We all have different financial circumstances and goals, and
hiring a professional to help you navigate your specific circumstances may be
invaluable. However, financial advisors do come at a cost — so when is it
actually worth it to hire one? GOBankingRates spoke to financial professionals
to get their take on the subject.
Many Advisors Require a Minimum of $100,000 in Investible
Assets
Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds, which typically
start at $100,000 — though some may require a minimum of $500,000 or even $1
million. If you have less than $100,000 in assets, it might not be worth it for
you to pay an advisor, said Christopher Berry, a financial advisor and
certified elder law attorney for Castle Wealth Group in Brighton, Michigan.
“Before working with a financial advisor, consider saving a
minimum of $100,000,” he said. “There’s not much that a financial advisor can
do to help grow your nest egg if you have less than that saved away.
Conversely, if you have more than $250,000, think about hiring a financial
advisor, especially if you are close to or entering retirement. They can help
create a plan for you to preserve and distribute your money after you stop
working.”
Juan Carlos Cruz, founder of Britewater Financial Group in
Brooklyn, New York, also believes that $250,000 is a good benchmark — when you
reach this level of assets, you will likely benefit from professional help.
“At $250,000, an advisor could really be an asset and really
help you find new opportunities to further grow your assets,” he said. “There
are tools that could simulate and help mitigate risk and these advisors have
access to these tools to help you.”
The costs associated with an advisor might not be affordable
to someone with fewer assets.
“It’s important to recognize that competent advisors cost
money: fees can run $250 per hour to meet with a fee-only planner,” said Pam
Krueger, a registered financial advisor and the founder and CEO of Wealthramp.
Some Experts Believe Your Circumstances Are a Better
Indicator of a Need for Your Advisor Than Your Assets
“Many people believe only the very rich should hire a
financial advisor, but I’m not sure asset level is the key factor when making
the decision to work with a financial professional,” said Scott Schleicher,
financial planning specialist group manager and senior financial advisor at
Personal Capital. “After all, what constitutes ‘very rich’ is pretty
subjective. The factors that are probably more important to consider are: 1)
How complex is your financial life? 2) How much time can you devote to managing
your finances on your own? 3) Do you have any specific education or expertise
in finance that would allow you to perform the associated tasks well?”
“Finance and investing are strange topics, in that they’re
the only professional areas of discipline that many in the general public are
convinced they can handle themselves,” he continued. “The reality is that some
can, but many cannot. It’s very challenging to allocate the required amount of
time and discipline to investing one’s own assets — and it’s nearly impossible
to remove emotion from the process, which is absolutely vital.”
Although financial advisors are typically seen as a
professional to hire when you are well established or near retirement, Robert
R. Johnson, professor of finance at the Heider College of Business at Creighton
University, believes that young people should consider hiring an advisor ASAP.
“I would contend that a financial professional provides a
25-year-old with limited assets more value than a 65-year old with ample
assets,” he said. “When we get sick we go to the doctor. When we get into legal
trouble we hire a lawyer. Yet, somehow people believe that they should be able
to navigate the ever increasingly perilous financial waters without
professional help. Financial mistakes, particularly early in life, can be
difficult to overcome and many people wait too long to establish a relationship
with a qualified financial advisor. Making a few good financial decisions early
in life can make the difference between a secure retirement and one fraught
with difficulties.”
If You Don’t Meet the Minimum Asset Thresholds To Hire an
Advisor, Consider Seeking Out Other Resources
“Though wealthy clients often have more assets and require a
more complex financial strategy, individuals and families with lesser assets
still need help and guidance,” said Ivan Watanabe, managing partner with Opus
Private Client LLC. “For those with simpler financial situations, you may want
to start by having a conversation with the people at your bank, utilizing the
financial professional on your 401(k) plan at work or leveraging the junior
financial professional at a successful practice.”
For investing help, those who don’t meet the threshold for a
financial advisor can turn to technology to steer them in the right direction.
“There are also many excellent robo-advisors that offer
financial advisory access for low fees,” said Barbara A. Friedberg, a financial
expert and owner of Robo-Advisor Pros. “Betterment and Ellevest have good
pricing and excellent financial advisory options. SoFi Invest Automated
Investing offers fee-free investment management and financial advisory guidance
is included.”
You can also get more general advice from financial advisors
for free.
“Attend a free workshop or webinar,” Berry said. “Many
financial advisors offer seminars, either in-person or online. Knowledge is
power, and it is important to be educated in key financial concepts, regardless
of what’s in your bank account.”
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