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FORUM SOLUTIONS GROUP, LLC DBA SAFISLIFE ADVISORS ADV PART 2A
Forum Private Client Group (CRD 143075), brochure dated February 20, 2026. Text extracted from the firm's SEC Form ADV Part 2 brochure.
View firm on SEC ↗ · Current Form ADV (PDF) ↗
Item 1: Cover Page
Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV
Firm Brochure
February 19, 2026
FORUM Solutions Group, LLC
dba SafisLife Advisors
SEC File No. 801-78874
11313 USA Parkway
Fishers, Indiana 46037
phone: 317-558-6322
email: SafisLife@forumcu.com
website: https://www.forumcu.com/resources/financial-coaching
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of SafisLife Advisors. If
you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact Jim Carr at 317-558-6322 or
email SafisLife@forumcu.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. Registration with
the SEC or state regulatory authority does not imply a certain level of skill or expertise.
Additional information about SafisLife Advisors is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Page 1
Item 2: Material Changes
Item 2: Material Changes
This Firm Brochure is our disclosure document prepared according to regulatory requirements
and rules. Consistent with the rules, we will ensure that you receive a summary of any material
changes to this and subsequent Brochures within 120 days of the close of our business fiscal
year. Furthermore, we will provide you with other interim disclosures about material changes as
necessary.
There are no material changes to this Brochure from the last annual update issued on March 17,
2025.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ...................................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................................................ 6
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ........................................................... 9
Item 7: Types of Clients ........................................................................................................................................... 10
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ................................................. 11
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................................................... 14
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................................ 15
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................... 18
Item 13: Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................... 21
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ........................................................................................ 22
Item 15: Custody .......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................... 24
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ............................................................................................................................ 25
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................................ 26
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Ownership/Advisory History
FORUM Solutions Group, LLC, dba SafisLife Advisors (“SafisLife” or the “firm”) is an Indiana
limited liability company formed in 2007. FORUM Credit Union is the principal owner of the
firm.
B. Advisory Services Offered
EnrichTM Financial Wellness Program
SafisLife offers a personal financial wellness program through Enrich and FORUM Credit Union.
Users pay a monthly subscription to access the online interface that offers features to help set
and achieve financial goals, such as the following:
▪ Access to savings account yielding competitive dividends
▪ Financial wellness coaching
▪ Financial topics and courses, such as planning for retirement, repaying student loans,
buying a home and understanding mortgages, buying or leasing a car, filing taxes, and
many others.
▪ Tools for discovering your money personality, budgeting, tracking student loans,
accessing credit scores and reports, and more
▪ Financial literacy webinars
Investment Advisory Services
SafisLife offers investment advisory services to clients through Betterment LLC, using an
automated, online investment management platform for use by independent investment
advisors. Through this Third Party Asset Management Program (“TAMP”), we provide clients a
variety of risk-based model portfolios consisting of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and a cash
allocation. The client’s portfolio is held in a brokerage account opened by the client at
Betterment Securities, a registered broker-dealer. We are independent of and not owned by,
affiliated with, or sponsored or supervised by Betterment LLC, Betterment Securities, or their
affiliates (together, “Betterment”). The Program is described in the Betterment Disclosure
Brochure (the “Program Disclosure Brochure”), which is delivered to clients by Betterment during
the online enrollment process.
We, and not Betterment, are the client’s investment advisor and primary point of contact with
respect to the Program. We are solely responsible, and Betterment is not responsible, for
determining the appropriateness of the Program for the client, assisting the client in choosing a
suitable investment strategy and portfolio for the client’s investment needs and goals, and
assisting the client in managing that portfolio on an ongoing basis. Betterment’s role is limited
to delivering the Program Disclosure Brochure to clients and administering the Program so that
it operates as described in the Program Disclosure Brochure.
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Item 4: Advisory Business
We have contracted with Betterment to provide us with the technology platform and related
trading and account management services for the Program. This platform enables us to make
the Program available to clients online and includes a system that automates certain key parts of
our investment process (the “System”). The System includes an online questionnaire that helps
us determine the client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance and select an appropriate
investment strategy and portfolio. Clients should note that we will recommend a portfolio via
the System in response to the client’s answers to the online questionnaire. The client may then
indicate an interest in a portfolio that is less or more conservative or aggressive than the
recommended portfolio, but the client will make the final decision in selecting a portfolio based
on all the information provided by the client. The client has the ability to reallocate assets or
select other portfolios on a self-directed basis or in consultation with their adviser. The System
also includes an automated investment engine through which we manage the client’s portfolio
on an ongoing basis through automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting (if the client is
eligible and elects).
