Castle Rock Investment Company was originally launched on April 17th, 2006, as Castle Rock Investment Consulting by Michele L. Suriano. On
April 17th, 2008, the firm was incorporated as Castle Rock Investment Company (“Castle Rock”) and Michele L. Suriano is the sole owner.
Castle Rock Investment Company specializes in advising on workplace retirement plans and its participants and provides Clients with
investment advisory services that are tailored to their individual needs. Castle Rock Investment Company primarily recommends mutual funds,
exchange traded funds, stable value contracts, and money market demand accounts. Depending on client circumstances, Castle Rock may also
recommend collective investment trusts, group annuities, or synthetic annuity products if it is most appropriate to reach the client’s objectives.
Qualified Plan Services include:
Fiduciary Services:
(A) Non-discretionary investment advice to the Client about asset classes and investment alternatives available for the Plan in
accordance with the Plan’s investment policies and objectives. Client shall have the final decision-making authority regarding the
initial selection, retention, removal, and addition of investment options. Client can communicate in advance what individual
investments to exclude from consideration.
(B) Assistance with the selection of a broad range of investment options consistent with ERISA section 404(c) and the regulations
thereunder.
(C) Assistance in the development of an investment policy statement (IPS). The IPS establishes the investment policies and objectives
for the Plan. Client shall have the ultimate responsibility and authority to establish such policies and objectives and to adopt and
amend the investment policy statement.
(D) Assist in monitoring investment options by preparing periodic investment reports that document investment performance,
consistency of fund management and conformance to the guidelines set forth in the IPS and make recommendations to maintain
or remove and replace investment options.
(E) Meet with Client on a periodic basis to discuss the reports and the investment recommendations.
(F) Non-discretionary investment advice to the Plan Sponsor with respect to the selection of a qualified default investment alternative
(“QDIA”) for participants who are automatically enrolled in the Plan or who otherwise fail to make an investment election. The
Client retains the sole responsibility to provide all notices to participants required under ERISA section 404(c)(5).
(G) Discretionary investment advice to the Client in accordance with the Plan’s investment policies and objectives. Client shall
delegate decision-making authority regarding the selection, retention, removal, and addition of investment options to Castle
Rock Investment Company.
(H) Upon the Client’s written request, the Adviser may provide participant investment advice for an additional fee. The scope of
participant advice services and associated fees will be agreed upon in writing prior to the provision of advice.
(I) Discretionary and non-discretionary investment advice to individuals transitioning into and throughout retirement.
Non-fiduciary Services:
(A) Assist in the education of the participants in the Plan about general investment principles and the investment alternatives available
under the Plan. Client understands that Adviser’s assistance in participant investment education shall be consistent with and within
the scope of (d) (i.e., the definition of investment education) of Department of Labor Interpretive Bulletin 96-1.
(B) Assist in the group enrollment meetings designed to increase retirement plan participation among employees and investment and
financial understanding by the employees.
(C) Perform analysis of the fees and expenses associated with the investments and the service providers.
(D) Perform provider searches and analysis of services provided by bundled providers, record keepers and other service providers.
(E) Perform benchmarking services and provide analysis concerning the operations of the Plan and the retirement readiness of the
participants in the Plan.
Individual Financial Planning Services include:
Financial Planning:
(A) Determine Financial Goals
(B) Analyze Client’s Risk Tolerance
(C) Develop Asset Allocation and Investment Recommendations (one time or as needed)
(D) Assess Life, Disability, Health Care and Long-Term Care Insurance Needs
(E) Create Plan for Retirement Income
(F) Evaluate Basic Tax Issues (Adviser is NOT a CPA and strongly recommends suggestions be discussed with client’s tax professional)
(G) Discuss Basic Estate Planning Issues (Adviser is NOT an attorney and strongly recommends suggestions be discussed with client’s
estate planning attorney)
Retirement Planning and Investment Recommendations:
(A) Analyze Client’s Risk Tolerance (i.e., computing working life expectancy, time horizon, etc.)
