Kevin A. Brown - Financial Advisor

Kevin A. Brown - Financial Advisor Protection, Asset Management, Income for Retirement, Leave a Legacy I am an Independent Financial Advisor who works exclusively for my clients.

Over the years I have gravitated towards helping people on both the offensive as well as the defensive areas of financial planning. Being an Independent Financial Advisor, I am able to give unbiased recommendations and impartial guidance based on every client’s individual and unique needs and goals. I am not pressured by corporate interests and therefore not forced to sell any proprietary products

or meet any sales quotas. I am able to focus exclusively on what’s best for my clients and their financial goals without exceptions. I help people insure against what can go wrong so they have the opportunity to invest for what can go right. This is the essence of any stable financial plan. I work with people to protect their most valuable asset which is their ability to earn an income and then help them invest so they can reach financial goals such as enjoying a dignified retirement and educating their children. Born in Roswell, New Mexico I came to Albuquerque in 1981 to attend the University of New Mexico on a Presidential Scholarship. My passion in college and still today is playing the drums. I am also an avid cyclist riding over 100 miles per week. In fact, I have met some of my best friends through a combination of my business and the bikes. I started a love affair with my wife, Jenny, back in 1982 and today we have three sons and are always on the go! Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, and Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Gateway Financial Advisors, Inc., and Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. are not affiliated.

Over the course of my career, I’ve gotten more questions about retirement than I can count. All are good questions; som...
08/21/2026

Over the course of my career, I’ve gotten more questions about retirement than I can count.

All are good questions; some are unusual. But some, I tend to get asked more often than others.

Over the next few months, I’m going to share the answers to some of these most frequently asked questions.

This week, let’s start with the question: “Will my Social Security benefits be subject to income taxes?”

No matter how much you’ve saved, it can be surprisingly scary to realize you will need to start living off your savings ...
08/17/2026

No matter how much you’ve saved, it can be surprisingly scary to realize you will need to start living off your savings in retirement.

Of course, your Social Security benefits will play a major role in covering your monthly expenses, and there are plenty of ways to generate income in retirement.

But still, realizing that your principal must now be earmarked for the present as much as the future can be a sobering thought.

Every retiree should have a strategy for WHEN they will withdraw money from their accounts, WHICH accounts they will draw from first, and HOW MUCH they should withdraw every month, quarter, and year.

There are many potential strategies to choose from, and a near-infinite number of ways to customize each strategy for you.

And while the strategy you choose should be carefully crafted based on your own personal needs and goals, here are a few basic approaches to get you thinking.

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “For age and want, save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.” While there are...
08/13/2026

Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “For age and want, save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.”

While there are hundreds of financial strategies out there, none are more powerful than the most basic: Save what you can, as early as you can, as often as you can.

But even though the concept of saving is basic, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways we can maximize our savings.

I’ve put together a few tips and suggestions on how we can help ourselves and our families save more consistently while also preventing money from slipping through the cracks.

As a financial advisor, people often ask me: “How can I get the most out of my 401(k) before I retire? There’s no one-s...
08/11/2026

As a financial advisor, people often ask me: “How can I get the most out of my 401(k) before I retire?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but there are some basic best practices that everyone can follow.

Here are five simple suggestions to get you started.

Creating a will has several benefits, such as minimizing estate taxes or making sure your children and pets are taken ca...
08/05/2026

Creating a will has several benefits, such as minimizing estate taxes or making sure your children and pets are taken care of.

But make sure you avoid these 5 common mistakes!

1. Do not write it by hand. There are some states that will not recognize handwritten wills. You need a typed will signed by two witnesses.

2. Not knowing your state’s laws. Making sure you are aware of the laws that dictate validity, construction, and interpretation can help you best prepare your will and ensure your intentions and wishes are abided by.

3. Not making revisions. Having a will is great! Not revisiting it, and updating it is not. You need to make sure that if people come and go from your life, that is reflected in your will, as well as changes to your possessions.

4. Not creating a living will. A will covers you in case of death; a living will covers you in situations where you may not be able to advocate for yourself. You need to make sure all situations are accounted for.

5. Trying to DIY it. You may think you have covered all your assets, but did you account for insurance? Pensions? Bank accounts? What about tax laws? It’s best to seek professional guidance to make sure you are following rules and not forgetting anything.

As we move into a new school year, many parents with high school students will start looking ahead to college…and how to...
08/05/2026

As we move into a new school year, many parents with high school students will start looking ahead to college…and how to pay for it.

One resource no parent or student should overlook is the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid,” aka FAFSA.

This is a form for prospective college students that determines their eligibility for financial aid.

By completing this form, students can potentially receive different types of financial assistance, from Pell Grants to student loans.

The FAFSA can be intimidating to fill out, and some students wrongly assume it doesn’t apply to them.

