Owner | Cornerstone Wealth Advisors
Michael L. Levy, CRPS®
Michael L. Levy founded Cornerstone Wealth Advisors so that he could provide unbiased, independent retirement advice to his clients. “With over 40 years in the financial services industry, I have enjoyed many roles including Account Executive, Financial Consultant, Financial Advisor and Director of Regional Sales for large financial institutions including GE Financial, Allstate, Phoenix Home Life and Transamerica,” he says.
“Cornerstone Wealth Advisors contributes to our clients’ success mainly by focusing on the risks that exist to their retirement assets and how to control those risks. There is the risk of losing money in the market, of outliving your assets, of paying too much in taxes, of needing long-term care, of low interest rates, high inflation—there are multiple risks that we address,” Michael says.
Michael attended the US Air Force Academy, and received a BA from the University of New Orleans. He was originally hired out of college by Merrill Lynch in 1976, receiving his Series 7 license in April of 1977. He is an accredited Chartered Retirement Plan SpecialistSM (CRPS®) and he is currently licensed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and New York.
“My practice is primarily focused on individuals or couples planning on, or currently enjoying, retirement. My goal is to ensure they maintain a comfortable lifestyle and leave a legacy for the next generation,” Michael says.
“I try to communicate with my clients to let them know that their goals, their aspirations, their needs, and their objectives are my primary focus. I will meet at their kitchen table, in a coffee shop, in a casual diner: anywhere they feel comfortable discussing the most important financial decisions confronting them,” Levy says. Furthermore, “I always want my clients to feel at ease with every decision we make. I feel it’s paramount that we receive input from those closest to them, be it from a family member, or legal or tax professional.”
“Because of my years of experience, I have witnessed some very historic events in the markets. When I received my Series 7 license, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was below 1000. It is now above 30,000. Along the way I have witnessed Bull and Bear markets that seemed unprecedented at the time. Because of that experience, I can look my clients in the eye and credibly ask “what if?” I know the risks the markets present because I have dealt with it my entire professional career,” he continues.
Michael is devoted to community and family. He was past Vice Chairman of LA Operation Homefront and past Chairman of the Festival of the Lake in Mandeville, LA. He has been married to Darnelle Levy for 46 years; they have four children and 11 grandchildren. His favorite thing in life is spending time with his family, especially when he can take them fishing.