Clients agree to promptly inform SafisLife, via the platform, if the information provided,
including client’s investment objectives, goals, risk tolerance, other personal and financial
circumstances, time horizon, and investment experience becomes inaccurate, and to provide
updated information, if any, about the client’s financial circumstances and investment objectives.
C. Client-Tailored Services and Client-Imposed Restrictions
Each client’s account will be managed on the basis of the client’s financial situation and
investment objectives and in accordance with any reasonable restrictions imposed by the client
on the management of the account—for example, restricting the type or amount of security to
be purchased in the portfolio.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
SafisLife may refer clients to the Betterment wrap fee program. While SafisLife does not sponsor
a wrap fee program, it may recommend third-party wrap fee programs depending on the needs
of a particular client. In wrap fee programs, brokerage commissions and transaction costs are
included in the asset-based fee charged to the client.
E. Client Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, FORUM Solutions Group, LLC, managed assets of $381,043,472 on a
discretionary basis, and $22,209,301 on a non-discretionary basis.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Methods of Compensation and Fee Schedule
Personal Finance Program Fee
For the personal finance program, users are charged a monthly subscription fee of $5.00.
Initial subscription fee will be billed on the first day of the month following enrollment.
Investment Advisory Services Fees
Investment advisory services are charged an asset-based fee calculated as a percentage of the
value of the assets being managed through the Betterment TAMP according to the following fee
schedule, which represents the firm’s maximum fees for individual services.
Assets Under Management
SafisLife Fee
Betterment Fee
Total Fee
$0–$75,000
25 bps
20 bps
45 bps
$75,000–$150,000
55 bps
20 bps
75 bps
$150,000+
70 bps
20 bps
90 bps
Asset-based fees are always subject to the investment advisory agreement between the client
and SafisLife. Such fees are payable quarterly in arrears.
B. Client Payment of Fees
Personal Finance Program Fee
Subscription fees will be paid on the online app with the user’s credit card or debited from their
online savings account.
A subscription to the online app may be canceled by the user at any time for any reason but will
continue until the end of the subscription period. Upon cancellation, the user’s savings account
held at our affiliate will remain open and continue to earn interest at the prevailing rate on
FORUM Credit Union’s regular savings account. The subscription will auto-renew unless
canceled by the user before the end of the subscription period. No refunds will be issued if the
subscription is terminated before the end of the subscription period.
Investment Advisory Services Fees
SafisLife does not require the prepayment of its fees, as fees are payable quarterly in arrears.
SafisLife requires clients to authorize the direct debit of fees from their accounts. Exceptions may
be granted subject to the firm’s consent for clients to be billed directly for our fees. For directly
debited fees, the custodian’s periodic statements will show each fee deduction from the
account. Clients may withdraw this authorization for direct billing of these fees at any time by
notifying us or their custodian in writing.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
SafisLife will deduct advisory fees directly from the client’s account provided that (i) the client
provides written authorization, and (ii) the qualified custodian sends the client a statement, at
least quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the account. The client is responsible for
verifying the accuracy of the fee calculation, as the client’s custodian will not verify the
calculation.
A client investment advisory agreement may be canceled at any time by the client, or by
SafisLife with 30 days’ prior written notice to the client. Upon termination, any earned, unpaid
fees will be immediately due and payable. The client has the right to terminate an agreement
without penalty within five business days after entering into the agreement.
C. Additional Client Fees Charged
All fees paid for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and
expenses charged by exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, separate account managers, broker-
dealers and custodians retained, if any. Such fees and expenses are described in each exchange-
traded fund and mutual fund’s prospectus, each separate account manager’s Form ADV and
Brochure and Brochure Supplement or similar disclosure statement, and by any broker-dealer or
custodian retained. Clients are advised to read these materials carefully before investing. If a
mutual fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an initial or deferred sales charge as
further described in the mutual fund’s prospectus. A client using SafisLife may be precluded
from using certain mutual funds or separate account managers because they may not be offered
by the client's custodian.
Please refer to the Brokerage Practices section (Item 12) for additional information regarding the
firm’s brokerage practices.
