A financial review meeting with a wealth advisor can be an opportunity to gain clarity, refine your goals, and ask questions. Doing some homework ahead of time can help you feel more prepared and make the most out of your review. Whether you’re a client of Marshall Financial or perhaps changing financial advisors, consider posing these insightful questions during your upcoming meeting.
Questions for your wealth advisor
Can we review my financial goals? Take the opportunity to revisit and refine your financial goals. Discuss any changes in your life circumstances and ensure your advisor is aware of your evolving priorities. This could include letting your advisor know about a potential career change, upcoming company stock awards or bonuses, your retirement timeline, or a baby on the way.
How has my portfolio performed since our last meeting? Gain insights into the overall performance of your investments. Understanding the gains and losses that have occurred since your last meeting can help facilitate discussions on potential adjustments and your risk tolerance.
Are there any changes to our investment approach? Inquire about any adjustments or modifications made to your investment approach. Whether it’s a shift in asset allocation or a new investment opportunity, understanding these changes can help you comprehend the rationale behind them.
How is my financial health? Ask if your emergency fund is sufficient. You can also inquire about the tools and resources available to keep you updated on your net worth and your portfolio’s performance; For instance, an online portal to view account performance, financial reports, or email notifications.
Am I on track to meet my goals? A financial review meeting can be a good time to review your current savings plan and projected investment performance to gauge if you are on track to meet your goals. This question might sound like “Can I still be financially independent when I retire if I…?”
What tax-efficient strategies are we employing? Delve into the tax implications of your financial strategy. Ask about what tax-efficient strategies are currently in place and how they align with your overall plan.
Are there any new opportunities that I should take advantage of? Is your advisor staying on top of changes in the financial landscape and identifying opportunities that might benefit you? Each year there may be changes in tax law, retirement plan contribution limits, estate tax exemption amounts that could impact your financial plan.
Are you a fiduciary? Ask your financial advisor if they have a fiduciary duty to you at all times. This means that they have an obligation to put your best interests ahead of their own. Believe it or not, not all financial advisors are fiduciaries. It is good to review your financial advisor’s obligations as they may change over time.
What additional services can you provide? Explore the breadth of services your financial advisor offers. You may be surprised to find that they’re able to help you with more than just investments and retirement planning. For example, Marshall Financial wealth advisors help advise on navigating your career, understanding healthcare after retirement, supporting aging parents, and more.
Your relationship with your financial advisor often depends on trust, communication, and collaboration. By posing these questions, you could gain deeper insight into your financial strategy and help strengthen your partnership with your advisor, better equipping you to navigate the financial complexities of life. Remember, your advisor is there to help support your financial well-being and your proactive engagement can help contribute to your ongoing success.
