Why a Retainer?
For some clients, working together on a long-term basis is the smartest choice. When we work with clients year round, we are able to take a truly comprehensive approach to your unique personal financial plan. The fees for this service are determined based upon our understanding of the complexity of a client’s financial situation and the scope of the engagement. We strongly believe this type of relationship provides the fewest possible conflicts of interest between the goals and objectives of the client and the recommendations provided by the advisor.
Additionally, the complete transparency of this fee structure is congruent with how we believe investment advice should be delivered. We will never hide our fees in layers of legalese or percentage based calculations that are deducted from your accounts. Our agreements clearly state the fee we charge in real dollars! Plus, we actually lower our fee in your renewal year as we believe once a lot of the heavy lifting is done, we shouldn’t charge you the same amount for less work. The yearly minimum for this service is $2,500 and the maximum is $25,000.
As directed by the client, this service will include ongoing reviews of the following.
Goals and Values. Your goals and values are the foundation on which your personal financial plan is built. Everything else is coordinated so that you can achieve your goals while remaining true to your values.
Risk Management. Determining how much insurance coverage you need, what risks you can afford to self-insure, where you should buy your insurance, how much you should pay for it, and understanding and maximizing your employee benefit package are vitally important to your financial security.
Estate Planning. Estate planning goes well beyond making a will. It may involve naming a guardian for minor children, making provisions for dependents with special needs, addressing medical directives and other end-of-life considerations, minimizing estate taxes, determining when a trust is appropriate, and deciding how to most effectively transfer ownership of a small business. We’ll help you consider choices you can then implement with your attorney.
Tax Planning. You don’t have a choice about paying taxes, but you can avoid making the mistake of overpaying them. Tax planning helps to lawfully structure your income and take advantage of the adjustments, deductions, and credits for which you qualify so that you pay only what you owe when you owe it.
Tax Preparation. By including tax preparation in your retainer we simplify your life while also ensuring that our tax planning strategies are correctly reflected on your return. Already have a professional tax preparer you don’t want to leave? No problem! We provide a second set of eyes to review your return and will be glad to work with the professional of your choice.
Portfolio Analysis. We compile a complete inventory of your investments and analyze each for costs, tax efficiency, performance, risk, and diversification. We help you to understand what you have and whether what you have is appropriate for you.
Investment Allocation. We use Functional Asset Allocation to create an overall net worth growth or preservation plan that protects you during market downswings and helps you fully participate in times of prosperity.
Investment Implementation. No matter which investment custodian you use, we work with you so that the changes we agree on are made correctly and on a timely basis.
Retirement Planning. Retirement planning is more than simply ensuring that you won’t outlive your money. It also involves the timing of benefits, including Social Security, and – beyond the money aspects – it’s about how you will make your retirement years personally fulfilling and enjoyable.
Cash Flow Planning. Deciding in advance how you will spend your money ensures you are making regular progress toward financial independence and keeps your plan on track. If you are dealing with debt and spending issues, we will help you set priorities and gain control over your money.
Education Funding. If you have children or grandchildren, identifying the right mix of alternatives and maximizing their use is a complex and confusing process, but there are ways for families of any income level to effectively save for future college costs.
Business Planning. Owning a small business can have a big impact on your personal financial plan – in taxes, in risk management, in cash flow, and in estate planning. Integrating small business planning with your personal financial plan is another key to reaching your goals.
Ongoing Consultation to help you deal with life’s stress. Our open retainer means that, in addition to the services listed here, we will provide advice any time you request it on the financial matters that concern you. Life changes and we are there to address issues as they come up.
Tired of solicitors pitching various financial products? Tell them to talk to your financial advisor and give them our number! Because we don’t sell any products, we can sort through the clutter and determine if an opportunity is worth considering because or only obligation is to you!
Ever wish someone besides you could talk to your adult children about their money issues? Let us know and we will try to provide them direction as well. Sometimes it’s easier to accept advice when it doesn’t come from Mom or Dad!
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