Secure Future Advisors

What Secure Future Advisors does

Secure Future Advisors LLC is an independent, privately-held financial advisory firm headquartered in Kettering, Ohio, founded in 2005 by Mark Morris. The firm delivers retirement planning and wealth-management services to four primary client segments — pre-retirees, retirees, small business owners, and successful professionals — through a process-driven methodology that segments financial life into Accumulation, Distribution, and Legacy phases. Its core proprietary offerings include the Achieving Retirement Clarity (ARC) process for accumulation, the Retirement Income Survival Kit (RISK) for income distribution, the Optimized Portfolio System (TOPS) for ETF-based investment management, Focused Planning modules, Life Assurance 360, and the Life Settlement Advocacy Program, delivered through a recurring Custom Income Blueprint deliverable (V1.0, V2.0, and annual updates).

The firm's underlying technology stack centers on the TOPS portfolio management platform (licensed through Valmark Financial Group and TOPS Management), which provides ETF selection, screening, reporting, and rebalancing in a centralized interface, supplemented by a calcxml.com financial calculator suite and client-account custody at major institutional platforms (Charles Schwab Institutional, TD Ameritrade, NetXInvestor, American Funds, and others). Adjacent services are delivered through wholly-owned subsidiary Secure Future Tax Advisors LLC (tax preparation via two CPAs with 30+ years of experience) and referral partners Ottaway Insurance Group (Medicare) and Sherrets Law Offices (estate planning).

SFA's revenue model is primarily AUM-based: 0.85% SFA advisory fee plus 0.20–0.45% TOPS program fees, capped at 1.95% annually, with Access Direct accounts charged a flat 1.00%. Secondary revenue streams include project-based Custom Income Blueprint fees (V1.0, V2.0, annual updates) and insurance-product commissions distributed through Valmark Securities. The firm is a Member Firm of Valmark Financial Group, which provides the broker-dealer, RIA, and product distribution infrastructure that enables SFA's go-to-market, and is led by founder/CEO Mark Morris alongside advisor Jeff Garnica and CPA Dave Seving, with a total headcount of 1–10.

Name

Secure Future Advisors

Legal name

Secure Future Advisors LLC

Website

https://securefutureadvisor.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Secure Future Advisors is an independent Ohio-based financial advisory firm offering retirement planning, portfolio management, tax preparation, and insurance services to pre-retirees, retirees, small business owners, and successful professionals through proprietary ARC, RISK, and TOPS planning processes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wealth Management & Retirement Planning

NAICS

Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)

SIC

Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Retirement & Pension Planning (401(k)/IRA) (FSAEAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Financial Planning–Led RIAs (FSAAACAB), Retirement Income Planning & Decumulation Advisory (FSAEABAD), Annuity & Insurance-Based Retirement Solutions Advisory (FSAEABAH), Retirement & Pension Wealth (401(k)/IRA/SIPP/Superannuation Retail) (FSAAAAAJ)

Keywords

• Retirement planning services
• Financial advisory firm
• Wealth management
• Investment management services
• Tax planning preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Ohio

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Investment Advisory Fees (AUM-based): Fees assessed based on total assets under management. For accounts managed under TOPS, the SFA Investment Advisor fee is 0.85% plus TOPS program fees of 0.20-0.45% per year. Total annual fee does not exceed 1.95%. Access Direct accounts are charged a flat 1.00% yearly fee.
2. Financial Planning Services: Custom Income Blueprint planning services including Blueprint V1.0, Blueprint V2.0, and Annual Updates. Fees are subject to change and may be discounted upon discretion. Detailed in Valmark Advisers, Inc. Financial Planning/Consulting Agreement and ADV Part 2A.
3. Insurance Products: Sale of annuity products, life insurance policies, disability insurance, and other protection products through the Valmark Financial Group network of carriers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Secure Future Advisors provides retirement planning and comprehensive financial advisory services to individuals and families—specifically small business owners, successful professionals, pre-retirees, and retirees. The firm delivers investment management via the TOPS platform, a proprietary Custom Income Blueprint planning deliverable, insurance solutions, and tax preparation services through its subsidiary Secure Future Tax Advisors, structured across three planning phases: Accumulation, Distribution, and Legacy.