D. External Compensation for the Sale of Securities to Clients
SafisLife’s advisory professionals are compensated primarily through a fixed salary plus a
percentage of the assets under management. SafisLife’s advisory professionals may receive
commission-based compensation for the sale of insurance products. Please see Item 10.C. for
detailed information and conflicts of interest.
E. Important Disclosure – Custodian Investment Programs
Please be advised that the firm utilizes certain custodians/broker-dealers. Under these
arrangements we can access certain investment programs offered through such custodian(s)
that offer certain compensation and fee structures that create conflicts of interest of which
clients need to be aware. Please note the following:
Limitation on Mutual Fund Universe for Custodian Investment Programs: There are certain
programs in which we participate where a client’s investment options may be limited in certain
of these programs to those mutual funds and/or mutual fund share classes that pay 12b-1 fees
and other revenue sharing fee payments, and the client should be aware that the firm is not
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
selecting from among all mutual funds available in the marketplace when recommending
mutual funds to the client.
Conflict Between Revenue Share Class (12b-1) and Non-Revenue Share Class Mutual Funds:
Revenue share class/12b-1 fees are deducted from the net asset value of the mutual fund and
generally, all things being equal, cause the fund to earn lower rates of return than those mutual
funds that do not pay revenue sharing fees. The client is under no obligation to utilize such
programs or mutual funds. Although many factors will influence the type of fund to be used, the
client should discuss with their investment adviser representative whether a share class from a
comparable mutual fund with a more favorable return to investors is available that does not
include the payment of any 12b-1 or revenue sharing fees given the client’s individual needs
and priorities and anticipated transaction costs. In addition, the receipt of such fees can create
conflicts of interest in instances where the custodian receives the entirety of the 12b-1 and/or
revenue sharing fees and takes the receipt of such fees into consideration in terms of benefits it
may elect to provide to the firm, even though such benefits may or may not benefit some or all
of the firm clients.
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Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
SafisLife does not charge performance-based fees and therefore has no economic incentive to
manage clients’ portfolios in any way other than what is in their best interests.
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Item 7: Types of Clients
Item 7: Types of Clients
SafisLife provides its services to individuals.
SafisLife has a minimum account size/investment of $5,000. SafisLife reserves the right to waive
the minimum.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
SafisLife uses a variety of sources of data to conduct its economic, investment and market
analysis, such as financial newspapers and magazines, economic and market research materials
prepared by others, conference calls hosted by mutual funds, corporate rating services, annual
reports, prospectuses, and company press releases. It is important to keep in mind that there is
no specific approach to investing that guarantees success or positive returns; investing in
securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
SafisLife and its investment adviser representatives are responsible for identifying and
implementing the methods of analysis used in formulating investment recommendations to
clients. The methods of analysis may include quantitative methods for optimizing client
portfolios, computer-based risk/return analysis, technical analysis, and statistical and/or
computer models utilizing long-term economic criteria.
▪ Optimization involves the use of mathematical algorithms to determine the appropriate
mix of assets given the firm’s current capital market rate assessment and a particular
client’s risk tolerance.
▪ Quantitative methods include analysis of historical data such as price and volume
statistics, performance data, standard deviation and related risk metrics, how the security
performs relative to the overall stock market, earnings data, price to earnings ratios, and
related data.
▪ Technical analysis involves charting price and volume data as reported by the exchange
where the security is traded to look for price trends.
▪ Computer models may be used to derive the future value of a security based on
assumptions of various data categories such as earnings, cash flow, profit margins, sales,
and a variety of other company specific metrics.
In addition, SafisLife reviews research material prepared by others, as well as corporate filings,
corporate rating services, and a variety of financial publications. SafisLife may employ outside
vendors or utilize third-party software to assist in formulating investment recommendations to
clients.
Recommendation of Portfolios
SafisLife will assist the client in selecting an appropriate risk-based model strategy for the
client’s portfolio. A description of the criteria to be used in formulating an investment
recommendation for model portfolios is set forth below.
SafisLife may utilize additional independent third parties to assist it in recommending portfolios.
