Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN) (2024)

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Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN) (1)

1. Create a customized long-term strategy

Investing can involve a dizzying array of products and strategies. A financial advisor can help cut through the clutter.

  • • Build a customized strategy that works with your specific goals and risk tolerance
  • • Identify quality, diversified investment products
  • • Receive guidance to feel informed and in control of your finances
  • • Pivot your strategy as markets shift and needs change

Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN) (2)

Ken Cella, Head of Branch Development

“Our financial advisors know their clients best: what they need, what they value, and what it will take to help them achieve financially what is most important.”

2. Provide a holistic approach to your finances

A financial advisor considers your entire financial picture—not just a single investment or account—and can help you understand your assets achieve the maximum benefit.

  • Manage investments like stocks, bonds and mutual funds
  • Identify the best approach to manage and pay off debt
  • Consider assets like a private business or real estate holdings
  • Integrate risk tolerance and a preference for active vs. passive investing

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3. Plan your retirement

The average U.S. life expectancy is 78.51, and the top financial worry for 30%2 of retirees is outliving their savings. Your investment portfolio needs to provide income for as long as you'll need it, and a financial advisor can help make sure it does.

  • • Identify the type of retirement accounts best suited to your needs
  • •Meet savings goals and plan your spending for all phases of retirement
  • •Protect loved ones with an estate or trust or education savings plan
  • •Plan for lifestyle goals like vacations and hobbies

Source:

1World Health Organization
2AgeWave study, "Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement"

Retirees who report a high quality of life say the smartest retirement preparation actions they took were saving early, reducing debt, maximizing contributions, and working with a financial advisor.

Source: Agewave, Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement, 2022

4. Prepare for the unexpected

You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it. A financial advisor can help you cope with the fallout of life's unexpected events and adapt your strategy to stay on track.

  • • Market dips that impact your current investments
  • •Job loss or other career changes that impact your income
  • •Destruction of a home or other property damage
  • •Major injury or illness

5. Replace reaction with reason

During periods of market turbulence, it's easy to allow emotional reactions to drive investment decisions. An experienced third party can give you the confidence to stay the course.

  • • Develop a mindset around long-term gains instead of short-term comfort
  • •Create a data-driven approach that helps quell feelings of uncertainty
  • •A continuous focus on risk tolerance and time horizon customized for your needs
  • •Follow only the most relevant and objective online news sources

6. Consider investment factors up ahead

Investors often have goals based on current and planned needs, but financial advisors can offer guidance around factors that you may not have considered.

  • Combat rising inflation costs
  • Prepare for post-retirement healthcare expenses like Medicaid
  • Plan for regulations that impact taxable accounts, contribution limits, etc.
  • Provide withdrawal rate guidance over the course of retirement

7. Limit tax liabilities and penalties

As you plan your investments, a financial advisor can identify which accounts are taxable, as well as help you navigate changing tax laws and regulations—to help ensure your wealth remains yours.

  • • Invest in accounts with different tax treatments to diversify
  • •Consider taking advantage of tax-loss harvesting to maximize investments, especially in retirement
  • •Limit or eliminate tax penalties and various fees
  • •Adapt to new regulation like Secure 2.0

Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN) (3)

Sarah Karpicus, Registered Branch Associate

“Clients know that if they call our branch, they’re going to get one of us. They know our names, they know what we did over the summer. We are real people to them, and we have a personal relationship.”

8. Build a long-term, trusted relationship

Building a personal relationship with a financial advisor helps the FA tailor their guidance to your specific life situation—and the value of a long-term, trusted partnership compounds over time.

  • A broader understanding of your financial goals helps deliver a richer financial strategy
  • Deeper knowledge of your personal situation helps forecast future needs
  • Financial independence may help support your mental and emotional health
Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN) (2024)

FAQs

Benefits of working with a financial advisor - New (US|EN)? ›

Not everyone needs a financial advisor, especially since it's an additional cost. But having the extra help and advice can be paramount in reaching financial goals, especially if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to get there.

Is it smart to work with a financial advisor? ›

Not everyone needs a financial advisor, especially since it's an additional cost. But having the extra help and advice can be paramount in reaching financial goals, especially if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to get there.

What is the value of working with a financial advisor? ›

Investors who work with an advisor are generally more confident about reaching their goals. Industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add up to 5.1% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated.

Are you better off with a financial advisor? ›

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

What to expect when you work with a financial advisor? ›

What Should You Expect from Your Financial Advisor?
  • To Act as a Fiduciary. ...
  • To Help You Set Realistic Financial Goals. ...
  • To Offer Customized Services Based on Your Goals and Preferences. ...
  • To Provide You with Enough Education to Understand. ...
  • To Communicate Regularly. ...
  • To Be Proactive, Not Reactive.
May 24, 2024

Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor? ›

Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.

Is it worth it to pay for a financial advisor? ›

If, however, you have some money you want to invest, maybe you run a business, or you come into an inheritance, a financial advisor is a good idea to help you navigate financial decisions. Their time might seem expensive, but consider the time you would need to spend to learn as much as they know.

How much money should you have to work with a financial advisor? ›

Depending on the net worth advisor you choose, you generally should consider hiring an advisor when you have between $50,000 - $1,000,000, but most prefer to start working with clients when they have between $100,000 - $500,000 in liquid assets.

What are the disadvantages of a financial advisor? ›

Limited availability: Financial advisors may not be available at all times, which can be a problem if you need urgent advice or assistance. Risk of scams: unfortunately, there is a risk of financial scams in the industry, and it's important to be aware of this risk when working with a financial advisor.

At what net worth do you need a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

At what point is it worth getting a financial advisor? ›

Key points

Consider hiring an advisor if your finances are complex or you experience a major life event. Choose an advisor you feel comfortable with and whose expertise aligns with your needs.

Should you tell your financial advisor everything? ›

The more you share with your advisor, the better they'll be able to do their job and help you optimize your financial life.

Is a financial planner worth 1%? ›

While 1.5% is on the higher end for financial advisor services, if that's what it takes to get the returns you want, then it's not overpaying, so to speak. Staying around 1% for your fee may be standard, but it certainly isn't the high end. You need to decide what you're willing to pay for what you're receiving.

Why is it beneficial to work with a financial advisor? ›

“A financial advisor can help you think through the ways you could put that money to work toward your personal and financial goals,” Lawrence says. You'll want to think about how much could go to paying down existing debt and how much you might consider investing to pursue a more secure future.

How often should I hear from my financial advisor? ›

Every relationship is different, and because financial planning is such a personal issue, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for how often you should talk to your adviser. But financial planner Don Grant says there should be a review at least semi-annually.

What happens at the first meeting with a financial advisor? ›

It all starts with a conversation. The path to your financial future starts with your complimentary initial consultation with a financial advisor. Meeting a financial advisor is an opportunity for you to ask questions, talk about your long-term goals and current priorities and get to know each other.

Is it smart to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Meeting with a financial planner regularly can help you establish healthy financial habits and keep you accountable to your goals. Although, there are major life events that may prompt you to seek out a certified financial planner for guidance on how to move forward.

Is it safe to work with a financial advisor? ›

Use an Independent Custodian. Most reputable financial advisors never take possession of your money. Giving them direct access makes it easy for them to steal funds. Avoid doing that unless you're 100% certain that you can trust the person you're working with.

How much money should you have before hiring a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

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