(B) Check Client’s Asset Allocation for Over/Under Exposure to Various Asset Classes
(C) Suggest Rebalance Between Asset Classes
(D) Assess Quality
of Investments in Portfolio
(E) Suggest Alternate Investments if Applicable
(F) Analyze and Recommend Investments within Client’s Employer-Sponsored Plan likelihood of
College Savings Plan:
(A) Analyze Needs of College savings for Self and/or Dependents
(B) Develop Plan to Achieve Desired College Savings Goals
(C) Assist in Selecting, Opening, and Funding College Savings Vehicle(s)
Insurance Analysis:
(A) Analyze Life Insurance Requirements
(B) Analyze Current Disability Insurance Policies and Provide Recommendations Based on Client Objectives
(C) Develop Strategy for Potential Long -Term Care Needs (This may include investing/self-insuring against the possibility or transferring
risk to an insurance company)
(D) Analyze Health Care Insurance Needs and Current Policy Options
(E) Medicare planning
(F) Shop for Appropriate Insurance Policies at Client Requests (i.e., umbrella policies)
Social Security Claiming Strategy:
(A) Analyze Cashflow Retirement Needs
(B) Assess Social Security Benefits
(C) Determine Optimal Age to Claim Social Security
Retirement Income Planning:
(A) Analyze Current Cashflow
(B) Determine Retirement Goals
(C) Identify Cashflow Needs During Retirement
(D) Explore Social Security Claiming Strategies
(E) Develop Diversified Retirement Income Portfolio
(F) Explore Other Income Opportunities Available
(G) Determine Most Tax Efficient Drawdown Schedule
Estate Planning: (Adviser is NOT an attorney and strongly recommends suggestions be discussed with client’s estate planning attorney)
(A) Determine Asset Transfer Objectives for Heirs
(B) Analyze All Assets and Liabilities and How They Are Owned
(C) Analyze Current Risk Management Tools and How They are in Place
(D) Review Current Wills and Powers of Attorney
(E) Counsel on Best Practices to Mitigate Estate Taxes, Gift Taxes and Probate
General Financial Consulting:
(A) Analyze Cash Flow and Financial Needs
(B) Develop Debt Reduction Strategy
(C) Prioritize Goals
(D) Counsel on Best Practices to Grow Net Worth
Financial Planning Services are offered via a Project Based or Ongoing Financial Planning Engagement:
Ongoing Financial Planning. This service involves working one-on-one with a planner over an extended period. By paying a fixed quarterly
fee, Clients get to work with a planner who will work with them to develop and implement their plan. The planner will monitor the plan,
recommend any changes, and ensure the plan is up to date.
Upon desiring a comprehensive plan, a Client will be taken through establishing their goals and values around money. They will be required
to provide information to help complete the following areas of analysis: net worth, cash flow, insurance, credit scores/reports, employee
benefits, retirement planning, insurance, investments, college planning, and estate planning. Once the Client's information is reviewed, their
plan will be built and analyzed, and then the findings, analysis and potential changes to their current situation will be reviewed with the Client.
Clients subscribing to this service will receive a written or an electronic report, providing the Client with a detailed financial plan designed to
achieve his or her stated financial goals and objectives. If a follow-up meeting is required, we will meet at the Client's convenience. The plan
and the Client's financial situation and goals will be monitored throughout the year and follow-up phone calls and emails will be made to the
Client to confirm that any agreed-upon actionable steps have been carried out. On an annual basis, there will be a full review of this plan to
ensure its accuracy and ongoing appropriateness. Any needed updates will be implemented at that time.
Project Based Financial Planning. We provide financial planning services for Clients looking to address specific questions or issues. The Client
may choose from one or more of the above topics to cover or other areas as requested and agreed to by ADVISER. For Limited Scope Financial
Planning, the Client will be ultimately responsible for the implementation of the financial plan.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
We tailor the delivery of our services to meet the individual needs of our Clients. We consult with Clients initially and on an ongoing basis,
through the duration of their engagement with us, to determine risk tolerance, time horizon and other factors that may impact the Clients’
investment and/or planning needs.
Clients can specify, within reason, any restrictions they would like to place as it pertains to individual securities and/or sectors that will be traded
in their account. All such requests must be provided to ADVISER in writing. ADVISER will notify Clients if they are unable to accommodate any
requests.
As of December 31st, 2023, Castle Rock Investment Company managed approximately $64,562,247 for its clients on a non-discretionary basis
and $8,808,202 on a discretionary basis. Castle Rock Investment Company does not participate in any wrap fee programs.