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17000+

PRODUCTS

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SAVED FOR OUR CLIENTS

CLIENT FOCUS

With access to so many products and carriers RetireCo agents aren't beholden to anyone except our clients.

UNMATCHED ACCESS & TECHNOLOGY

Great back office partners and real time quoting and analysis tools allow us to compare thousands of products quickly to find the best fit for our clients.

TRANSPARENCY

We provide clients with side by side comparisons from top rated companies so you know you are getting what is best for you.

Who We Are & What Drives Us

Brandon J. Banks

Brandon has been active in the insurance industry since 2012, servicing individuals, families and small business clients.  He holds a New York State Life, Accident & Health insurance license and is a Certified Broker for the New York State of Health Individual/Small Business Marketplace.  Brandon has earned the GBDS (Group Benefits Disability Specialist) and VBS (Voluntary Benefits Specialist) designations.

Brandon received his B.S. in Sport Management and Pre-Law minor from St. John Fisher College in 2006 where he also captained the Varsity Football Team. In addition to being committed to his clients, he is a member of the Greece Regional Chamber of Commerce where he serves on the Ambassadors and Youth Hall of Fame Committee.  Brandon and his wife Erynn have three sons - Isaiah, Timothy and Gabriel.

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Life Insurance

PROTECT THE ONES YOU LOVE THE MOST

What is Life Insurance

Life insurance is a contract between an insurer and a policyholder. A life insurance policy guarantees the insurer pays a sum of money to named beneficiaries when the insured policyholder dies, in exchange for the premiums paid by the policyholder during their lifetime.

How Life Insurance Works

A life insurance policy can has two main components - a death benefit and a premium. Term life insurance has these two components, but permanent or whole life insurance policies also have a cash value component.

  1. Death Benefit The death benefit or face value is the amount of money the insurance company guarantees to the beneficiaries identified in the policy when the insured dies. The insured might be a parent, and the beneficiaries might be their children, for example. The insured will choose the desired death benefit amount based on the beneficiaries’ estimated future needs. The insurance company will determine whether there is an insurable interest and if the proposed insured qualifies for the coverage based on the company’s underwriting requirements related to age, health, and any hazardous activities in which the proposed insured participates.2
  2. Premium Premiums are the money the policyholder pays for insurance. The insurer must pay the death benefit when the insured dies if the policyholder pays the premiums as required, and premiums are determined in part by how likely it is that the insurer will have to pay the policy’s death benefit based on the insured’s life expectancy. Factors that influence life expectancy include the insured’s age, gender, medical history, occupational hazards, and high-risk hobbies. Part of the premium also goes toward the insurance company’s operating expenses. Premiums are higher on policies with larger death benefits, individuals who are higher risk, and permanent policies that accumulate cash value.
  3. Cash Value – The cash value of permanent life insurance serves two purposes. It is a savings account that the policyholder can use during the life of the insured; the cash accumulates on a tax-deferred basis. Some policies may have restrictions on withdrawals depending on how the money is to be used. For example, the policyholder might take out a loan against the policy’s cash value and have to pay interest on the loan principal. The policyholder can also use the cash value to pay premiums or purchase additional insurance. The cash value is a living benefit that remains with the insurance company when the insured dies. Any outstanding loans against the cash value will reduce the policy’s death benefit.

Types of Life Insurance

Many different types of life insurance are available to meet all sorts of needs and preferences.

  1. Death Benefit The death benefit or face value is the amount of money the insurance company guarantees to the beneficiaries identified in the policy when the insured dies. The insured might be a parent, and the beneficiaries might be their children, for example. The insured will choose the desired death benefit amount based on the beneficiaries’ estimated future needs. The insurance company will determine whether there is an insurable interest and if the proposed insured qualifies for the coverage based on the company’s underwriting requirements related to age, health, and any hazardous activities in which the proposed insured participates.
  2. Premium Premiums are the money the policyholder pays for insurance. The insurer must pay the death benefit when the insured dies if the policyholder pays the premiums as required, and premiums are determined in part by how likely it is that the insurer will have to pay the policy’s death benefit based on the insured’s life expectancy. Factors that influence life expectancy include the insured’s age, gender, medical history, occupational hazards, and high-risk hobbies. Part of the premium also goes toward the insurance company’s operating expenses. Premiums are higher on policies with larger death benefits, individuals who are higher risk, and permanent policies that accumulate cash value.
  3. Cash Value – The cash value of permanent life insurance serves two purposes. It is a savings account that the policyholder can use during the life of the insured; the cash accumulates on a tax-deferred basis. Some policies may have restrictions on withdrawals depending on how the money is to be used. For example, the policyholder might take out a loan against the policy’s cash value and have to pay interest on the loan principal. The policyholder can also use the cash value to pay premiums or purchase additional insurance. The cash value is a living benefit that remains with the insurance company when the insured dies. Any outstanding loans against the cash value will reduce the policy’s death benefit.

