Margaret's Musings: A Strong Start to Spring: Longevity, Planning, and Looking Ahead

First: Congratulations — Top Advisor Recognitions

In the March 30 edition of The Wall Street Journal & Barron’s , Bruce Cacho-Negrete and Scott Weingarden of the Starner Group were named among the Top 1,500 Advisors in America by Barron's.

Then, in the April edition of Forbes, Bruce, Scott, and I were named to the 2026 Forbes Best -in-State Wealth Advisors list. I couldn't be prouder of this team and the work we do for our clients.

Are You Ready?

Those who follow my Musings know I've been spending a lot of time thinking about longevity. Living to 100 is no longer a distant dream — it's becoming today's reality. "Super agers" (those over 80) are expected to be among the fastest-growing age groups in the developed world.

So the question is: are you longevity ready?

For most of us, life won't end at 65 — and longevity planning should be part of every financial plan. Our focus is simple: helping clients achieve their dreams, enjoy today, and remain financially confident for all of their lives. One of my greatest rewards is hearing clients in their 90s say, "I'm so grateful I don't have to worry about money."

However…As more people live into their 80s, 90s, and beyond, the old models of aging no longer apply. A new roadmap is emerging — one that challenges us to rethink the second half of life in healthier, happier ways.

Learning and Preparing for Longevity

I've joined the Longevity Book Club at the Stanford Center on Longevity, and my hope is to develop a series of talks and programs on this topic. As I learn, I'll keep sharing.

As a first step, I partnered with the Raymond James Longevity Department to host a seminar at the University of Miami School of Nursing titled: "Aging Well: Everything You Wanted to Know About Longevity (But Didn't Know to Ask)."

Our keynote speaker, gerontologist Sherri Snelling, reminded us that aging well isn't about one solution — it's about balance. I was especially struck by her insights on brain health and how simple exercises may help reduce or delay the effects of dementia.

Emily Treasure from the Raymond James Longevity Department also shared research on the many services available as we age. You can click HERE to learn more about Raymond James Longevity Planning Resources.

Sherri (left) with Emily

Going to the Moon and Back

As I was writing this Musing, I found myself watching the splashdown of Artemis II in the Pacific — nearly ten days traveling farther into space than ever before, with all four astronauts returning safely.

One quote stayed with me: "We had less than a degree of an angle to hit after a quarter of a million miles to the moon. That's not luck — that's 1,000 people doing their job." — NASA Flight Director Jeff Radigan.

A Final Thought

Watching Artemis II was a reminder that reaching ambitious goals doesn't happen by accident. It takes planning, coordination, and thinking far beyond the moment. Longevity is much the same. With thoughtful preparation and the right guidance, the second half of life can be not only more secure — but deeply rewarding.

Like Artemis, it's a journey worth preparing for.

Wishing you all a Happy Spring!

Sincerely,

Margaret C. Starner, CFP^®
Senior VP - Financial Planning
2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite 500
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305-461-6660
www.starnergroup.com

Barron’s 2025 Top 1200 Financial Advisor

BARRON'S Hall Of Fame Advisor - Inducted in 2019

Forbes 2026 BEST-IN-STATE Wealth Advisor list

Investment News 2025 The Alexandra Armstrong Award For Lifetime Achievement in the Financial Services Industry

2026 Forbes America's Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams, developed by Shook Research, is based on the period from 3/31/2024 to 3/31/2025 and was released on 1/7/2026. Approximately 12,787 team nominations were received and 6,149 advisor teams won. Neither Raymond James nor any of its advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. More: https://bit.ly/4rXUfUA. Please see https://bit.ly/40mwRVe for more info.

Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. The rankings are based on data provided by 7,669 individual advisors and their firms and include qualitative and quantitative criteria, and 1,200 won. Time period upon which the rating is based is from 09/30/2023 to 09/30/2024 and was released on 03/10/2025. Factors included in the rankings: assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work. Investment performance is not an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients' risk tolerance than by an advisor's investment picking abilities. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Barron's is not affiliated with Raymond James.

InvestmentNews Women to Watch - The Alexandra Armstrong Award For Lifetime Achievement in the Financial Services Industry 2025: InvestmentNews Women to Watch - The Alexandra Armstrong Award For Lifetime Achievement in the Financial Services Industry was released on 10/22/2025 and recognizes and celebrates a female leader with a minimum of 15 years' experience who has contributed greatly to the advancement of the wealth management and financial planning industry in the US. When judging this category, the following criteria were considered: Exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others, whilst putting the interests of the industry at the top of their priorities throughout their career; senior leadership position held, including: firm founders, innovator/inventors, and highly influential thought leaders whose perspective and advocacy has had a transformational effect. Time period upon which the rating is based on the nominee's career history, and was released on 10/22/2025. Out of over 100 individuals nominated, one was named the winner by the InvestmentNews staff. The award is not representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. Investment News is not affiliated with Raymond James.

Barron's Hall of Fame Award, 2019. Barron's is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved. "Barron's Hall of Fame" is an award honoring a group of advisors who exemplify long-term success and commitment to their clients. Each member of the Hall of Fame has appeared in 10 or more of Barron's annual Top 100 Advisor rankings, and their long-looking commitment to excellence is a hopeful example for the industry to follow. The Top 100 Advisor rankings are based on data provided by individual advisors and their firms and include qualitative and quantitative criteria. Data points that relate to quality of practice include professionals with a minimum of 7 years financial services experience, acceptable compliance records (no criminal U4 issues), client retention reports, charitable and philanthropic work, quality of practice, designations held, offering services beyond investments offered including estates and trusts, and more. Financial Advisors are quantitatively rated based on varying types of revenues produced and assets under management by the financial professional, with weightings associated for each. Investment performance is not an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients' risk tolerance than by an advisor's investment picking abilities. The ranking may not be representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Barron's is not affiliated with Raymond James.