Tom Hamlin

Thomas B. Hamlin is a licensed registered (Series 7) rep, fee based (RIA) advisor, fiduciary and Registered Principal. He is CEO & CCO of Somerset Securities, Inc. Somerset Securities works with; mutual funds, alternative investments, private placements, DST-1031, variable annuities and other securities related business, offered by prospectus or PPM (private placement memorandum). Tom is also CEO & Founder of Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, working with fixed annuities, fixed index annuities, life insurance and other non-security related products. In addition, Tom is CEO & Founder of Somerset Wealth Management, LLC; specializing in fee-based RIA advisory services and Institutional style management through their relationship with Charles Schwab.

Tom holds several securities and insurance licenses including:

  • Series 6 (variable annuities and mutual funds license)
  • Series 7 (securities license)
  • Series 24 (Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction Branch Managers license)
  • Series 63 (blue sky, allows selling securities in states outside of his resident state)
  • Series 65 (Registered Investment Advisor Representative, which allows selling on a fee-only basis)
  • Life and Disability License (which allows for the selling of insurance products and annuities)
  • Tom is licensed to do business in all 50 states, and 3 US Territories for securities, wealth management and insurance products
  • Founder of “AnnuityFYI.com” the top independent fixed and variable annuity resource in the country (based on content, media mentions hits and recurring visitors) and is considered to have significant expertise in the annuity industry

Tom is in his 34th year as a financial professional (circa 1990) and is responsible for placing assets of well over one billion dollars ($1,000,000,000) with nearly 5,000 clients in 50 states and the 3 US Territories.

Tom is a former Top Advisor and Branch Manager with Raymond James Financial Services (NYSE symbol: RJF). During his 15 ½ years at RJFS he was a Member of their Elite Chairman’s Council comprised of the Top 30 Investment Professionals in the country (out of approximately 5,000 advisors nationwide) for 7 years based on total production. He was also the Top Annuity Producer in the United States for Raymond James Financial (based on annual annuity premiums) out of approximately 5,000 Financial Advisors for 9 consecutive years, and upon his separation from RJFS in 2012, Tom purchased Bay Colony Securities (AKA BC Securities, Inc) a broker dealer out of the Boston area, founded in 1963 (Member SIPC).

Tom is also a former First Vice President of Prudential Securities (Oct-1994 to May-1997). During his tenure he was ranked in the Top 5 within the firm nationally, in personal annuity and insurance production, and led his Los Angeles branch to the #1 position in the nation in annuity sales (1996 to 1997).

Prior to joining Prudential Securities, he was ranked the #1 and #2 producer for four consecutive years with Independent Advantage Financial, Inc., which during his tenure he helped to become the nation’s largest independent shopping service for annuities and insurance products.

Over the past 34 years; Tom has been responsible for the sales training and management of dozens of account specialists, annuity experts, Registered Reps, officers, admin staff, and he continues to lead the Somerset Family of Companies that he founded in 1997. In addition, Tom has been quoted by several top publications for over 30-Years, including; The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, The Chicago Sun Times, VARDS, Ignites.com, Investment News, Tribune Media, Registered Rep Magazine, Financial Planning Magazine, National Underwriter, MarketWatch, Echos Times and numerous newsletters in addition to radio shows and public speaking as a source on financial investments. Tom is consistently ranked as one of the Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors in the country by Registered Rep magazine (based on assets under management) and he is also consistently considered for the Top 100 Advisors in the Nation by Worth Magazine, Barons and Investor’s Business Daily (IBD) and was ranked the #2 advisor in the state of Oregon by Baron’s in 2010, consistently bringing in over $100,000,000 per year of assets with the help of his elite Somerset Team.

During his tenure in the business, Tom has built a level of trust and confidence among his clients that we believe is unrivaled by most of his competitors. Even with all of Tom’s exposure, over 98% of his production still comes from repeat business and existing client referrals. With a focus on, retirement and income planning, guaranteed lifetime income, principal protection guarantees*, wealth transfer, legacy planning, estate planning and exceptional customer service, Tom’s goal is to exceed his clients’ expectations in every aspect of their dealings.

His favorite aphorisms: “We focus on identifying Safe Money Strategies that aren’t too good to be true – just too good to last” and “It’s my #1 goal to assist you in exceeding yours.”

In addition it helps to follow a sound investment strategy, believing that diversification is the best strategy, uncertainty can create opportunity, and to never say never. Aside from one’s personal health there’s nothing better than the peace of mind that comes from financial independence to help lower one’s stress thus leading to a happier, healthier and more enjoyable life.

When asked how he chooses the plans that he recommends to his clients and prospects he says, “I only work with relative plans and strategies, meaning those that most representatives would only offer to their relatives (and sadly maybe not even then).” In addition, staying on the cutting edge of technology and on top of trends has been invaluable. Things are changing at such a rapid pace saying it’s like trying to hit a fast-moving target would be a massive understatement. So, if you’re not on top of what’s happening you’ll surely be left behind and your clients will suffer. Tom says another important goal is to get our clients focused on living out their dreams by tackling one by one the things on their “Lifetime To-Do-List” AKA “Bucket List.” When people are worried about their money, they can’t let themselves relax enough to really enjoy their retirement, this snowballs and then you find yourself watching CNBC instead of watching your grandkids or a beautiful sunset from a mountain top or beautiful beach with your loved one(s).”

Tom is also very involved in charitable giving by donating tens of thousands of dollars each year to a number of worthy charities including but not limited to; Mercy Corps, Children’s Cancer Association, St. Jude Hospital, Toys for Tots, Special Olympics, Make A Wish, Race for the Cure, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Parkinson’s, American Heart Association, 4-H Club, Wounded Warriors, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Alzheimer’s Association, his church and more.

When Tom retires his goal is to focus full time on philanthropy, family, friends and anything that will add value to our tremendously flawed race.