How much money do you need for a financial advisor to be worth it?
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.
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.
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.
| Fee type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Assets under management (AUM) | 0.25% to 0.50% annually for a robo-advisor; 1% for a traditional in-person financial advisor. |
| Flat annual fee (retainer) | $2,000 to $7,500. |
| Hourly fee | $200 to $400. |
| Per-plan fee | $1,000 to $3,000. |
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.
It's smart to use a financial adviser when you need or want professional financial advice. If you happen to have a high net worth and you're comfortable managing it yourself, there may be no need. Even if you don't have a high net worth, if you have a complex situation to deal with, you may want to consult someone.
Bottom line. While not everyone needs a financial advisor, many people would benefit from personalized advice to help them build a strong financial future. You don't need to have a lot of wealth to take advantage of a financial advisor.
The Bottom Line. Anyone can manage their own assets, but that doesn't mean you should. Most people will benefit from the knowledge and experience of a professional financial advisor, especially if they have a substantial amount of assets.
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.
Costs: Financial advisors cost money, and not all charge you in the same way. Some charge a percentage of your total portfolio per year. Others charge you an ongoing annual fee, some charge a one-off service fee, while the investment broker pays others via commissions.
Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor?
Most of my research has shown people saying about 1% is normal. 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.
7. Seek Professional Finance Advice. Of high-net-worth individuals, 70 percent work with a financial advisor.
| Billable Assets | Fee Schedule |
|---|---|
| First $1 million | 0.80% |
| Next $1 million (more than $1M up to $2M) | 0.75% |
| Next $3 million (more than $2M up to $5M) | 0.70% |
| Assets over $5 million | 0.30% |
Source: 2021 Fidelity Investor Insights Study. Furthermore, industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add between 1.5% and 4% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated.
Many, but not all, registered investment advisors use an independent firm as their custodian. This means they don't take actual possession of your money. The investment manager may have the discretion to buy or sell securities and in what quantity for your account, but the custodian holds the assets.
Investments of $500,000 or more range from advisory fees of 0.5% to 1.5% per year. All accounts include access to a phone-based team of advisors, or a dedicated advisor for investments of $500,000 or more. Separately Managed Accounts â The minimum investment amount is $100,000. Advisory fees range from 0.2% to 1.5%.
More than 8 in 10 of this wealthy cohort have a long-term financial plan â far higher than the 52% of average Americans â and 70% work with a financial advisor â almost double that of the general population.
Despite 70% of Millionaires Using a Financial Planner, One-Third May Outlive Savings â Here's Why.
Famous financial advisors became household names for a variety of reasons. Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffet are among the most common traditional financial advisors that relied heavily on value investing. Several financial advisors such as Dave Ramsey and Robert Kiyosaki are most known for their print publications.
Poor Prospecting Strategies
And this is where many advisors get it wrong. They spend too many resources on strategies like cold calling and buying a lead list, and they try every new tool that comes along â but they never actually get it. They keep doing this until they end up frustrated and quit.
How much money do I need to retire?
By age 40, you should have accumulated three times your current income for retirement. By retirement age, it should be 10-12 times your income at that time to be reasonably confident that you'll have enough funds. Seamless Transition: enough to replace 60%-100% of your pre-retirement annual income.
While not often considered by young adults, financial planning's importance for those in their 20s can't be overstated. This phase usually brings a set of financial hurdles like dealing with student loan debt, landing a first job or planning for significant life milestones such as buying a home or starting a family.
The average return is going to vary from year to year, based on the activity in the market. Studies have shown that financial advisors have the potential to add, on average, between 1.5% and 4% to your portfolio above what the average person is able to get as a return on their own.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited earning potential | You must develop a client base |
| Low start-up costs | Marketing costs vary widely |
| Lifetime learning | You will never learn everything |
| Huge range of products + strategies | Consider a somewhat narrow focus |
It might come as a surprise, but your financial professionalâwhether they're a banker, planner or advisorâwants 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.
