In today's world, families have common needs and desires, such as retirement, education, and housing, that require the accumulation of financial assets. Accumulation planning means working with the selection of assets and their allocation among various types of investments in light of your specific goals and risk tolerance.

The types of securities available for your investment portfolio include stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds. Separately managed accounts, indices, option strategies, short-term assets, and annuities may also be used to optimize your portfolio. The process of asset allocation reduces overall investment risk, creates more reliable investment forecasts, and improves the risk/return profile of your portfolio.

The goal of accumulation planning is to provide you with a portfolio that helps you move toward your goals while allowing you to manage the risks that are inherent in the process.