Tom Hamlin

Thomas B. Hamlin is the founder and CEO of the Somerset Family of Companies and a highly acclaimed financial professional with more than 35 years of experience in retirement planning, wealth management and income-focused strategies. He is widely recognized for building a client-first, fiduciary-driven organization that integrates disciplined planning, robust supervision and an exceptional client experience.

Tom serves as CEO and chief compliance officer of Somerset Securities, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC; broker-dealer established in 1963), overseeing a comprehensive securities platform that includes mutual funds, alternative investments, private placements, DST/1031 strategies, variable annuities and other securities-related offerings. He is also the founder and CEO of Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC, specializing in fixed insurance solutions such as fixed index annuities and life insurance, and Somerset Wealth Management, LLC, a fee-based registered investment advisory firm providing fiduciary wealth management and institutional-style portfolio management through its relationship with Charles Schwab.

Registrations and Professional Credentials

Tom holds multiple securities and insurance licenses that reflect both client-facing capability and supervisory responsibility:

• Series 7 (General Securities Representative): Authorizes the offer and sale of a broad range of securities products.

• Series 24 (General Securities Principal): Qualifies supervisory oversight of registered representatives, branch activities and key broker-dealer functions.

• Series 14 (Compliance Official): Supports broker-dealer compliance leadership and oversight functions, including supervision of regulatory policies, procedures and controls.

• Series 99TO (Operations Professional): Recognizes proficiency in broker-dealer operations, including trade processing, clearance/settlement workflows, account servicing and operational controls.

• SIE (Securities Industry Essentials): Establishes baseline knowledge of the securities industry, including products, markets, regulatory agencies and ethical practices.

• Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law): Commonly referred to as “blue sky,” supporting securities business across states where registration is required.

• Series 65 (Investment Adviser Representative): Demonstrates competency in advisory regulations and fiduciary standards applicable to fee-based investment advisory services.

• Series 6 (Investment Company & Variable Contracts): Authorizes activity in packaged products such as mutual funds and variable contracts.

• Life and Disability Insurance License: Supports the implementation of insurance-based strategies, including annuity and life insurance solutions, where appropriate.

Experience, Leadership and Industry recognition

Since entering the financial services industry in 1990, Tom has helped thousands of individuals and families nationwide implement retirement and wealth strategies. Over the course of his career, he has overseen the placement of more than $1 billion in client assets and has served nearly 5,000 clients across all 50 states and U.S. territories. In addition, Tom works with clients in more than 20 countries worldwide, reflecting the increasingly global lives and retirement goals of the families he serves. In many cases, his guidance has helped clients build the clarity, confidence and financial structure necessary to retire abroad — enabling them to relocate to and enjoy retirement in a wide range of destinations around the world. Notably, more than 98% of his business is derived from long-term client relationships and referrals.

Tom’s leadership foundation was built at nationally recognized firms where he consistently performed at the highest levels. At Raymond James Financial Services (NYSE: RJF), he served as a top-producing advisor and branch manager for 15 and a half years and was a seven-year member of the firm’s Elite Chairman’s Council, ranking among the top 30 advisors nationally (out of approximately 5,000) based on total production. He was also recognized as Raymond James’ number one annuity producer in the United States for nine consecutive years based on annual annuity premiums. In 2012, Tom acquired Bay Colony Securities (BC Securities, Inc.), a broker-dealer founded in 1963 in the Boston area (Member SIPC), establishing the foundation for what is now Somerset Securities, Inc.

Earlier in his career, Tom served as first vice president at Prudential Securities from October 1994 to May 1997, where he ranked in the top five nationally in personal annuity and insurance production and led his Los Angeles branch to the number one position in the nation for annuity sales from 1996 to 1997. Prior to Prudential, he ranked number one and number two in production for four consecutive years at Independent Advantage Financial, Inc., contributing to its growth as the nation’s largest independent shopping service for annuities and insurance products.

A nationally recognized authority on retirement income and annuity strategy, Tom is the founder of AnnuityFYI.com, one of the nation’s most trusted independent resources for annuity education and analysis. He also co-hosts the podcast “Conquering Retirement with AnnuityFYI,” a practical, client-first program designed to help investors make smarter retirement decisions with greater confidence and clarity. Joined by Megan L. Odermatt, his executive assistant of nearly 13 years, and Brian Hamlin, a financial advisor, fiduciary and Tom’s son, he brings a real-world perspective to today’s most important planning topics — from income design and product selection to market conditions, behavioral pitfalls and implementation best practices. His insights have been featured for decades by leading national outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, InvestmentNews, Financial Planning Magazine and MarketWatch, and he has frequently been recognized among America’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors by multiple publications.

Philosophy and Client Experience

Tom’s work is grounded in a simple principle: Recommendations must be appropriate, understandable and aligned with a client’s objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. He is known for a planning approach that emphasizes retirement income, principal-risk management, diversification and legacy considerations — supported by high standards for communication, implementation and service.

Giving Back

Philanthropy is central to Tom’s mission and Somerset’s culture. Through Somerset’s charitable initiatives, a portion of the firm’s net profits is donated annually to a broad range of nonprofit organizations. Tom’s long-term vision is to expand Somerset’s positive impact — helping clients achieve financial independence while contributing meaningfully to the communities Somerset serves.

Family

Outside of Somerset, Tom values time with his longtime partner, MacKenzie, and his family. He is the proud father of five children: Brian, who now works alongside him at Somerset; Lindsey, Sydney, Harper and Tommy. Tom’s favorite hobby is traveling the world with MacKenzie and his family; he has visited more than 70 countries and has a personal goal of exploring over 100.