SafisLife reviews certain quantitative and qualitative criteria related to mutual or exchange
traded funds and to formulate investment recommendations to its clients. Quantitative criteria
may include:
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
▪
the performance history of an ETF manager evaluated against that of its peers and other
benchmarks
▪ an analysis of risk-adjusted returns
▪ an analysis of returns over specific time periods, sector, and style analysis
▪
the fund’s fee structure
▪
the relevant portfolio manager’s tenure
Qualitative criteria used in selecting/recommending managers include the investment objectives
and/or management style and philosophy of a mutual fund or manager; a mutual fund or
manager’s consistency of investment style; and employee turnover and efficiency and capacity.
SafisLife will regularly review the activities of the portfolios selected by the client.
Risk of Loss
The securities in the portfolios typically consist of ETFs, which are subject to some or all of the
following risk factors:
ETFs are investment companies whose shares are bought and sold on a securities exchange. An
ETF holds a portfolio of securities designed to track a particular market segment or index. Some
examples of ETFs are SPDRs®, streetTRACKS®, DIAMONDSSM, NASDAQ 100 Index Tracking
StockSM (“QQQs SM”) iShares® and VIPERs®. ETFs have embedded expenses that the client
indirectly bears.
Investing in ETFs involves risk. Specifically, ETFs, depending on the underlying portfolio and its
size, can have wide price (bid and ask) spreads, thus diluting or negating any upward price
movement of the ETF or enhancing any downward price movement. Also, ETFs require more
frequent portfolio reporting by regulators and are thereby more susceptible to actions by hedge
funds that could have a negative impact on the price of the ETF. Certain ETFs may employ
leverage, which creates additional volatility and price risk depending on the amount of leverage
utilized, the collateral and the liquidity of the supporting collateral.
Further, the use of leverage (i.e., employing the use of margin) generally results in additional
interest costs to the ETF. Certain ETFs are highly leveraged and therefore have additional
volatility and liquidity risk. Volatility and liquidity can severely and negatively impact the price of
the ETF’s underlying portfolio securities, thereby causing significant price fluctuations of the ETF.
B. Investment Strategy and Method of Analysis Material Risks
Our investment strategy is custom-tailored to the client’s goals, investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and personal and financial circumstances. For this TAMP portfolio program. SafisLife
employs a passively-managed portfolio strategy. The investment strategy for a specific client is
based upon the objectives stated by the client during consultations, and on their risk profile. The
client may change these objectives at any time and should notify SafisLife immediately of these
changes.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
C. Security-Specific Material Risks
There is an inherent risk for clients who have their investment portfolios heavily weighted in one
security, one industry or industry sector, one geographic location, one investment manager, one
type of investment instrument (equities versus fixed income). Clients who have diversified
portfolios, as a general rule, incur less volatility and therefore less fluctuation in portfolio value
than those who have concentrated holdings. Concentrated holdings may offer the potential for
higher gain, but also offer the potential for significant loss.
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
A. Criminal or Civil Actions
There is nothing to report on this item.
B. Administrative Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
C. Self-Regulatory Organization Enforcement Proceedings
There is nothing to report on this item.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Broker-Dealer or Representative Registration
Neither SafisLife nor its supervised persons are registered broker-dealers and do not have an
application to register pending.
B. Futures or Commodity Registration
Neither SafisLife nor its affiliates are registered as a commodity firm, futures commission
merchant, commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor and do not have an
application to register pending.
C. Material Relationships Maintained by this Advisory Business and
Conflicts of Interest
FORUM Credit Union
SafisLife is under common control with FORUM Credit Union, a federal credit union. SafisLife
may recommend FORUM Credit Union and its products to its clients to fulfill their banking
needs. Clients are advised that any such referral is an inherent conflict of interest due to (i) the
common ownership among the companies, and (ii) the indirect economic benefit SafisLife
receives from FORUM Credit Union products, such as the savings account.
Registration as Insurance Agency
FORUM Credit Union is a duly licensed insurance agency. Additionally, certain of SafisLife’s
supervised persons are licensed insurance agents with FORUM Credit Union, and in such
capacity, may recommend, on a fully disclosed basis, the purchase of certain insurance products.
A conflict of interest exists to the extent that SafisLife or its supervised persons recommend the
purchase of insurance products where FORUM Credit Union or SafisLife’s supervised persons
receive insurance commissions or other additional compensation. SafisLife strives to put its
clients’ interests first and foremost, and clients may utilize any insurance carrier or insurance
agency they desire.
D. Recommendation or Selection of Other Investment Advisors and
Conflicts of Interest
SafisLife does not recommend separate account managers or other investment products in
which it receives any form of referral or solicitor compensation from the separate account
manager or client.
