A Word About Fees: The Value of a Fee-Only Financial Planner
Click Here for WealthCare Planning Services Comparison Matrix
Clear View Values and Process Outlined
We offer a range of financial planning services that are geared to providing you with actionable advice and resources needed to answer your questions and move you toward your goals.
We offer standalone, limited-scope projects as well as programs that offer more detailed analysis on multiple topics and can include investment advice for client-directed accounts, tax planning, tax preparation and ongoing support throughout the year.
WealthCare© Advisor Programs provide on-going support of your holistic financial plan. There are three levels available: Silver, Gold and Platinum. The minimum fee differs for each but you can expect the minimum fee for the Silver Plan will be $1,800 up to $7,500 for the Platinum Plan for annual renewal. Each typically includes:
- A multi-point Financial Wellness Checkup to identify strengths and weaknesses;
- Investment risk profiling with an investment roadmap for clients to implement at their discretion on their own platforms as well as employer-sponsored retirement plans;
- Different levels of reports for various topics including retirement testing;
- Deep-dive analysis on three key topics for Silver up to 8 key topics for Platinum;
- Professional support to address ongoing issues or questions as well as implementation of recommended actions.
The other differences among these options is the number of topics analyzed, the depth of analysis on various topics, the types and number of reports provided, and whether you are selecting tax preparation services as well as fixed-fee (no AUM) investment management option.
You don’t have to sort through these options and decide on something before you contact us.
If we have an idea of your situation, we can quickly point you in the right options, and that’s usually the best way to find out about how our services can best address your needs.
WealthCare™ Planning Programs – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum:
Effective January 2, 2020
Our goal is to provide practical advice that is accessible to individuals and families with a range of incomes and net worth.
These personal financial planning services are available to individuals, couples or families. These financial planning bundles are offered at a flat rate that may be negotiated or combined. You may choose an hourly rate arrangement but prior to engagement we will provide you with a maximum fee for one of the flat-fee project options. If we find that you are approaching that fee quote, you will have the option to convert to the fixed-fee option so that your planning service fees are capped.
Clients may choose to begin with a single-topic or limited-scope project and later opt to extend their arrangement to the more comprehensive Retainer Programs.
If you choose to upgrade from a single-area or limited project bundle to a higher value program within three months of your initial project, a portion of the fee paid will be credited toward your next planning project (generally 90%).
Fixed- or flat- fee projects are based on a scale that factors in the complexity of the project and your personal circumstances. We generally base these fees on your income and reported net worth.
Fees for projects assume automatic renewal annually, unless canceled. If projects are not contracted with annual renewal, then initial fees will be quoted at a higher fixed-fee price (on average 15% rounded up to the nearest $50).
In addition to the discrete planning projects listed below, we also offer flat fee projects that may be payable in installments with illustrative fee levels below.
LIMITED-SCOPE without ONGOING SUPPORT
Bronze Level (1 key topic areas): $600
Bronze Level Tune-Up/Multi-Topic Review: $1,500
Bronze Level (2 key topic areas): $1,250
LIMITED-SCOPE or COMPREHENSIVE with ONGOING SUPPORT
Bronze Level Tune-Up with Annual Support: $1,500 + $350/topic
Retirement Readiness Reality Check with annual support: $2,500
Silver Level (3 key topic areas): $1,800 * – minimum fee
Gold Level (4 key topic areas): $2,500 * – minimum fee (may include Investment Advice for client-directed implementation on client’s custodian platform without separate Asset Under Management advisor fee)
Platinum Level (8 key topic areas): $7,500 * – minimum fee (may include advisor-directed Investment Management through our custodian partners without separate Asset Under Management advisor fee)
* Clients will be provided with a fee quote for initial and ongoing programs based on reported income and net worth.
Click Here to Download: WealthCare Planning Services Compared
WealthCare Planning Services Comparison Updated, Effective January 2, 2020
Hourly Rate Option (3 hour minimum or $360 minimum fee, whichever is higher):
Call for Special Rate for gross income up to $50,000 and/or net worth up to $100,000
$120 per hour for gross income up to $120,000 and/or net worth up to $250,000
$150 per hour for gross incomes up to $150,000 and/or net worth up to $500,000
$200 per hour for gross incomes up to $200,000 and/or net worth up to $1M
$250 per hour for gross incomes > $200,000 and/or net worth > $1M up to $2.5M
$300 per hour for higher incomes or net worth or special projects not otherwise listed
Rates, fees and project types are negotiable and subject to change.
