are back, refreshed and inspired.