PLANADVISER: What motivates you to stay in the retirement/advisory industry?
Low: Making a meaningful impact is what motivates me. While retirement can seem like a distant goal for many employees, the work we do helps people build financial security for their future. Whether it’s improving a plan’s design, educating participants or helping increase retirement readiness, it’s rewarding to know that our efforts can positively affect someone’s life.
At the same time, I enjoy helping plan sponsors create offerings that support their employees and strengthen their organizations. Retirement plans are often one of the most valuable benefits an employer can offer, and being able to guide sponsors through important decisions is both challenging and rewarding. Knowing that my work helps both businesses and their employees succeed gives me a strong sense of purpose and motivates me to continue growing as an adviser.
PLANADVISER: What advice would you give to someone entering the industry today?
Low: My advice is to learn from the people around you and always be a student. Some of my most valuable lessons have come from experienced advisers, recordkeepers, third-party administrators, attorneys and even clients who have shared their perspectives and experiences. Being curious and asking questions accelerates growth and knowledge far more than trying to have all the answers.
I’ve learned that the best advisers do so much more than provide technical expertise. They build trust, ask thoughtful questions and help clients understand complex topics so they can make informed decisions with confidence. Retirement plans sit at the intersection of investments, compliance, employee benefits and constant evolving legislation. Just when you feel comfortable with one topic, a new regulation, market event or client challenge provides the opportunity to learn something new.
I’ve learned that practical knowledge opens doors, but a genuine desire to help others is what ultimately drives long-term success in this industry.
PLANADVISER: What outside interests or experiences have influenced how you approach your career?
Low: Outside of work, I coach middle school girls’ basketball. There are many parallels between coaching and my work as a retirement plan adviser, but two that stand out most are the importance of fundamentals and recognizing that everyone develops at their own pace. In both roles, simplifying complex concepts helps build confidence and create opportunities for success.
Fundamentals are the foundation of anything we do. On the basketball court, we don’t draw up plays before learning how to dribble, pass and shoot. Similarly in retirement planning, we don’t focus on investment strategies before establishing solid plan design and encouraging participants to build strong saving habits.
Each player I coach has a different level of skill, experience and understanding of the sport. The same is true for plan sponsors and participants when it comes to their company’s 401(k) plan. Whether I’m at practice or in a client meeting, I try to explain concepts in a way that resonates with the individual in front of me. My goal is to make complex topics less intimidating, whether that’s breaking down a zone defense or explaining how a QDIA works.
The most rewarding part of both roles is seeing the lightbulb turn on. These experiences have reinforced my belief that effective coaching and effective advising both center on education, trust and helping people achieve their goals.