Income Planning

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO PLAN FOR YOUR RETIREMENT

Start Here: Create Your Account with SSA.gov

A secure, comfortable retirement is every person’s dream. Since we're living longer, healthier lives, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did. Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances accordingly.

Social Security Retirement Planner Can Help You Now

A good place to start thinking about planning for your retirement is with the Social Security Planner. Here you can find tools and guides to help you think through this phase of your life. It also points out things you may want to consider as you prepare for the future.

Using Resources You Can:

Estate Planning Overview

PLAN FOR THE FUTURE TODAY

What is Estate Planning

Estate planning is not just for wealthy individuals who have multiple homes, businesses, and assets. Nor is estate planning something only the elderly should be concerned about. Nearly everyone has an estate and when (not if) something happens to you, having an estate plan will ensure everything you leave behind is taken care of as you wish.

What Does An Estate Plan Do?

An estate plan’s purpose is to offer various directives to those caring for you if you become disabled or for those you leave behind. The instructions you provide are included in various legal documents including wills, trust, beneficiary forms, and the like.

In general, estate plans give medical directives if you become incapacitated in additional and final and financial instructions if you pass away. Estate plans can address almost all concerns for your family by determining:

  • Your end of life services
  • When life support will cease
  • Who will take care of your pets
  • When to move to a nursing home
  • Who will take care of your children
  • Who should make medical decisions
  • Who will inherit your money and assets
  • The kind of medical care you will receive
  • How your businesses will continue operations

Proper estate planning makes sure decisions can be made swiftly and as you desire. Failure to create an estate plan will leave important decisions up to the State.

How Do I Create an Estate Plan?

There is never a better time than now to begin creating your estate plan. Begin researching estate planning checklists and start updating important documents. Early steps will include creating a will, updating beneficiaries, and purchasing life insurance. While there are many steps of estate planning you can do on your own, it is advisable to seek the advice of an estate planning attorney. Every state has different laws that require consideration. Estate plans control your legacy, protect and distribute assets, and can provide for those who you leave behind. If you have any questions about estate planning, please contact my office today to learn more.

Long Term Care

AN IMPORTANT PLAN OF YOUR FUTURE PLAN

What is Long Term Care Insurance and How Does It Work?

With the traditional long term care insurance you pay your premium, and if you need long-term care due to age or illness, the policy pays out a daily or monthly benefit. Some people think that if they die without needing long-term care, they feel they’ve “wasted” the premiums. But there is more than one type of Long Term Care Insurance

Hybrid Long Term Care Insurance

With a hybrid plan you can withdraw funds from the policy for long-term care, and the insurance company pays for care when those funds run out. And, if die without having needed expensive long-term care, your heirs receive a death benefit.

Another consideration is that the benefits are guaranteed. If you pay your premiums (usually for 10 years or less), you will have a contractually guaranteed death benefit, guaranteed cash value and a guaranteed amount of long-term care coverage.

Although hybrid policies provide you the ability to elect your long term care insurance benefits at the outset, monthly benefit, benefit period, and inflation protection they are not as flexible as traditional plans.

Some hybrid linked benefit insurance policies are funded with a one-time single premium up-front such as $50,000 or $100,000. Others are paid over short periods of time, which can make them very costly.

Plus, the premiums you pay for hybrid policies are not potentially tax-deductible, because hybrid policies are not considered tax-qualified policies.

Traditional Long Term Care Insurance

With a traditional stand-alone policy, which can be custom-tailored to suit your needs, you elect your benefits at the start

  • Monthly Benefit
  • Benefit Period (2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 6 years, Unlimited) (Individual or Shared)
  • Inflation Protection
  • Waiting Period (30 Days - 180 days)

Your premium is guaranteed renewable. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. As long as you pay your premium, you will have coverage in-force.

Most importantly because traditional policies are able to be customized. You are able to design the policies to account not only for your current needs but also to account for future inflation.

Give us a call and let’s discuss if it’s worth it for you to consider a hybrid insurance policy or if a traditional long term insurance policy makes more sense.

Medicare Simplified

UNDERSTAND MEDICARE

We believe that the better educated you are about Medicare, the easier it will be for you to make the right decisions about your Medicare health insurance choices. That's why we've created this resource section.

This Medicare information section is here to educate you about your insurance options and provide you with the resources you need to help you select the right plan for your unique needs.

