The Challenges we face,
the Paths we take

..are the ways that define us

Who we are

If we had to describe our company informally, it would be “a dedicated team of talented professionals who, by luck, fate or circumstance, have become long-term friends”.

The result is a unique combination of work ethic with warmth and good humor, which permeates the way we conduct business and engage with our clients. Challenging days notwithstanding, we enjoy what we do.

At the same time, each one of us is keenly aware of the responsibility laid upon us as a fiduciary entity, and the solemn agreement we have made to form a safe harbor for our clients’ savings. Helping those savings grow is where our clients’ hopes and aspirations match our own. 

FACTSHEET

  • $100M + managed assets
  • Founded in 2002
  • Independent, Local
  • Financial, Insurance
  • 60+ total years experience
  • Active investment approach
  • Registered Investment Advisor 
  • Registered Insurance Agent

Our office is open for business as usual. 

Our Stories

Richard Morey, President

Richard Morey is president and founder of Secure Retirement. The firm was founded in 2002 to specifically address the investment needs of those who are preparing for retirement or moving through the changing phases of retirement. Prior to Secure Retirement, Richard served as Chief Investment Officer of Bellingham Investment Management, a registered investment advisory firm located in San Francisco, California. His primary duties were developing and managing investment portfolios for individuals and institutions. In the late 1990s, Richard began his financial services career as an investment advisor in the Bay Area at Lighthouse Asset Management.

Early in his career, Richard began utilizing the method of efficient set theory, which addresses controlling risk in investment portfolios and defines diversification. The finance industry’s Nobel-prize winning “textbook” of the theory by Markowitz, predominantly mathematical equations, was the source for Richard’s approach. At investment firms Lighthouse Asset Management and Bellingham, he studied, modeled and applied this knowledge to investment portfolio construction and management.

As an asset and investment manager operating in Silicon Valley during the rise and subsequent crash of technology stocks, known as the dot-com bubble, Richard began developing novel observations about the nature of risk. He realized the traditional portfolio theory worked beautifully during conventional economic times, but was not well-adjusted for times when market risk was high. He observed that the conservative portfolios he had designed for retired clients, in which he had added the first of many enhanced methods of controlling risk, actually made money during the technology stock market decline. He concluded that previous approaches to investing simply did not work when severe risk struck. And increasingly, periods of risk were and are more frequent and longer lasting.

Richard founded Secure Retirement on the premise of properly managing risk in retirement portfolios. Richard bases his approach on proven theories of macroeconomics and strategic asset allocation. This approach requires the study of macroeconomics and markets to determine which asset classes should be invested in at any point in time to protect against risk and participate in opportunities. He aims to not only avoid bubbles but profit from them, following the classic adage of “buy low, sell high.”

Jeff Warren

Jeff joined Secure Retirement in 2012, bringing over 30 years of experience and a wide-ranging wealth of knowledge in the financial services industry. His philosophy emphasizes safe investing and long-term planning strategies to help clients sustain their financial health.

Jeff is responsible for guiding clients in retirement planning and finding financial solutions. He oversees and manages the firm’s “income portfolio” strategies, with “alternative-type” investment opportunities that include sustainable investing. Additionally, Jeff leads the firm’s marketing efforts and holds educational workshops and presentations, such as social security planning and safe investment products.

Seasoned in the field of retirement security, Jeff displays deep industry knowledge, which has earned him the respect and recognition of his peers. Prior to joining Secure Retirement, Jeff spent 25 years working closely with executives and advisors that span many disciplines in the financial services industry.

“The 25 years I spent working with top financial professionals across the U.S. has provided me with perspectives and best practices that truly add value to the investment and planning advice I bring to my clients. I believe in collaboration and seek out the best thinking and opportunities for clients.”

Importantly, since 1983, Jeff has been recognized for his expertise and pioneering work in long-term care insurance (LTCI) planning. His industry peers called him “the Long-Term Care King.” He helped develop long-term care products with respected insurers such as Allianz Life, Great American and Pioneer Life, to name a few. The products he helped design, coupled with sales and training strategies, led to thousands of financial professionals understanding the importance of helping clients plan for the potential financial and emotional consequences of long-term care.

Today, Jeff’s goal is to understand what truly matters to his clients and help them get the most value from their resources. Service to his clients and his community are Jeff’s true passion. He is devoted to helping others improve their lives and understand the importance of seeing “the big picture.” He is known to put clients at ease with their financial decisions because of his attention to detail and good listening skills.

Jeff is a native Texan, moving from Dallas to the East Bay area of California in 2012 with his wife and two sons to work with Richard Morey.

Professional credentials include:

FINRA Series 6, 7, 63 and 65; Life and Health Insurance (CA); LTCP (Long Term Care Professional).                  

Jeff can assist you with:

Investment advice and portfolio management

  • Growth and Income-Oriented Portfolios
  • ESG investing (Environmental, Social, Governance)
  • Alternative Investments

Retirement Planning

  • Income Distribution Planning
  • Social Security Planning
  • Medicare Planning
  • Long-Term Care Insurance Analysis
  • Annuity Analysis and Recommendations

Judit Eriksson Client Relations Manager

Judit brings her years of experience in top-tier corporate management and complex tech support to her role as Secure Retirement Client Relations Manager. Her technical and organizational skills are well suited to the demanding requirements of the position, and her warmth and people skills are appreciated by our clients.

Amber Jenkins Client Services

Amber interacts with clients, assisting in the opening of all new accounts and taking care of their day to day needs. She has been recently working part-time after taking maternity leave, but is transitioning back to her full time position. Our clients love and appreciate her as much as we do– and we’re all glad to have her back.

Peter Eriksson  Technology and Trading Specialist

As our IT manager heading up technology improvements at Secure Retirement, Peter has been successful in integrating our reporting software and other enhancements to the client experience.

Peter is an avid backpacker (in fact he took the landscape photo on this page). He is also our trading specialist and in-house webmaster/developer. (He hopes our visitors notice how all financial services websites tend to look alike, because most are designed by the same corporate providers. Not ours– we’re independent.) Currently studying investment law and regulations, Peter plans to eventually help in an advisory role.

TACTICAL ALLOCATION

The Defensive Growth Tactical Allocation Strategy is designed to capitalize on economic and market fragility, which has been brought about by central bank interventions, corporate debt levels, demographic shifts, business cycles and other factors.

 

These factors may express themselves as credit/ stock market events, potentially significant in the near term. The portfolio is a defensive yet opportunistic strategy.

 

This investment strategy can be combined with others to fit your needs. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss and explore investment ideas and options.