Unique Blend of Human and Artificial Intelligence Makes Retirement Planning Easier for Employees and Employers

SHELTON, Conn., Dec. 01, 2016 -- The Barnum Financial Group, providing comprehensive and objective financial education in the workplace to over 130 companies, is excited to announce a strategic alliance with Dream Forward.  Dream Forward is an independent third party providing businesses a low-cost, modern and intelligent 401(k) plan with the first artificial intelligence (A.I.) product built specifically for retirement planning. Dream Forward will offer 401(k) services to their clients while Barnum provides corporate education and other financial products via their trained financial advisors to Dream Forward’s 401(k) clients.  Together, the two organizations will offer businesses and employees a new kind of 401(k) experience.

“Technology is a valuable additional tool to help our advisors and the people they serve,” noted Paul Blanco, founder and CEO of Barnum. “Our firm has over 300 financial advisors, and we are already deeply involved in workplace financial education. This A.I. technology deepens knowledge about employees’ needs and concerns. Our advisors can specifically address those in a constructive way and make retirement planning easier and more successful. That is the ultimate result that employers want.”

“The Dream Forward 401(k) product includes an A.I. technology that is designed to address the questions, concerns, or excuses that keep employees from saving enough money for retirement, such as ‘I’ll save more when I’m older,’ or ‘I’ll get serious about retirement after my kids graduate’,” according to Grant Easterbrook, co-founder of the company. “Our technology provides instant help to keep employees on track and saving enough for retirement. The Barnum professionals will bring a human face and perspective to the process as well as be able to lay out a road map to attain individual goals.”

The A.I. included in the Dream Forward 401(k) plan can also answer employees’ administrative questions and explain confusing financial terms in plain English, reducing the burden typically placed on human resources professionals and management.

Dream Forward’s Easterbrook was one of the first analysts to cover the robo-advisor space while the industry was still in its infancy. Now a veteran in the field, Easterbrook views Dream Forward’s A.I.-driven website experience as the next evolution of the robo-advisor phenomenon.  “We are taking robo advice to the next level with our new Emotional Advisor technology.”

About the Dream Forward 401(k):
Dream Forward sells businesses a low-cost, modern and intelligent 401(k) plan. The Dream Forward 401(k) reduces conflicts of interest, minimizes headaches, and leverages new A.I. technology to reduce the administrative burden and increase participants’ savings rate. Dream Forward also works with partners like payroll firms, financial advisors, HR solutions, lawyers, and accountants. Our technology helps participants, plan sponsors, and our partners be much more efficient with their time.

About Barnum Financial Group:
Barnum Financial Group provides a full range of investment and risk management products and services to over 250,000 clients, including individuals and their families, as well as small businesses, corporations, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations and their employees in all fifty states. With offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, Barnum has resources to help create customized solutions to fit your goals and circumstances. 

Contacts:

For more information, email Dream Forward at [email protected] or Patrick Connor at [email protected].

Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MSI Financial Services, Inc. Member SIPC.  Barnum Financial and Dream Forward are not a subsidiaries or affiliates of MSI Financial Services, Inc., or its affiliated companies. 6 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, Tel: 203-513-6000.  Strategic Alliance firms are not affiliated with MSI Financial Services, Inc. and are solely responsible for their own products and services provided.

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