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For most of us, the protection of wealth and life assets is a priority, yet incredibly challenging. There are many unique considerations to protecting what matters most to you – whether you are a business designing programs for your employees or a private client.
The Risk Strategies team of experts are professionals with deep expertise — offering valuable insights and wealth, retirement, and tax planning solutions. We work to provide peace of mind; listening and providing options designed to help you meet your unique objectives. We help to ensure that your financial future is protected from known and unknown risks. Our responsive team members are committed to answering all of your questions, provide you with insights and enabling you to make informed decisions regarding the protection of your assets.
The Risk Strategies team of experts offers a full suite of comprehensive business and individual financial and wealth services, including:
Certain individuals associated with Risk Strategies are registered to offer investment advisory services and securities with third-party investment advisers and/or broker-dealers that are not owned or controlled by or affiliated with Risk Strategies. Please ask our team members for more information about the investment advisory and securities brokerage firms performing these regulated services. For information on each of our listed Solution Experts’ registration status, please view their individual website disclosures. Additional information about individuals registered with FINRA can be found on FINRA's BrokerCheck.
National Life Insurance Practice Leader
National Life Insurance Practice Leader
Matthew Friedson joined Risk Strategies in 2022 as the National Life Insurance Practice Leader. He is responsible for developing and leading the national growth strategy for the Life Insurance practice.
Matthew has more than 15 years of experience specializing in complex insurance applications of estate and business planning, educating clients and helping them to develop and implement powerful strategies to meet their objectives. He spent nine years as a senior adviser with a mid-Atlantic (DC) area brokerage and consulting firm where he specialized in private client services, advising clients across the country on wealth transfer and tax planning strategies, as well as business succession planning. During the last five years, he also held a principal role for a boutique private client personal lines property and casualty firm.
Matthew holds a marketing degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business and a Series 6 securities license. He is a member of the National Young Leadership Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America and previously served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington for five years.
For six consecutive years including 2022, Matthew has been awarded the ‘Best Financial Adviser: Insurance’ designation by the Washingtonian (https://www.washingtonian.com/best/financial-advisers/ and in 2023, he was listed into their Top Wealth Advisor Hall of Fame (https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/01/31/top-wealth-adviser-hall-of-fame/)
Securities offered through Lion Street Financial, LLC. (LSF), Member FINRA/SIPC. Risk Strategies is not affiliated with LSF. Receipt of an award should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional and is no guarantee of future investment success.
Managing Director
Michael Waters serves as Managing Director in the Financial & Wealth Services division of Risk Strategies. He brings more than 35 years of financial services experience to his clients with a focus on employee benefits, wealth management, and retirement plan services.
Michael started his career with Profit and Pension Planners inc., a retirement plan consulting firm in 1985 and became a partner in 1989. In 2003, Michael was one of the founding members of TSG Financial LLC, a full-service employee benefits and Financial Services consultant and broker. TSG Financial was acquired by Risk Strategies in 2016.
Michael strives to provide highly-responsive, personalized strategies to sophisticated clients who desire holistic financial counsel. He believes in developing long-term partnerships with his clients who benefit from competitive, transparent pricing, appropriate products, and personalized guidance. Michael works closely with the Private Equity and Employee Benefits teams to deliver retirement plan solutions which complement the overall corporate programs at Risk Strategies.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Binghamton University. He is a chartered life underwriter, CLU, and Chartered Financial Consultant.
Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, and Investment Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. TSG Financial and Risk Strategies are not affiliated with the Securities America companies.
Managing Director
Howard Zodicoff serves as Managing Director in the Financial & Wealth Services division of Risk Strategies. He brings three decades of financial services experience to his clients and was a business owner prior to joining the firm.
In 1996, Howard merged his firm with Standard Pension Services, LLC, and has been an integral part of the firm’s growth. In June 2020, Howard became President of Standard Pension Services, LLC. In September 2022, the firm joined Risk Strategies adding to the company’s existing financial service capabilities, with a focus on retirement planning.
Howard specializes in providing solutions in all areas of wealth management, retirement plan design/administration and corporate benefits for individuals and companies. He is committed to transparency, thoughtfulness, and being available to his clients. Howard strives to build personal relationships with every client he serves. Aside from his credentials and considerable experience, his clients appreciate Howard’s dedication, diligence, and the personal interest he takes to best accomplish their goals.
Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from State University of New York College at Old Westbury. He holds a series 6 and 7 securities license as well as life and health insurance.
Howard lives in Roslyn, New York, with his wife, daughters, and dog. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and traveling.
Investment Advisory services provided through Aurora Private Wealth, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Certain representatives of Aurora Private Wealth are also Registered Representatives offering securities through APW Capital, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.
