After eight years in management at HSBC, Bob Horne transitioned into a career as a financial advisor in 2009.
In 2019, he opened NuVenture Financial Group, which caters to clients across Northeast Florida.
The Jacksonville native said he founded the firm based on Proverbs 10:5, “He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame ”— emphasizing foresight and discipline in seizing the financial opportunities God provides.
Below, Horne tackles the biggest retirement gaps he sees when people walk into his office—quoted in his own words and simplified for anyone who isn’t a finance pro.
1. Don’t Rely on the 4% Rule
People come in with investments but no income plan. Our job is to give them a permission slip to spend confidently in retirement and not run out. We keep a year or two of bills in cash so you’re never forced to sell stocks low.
We suggest covering must‑have expenses with guaranteed income—delayed Social Security or a small annuity—and let growth investments handle the fun stuff and inflation. Don’t rely on the 4% rule: a bad market can drain the well before it refills.
2. The Magic of Roth Conversions
Most folks were told, ‘Defer taxes; you’ll be in a lower bracket later.’ For nine out of ten families, that’s just not true. Most people save for retirement in a 401(k) or traditional IRA with pretax dollars, then pay the tax bill when they draw on these funds in retirement.
A Roth conversion moves dollars from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth IRA. You pay the tax now—while rates are low—and the money grows tax‑free forever. Unlike with a traditional IRA or 401(k), there are no forced withdrawals and no tax bill for your kids if they inherit your retirement savings.
3. The Charity Move that Cuts Your Tax Bill
If you’re 70‑and‑a‑half or older, the easiest tax break on the planet is the Qualified Charitable Distribution—yet almost no one uses it.
Tell your IRA custodian to send up to $105,000 a year straight to your church or favorite nonprofit. It counts as your required withdrawal but never hits your tax return, so you keep your bracket—and your Medicare premium—right where they are.
4. Health Care: The Surprise Cost Few Budget For
Plenty of people quit working before 65 but forget they need private insurance before Medicare kicks in. Those premiums and deductibles can shock you.
We suggest carving out a health care bucket early, price a Medigap or Advantage plan before you retire, and look at stand‑alone or hybrid long‑term‑care coverage while you’re still healthy enough to qualify.
5. How to Pick a Wealth Advisor
Start with two questions: ‘How do you get paid?’ and ‘Are you captive or independent?’ Captive advisors—advisors that are employed by an insurance or investment company—can only offer what their employer allows.
Because NuVenture is independent, we can put many investment options on the table and choose what truly fits your plan. Next, make sure you know what the fees are.
There are charges you see on your statement and charges you never see. Those leaks drip nickels that turn into thousands. Demand a list of every cost—advisory fee, fund expenses, annuity riders—so you know exactly what you’re paying and why.
Horne’s bottom line: Taxes touch everything—income, investments, health care, even what your kids inherit. We can’t predict markets or Congress, but we can prepare. Don’t sleep on the opportunities the good Lord has already given you.
