Financial Advisors

Retirement planning

It is never too early to prepare for retirement. Starting early means your investments will have a return before you retire, so you’ll have more money to work with when it comes time to leave the workforce for good.

A financial advisor can help people of all ages prepare for retirement by organizing a long-term plan for their clients. This may involve investments and other financial instruments, budgeting and expert insight that keeps their clients on track.

Estate planning

Many seniors will leave behind an estate and other assets once they pass away, and planning is needed to ensure these assets end up in the right hands. Without detailed estate planning, it will not be clear who is to receive what, which can delay the process and cause emotional strife between family members.

Financial advisors can help their clients through the estate planning process, with wills, trusts and advanced instruments that ensure your final wishes are carried out. Estate planning is especially important for seniors who own a business or a lot of assets, as this can slow down the expensive probate process.

Investing

When many people think of financial advisors, they think of investment experts, and an advisor can help here, too. There are a lot of ways to invest, each with their own risk profile and expected returns. A reputable financial advisor will pay close attention to their client’s risk tolerance when devising an investment plan. This is particularly important with seniors, who tend to prefer less risk in their investment vehicles.

Asset monitoring

Investment strategies work best when those assets and investments are closely monitored. Reputable financial advisors will keep an eye on their clients’ investment performance and help their clients make adjustments when needed.

Other financial planning

There is no limit to what a financial advisor can do from a planning standpoint. Do you need to save for a new home? Need to sell a home first? Helping a grandchild with college? Want to do some extra traveling once you are retired? Looking for ways to manage long term healthcare costs?

A financial advisor can put together a detailed plan for all of it.

Objective, big-picture guidance

One of the toughest things for an investor to do is remain steady when the market changes or looks uncertain. A financial advisor has experience working in various market conditions and can therefore make investment decisions objectively. This ensures better performance in the long run.

Foresight when changes are needed

Occasionally, changes to your investments or financial plan are required. A financial advisor will know, likely before anyone else, when it’s time to change direction on an investment and how to do so without disrupting the plan too much.

This foresight is also useful when considering a major life change, like starting a business or changing your living arrangements. A financial advisor will detail how these changes will affect your financial situation and what can be done to keep your plan on track.

Unrivaled financial expertise

Some seniors enjoy investing and are familiar with some of the ins and outs, but most would rather spend their time tending to other things. A financial advisor can provide the required knowledge, no matter how hands-on their client wants to be with their investments.

A personal or professional referral is worth considering

Financial advisors are usually part of a larger team of experts that a senior relies on. It’s common for financial advisors to have professional connections with attorneys, doctors, real estate agents and organizations that provide senior services. If you already have a strong professional relationship with an attorney or physician, consider asking them for a referral.

Verify that they are a fiduciary

A fiduciary is required, by law, to make financial and investment decisions in their client’s best interest. This prevents any conflict of interest when the advisor puts together your investment plan.

Meet them in person before agreeing to work with them

You will likely have a lasting relationship with your financial advisor, so make sure they are someone you can work with. Are you on the same page? Do they answer your questions in detail? Do they explain their decision making in detail, as well? While financial planning requires expert knowledge first, communication skills are also essential.