Note on Time Estimates for Certain Limited-Scope Projects:
- Portfolio Lab Analysis generally involves five (5) hours of professional time
- RetireRight™ Reality Check generally requires twelve (12) to 15 hours
- Cash-Flow, Credit, Real Estate Analysis, Insurance Review, or Social Security Claiming Strategy projects generally require at least three (3) hours
Other services or combinations are available and may be arranged based on a separate negotiated flat fee or our prevailing hourly rates. Project quotes expire after 30 days. Fees or rates are subject to change from time to time up until we receive a completed service agreement and deposit. You may also be responsible for third-party expenses incurred, credit card processing fees, courier or delivery, parking and conference room rental charges if applicable. Installment billing and credit card payment options are available.
“Get Acquainted” Conference Call
FREE
- 30-to 45-Minute Conference Call
- Introduces the Practice and Process
- Get Acquainted
- Review FAQs About Advisor
- Outline Planning Options
- Receive initial quote for service options
- Fee credited to another program selected
In-Person Evaluation Meeting $300
- Meet at one of our offices
- Evaluate your situation and offer suggestions or resources
- Designed to help you choose a plan program and outline a scope of engagement
- Between 2 and 2 1/2 Hours with a CFP® Professional
- May be credited towards another program
Working Strategy ‘Brain Storming’ Session (Bronze Level)
Starting at $600 (One Topic) / Add $350 per Topic for Optional Ongoing Support
- Client home or our office
- Up to 3 hours with a CFP® Professional plus follow-up call/email
- Evaluate client-provided data and provide analysis with recommended action check list
- Ideal for single-topic tax planning related issues
- Limited notes and deliverables
- For clients seeking immediate answers and actionable advice
- May be credited towards another program
WealthCare™ Financial Wellness Tune-Up (Bronze Level)
Starting at $1,500 / Add $350 per Topic for Optional Ongoing Support
- Broad review to determine current financial position including net worth
- Identify your financial strengths and weaknesses in up to 13 key areas (including taxes, insurance, investments, credit and estate planning)
- Includes meeting notes, resources and action checklist
- Up to 4 hours of professional time typically
- Base plan includes follow-up “Coaching Calls” and email support for up to two months
Budgeting & Cash Flow Planning
$750
- Review your income and expenses
- Establish realistic household spending plans
- Set up automatic savings and retirement contributions
- “Coaching Calls” and email support for up to three months
Debt-Buster™ Program
starting at $750
- Review your income and expenses
- Establish a realistic cash flow plan
- Assess credit scores, recommend and model actions to improve
- Create an accelerated debt payoff schedule
- “Coaching Calls” and email support for up to three months
Newlywed Package
$1,500 (or $1,850 with one-year of support)
- Designed for first time marriages
- Adaptable to second marriages
- Focus on identifying money personalities, styles and combining assets
- Establishing a realistic Household Spending and Savings Plan
- Help with employer-benefit selection
- Insurance and Estate Needs Analysis
- Budgeting and Cash Flow Planning
- “Coaching Calls” and email support before and after the wedding
Insurance Review
starting at $600
- Receive estate planning guidance
- Review current insurance policies for gaps in coverage: homeowners, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, long-term care
- Estimate life and disability insurance needs
- Evaluate options and implement recommendation
CollegeCare™ – College Funding or Financial Aid Planning
Starting at $280 for the Parent Resource Kit
Tuition Buster™ Advisor-Support Programs Start at $900 Plus $350 per Student
- Determine college education needs
- Determine Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and strategies to improve needs-based aid
- Tax planning strategies to lower college costs
- Evaluate and recommend appropriate savings amounts and investments
- CollegeCare™ Financial Aid Form Preparation & Assistance: $300
- CollegeCare™ Strategy Session: $750
- CollegeCare™ Cash Flow Planning with EFC Plus (review of loan options): starts at $500
- Tuition Buster™ Programs – planning with advisor support: starts at $1,250 for one student
- College Income/Asset/Tax Plan with Family Funding Analysis
- College Cost Comparison Reports
- Financial Aid Analysis with EFC Before and After Scenarios
- College and Retirement Readiness Check – an integrated review of goals
- Customized Scholarship Search with reference resources
- 529 Plan Portfolio Lab Analysis
- Click here to download TuitionBuster Program Comparison Sheet
For More Details on College Financial Planning and Options, visit CollegeCashPro.com
Stock Option Advisor with Tax Planning
starting at $750
- Monitor, track and model your stock options, restricted stock units and SARs by exercise dates
- Model tax impact and recommend applicable tax-reduction strategies
- Evaluate exercise strategies and tax impact
RetireRight™ SSI Analysis: Social Security Claiming Strategies or Pension Choice Election
Base Fee starting at $600
- Evaluate options to maximize Social Security through elective switch strategies
- Evaluate pension election choices for benefit level that supports your retirement goals
- Review of income tax impact
RetireRight™ Retirement Readiness Reality Check-Up
$2,500 with annual support
- Focus on questions like: Can I Afford to Retire? Will I Run Out of Money?
