Brian T Lenihan , Financial Planner. (around 1992) My FP, after Father died, investments declined, lost $150,000, been struggling ever since.That was my retirement money that was left to me! Tarrytown New York

I should have been more informative I guess.. I was in contact with Brian on a weekly basis and did study about investing!  I am sorry that you are so smart that you new everything when you started your investing career but I had just lost my Father .  Two years earlier I lost my Mother and it was a bit overwhelming to say the least!  Brian kept in touch with me through both funerals and My grieving process.   When feeling better I did take more of an interest in my finances, so please don't be so judgemental!  By the way, I was a victim as was Brian. 

I believe Brian took many records of clients to the Supreme Court but was not heard.  It was like a "Ponzie-Scheme", type situation before that had ever existed!   The problem with the loss was that  Brian was given bad information to begin with that he could not help anymore.We kept contact for a while but then I couldn't find him anymore.  My purpose for writing the orignal letter was not to get a response like the one I received.  I wrote it to see if someone else had a similar experiance not a judgemental letter!  Also, to see if there was any way to get a return on what I invested so whoever wrote that response need not do so again.      

I am sorry to hear you had too little knowledge, and too little interest to learn, over many years, to ask about your inheirited investments. The biggest 'bluevird' and you didn't follow it? ANYONE can learn about investments. You did not try.

It was also your responsibility no matter your job as a bus driver, or a CEO, to protect and understand what was being done with money you KNEW was needed for your retirement.

No one guarantees anything in the market, they ALWAYS stress this, and it sounds like Brian did as best he could, but his choice, that you allowed him to make and never be involved with, failed at the wrong time for your needs, and his too!  Most people talk to their investment people at least ONCE  year, to learn what is going on.

I also had a 40% drop in my investments at age 60, when the market dropped, and went to my retirement planner, and insisted he move me to safer, less risky investments, and I KNEW I'd make less over years, but less risk to lose it all too.

There is nothing at this point, you can't expect anyone to "find" your money if it is lost in the market.  You need to take responsibiity on yourself, and not play the victim  who was 'duped'...you could have been much more involved all the way along...so blame yourself at least 50% for this situation.

At least you HAD some return for MANY years, and you enjoyed the gravy train while it lasted.  Many working stiffs never have anything but basic social security...no one to pay their mortgage, or a benefit of money for retirement.  Your life and health are yours, not anything to do with investments.  Di you SAVE anything for 30 years?