If there's anything you need or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are here to help.

Auto & Home Insurance

COMPARE FROM OVER 30 CARRIERS

Why Choose RetireCo?

RetireCo has access to over 30 carriers to compare and get you the best coverage at the best price. Explore bundling with one carrier versus mixing home and auto with multiple carriers. Why shop with only one carrier when a RetireCo broker can compare and save for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • Auto coverage compared from top rated companies
  • One trusted broker across multiple lines of insurance
  • Bi-Annual policy reviews to make sure you are still getting the best deal across companies
  • Online quoting available for some carriers

Commercial P&C Insurance

COMPARE TOP RATED INSURERS

What is Commercial P&C Insurance

Commercial Property and Casualty Insurance includes policies that are designed to protect businesses from a wide range of accidents, threats and losses regarding belongings and environments. Specifically, the business property insurance portion of these types of policies helps cover buildings and property you own, such as offices, and equipment or tools that your company needs to perform essential functions.

The casualty insurance portion of these policies helps protect your company from liability when accidents happen, like if a customer is injured by one of your products or services. Examples of casualty coverages include:

  • Workers’ Compensation
  • General Liability
  • Errors and Omissions
  • Cyber Liability
  • Employers Liability Insurance (EPLI)

Commercial property and casualty insurance is key for ensuring your business’ success both now and in the future. From mitigating costs during a major storm to protecting your reputation during a lawsuit, property and casualty insurance is a category of insurance policies that can cover a wide range of risks.

Why Commercial P&C Insurance is Important

Failing to invest in property and casualty insurance is a significant risk for you, your business and your employees. Life is unpredictable, and you can never know when accidents, injuries or other negative events might affect your business.

Having the right property and casualty insurance policies for your business can help prevent financial losses during unexpected events. In addition to covering broken or stolen property, this type of insurance can help your company stay in business when a disaster happens.

Property and casualty insurance policies often come in bundles, such as a Businessowners Policy (BOP) that combines several types of insurance for your business (general liability, property and crime for example). This will help ensure you’re fully covered across all fronts.

Dental & Vision Insurance

COMPARE PLANS AND SAVE

Why Dental & Vision Insurance

Dental and Vision plans can be purchased separately of bundled at very affordable prices to meet your needs. Many of these plans offer no cost for standard procedures and can significantly reduce the cost of unexpected problems. makes it easy to get low cost dental or vision plans that fits your individual needs and your budget. Choose from an array of benefit options that include access to network providers that can help keep the cost of your care affordable.

Disability Insurance

FIND THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOU

What is Disability Insurance?

Disability Insurance, often called DI or disability income insurance, or income protection, is a form of insurance that insures the beneficiary's earned income against the risk that a disability creates a barrier for a worker to complete the core functions of their work. For example, the worker may suffer from an inability to maintain composure in the case of psychological disorders or an injury, illness or condition that causes physical impairment or incapacity to work. It encompasses paid sick leave, short-term disability benefits, and long-term disability benefits.

Why Disability Insurance?

Statistics show that in the US a disabling accident occurs, on average, once every second. In fact, nearly 18.5% of Americans are currently living with a disability, and 1 out of every 4 persons in the US workforce will suffer a disabling injury before retirement.

With our unmatched carrier access we can find the right protection for you and your family, to make sure you have piece of mind.

Health Insurance

CHOOSE FROM PLANS THAT FIT ANY NEED

What Type of Health Insurance Should I Get?

When you’re looking for health insurance, it’s a good idea to take a look at all the angles. You want coverage that works with your lifestyle, helps you get the best care possible and fits with your financial picture. We can shop from many carriers to find you that coverage With a wide range of plans and an incredibly diverse network of doctors, clinics and hospitals across the nation, you’ll be able to choose what works best for you. No matter what your situation or what type of health insurance you are looking for we can help.

Identity Theft Protection

IDENTITY THIEVES NEVER STOP, BE VIGILANT

Don't Worry we Have Partnered With ID360 To Help

Because we live so much of our lives online, our personal information is continually at risk. As it travels through cyberspace, it can be stolen and used for fraudulent purchases, credit card or bank account applications, tax filings and a host of other things that can severely damage your credit or cause other financial headaches that are hard to recover from. Information also can be sold on the “dark web," a hidden part of the internet where criminals can conduct business with relatively little chance of being caught. ID360 provides a comprehensive solution to help fight identity theft based on Prevention, Detection, and Recovery. Developed by former senior law enforcement professionals their service offers a proprietary ID checkup to provide the most in depth identity analysis allowed by law coupled with best in class monitoring and recovery services at a substantial discount to RetireCo clients.