Product overview

Secure Future Advisors operates as a retirement planning and financial solutions company offering a unified platform that combines multiple planning processes and financial products. The core offering centers on three life phases: Accumulation, Distribution, and Legacy. The main planning methodologies include ARC (Achieving Retirement Clarity) for accumulation planning, RISK (Retirement Income Survival Kit) for income distribution, and TOPS (The Optimized Portfolio System) for investment management. Additional modules include Focused Planning, Life Assurance 360, and the Life Settlement Advocacy Program. The company also offers tax preparation services through its subsidiary Secure Future Tax Advisors, providing integrated financial planning that coordinates investments, 401(k)s, insurance, and taxes. Products are delivered through the Custom Income Blueprint, a comprehensive planning deliverable typically provided in two versions with annual updates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comprehensive Retirement Planning & Financial Advisory Services Comprehensive financial planning and retirement advisory service for individuals and families—specifically small business owners, successful professionals, pre-retirees, and retirees—delivered across three phases (Accumulation, Distribution, Legacy).
• Investment Management (TOPS) Ongoing investment management service built on Valmark's TOPS (The Optimized Portfolio System) platform, charged as an AUM-based fee (0.85% plus 0.20–0.45% platform/manager fees) or a 1.00% flat fee for Access Direct accounts.
• Custom Income Blueprint Proprietary written retirement income blueprint deliverable, priced as a one-time fee with optional annual updates, designed to give clients a specific plan for generating income in retirement.
• Tax Planning & Preparation Services Tax planning and preparation services offered through Secure Future Tax Advisors, a subsidiary of Secure Future Advisors, supporting integrated retirement and tax planning for individual clients.
• Insurance Solutions Insurance solutions including life insurance, annuities, disability insurance, charitable giving strategies, and college savings products, placed through carrier partners such as Lincoln Financial, Jackson National, MetLife, and American Funds via Valmark.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Valmark Financial GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSecure Future Advisors is a Member Firm of Valmark Financial Group, a select group of independent wealth and insurance advisory firms. Valmark provides concierge-level support including investment analysis, portfolio management, life insurance, product due diligence, and regulatory compliance. As a member, SFA has access to over 100 financial service providers, products, and services while maintaining independence. Valmark Securities, Inc. is the broker-dealer (FINRA/SIPC member, licensed in all 50 states) and Valmark Advisers, Inc. is the SEC-registered investment advisor.
• Valmark Portfolio Management TeamcoreTechnology or IntegrationValmark's Portfolio Management Team directly oversees around $8 billion of assets through Valmark Wealth Solutions and outside managers. This team provides the TOPS (The Optimized Portfolio System) platform used by Secure Future Advisors for client portfolio management.
• TOPS ManagementcoreTechnology or IntegrationTOPS Management provides the investment management platform for The Optimized Portfolio System. The team manages daily portfolio needs and makes strategic changes when needed.
• Ottaway Insurance GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedicare specialists partner to help navigate the constantly changing Medicare environment. They are a valued partner for Medicare-related planning needs.
• Secure Future Tax AdvisorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded to provide cost-effective tax planning and tax preparation for successful professionals, retirees, and small business owners. The tax team includes 2 CPAs with over 30 years of experience each. Provides complete tax advice and preparation services including Individual, Estate, Corporate, S-Corp and Partnership returns.
• Sherrets Law Offices, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEstate planning partner providing comprehensive estate plans critical to ensuring smooth transition to the next generation.
• Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)minorOthersPremier global association of financial professionals with over 62,000 members in 69 nations and territories. Founded in 1927, MDRT membership demonstrates exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct, and outstanding client service. Mark Morris has been a qualifying member for 23 consecutive years.
• Kingdom AdvisorsminorOthersOrganization whose primary goal is to create a community of competent biblical advisors so Christians know who to go to for financial advice. Promotes financial education from a Christian perspective, promoting biblical principles of stewardship and wisdom. Jeff Garnica has achieved CKA designation, Mark Morris is a CKA member.
• A Child's Hope InternationalminorOthersMinistry focused on orphans and vulnerable children worldwide. Provides supplies to nourish bodies and souls, motivates and mobilizes church and community through adoption, foster care, orphan care and humanitarian relief. Over 50,000 volunteers. Mark Morris is a Board Member.
• Strategic CoachminorOthersProven support system that helps transform businesses and mentor entrepreneurs for new levels of freedom and success. Provides tools, concepts, and processes for entrepreneurs to uncover new possibilities and set plans. Mark Morris has been a participant for 12 years.
• Brigid's PathminorOthersFounded in 2014 to care for babies and mothers in crisis with grace, love and hope. Cares for infants born exposed to addictive substances using latest therapeutic techniques to help babies be comfortable during withdrawal.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Buckingham Wealth Partners: Independent, financial planning-led RIA serving individuals and small business owners with goals-based planning and asset management. Direct peer due to comparable planning-driven RIA model, similar target client segments, and integrated wealth advisory delivery.
• Carson Group: Network of independent financial advisors providing coaching, technology, and support to member firms. Comparable as a hybrid model: an independent advisory firm ecosystem with planning-centric advisors serving small business owners and pre-retirees.

Regional players

• Cetera Financial Group: Independent advisor networks providing broker-dealer and RIA services to affiliated financial professionals. Adjacent peer to Valmark as a competing independent broker-dealer/ RIA platform supporting member firms in the wealth management space.
• Cambridge Investment Research: Independent broker-dealer and RIA supporting financial advisors with comprehensive wealth management services. Comparable as a Valmark-alternative B-D/RIA infrastructure for independent advisors serving retirement clients.

Broad incumbents

• Edelman Financial Engines: Largest U.S. independent RIA with deep retirement planning focus, serving millions of participants through employer plans and individual advice. Comparable as a retirement-centric registered investment advisor offering goals-based financial planning and managed portfolios.
• LPL Financial: Largest independent broker-dealer in the U.S., supporting thousands of registered representatives and advisors offering retirement and wealth planning services. Broad incumbent competing for the same independent advisor ecosystem and retirement client base.
• Fisher Investments: Large asset management and RIA firm focused primarily on high-net-worth and pre-retiree investors with discretionary portfolio management. Overlap in target demographic (pre-retirees/retirees) and emphasis on managed investment portfolios.
• Mariner Wealth Advisors: National independent wealth advisor offering retirement, investment, tax, and estate planning. Direct overlap in services (financial planning, investment management, retirement income), with a similar fiduciary-led model.
• Creative Planning: Large independent RIA providing comprehensive financial planning, investment management, and tax services to individuals and small business owners. Comparable business model of integrated wealth advisory with similar target segments (small business owners, professionals, retirees).

Emerging players

• Facet Wealth: Flat-fee digital financial planning firm serving mass-affluent individuals with comprehensive retirement planning. Emerging peer representing the digital/hybrid advisory model that competes for the same pre-retiree/professional niche with a tech-enabled delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SecureFutureAdvisors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/securefutureadvisors

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Secure Future Advisors