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
A. Code of Ethics Description
In accordance with the Advisers Act, SafisLife has adopted policies and procedures designed to
detect and prevent insider trading. In addition, SafisLife has adopted a Code of Ethics (the
“Code”). Among other things, the Code includes written procedures governing the conduct of
SafisLife's advisory and access persons. The Code also imposes certain reporting obligations on
persons subject to the Code. The Code and applicable securities transactions are monitored by
the chief compliance officer of SafisLife. SafisLife will send clients a copy of its Code of Ethics
upon written request.
SafisLife has policies and procedures in place to ensure that the interests of its clients are given
preference over those of SafisLife, its affiliates and its employees. For example, there are policies
in place to prevent the misappropriation of material non-public information, and such other
policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with federal and state securities laws.
B. Investment Recommendations Involving a Material Financial Interest and
Conflicts of Interest
SafisLife does not engage in principal trading (i.e., the practice of selling stock to advisory clients
from a firm’s inventory or buying stocks from advisory clients into a firm’s inventory). In
addition, SafisLife does not recommend any securities to advisory clients in which it has some
proprietary or ownership interest.
C. Advisory Firm Purchase of Same Securities Recommended to Clients and
Conflicts of Interest
SafisLife, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and
retirement plans established by it may purchase the same securities as are purchased for clients
in accordance with its Code of Ethics policies and procedures. The personal securities
transactions by advisory representatives and employees may raise potential conflicts of interest
when they trade in a security that is:
▪ owned by the client, or
▪ considered for purchase or sale for the client.
Such conflict generally refers to the practice of front-running (trading ahead of the client), which
SafisLife specifically prohibits. SafisLife has adopted policies and procedures that are intended to
address these conflicts of interest. These policies and procedures:
▪
require our advisory representatives and employees to act in the client’s best interest
▪ prohibit fraudulent conduct in connection with the trading of securities in a client
account
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
▪ prohibit employees from personally benefitting by causing a client to act, or fail to act in
making investment decisions
▪ prohibit the firm or its employees from profiting or causing others to profit on
knowledge of completed or contemplated client transactions
▪ allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner
▪ provide for the review of transactions to discover and correct any trades that result in an
advisory representative or employee benefitting at the expense of a client.
Advisory representatives and employees must follow SafisLife’s procedures when purchasing or
selling the same securities purchased or sold for the client.
D. Client Securities Recommendations or Trades and Concurrent Advisory
Firm Securities Transactions and Conflicts of Interest
SafisLife, its affiliates, employees and their families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and
retirement plans established by it may effect securities transactions for their own accounts that
differ from those recommended or effected for other SafisLife clients. The firm does not engage
in aggregation or bulk trading, and does not conduct average pricing calculations. It is the
policy of SafisLife to place the clients’ interests above those of SafisLife and its employees.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Broker-Dealers for Client Transactions
Custodian Recommendations
For clients participating in the Betterment TAMP, Betterment Securities, a registered broker-
dealer, member SIPC, will be the qualified custodian for client accounts using Betterment LLC
and/or Betterment Institutional. Clients will open the account with Betterment Securities by
entering into an account agreement directly with them. While we do not open the account for
you, we may assist you in doing so. SafisLife is independently owned and operated and not
affiliated with Betterment.
Client’s Custody and Brokerage Costs
For client accounts that Betterment Securities maintains, Betterment Securities generally does
not charge separately for custody services. It is instead compensated as part of the Betterment
Institutional platform fee, which is a percentage of the dollar amount of assets in the account
in lieu of commissions. SafisLife has determined that having Betterment Securities execute
trades is consistent with its duty to seek “best execution” of trades (see above).
Soft Dollar Arrangements
While SafisLife has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay for
third party services, SafisLife may receive research, products, or other services from its
broker/dealer in connection with client securities transactions (“soft dollar benefits”) consistent
with (and not outside of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, and may consider these benefits in recommending brokers. There
can be no assurance that any particular client will benefit from any particular soft dollar
research or other benefits. SafisLife benefits by not having to produce or pay for the research,
products or services, and SafisLife will have an incentive to recommend a broker dealer based
on receiving research or services. Clients should be aware that SafisLife’s acceptance of soft
dollar benefits may result in higher commissions charged to the client.
