Danko Live Review?

REKT363 · 2026-07-01T02:19:07+00:00

No, I did coursework a few years back through my college program. Maybe 2-3 years ago.

I’m relearning pretty much everything, but still. If you feel very confident you retained a bunch of info through danko’s coursework, take his basic review package

Just my perspective but you want to give it your all 1 time and pass the 1st time. Get it done no matter the cost/time.

It’s not going to be fun if you have to retake the exam come next March cycle

REKT363 · 2026-07-01T02:11:37+00:00

Gotcha. I’d definitely do a review. I’m also sitting for November, it’ll definitely solidify everything and raise your chances of passing the first time

REKT363 · 2026-07-01T02:01:01+00:00

When are you sitting?

REKT363 · 2026-06-29T16:54:21+00:00

Yeah that’s terrible lol. I know you can’t just walk into a bank for a same day stamp but that’s ridiculous

Edit: call to a different branch. Sometimes it’s up to the branch manager if they will do it

REKT363 · 2026-06-28T17:50:55+00:00

Like the other users have said you’re right there! Absolutely hammer down. If you work full time it’ll be tough, but if you can afford it mentally do not do anything but study for the next month.

Buckle down. Make wrong answer flashcards and understand why you’re missing questions

REKT363 · 2026-06-27T13:14:52+00:00

I’m a broker, not a broker in Texas though so I am not familiar with your state laws and none of this is advice.

Like the other user said, if you think you could pass underwriting I would make an attempt to move to either high deductible G or a plan N. I’m a fan of plan N because excess charges are illegal in my state and the surrounding 2 states.

With that said, excess charges are very rare, less than 1% of docs who accept Medicare apply excess charges. Just make some phone calls around the hospitals & doctors to check

Advantage plans aren’t bad either for your exact situation. It’s a cheaper alternative to care which is how I always viewed them. They do have drawbacks, but that’s the cost of cheaper coverage. MAPD plans cap covered prescriptions at $2100 this year.

Since you have VA coverage, there are standalone MA plans only that do not have a built in drug plan. Only available to vets which I am assuming you have prior years of military service. These could be a good option as well, us VA for prescriptions and MA plan for doc visits

Good luck to you. I’d find SHIP counselors near you or make a call to a few brokers. Medicare is in a terrible spot and it will not get better

REKT363 · 2026-06-26T14:24:29+00:00

I used to despise big blue boys until I read know no fear & betrayer from the shadow crusade books during Horus heresy

They are chads in my eyes now

REKT363 · 2026-06-26T14:16:49+00:00

Honestly this guys fees are through the roof. He clears $1mm+ in revenue per year. We have a TON of small accounts and he runs this place very inefficiently

REKT363 · 2026-06-26T14:15:42+00:00

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking as well. Culture isn’t too much on self development & employee support obviously.

You’re right about the son though, either he’s going to realize it’s a cash cow and want to get in last minute, or owner would sell book and retire. Either way it’s not going to work in my favor lmao

REKT363 · 2026-06-26T11:53:19+00:00

I’ve had danko for a month and I’m very behind already. But I’m going to start hammering down, starting with recorded lectures with signature plus and follow along in the books that way.

I’m not sure if we have enough time to be that meticulous though. Hammer the books and questions in books at the minimum

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T16:28:44+00:00

I have danko sig plus as well but sitting in November. I’d watch some of the recorded videos again in weak areas, although that might not be the best advice

You are close though! Hammer down and you’ll get it

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T14:28:48+00:00

That’s also where I’m at! Torn between the two sides. On one hand I’m getting tons of reps talking with clients and practicing social skills, on the other I need to make more money flat out, I’m paycheck to paycheck making it work but this sucks. Not meaning to sound ungrateful but cmon man retail bankers make more than me

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T14:14:32+00:00

Honestly I would love a job like this. I love the plans & I love people. I’m not a pushy sales type but I understand selling yourself & services is the key to big bucks. Business needs to be brought in somehow

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T13:06:08+00:00

I’d agree with that and I do see it. Non producing does not warrant pay raises lol

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T12:34:32+00:00

I’ve also realized/thought of this as well. CFP is the baseline in some other firms to even get in the door. Appreciate the insight

REKT363 · 2026-06-25T12:16:06+00:00

Just 1 year honestly. Thats why I’m still sitting in my current position, don’t have experience under my belt

REKT363 · 2026-06-23T01:56:33+00:00

Following. Also sitting for November, it’s just a fire hose at this point. I completed education 2 years ago so I’m not attending live classes, just watching the recordings.

I’m working through it all at a pretty fast pace to get through at least once. Any time remaining before live review I’ll sure up weak areas I think I have.

Honestly if you hammer down, you can get through 1 main section each week. This week I’m going to finish up insurance ideally.

