Retirement is possibly the most overlooked aspect of ordinary financial life. Retirement may be decades away for some, so why think about it now? Others may believe that they are so far behind in saving that there is no hope. Neither is correct. Saving money is nearly never too late. It is also true that it is never too early.
In either case, a professional financial advisor can frequently assist you in charting the appropriate road and identifying unanticipated areas for development.
What Kind of Financial Advisor Should You Hire?
There are various types of advisors and those claiming to be advisors. If you want to start saving for retirement, you need to hire a certified financial planner (CFP) who specializes in retirement planning.
Other financial advisors that specialize in retirement planning can be distinguished by a variety of qualifications after their names. To mention a few, these credentials include Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC).
Get suggestions from individuals you trust, ask for references, and interview potential candidates to select a financial advisor. You may prefer to work with a fee-only financial advisor rather than one that receives commissions for selling or recommending specific financial products.
When you retire, managing your retirement funds can be a difficult undertaking since it involves several factors, such as Social Security dividends and retirement account distributions, all of which affect your income and tax bracket.
If you have a large (and we mean large) bank account balance, you could consider private banking. If your family is more middle-class and prefers to stick with a large institution, you could talk to your bank. But beware: bank advisors may only recommend their bank’s mutual funds and other products, and the fees may be exorbitant.
There are also advisors that work for major financial firms like Fidelity and Vanguard. If the human touch isn’t crucial to you, a robo-advisor could also be an option.
Finally, if you enroll in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k), don’t forget to take advantage of any free advising services that come with it. The plan may not provide full financial planning, but it should at the very least explain your fund options and the potential dangers associated, as well as assist you in calculating the fees you’ll have to pay.
What Fees Do Retirement Advisors Demand?
Aside from not saving enough in the first place, the most significant impediment to your retirement funds is investing fees. When interviewing potential retirement advisors, inquire about their compensation.
If they are compensated by fees from you, inquire about the amount of their fees and whether the investment products in which they may place you will have fees. Fee-only advisors may either charge you an hourly rate, a set annual fee, or a fee depending on the amount of your money they manage, which is typically around 1% per year.
It’s also worth noting that some advisors have account minimums. If you’re just getting started, your balance may not be high enough to qualify for continuous advice.
Many commission-based advisors, on the other hand, will accept clients with minimal balances—just be sure they don’t try to steer you towards inappropriate or overly priced products. It’s worthwhile to study up on expense ratios to understand more about comparing fund fees.
Keep in mind that even seemingly minor variances in the fees charged by funds can have a significant influence over time. Assume you put $100,000 in a fund that earns 4% on average each year. If your fund charged 0.25% in yearly fees, you would receive approximately $208,000 at the end of 20 years, but just $198,000 if it charged 0.5%—a $10,000 difference.
What to Expect From a Financial Advisor
The first thing you can expect when meeting with a retirement advisor is a thorough examination of your entire financial picture based on the information you provide. What are your resources? Do you have valuable investments, real estate, pending inheritances, or other assets? What are your liabilities? Do you owe money on your house, car, credit cards, student loans, small business liabilities, or other loans? How can you strike a balance between debt service and retirement savings?
In terms of retirement, what are your plans? Do you intend to work until you are unable to work any longer, or do you want to retire sooner? Do you intend to vacation or participate in some costly hobbies? How much Social Security will you receive each month, and when is the optimum time to begin receiving benefits? How about insurance? Are you sufficiently protected?
Most employers that provide a 401(k) match an employee’s contributions up to a specific percentage, which is an excellent way to increase your savings.
Once a retirement financial advisor has collected all of your information, they will usually write a report that includes a detailed financial plan for your retirement.
Based on several possibilities, the report will most likely show how much money you’ll be able to withdraw from your accounts each month during retirement, as well as how much you’ll need to save on a monthly basis from now until then to meet your goals.
Your retirement financial advisor should also go over the various tax implications with you. For example, should you consider converting a regular IRA to a Roth? How can you reduce the taxes you’ll have to pay on your other income and assets? What about your legacy? How will you reduce your estate taxes if you finish up with a lot of assets?
If the advisor is also a portfolio manager, they may be able to design a portfolio that meets your objectives. If your adviser is unable to do so, they may be able to recommend someone who is. Consider the suggestions, but don’t forget to interview anyone who might join your retirement planning team. Do not be afraid to ask your financial advisor if they receive a referral fee.
How Do I Know If My Retirement Advisor Is Giving Me Good Advice?
While you may wish to rely on the experience of a financial advisor in some areas, it is worthwhile to invest some time in educating yourself. You’ll be able to make informed selections if you know what questions to ask.
For example, understanding the fundamentals of how different types of retirement plans function, how to maximize your Social Security payments, and how to reduce your taxes in retirement is beneficial.
Conclusion
Unless you are a professional in retirement planning, your retirement should not be a do-it-yourself project. Even the most qualified financial advisors will occasionally consult with someone else since being objective with one’s own money is tough.
You may find it beneficial to get professional assistance as soon as possible to get your retirement planning on track. If you can’t afford to hire a paid advisor at this time, you may be able to get some free advice through your employer’s 401(k) or similar retirement plan.