- Document goals, retirement lifestyle budget and life expectancy
- Prepare retirement cash-flow projections
- Includes RetireRight™ SSI Analysis to maximize Social Security and pension benefits
- Determine your appropriate Risk Number for investments
- Complete Portfolio Lab Analysis to determine if portfolio risk matches Risk Number
- Prepare and evaluate multiple ‘What If’ scenarios using various modeling tools to determine range of confidence levels to answer whether or not you are on track
- Determine portfolio income needs and provide sustainable withdrawal rate with strategies
- Includes Financial Wellness Check-Up
- Optional periodic monitoring, reporting and updating available for additional fixed-fee
Portfolio Lab Analysis with Personalized Recommendations
Fixed Fee starting at $500
- $550 up to $250,000 of investment assets or
- $975 for investment assets up to $1M or
- $1,500 for investment assets up to $2M or
- Call for Rate on Assets above $2M
- Analysis of all holdings in a portfolio (taxable or retirement)
- Determine appropriate benchmark for tracking
- Evaluate optional asset allocations for improved returns and/or lower volatility and risk of loss
- Research on current and prospective investments
- Detailed risk- and performance metrics
- Personalized report with recommended changes (call for fixed fee for investable assets over $2M)
- NOTE: Optional on-going analysis with recommendations for self-directed investors to implement on custodian of their choosing available at a fixed fee based on 0.25% of asset balance subject to minimum fees as listed above.
Estate Plan Navigator Services
starting at $750 when not combined with other services
- Work with an Accredited Estate Planner® providing guidance and education on your options
- Assistance with data interview
- Guidance through online data gathering
- Review and coordination with drafting attorney
- Assistance with implementation and funding of trusts
- Secure online storage for access when needed
- For More Details on Estate Planning Services, Click Here: Estate Plan Navigator
TaxSmart Tax Preparation Bundles
starting at $250
- Federal 1040 with one state
- Additional fees for additional forms, schedules and states
- Business, Estate, and Trust Returns Available
- More Information, Pricing and Bundle Coupons
- Add Financial and Tax Planning Services for a Flat Fixed Fee (a modular and “lighter” version of our WealthCare Tune-Up Topics)
- Credit/Cash Flow: $350
- Retirement or Social Security: $350
- College & Education Funding: $350
- Real Estate and Mortgage Funding: $350
- Insurance: $350
- Investing & Risk Profile: $350
- Tax Planning: $400
- Estate Planning Guidance: $400
Advisor Support
starting at $500/year
- Retain access to a qualified financial planner to answer your calls or emails for non-investment financial questions during the year
Client Goal Dashboard
Call for Details
- Provides online dashboard to track all assets and liabilities
- Up-to-date Financial Health Picture including Net Worth
- Tracks goals and progress
- Included in WealthCare Gold and Platinum programs
WealthCare Limited-Scope Custom Plans with Support:$1,500 + $350/Topic Advisor-on-Call Fee
- Customized bundle of various stand-alone modules
- Typically includes WealthCare Tune-Up or Portolio Lab Analysis with two other modules
- May be bundled with Income Tax Preparation or Review
- Limited Deliverables
- Action Checklist
- Annual Support
WealthCare Gold or Platinum Programs (Multi-Topic & Comprehensive Plans):
$2,500 to $25,000 (based on Net Worth and Income)
Gold 4Key™ – Planning for 4 Key Topics Plus Financial Tune-Up Plus Investment Advice without Moving Assets: Fee Calculation based on Income and Net Worth subject to minimum fee of $2,500
Platinum 8Key Total WealthCare™ – Comprehensive Planning up to 8 Key Topis Plus Fixed-Fee Advisor-Directed Investment Management (no variable AUM fee): Fee Calculation based on Income and Net Worth subject to minimum fee of $7,500
Fees may be structured to include income tax preparation and filing
Fee may be quoted to include periodic investment advice on Client-directed investments and/or Advisor-directed management of investments on any custodian platform
- Covers 4 topics (Gold) or up to 8 topics (Platinum Series)
- Retirement
- Investing
- Tax Planning
- Insurance & Risk-Management
- Debt, Credit & Cash Flow
- Estate Planning
- Real Estate
- Education Funding
- May include college planning
- May include income tax preparation
- Full suite of reports delivered
- Client Goal Dashboard Included
- Investment Review and Ongoing Advice for Client-Directed Investments (investments do not need to transfer)
- Phone & Email Support
- Includes Advisor Support Program (1 year)
- Advisor fees for discretionary investment management included for Platinum Programs (no separate AUM fee)