The "Actuary for the Rest of Us": Why I’m Offering Free Financial Plans
- Keith Hurst
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
For nearly 40 years, my day job was all about the heavy math of life insurance. As an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA), I spent decades working behind the scenes in the corporate world. Mostly, I was helping big companies close down pension plans or helping wealthy families use complicated insurance setups to protect their money.
Even though I loved the math, I started to feel a real disconnect. It bothered me that high-level financial advice was almost always saved for people who already had plenty of money. I wanted to give middle-class families that same peace of mind—and prove that their numbers could add up, too. At first, I looked into switching careers to become a traditional financial planner, but I quickly realized the math just didn't work. The standard industry model isn't built to help the people who need it most. So I put the idea on the back burner.
Finding Satisfaction in the Work
That period of questioning ended years ago when I found a sense of direction in a passage from Ecclesiastes 2:24: "A man can do nothing more than eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work." That verse was the turning point; it helped me realize that work doesn't always have to be a grand social statement, but there is deep dignity in simply doing a job well.
But things are different for me now. I’ve reached a phase in my life where chasing a big paycheck isn't the priority anymore. Instead, I'm in a position where I can care more about how much my advice actually helps someone than how much money it makes.
The "No-Fee" Blueprint
Most financial planners won't take a meeting unless you have a massive portfolio to manage. At Actulife, I’m doing things differently. I provide comprehensive financial blueprints—using the same professional-grade tools like RightCapital and RSSA Roadmap—at no upfront cost.
How the model works:
The Math is the Service: I enjoy the technical work. Whether it’s Social Security optimization, Roth Conversion strategies, or Medicare navigation - simplifying the Supplement vs. Advantage decision while managing surcharges like IRMAA - I want to ensure you don't overpay the IRS or run out of money.
A Sustainable Mission: If our plan reveals a need for a specific insurance product, I can help you implement it. In those cases, I earn a commission from the provider, which helps cover my software costs and professional licensing.
Zero Pressure: If the plan shows you are on the right track, or if you choose to implement the plan elsewhere, that is perfectly fine. My priority is the satisfaction of knowing a family has a solid path forward.
Real Planning for Real Situations
I specialize in the complex areas that "big-box" firms often overlook because they require too much time:
Special Needs Advocacy: Navigating the integration of government benefits and trust structures.
Retirement Income Strategy: Solving the "Science of Spending" so your hard-earned savings last as long as you do.
Affordable Insurance Protection: Finding data-driven coverage that fits a real-world budget.
I’m not looking to build a massive firm; I’m looking to do work that matters. If you've felt left out by the financial industry, let's sit down and look at your numbers.
Keith A. Hurst, ASA, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, ChSNC®, RSSA®
