Introduction
For more than three decades, Thomas B. Hamlin has helped Americans navigate one of life’s most complex financial transitions: retirement. As Founder and CEO of the Somerset Family of Companies, Hamlin has built a fully integrated financial ecosystem designed to provide clarity,
protection, and long-term financial independence.
With over $1.2 billion in client assets placed and nearly 5,000 families served nationwide, his firm blends institutional-level investment expertise with personalized fiduciary care. In an industry often driven by transactions, Hamlin has built a practice rooted in trust, discipline, and client-first
principles.
From Ice Cream Routes to Investment Routes Thomas Hamlin’s path into financial services did not begin on Wall Street. In the 1980s, he
worked as a territory manager for Breyers Ice Cream under Kraft Foods, learning the fundamentals of business through customer relationships and operational discipline.
He later transitioned into real estate, quickly earning recognition as a top-performing agent. But in 1990, Hamlin entered the financial services industry — a move that would ultimately define his career. Rising through leadership roles at Independent Advantage Financial and Prudential Securities, he became a nationally recognized producer in annuities and insurance.
Yet even at the height of corporate success, Hamlin envisioned something different: a financial firm built on independence, fiduciary responsibility, and holistic retirement planning.
In 1997, that vision became Somerset.
The Somerset Family of Companies
Founded in 1997 in Lake Oswego, Oregon, the Somerset Family of Companies was created to eliminate conflicts of interest and provide comprehensive retirement solutions under one coordinated structure.
Instead of separating investment advice, insurance strategies, and brokerage services across different firms, Somerset integrates them under three specialized entities.
Somerset Wealth Strategies, LLC
The insurance planning division providing:
Fixed annuities (MYGA)
Fixed index annuities (FIA)
Life insurance for legacy planning
Medicare guidance
Long-term care planning
Somerset Wealth Management, LLC
A fee-based Registered Investment Advisory firm delivering:
Fiduciary portfolio management
Institutional-level investment strategies
Transparent advisory fees
Long-term wealth management planning
Somerset Securities, Inc.
A FINRA-registered broker-dealer offering:
Mutual funds and managed portfolios
Alternative investments
Private placements
1031 exchange strategies
Variable annuities
This structure allows Somerset to offer both growth-oriented investment strategies and risk
protection solutions without product limitations.
Leadership Principles
Throughout his career, Hamlin has built Somerset on a set of core leadership principles.
- Client Interests Come First
Every recommendation must align with the client’s goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. - Integrity Above All
Long-term trust is more valuable than short-term gain. - Excellence Is the Standard
Continuous education and disciplined execution define the firm’s culture. - Team Excellence
Strong teams create stronger outcomes for clients. - Perseverance
Markets change. Principles endure.
Revolutionizing Retirement Education
In October 2000, Hamlin launched AnnuityFYI.com, a platform designed to educate consumers
about annuities without sales pressure.
At a time when most financial advisors were just beginning to explore the internet, the site
introduced a radical concept: education before transaction.
Today, AnnuityFYI is one of the nation’s most trusted independent annuity resources, offering:
Educational articles and guides
Objective product comparisons
Retirement planning insights
The podcast Conquering Retirement with AnnuityFYI
Hamlin believes that well-informed clients make better decisions — and build longer-lasting
advisory relationships.
Innovation and Technology
While many firms view technology as a threat to traditional advisory services, Hamlin sees it as a
powerful tool for improving client outcomes.
Somerset has integrated artificial intelligence and advanced analytics into several key areas:
Client onboarding optimization
Portfolio risk analysis
Data management and security
Personalized client communication
Operational efficiency
The goal is not to replace human advisors, but to enhance their ability to serve clients more effectively.
A Vision for the Future
With more than 35 years in financial services, Hamlin has witnessed every major market cycle from the 1987 crash to the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic volatility.
These experiences reinforced his belief that financial firms must be built for resilience.
Somerset was designed to withstand market turbulence while continuing to serve clients with stability and discipline.
Looking ahead, Hamlin’s long-term vision extends beyond business success. He hopes to dedicate more time to philanthropy and charitable nitiatives, ensuring that the firm’s impact continues long after his leadership tenure.
“Business is fundamentally about relationships.
Whether you’re selling ice cream or managing life savings,
trust is everything.”
“Because in the end, people don’t trust firms. They trust people.
And lasting financial relationships are built on integrity, expertise, and
putting the client first.”
— Thomas B. Hamlin