However, all students, regardless of background, grades, or financial situation, should take time to fill it out, as they may well qualify for significant aid to help pay for their higher education.

If you have a loved one who is preparing for college in the near future, please review the information below, and feel free to share it with them.

When it comes to funding your child or grandchild’s education many people think a 529 plan is their only option. However...
07/27/2026

When it comes to funding your child or grandchild’s education many people think a 529 plan is their only option.

However, you can also use a Roth IRA account to help pay for education expenses. So, which one will be your best option?

First, let’s define what both of these accounts are.

529 plans are tax-advantaged savings accounts designed specifically to help save for education expenses.

Roth IRA accounts are set up to make after-tax contributions for tax-free withdrawals during retirement.

Here are a few things to consider when thinking of which option may be best for you:

- 529 plans qualify for a state income tax deduction in over 30 states. Roth IRAs do not.

- 529 plans have an annual contribution limit of $19,000, or $38,000 for couples. (Anything above that requires filing a gift tax return.) Roth IRA’s have an annual contribution limit of $7,500, or $8,600 if you’re over 50.

- 529 plans allow third party contributions where Roth IRAs do not.

- Roth IRAs are not subject to 5-year gift tax averaging. 529 plans are subject to 5-year gift tax averaging with an $95,000 limit.

- Roth IRAs have a broad set of investment options for you to choose from. 529 plans also come with plenty of options but are still more limited by comparison.

- Roth IRAs can be used for essentially any expenses. 529 plans can only be used for qualifying education expenses.

Remember, both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

Maybe you should do a 529 plan, maybe you should do a Roth IRA, or maybe you need a mix of both.

If you want help determining which route you should go to cover educational expenses, give me and my team a call. We’ll be happy to assist.

🌍✈️ Tips for Studying Abroad! 📚🎓Many students are curious about studying abroad when they enter college, or even as part...
07/22/2026

🌍✈️ Tips for Studying Abroad! 📚🎓

Many students are curious about studying abroad when they enter college, or even as part of a foreign exchange program in high school.

If you have a child, grandchild, or other loved one who is considering this, here are a few things they should do first.

1. Get familiar with your new ‘home’ country beforehand: The sooner you get started the more you can prepare. Learn about the history, traditions, cultural norms and current events happening. That way you feel more comfortable when you arrive.

2. Apply for study abroad scholarships and financial aid: Studying abroad can be expensive! But applying can curb the financial burden. Some grants and scholarships can cover tuition, books, housing, or even flights.

3. Attend all pre-departure orientations: These may seem annoying, but these orientations are vital. Take in as much information as you can. You’ll also be able to meet others in your program.

4. Make a plan for your phone usage: Your phone probably isn’t ready to use overseas just yet. Be sure to check with your phone carrier to see if International calls and service are included in your plan or if you need to make modifications.

5. Familiarize yourself with transportation: Make sure you know the best ways to navigate your new neighborhood to make things a lot smoother for you.

6. Start learning the language before you go: Learning the language of the land will not only help you become immersed in the culture, but it will be beneficial for you to apply what you learn in class. Look for language apps, books, or even find a tutor to help.

7. Set up your post-study-abroad housing: This tip may seem premature, but life moves fast when abroad. Save yourself some stress by having a plan in place when you return. Some people sign an apartment lease or move back into dorms. Either way, make a plan.

8. Say YES to new adventures: You didn’t travel the world to stay cooped up in your room! This can make your study abroad experience immensely better.

07/16/2026

What are you doing to protect your identity?

If you’re like most Americans, the answer is probably, “not much.”

According to a survey by the Identity Theft Research Center, only 3% of adults chose to freeze their credit after receiving a data breach notice…even though freezing your credit is one of the best ways to prevent identity theft.

One possible reason for this is that credit freezes have traditionally cost money. But many don’t realize that you can freeze your credit for free!

To get the most protection, you should freeze your credit at all three major credit reporting agencies. Visit these websites to learn how:

TransUnion: transunion.com/credit-freeze
Experian: experian.com/freeze/center.html
Equifax: equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze

A few things to know:

When you apply for a credit freeze, the agency will essentially lock, or freeze, your file so that it can’t be accessed.

That way, even if a lender requests your information, the agency will not release it until you “thaw” the freeze first.

Creditors cannot access your report which keeps them from approving any new credit account in your name, fraudulent or legitimate.

While a credit freeze is a valuable weapon in the fight against identity theft, it won’t protect you from everything. That’s why you should also check your credit report regularly. (You can still request a credit report even if your credit is frozen.)

Freezing your credit will not affect your credit score.

Please let me know if you have any questions, and be sure to visit the links listed above to learn more!

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Albuquerque, NM

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