How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

It’s important to remember that although you hire your financial advisor as a professional to perform a specific task, your satisfaction level will be largely based on the relationship you develop. And, as with all relationships, expectations and communication play key roles. Many investors are busy, find in-person meetings burdensome and feel they’ve hired the advisor to do the work and worry for them. Others feel the need to be more involved and, perhaps, reassured with more regular interactions. In addition to striking the appropriate balance for you and your personal situation with your advisor, there are certain times when meetings are essential.

Annual meeting

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

Estate planning

When you’re creating or making a major change to your estate plan, you should meet with your financial advisor to make sure those plans fit in with your strategic financial planning scheme. Of course, your advisor cannot offer legal advice, but they can ensure your estate plan is proceeding in the right direction.

Significant financial event

Whether it’s coming into more money through an inheritance or promotion at work or acquiring a large debt, a significant financial event should trigger a meeting with your financial advisor. Your taxes, strategies and the structure of your portfolio may be impacted.

Major life-changing event

Your short and long-term financial planning can be altered by events such as marriage, birth of a child, divorce, loss of a job and many others.

Large portfolios

If you are an investor with a large portfolio, it’s likely to be diversified in ways different than the average investor. If so, a quarterly review may be more appropriate than an annual one to, for example, re-evaluate underperforming assets.

Again, one size does not fit all when it comes to financial advice. One way to provide an overview as to where you are with your investments is to visit our quick reality check for your portfolio. You’ll be glad you did.

Disclosure

The information contained herein is based on internal research derived from various sources and does not purport to be statements of all material facts relating to the securities mentioned. The information contained herein, while not guaranteed as to the accuracy or completeness, has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

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How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group? ›

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

How often should your investment advisor contact you? ›

Experts recommend meeting at least annually to review your financial strategies as your living circ*mstances change. These reviews can be in person or via video calls, and many advisors choose to text or email more frequent updates as necessary.

How much money should I have to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Some traditional financial advisors have minimum investment amounts they require to work with clients. These can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or even more. Why? Because their fees need to cover their time and expertise, and managing smaller portfolios may not be cost-effective for them.

When should you meet with a financial advisor? ›

Graduating college, getting married, expanding your family and starting a business are some major life events that might cause you to reevaluate your financial situation. A financial advisor can help you manage these life events while making sure you get or stay on track.

Should I have all my investments with one financial advisor? ›

By hiring a single investment advisor, you receive more streamlined advice as only one person manages all your money matters removing any chance of conflicting advice or any disagreement. This also allows the chosen individual to clear up your doubts and offer guidance to you on how to best attain your financial goals.

What is a red flag for a financial advisor? ›

Red Flag #1: They're not a fiduciary.

You be surprised to learn that not all financial advisors act in their clients' best interest. In fact, only financial advisors that hold themselves to a fiduciary standard of care must legally put your interests ahead of theirs.

How often should my financial advisor meet with me? ›

At the bare minimum you should expect to speak with a financial advisor once a year. Experts recommend meeting at least annually to review your financial strategies as your living circ*mstances change.

What is the 80 20 rule for financial advisors? ›

The 80/20 rule retirement emphasizes the importance of focusing on actions that yield the most significant results. When planning for retirement, concentrate on the 20% of your efforts that will have the greatest impact on your financial future.

Is 1% expensive for a financial advisor? ›

But they don't offer their advice for free. While the typical annual financial advisor fee is thought to be 1%, according to a 2023 study by Advisory HQ, the average financial advisor fee is 0.59% to 1.18% per year. However, rates typically decrease the more money you invest.

What is the average return from a financial advisor? ›

Estimates on the return on investment from having a financial advisor vary. In a 2019 whitepaper, Vanguard assessed an “Advisor's Alpha,” or the value that a financial advisor adds to a client's portfolio, to be about a 3% net return per year, depending on a client's circ*mstances and investments.

Should you tell your financial advisor everything? ›

It might come as a surprise, but your financial professional—whether they're a banker, planner or advisor—wants to know more about you than how much money you can invest. They can best help you achieve your goals when they know more about your job, your family and your passions.

Should you be friends with your financial advisor? ›

There are definite risks involved in getting too friendly with a financial advisor, or hiring a friend who is a financial advisor. "It's a good idea for everyone to take a more proactive approach with their own investments," says Vic Patel, a professional trader and founder of Forex Training Group.

What to do before talking to a financial advisor? ›

Before your first consultation, you'll want to reflect on and be prepared to discuss:
  1. Your values about money and your vision for your future.
  2. What life events are happening or could potentially happen.
  3. Short- and long-term life and financial goals.
  4. Investment questions.
  5. Your current financial situation.

Should you have more than $500,000 dollars at one brokerage? ›

Is it safe to keep more than $500,000 in a brokerage account? It is safe in the sense that there are measures in place to help investors recoup their investments before the SIPC steps in. And, indeed, the SIPC will not get involved until the liquidation process starts.

What is the average investment management fee? ›

On average, you can expect to pay between 0.5% and 2% of your total assets under management annually, $150 to $400 per hour, or a flat fee ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for a comprehensive financial plan.

Is it better to invest yourself or financial advisor? ›

Those who use financial advisors typically get higher returns and more integrated planning, including tax management, retirement planning and estate planning. Self-investors, on the other hand, save on advisor fees and get the self-satisfaction of learning about investing and making their own decisions.

Do advisors have to meet with clients annually? ›

There are Advisors who meet with clients on an Annual basis. There are Advisors who meet with clients on a Weekly basis! There is not a 'Right' answer. There is a clear bell curve with Quarterly Meetings a clear mid-point.

What is the average return from an investment advisor? ›

Investors expect annual returns of 15.6%, more than twice the 7% that financial professionals advise. The gap between the expectations of advisors and investors for Americans is more than twice the global average.

How do you know when to fire your financial advisor? ›

If you're finding it increasingly difficult to get in touch with your advisor, or if they fail to address your concerns in a timely manner, it might be time to move on. High fees and hidden costs: Another sign of trouble is exorbitant fees that eat into your returns.

How many clients does the average investment advisor have? ›

A good average number of clients per financial advisor to have is usually in the range of 50 to 150. But you may need fewer than that if you're primarily targeting high-net-worth individuals.

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