Institutional Trading and Custody Services
Betterment Securities serves as broker-dealer to Betterment Institutional, an investment and
advice platform serving independent investment advisory firms. Betterment Institutional also
offers available various support services, which may not be available to its retail customers.
Some of those services help SafisLife manage or administer client accounts, while others help
us manage and grow our business. Betterment Institutional’s support services are generally
available on an unsolicited basis (SafisLife does not have to request these services) and at no
additional charge to SafisLife.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Other Products and Services
Betterment Institutional also makes available to SafisLife other products and services that
benefit SafisLife but may not directly benefit the client or client accounts. These products and
services assist SafisLife in managing and administering client accounts, such as software and
technology that may:
▪ Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting of our accounts.
▪ Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and
account statements).
▪ Provide pricing and other market data.
▪ Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting.
The custodian may also provide other benefits such as educational events or occasional
business entertainment of SafisLife personnel. In evaluating whether to recommend that
clients custody their assets at the custodian, SafisLife may take into account the availability of
some of the foregoing products and services and other arrangements as part of the total mix
of factors it considers, and not solely the nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage
services provided by the custodian, which creates a conflict of interest.
The Firm’s Interest in Custodian’s Services
The availability of these services from Betterment Institutional benefits SafisLife because we do
not have to produce or purchase them. In addition, SafisLife does not have to pay an
additional fee for Betterment Securities’ services, although these services may be contingent
upon SafisLife committing a certain amount of assets to Betterment Securities for custody.
SafisLife has an incentive to have clients maintain their accounts with Betterment Securities
based on SafisLife’s interest in receiving Betterment Institutional’s and Betterment Securities’
services that benefit our business rather than based on clients’ interest in receiving the best
value in custody services and the most favorable execution of your transactions. This is a
conflict of interest. However, the availability to us of Betterment Institutional’s and Betterment
Securities’ products and services is not based on SafisLife giving particular investment advice,
such as buying particular securities for its clients. Moreover, SafisLife believes that use of
Betterment Securities as custodian and broker-dealer is in the clients’ best interests and
consistent with SafisLife’s fiduciary duty. SafisLife’s selection of Betterment Securities is
primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of services (described above) rather than
Betterment Institutional’s and Betterment Securities’ services that benefit SafisLife directly.
As part of its fiduciary duties to clients, SafisLife endeavors at all times to put the interests of
its clients first. Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by
SafisLife or its related persons in and of itself creates a conflict of interest and indirectly
influences SafisLife’s recommendation of broker-dealers for custody and brokerage services.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
B. Aggregating Securities Transactions for Client Accounts
Best Execution
SAFISLife is recommending Betterment’s wrap fee program and therefore Betterment’s trading
and advisory fees are wrapped into one all-inclusive fee from Betterment, which is in addition to
SAFISLife’s advisory fee.
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Item 13: Review of Accounts
Item 13: Review of Accounts
A. Schedule for Periodic Review of Client Accounts or Financial Plans and
Advisory Persons Involved
For those clients to whom SafisLife provides investment management services, SafisLife
monitors those portfolios as part of an ongoing process while regular account reviews are
conducted on at least an annual basis. All investment advisory clients are encouraged to discuss
their needs, goals, and objectives with SafisLife and to keep SafisLife informed of any changes
thereto. SafisLife contacts ongoing investment advisory clients at least annually to review its
previous services and/or recommendations and to discuss the impact resulting from any
changes in the client’s financial situation and/or investment objectives.
B. Review of Client Accounts on Non-Periodic Basis
SafisLife may perform ad hoc reviews on an as-needed basis if there have been material changes
in the client’s investment objectives or risk tolerance, or a material change in how SafisLife
formulates investment advice.
C. Content of Client-Provided Reports and Frequency
The client’s independent custodian provides account statements directly to the client no less
frequently than quarterly. Clients should compare the account statements they receive from
their custodian with those they receive from SafisLife. The custodian’s statement is the official
record of the client’s securities account and supersedes any statements or reports created on
behalf of the client by SafisLife.
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided to the Advisory Firm from External Sources
and Conflicts of Interest
Please refer to the disclosures in Items 10 and 12 regarding referrals to affiliates and third-party
service providers and benefits the firm receives from its custodian(s). SafisLife may receive
economic benefits for referring clients to affiliate and third-party service providers. You are
under no obligation to utilize any service provider recommended to you by SafisLife or its
affiliates.
