Choosing a retirement advisor to help with your finances can be difficult. However, it can be one of the most important steps towards a better retirement future. The retirement advisor’s job is to establish a plan for you, tailored to your specific retirement situation. They can help with retirement planning , strategies, budgeting, taxation, etc.
But if this is your first time looking for this kind of help, it can be difficult to choose a retirement advisor that is right for you. What qualifications should they have? Are they trustees? Here’s how to choose a retirement advisor that’s right for you.
How to choose a retirement advisor in 8 easy steps
We suggest using the following tips to choose a retirement advisor that is right for you and your goals.
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Find a retirement advisor near you
You should do thorough research when choosing a retirement advisor. If you can’t find the best of your references, just use your best search engine and type in “retirement advisor around me” . ” And thousands of websites listing retirement advisors in your local area will be displayed.
But choosing the right and best retirement advisor can be difficult. This does not mean that the results of the “retirement advisor near me” search will not be useful. This means you won’t know which sites are most useful and it can be overwhelming to go through them all.
In fact, the best retirement advisors are not hard to find; you just need to know where to look.
Alternatively, use Smart Asset’s Free Matching Tool to view nearby listings and find your retirement advisor among the 3 closest retirement advisors. Searching for retirement planners or advisors near you is much easier with Smart Asset. You simply answer a few questions and the tool matches you with up to three (3) retirement advisors in your local area.
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Get referrals
In addition to the “retirement advisor near me” search results, getting referrals is an effective way to find a reputable retirement advisor in your local area. Make a list of potential retirement advisors from your accountant, bank or employer.
You can also ask your friends, family and colleagues for recommendations. If they are or were happy working with one, they will likely recommend one to you. One thing you will notice is that there are different types of retirement advisors.
Some specialize in estate planning, retirement planning, while others focus more on investing. As you narrow down your list of the best retirement advisors, call each of them to set up an appointment and interview them.
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Research the cost of retirement advisor
Retirement advisor cost is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a retirement advisor. It tells you how much the retirement advisor charges for the service provided. Some consultants are paid by the hour (consultant fee only); while others charge commission or percentage.
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Ask if they are “trustees”.
There are two types of retirement advisors.
A fiduciary retirement advisor is an advisor required to provide advice that is of interest to you. The other type of consultant is required, usually by the employer, to recommend certain products or strategies to you.
A fiduciary retirement advisor is the type you want to work with.
SmartAsset’s free tool can help you find a licensed consultant near you.
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Search your credentials
Is the board certified? In that case, this is a good sign. Anyone can call themselves a retirement advisor. But if they are board certified, let them know that they have the skills, training and education needed to provide retirement advice.
Also, look for misconduct or confirm that the retirement advisor has no disciplinary action against him. Two free sites to check are: Broker Check and Adviser Public Disclosure Database . They are maintained by the and Exchange Commission.
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Consider their experience
When it comes to your finances, experience matters. The more experience a retirement advisor has, the better their prospects or retirement results.
Ask how many clients with their specific situation the retirement advisor has helped. If you need help with estate planning, ask how many projects the retirement advisor has done for his past clients.
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Research the retirement advisor’s company
While some retirement advisors are independent advisors, many of them work for an firm or retirement services firm.
The quality and reputation of this company is important when choosing your retirement advisor. It’s important because retirement advisors at top-rated firms have more resources and can deliver better results.
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Review the retirement advisor’s reviews
Reading what other people have to say about a retirement adviser can provide insight into how a retirement adviser operates. You can learn about how well clients trust the retirement advisor, how much time the client spends with the advisor, and how well he or she answers the question.
Remember that a happy customer is less likely to give feedback than an unhappy one; therefore, try not to base your choice of retirement advisor solely on customer ratings and reviews.
In conclusion, y You can find a retirement advisor at:
How do you choose a retirement advisor? Do you consider a retirement advisor near you? Do you consider how much the retirement advisor costs?
Work with the right John Labunski retirement advisor
You can talk to a retirement adviser who can review your finances and help you achieve your goals (whether it be earning more money, paying off debt, investing, buying a home, planning for retirement, saving, etc.). Find someone who meets your needs with Smart Asset’s Free Retirement Advisor Matching Service . You answer a few questions and they match you with up to three retirement advisors in your area. So if you want to help develop a plan to achieve your retirement goals, get started now.