STATEN ISLAND, NY -- DONGAN HILLS -- It's hard to ignore all the talk about diet and fitness, and how 30 is the "new" 40, 40 is the "new" 30 and 60 is the "new" 50. It's a nice concept -- feeling as though you are years younger.

But what if you really are in your 50s, moving closer to retirement age and as financially fit as a 20-year-old? In this case, the "new" 20 doesn't seem as attractive.

"It's not uncommon for us to encounter individuals in their mid- to upper-50s and beyond that are totally unprepared for retirement," said employee-benefits and financial consultant Anthony Carro of Red Tree Advisors.

Carro and his son, Anthony Jr., help people make a plan, no matter what their age, by developing sensible financial strategies and making the best use of employee benefits. They also assist businesses in the creation of employee-benefits packages.

The 20-year-old financial-planning firm has offices at 1481 Hylan Blvd., Dongan Hills, and in Fords, N.J.

"Most business owners really care about their employees, but they do a poor job of communicating the value of the benefit plan to the rank and file," Carro said. "We help the employees understand the commitment the owner is making to the staff."

Most financial experts agree that the earlier you begin planning, the better your chances of securing financial wealth and enjoying the retirement you envision.

But financial priorities and concerns often vary among age groups and among individuals, said Carro Jr.

The father-and-son team address these differences, with each of them focusing on a different age demographic.

While the senior Carro devotes most of his attention to older clients, usually business owners ranging from their early 50s to mid-70s, his 27-year-old son concentrates on younger entrepreneurs and newcomers to the job market.

"These are often people who are just starting to build their businesses, and are looking for tax and investment strategies, along with ways of financially protecting their young families," said Carro Jr., who, like his father, is an employee-benefits and financial consultant. "Many young business owners and professionals are at a time in their lives where they require sound investment-advice regarding 401K investment options and life insurance."

Business planning, he said, is an additional consideration for "the unknown number of entrepreneurs that will undoubtedly spring up from within the younger generation."

Demographics aside, each Red Tree Advisors client is looked upon as an individual with unique financial needs and aspirations. And this factor has been a key to the firm's success.

"Mostly every new client of the firm is introduced by a friend," Carro Jr. said. ". . . Our clients' funds are secure. For investments, we work with the Bank of New York Mellon, and as independent advisers, we can choose the best from a huge universe of investment products for each client."

Red Tree's growth has been further enhanced by the Carro’s selectively networking with others in complementary fields.
"Red Tree Advisors looks to professionals, like the law firm of Anguili, Katkin & Gentile (AK&G Law) to help provide well-rounded financial advice and planning," Carro Jr. said.

The law firm shares the Dongan Hills address with Red Tree, and has its main office at 60 Bay St., St. George.

"By consulting with established law firms like AK&G, we can offer our clients additional services, like that of wills, trusts and estate planning," Carro Jr. said.

©2008 SI Advance