The firm may from time to time receive expense reimbursement for travel and/or marketing
expenses from distributors of investment and/or insurance products. Travel expense
reimbursements are typically a result of attendance at due diligence and/or investment training
events hosted by product sponsors. Marketing expense reimbursements are typically the result
of informal expense sharing arrangements in which product sponsors may underwrite costs
incurred for marketing, such as advertising, publishing, and seminar expenses. Although receipt
of these travel and marketing expense reimbursements are not predicated upon specific sales
quotas, the product sponsor reimbursements are typically made by those sponsors for whom
sales have been made or it is anticipated sales will be made. This creates a conflict of interest in
that there is an incentive to recommend certain products and investments based on the receipt
of this compensation instead of what is the in best interest of our clients. We attempt to control
for this conflict by always basing investment decisions on the individual needs of our clients.
B. Advisory Firm Payments for Client Referrals
Employees of SafisLife’s affiliate, FORUM Credit Union, may recommend to clients our firm’s
financial services and receive a referral fee. The receipt of such compensation creates a conflict
of interest in that FORUM Credit Union has an economic interest to recommend our firm. Please
be advised that the payment of a referral fee does not increase the client’s advisory fee paid to
the firm.
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Item 15: Custody
Item 15: Custody
SafisLife is considered to have custody of client assets for purposes of the Advisers Act for the
following reasons:
▪ The client authorizes us to instruct their custodian to deduct our advisory fees directly
from the client’s account.
▪ Our authority to direct client requests, utilizing standing instructions, for wire transfer of
funds for first-party money movement and third-party money movement (checks and/or
journals, ACH, Fed-wires). The firm has elected to meet the SEC’s seven conditions to
avoid the surprise custody exam, as outlined below:
1. The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes
the client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or
the third party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be
directed.
2. The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified
custodian’s form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a
specified schedule or from time to time.
3. The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction,
such as a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization, and
provides a transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
4. The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s
qualified custodian.
5. The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity
of the third party, the address, or any other information about the third party
contained in the client’s instruction.
6. The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming
the instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
7. The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a
related party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the
investment adviser.
Individual advisory clients will receive at least quarterly account statements directly from their
custodian containing a description of all activity, cash balances, and portfolio holdings in their
accounts. SafisLife urges its clients to compare the account balance(s) shown on their account
statements to the quarter-end balance(s) on their custodian's monthly statement. The
custodian’s statement is the official record of the account.
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients may grant a limited power of attorney to SafisLife with respect to trading activity in their
accounts by signing the appropriate custodian limited power of attorney form. In those cases,
SafisLife will exercise full discretion as to the selection of portfolios.
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Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
SafisLife does not take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its clients. SafisLife
will endeavor to make recommendations to clients on voting proxies regarding shareholder
vote, consent, election or similar actions solicited by, or with respect to, issuers of securities
beneficially held as part of SafisLife supervised and/or managed assets. In no event will SafisLife
take discretion with respect to voting proxies on behalf of its clients.
Except as required by applicable law, SafisLife will not be obligated to render advice or take any
action on behalf of clients with respect to assets presently or formerly held in their accounts that
become the subject of any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies.
From time to time, securities held in the accounts of clients will be the subject of class action
lawsuits. SafisLife has no obligation to determine if securities held by the client are subject to a
pending or resolved class action lawsuit. SafisLife also has no duty to evaluate a client’s eligibility
or to submit a claim to participate in the proceeds of a securities class action settlement or
verdict. Furthermore, SafisLife has no obligation or responsibility to initiate litigation to recover
damages on behalf of clients who may have been injured as a result of actions, misconduct, or
negligence by corporate management of issuers whose securities are held by clients.
Where SafisLife receives written or electronic notice of a class action lawsuit, settlement, or
verdict affecting securities owned by a client, it will forward all notices, proof of claim forms, and
other materials to the client. Electronic mail is acceptable where appropriate and where the
client has authorized contact in this manner.
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Item 18: Financial Information
Item 18: Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
SafisLife does not require the prepayment of fees of $1200 or more, six months or more in
advance, and as such is not required to file a balance sheet.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Advisory Firm’s Ability
to Meet Commitments to Clients
SafisLife does not have any financial issues that would impair its ability to provide services to
clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions During the Past Ten Years
There is nothing to report on this item.
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