Meet Our President

Retirement by Design

“Many people go into a career and feel that is the end of their learning. In the financial services business and other professional fields, continued improvement, education and learning are a necessity.”

ROBERT E. GRACE JD, CLU, CHFC, CFED®, RFC® - President and Founder

Robert E. Grace
JD, CLU®, ChFC®, RFC, RICP

President and Founder of Retirement by Design


FULL NAME: Robert E. Grace

TITLE: President and Founder

YEARS IN THE INDUSTRY: Over 45

YEARS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Over 20

AREAS OF FOCUS: Retirement Income Planning, Wealth Transfer, Tax Reduction Strategies and Retirement Income Certified Professional

EDUCATION: Juris doctorate, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant and a Registered Financial Consultant®

  • Retirement by Design

    How did you first get into business?

    In 1969, I was recruited by Manfactional Life Insurance Company in Cleveland, Ohio. I was the leading rookie agent the first two years then transferred to Columbus as a branch manager. A year and a half later, I was transferred to Cincinnati to take over a larger branch, which we took from ranking 48th in the country to eighth in less than two years.

  • Retirement by Design

    What do you enjoy the most about the job?

    I enjoy educating people about the alternatives that are available in the financial services world. We act as financial architects, making our clients aware of their options and helping them choose the ones that most effectively accomplish their financial goals. Counseling the clients through that process, which is completely different in retirement than it is in the accumulation phase, is a gratifying and challenging process. When we accomplish our goals, we send people home not only with products, but with confidence.

  • Retirement by Design

    What’s the most important business lesson you’ve learned?

    What works today may not work tomorrow. Therefore, an ongoing search for innovative processes, new strategies, techniques and products is essential. Planning for growth during a client’s working years is different from planning for preservation and distribution in retirement.

  • Retirement by Design

    What are some recent trends you’ve seen in your industry?

    With persistently low interest rates and volatile markets, finding a consistent source of income for retirement has become increasingly difficult. For some people, the traditional assets for retirement may no longer provide enough income, which can lead to some taking on more risk or investing in new assets that are out of their comfort zone.

    Unfortunately, most people only focus on one thing: the stated rate of return. There is a lot more to be considered when planning for retirement. Finding reliable and consistent income sources is very important.

    Retirement by Design does not deal with the hottest trends or latest fads. We stick with our disciplined approach and leverage our experience and knowledge to maintain our long-term track record of success. We focus on consistent income from investment and insurance products more than on unbelievable short-term returns. Sometimes that gets overlooked when the economy is doing well, but we shine bright when the markets are volatile.

    Retirement is not about net worth, it is about net income.

  • Retirement by Design

    How do you expect the local economy to grow?

    Florida is poised to be the most prominent retirement haven in the world. The sheer beauty of our beaches matched with the perfect weather make our area the promised land of retirement. These new residents will push the value of our economy higher.

  • Retirement by Design

    What would people be surprised to know about you?

    When I was 6, I took my dad’s handkerchiefs, went up and down the street and tried to sell them. So, I have been an entrepreneur from a very early stage. I attended both undergraduate and law school all at night, and it took me more than 22 years from start to finish. I have four recognized designations in the financial services industry, and I read about 15 to 20 books a year that foster additional skill sets. I have passion for the business and building the firm. Retirement by Design is a true one-stop shop for people who want the most out of retirement.

  • Retirement by Design

    How do you teach people about retirement income planning?

    Virtual Meeting

    A visit in one of our covenant offices in Fort Myers or Naples

Insurance services provided through Trifound. Any and all other services related to insurance are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by AE Wealth Management, LLC.