Nearing retirement and initially a bit hesitant when it came to financial planning, an educator developed trust for Ryan Smith, a financial advisor with Equitable Advisor through a series of earnest conversations and smart, strategic advice. Ryan's impact on his client was deep and long lasting, affecting not only the few years she got to enjoy of her retirement after a long career of teaching, but continuing to impact her family likely for generations to come.

Some information has been changed to protect the identity of the client. Ryan Smith offers securities through Equitable Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC (Equitable Financial Advisors in MI & TN). ). Investment advisory products and services offered through Equitable Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor. Annuity and insurance products offered through Equitable Network, LLC. This informational and educational content does not offer or constitute financial, insurance, investment, tax, or general lending advice. Your unique needs, goals and circumstances require and deserve the individualized attention of your own financial, legal, tax and other professionals.

Kristine and her husband Wayne had met with Chau Lai to finalize their financial plans. Just six months later, on the most ordinary Friday night out with friends, Wayne had a massive heart attack and died at age 37. Kristine knew the couple had planned well with Chau, but the unavoidable question came to her mind: would it be enough?

From the September/October issue of Finseca Focus magazine, Chau Lai tells the story of one of the worst phone calls she has ever received, which led to one of the most deeply meaningful professional successes she has ever experienced. 

Chau Lai had been friends with Wayne Lyn, one of her first clients, for over a decade. One night, Wayne’s wife Kristine called to tell Chau that Wayne had died the night before from a heart attack at age 37. 

As the devastating news set in, Chau thought of the meeting she had had with the Lyns just months earlier. 

With Wayne’s dental practice thriving and the couple now the parents of two young children, Chau had helped the Lyns update their financial plan, persuading them to prioritize life insurance for Wayne as he was the family’s sole earner. It was a decision with lifelong effects.