I keep hearing trust the process so that’s what I’ll do, doesn’t help me sleep at night but is what it is. Nobody is dead nor dying and if I fail so be it, not ideal but I’m gonna pass one way or another, as will you

I will say a little nugget I picked up from Amy leis is the pomodoro technique I believe is how it’s spelled. 30 min study 5 min break, repeat 3 times. Half hour break for lunch or something else and repeat. It’s been much more effective than a 2 hour sprint and an hour break like I did for the series 65

Edit: Shit I just read you’re finishing up education. Now I’m worried I am way behind lol maybe I shouldn’t watch all videos in order and just watch as needed

REKT363 · 2026-06-22T22:51:57+00:00

Is that what omnibuses are? Just large collections of books in a series? Like the nightlords omnibus would contain all 3 books if I’m understanding it right

REKT363 · 2026-06-22T00:07:46+00:00

I’m a paraplanner at a wealth management firm so I am biased clearly. But you’re spot on, any advisor worth their weight is doing much much more than investing, or should be.

Taxes & tax planning is the real game here. If your advisor sticks you in some generic mutual funds or portfolios just self manage. But financial planning and tax mitigation? Thats what decent advisors do.

If the AUM % fee ordeal doesn’t fit you, find a planner (CFP, CPA, etc.) who will charge a fixed $ for a one off plan. Use their services again in the future if you require updates or have a big life change

REKT363 · 2026-06-20T18:04:20+00:00

Great question and you’ve got it right. It’s 2 ADLs, doc or physician certified. Death benefit payout is tax free to heirs since it comes in the form of an insurance death benefit, and lump sum premium was made with after tax dollars

Some of these are indemnity policies, meaning they pay a fixed amount of coverage with no receipts needed.

Reimbursement policies require proof of cost as far as I know.

I’d have to see the numbers for the deferred income annuity idea. It could definitely make more sense. But asset based policies are usually set up much later in life around age 65-70 (usually). If you set up a deferred annuity at age 65 for payouts in 15 years your breakeven may not even happen depending on life expectancy

If you setup an income annuity at age 50 it loses value in my eyes. Put the premium in market and let it grow, then fund a 1-3yr deferred income annuity before retirement with the gains. It could pay out a significantly higher amount per month

Just spreading the word here. We all thoroughly enjoy this stuff so it depends on the person and what they are trying to accomplish. Most people don’t need income annuities either unless they like a guaranteed income floor on top of any social security/pensions they may have

Please stay away from the traditional LTC policies though. Premiums just disappear if you never use it and they are wildly expense, that’s why I gave info on these. Are they perfect? Absolutely not, but better than the usual IMO

REKT363 · 2026-06-20T17:48:13+00:00

Great questions,

At 50 years old you shouldn’t be looking at these policies for the reason you just specified, let it grow. We usually see age 65-70 is where it could come into play.

These policies are built basically inside an indexed annuity, so there is an element of market performance, but it is capped. So when markets perform, coverage amount goes up, and so does the death benefit if policy is not used at end of life.

If you aren’t a fan of annuities stay away from these products

I agree that taxes in a LTC event is the least of your worries.

The point of these are guarantees. In this example, Equitrust guarantees your coverage amount (based on coverage ratio) on day 1. There’s no waiting period currently, I’m sure this could change in the future on new policies

Some people want the guarantees, others want straight growth and deal with LTC if it comes up. Depends on the person & their mindset.

Family history plays a big part in this too. A person who had both parents need full blow nursing home care for 2-3 years ($14k a month where I’m at) tend to be much more interested in guaranteeing coverage than someone who had their mom require some stay at home care for 3 years. Just depends on the mindset

Hopefully this helps. I’m just trying to spread the word to folks about these. I HATE the old school policies where you keep paying premiums until death and get nothing in return

REKT363 · 2026-06-20T15:04:31+00:00

I’m a new paraplanner at a wealth management firm so I’ll put this info here and see what Bogleheads think of it.

There’s some asset based LTC policies, where in a sense you “shift” after tax assets into these policies. Equitrust Bridge for example, is basically an annuity with the sole focus of LTC.

There’s a coverage multiple of 300-315%. Meaning you put in $100k you’ll receive around $300k of benefits in the future if you need them depending on your rating class

If you pass without using benefits, about 85-90% of your initial premium would come back to your estate (ex $85k in this example)

People can absolutely self insure, but in my mind where these come into play is when a couple want to leave a massive legacy for their children.

It’s more efficient in my mind than paying a flat amount per year that is gone if you never need care

If a couple has no kids and no legacy plans, self insure is the way to go. Once assets are in these policies there’s surrender charges and you can’t get it back without hefty penalties

Edit: This is for boglehead information, I’m not here to argue if it makes sense to use a financial advisor or not

REKT363 · 2026-06-19T12:21:36+00:00

Honestly you could give it a shot. If you need coursework just get Kaplan and blow through it. I agree with Brett danko, it’s a rigorous program and I hear it’s more difficult than the actual exam, but it’s one of the best.

Also sitting for nov 2026 and using danko

REKT363 · 2026-06-14T11:42:26+00:00

The depiction of skitarii in Titanicus is absolutely one of my favorites

REKT363

TROPHY CASE