Devin began his career as a financial advisor at Edward Jones in 2003. In 2010, recognizing a significant demand in the market, he launched his own firm to establish an advisory practice deeply rooted in values that he holds dear: education, transparency, and minimizing conflicts of interest.

Devin’s career path to becoming a financial advisor took a few unexpected turns. In high school and college, during the mid to late 90s, he worked for a regional grocery chain. He loved the job and was convinced that he'd spend his entire career in the grocery business. However, the job required frequent moves, and having experienced a lot of relocation in his childhood, he knew he didn't want to subject his family to the same.

So, he decided to leave the job he loved and joined a national wholesaling company. There, he was blessed to achieve considerable success in sales, particularly by tapping into segments that had previously been unexplored. His accomplishments caught the attention of an Edward Jones advisor, and it was this experience that paved the way for him to be hired as a financial advisor.

Our investment philosophy centers around the principle of cost-effectiveness and diversification. We strongly advocate for the use of low-cost, broad-based ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) that track major indices for the equity portion of an investment portfolio. This approach ensures a wide exposure to the market, reducing the risk associated with investing in individual stocks while also keeping investment costs down.

For the fixed-income part of the portfolio, our strategy is more opportunistic, adapting to the prevailing interest rate environment. We believe in taking advantage of the current rates to maximize returns from fixed-income investments, which often requires a more dynamic and responsive approach than the equity portion. This balanced strategy aims to achieve a well-rounded, risk-managed, and cost-effective investment portfolio.

We strongly advise caution against strategies that claim to consistently outperform the market. 

We recognize that markets drive investment growth and that financial advisors, including those at Carroll Advisory Group, do not have control over market fluctuations. Furthermore, predicting which market segments will excel at any given time is not possible. Therefore, our focus is on delivering returns that closely mirror the broad market. 

We achieve this by focusing our investment philosophy of low-cost, broad-based index-tracking ETFs. This approach is designed to minimize investment costs and aims for stable, long-term results that mirror broad market performance. 

Yes, you can purchase index funds on your own and for a fraction of the cost of a financial advisor. To be frank, if your sole purpose for hiring a financial advisor is to manage your investments, you are probably wasting your money.It’s important to recognize that the true value of a real financial advisor goes far beyond just selecting investments. The investment portfolio is essentially the fuel, but it's the comprehensive financial planning and guidance through different life stages that truly define the value of a financial advisor.

You engage a financial advisor to develop and implement a plan tailored to your unique life journey. This includes providing advice on tax efficiency, optimizing withdrawal strategies, navigating Social Security options, estate planning, charitable giving, and making informed decisions about large purchases.

As life inevitably changes, a financial advisor helps you navigate various decision points, offering expertise and guidance tailored to your evolving needs. While investment management is a critical component, it is the integration of all these services — planning, guidance, and management — that constitutes the real value of a financial advisor. Ultimately, you are not just paying for investment selection, but for a comprehensive, adaptable strategy that supports your financial goals throughout your life.

First, it’s important to know that we do not engage in market timing. The data is very clear that this simply does not work. 

Instead, we build a broadly diversified portfolio that can weather the market storms. This doesn’t mean that our portfolios won’t decline. They will! But we view that as a natural, normal part of investing.

Over the last 100 years, on average, the market has experienced a 10% drop at least one time per year. Over the same period, a 20% decline occurs once every 3.5 years and a 30% decline occurs once every 10 years. In these periods of decline, we do not change course. The reason for not changing course is based on the historical data that show us the best days in the market often occur within a few days of the worst days. In other words, the market’s return is typically concentrated within just a few days. If we sell based on the bad days, you’ll likely miss the best days. If you miss the best days, the damage could be massive.

Consider this…over the past 20 years the market has averaged about 10% in average annual returns. If you missed just 10 of the best days your total return would slip to about 6%. If you were out of the market for only 40 of the best days, your return would have been negative! Keep in mind that past performance does not guarantee future results.

Just know that we are fierce opponents of timing the market. It simply doesn’t work.

None of this means we employ a “set it and forget it” approach to investing. There are occasional position changes and changes to the individual weightings. Additionally, we frequently rebalance our portfolios to bring all the holdings back to their assigned percentages.

Our firm’s position on variable and fixed-indexed annuities is mostly negative, based on our observations and experiences over the past two decades. We've generally found that the primary beneficiaries of these products tend to be the agents who sell them and the owners of the insurance companies, rather than the actual purchasers. In Devin’s 20+ years in the industry, he can’t recall encountering a single individual who was satisfied with owning either of these products after holding for a period of years.

A significant issue with these annuities is how they're presented during sales pitches. They're often marketed as instruments offering the stock market's gains without its risks. However, in reality, they seldom serve this purpose effectively. They might be more appropriate as a substitute for fixed-income investments, but even then they are not typically as efficient as some of the alternatives. 

The complexity of these products is another deterrent. They often come with massive prospectuses, filled with jargon and terms that could confound even legal experts. This lack of transparency and the difficulty in understanding the full scope of their implications are why I generally advise against using variable and fixed-indexed annuities in investment strategies.

Yes, Devin does hold an insurance license, but only in a few states. Initially, having this license was a strict firm requirement when he started in the industry. Over time, he has maintained it mainly for the relatively rare occasions when he deals with term life insurance, usually for family and friends, and occasionally for multi-year guarantee annuities (MYGAs).

This topic leads to another important point. Discussing annuities in depth in a FAQ format can be challenging, but we want to highlight that in certain situations, a multi-year guarantee annuity can be a suitable choice for the fixed income portion of a portfolio. MYGAs, in contrast to the more intricate fixed indexed or variable annuities, are straightforward. They typically offer a fixed interest rate for a set period, much like a bond or CD. When a MYGA offers a higher rate than other fixed income instruments of similar quality, it would be imprudent to overlook it as a viable investment option.

When determining the appropriate level of risk for a client's portfolio, we've evolved our approach beyond the traditional risk tolerance questionnaires. While these questionnaires were used to provide a 'risk score' that suggested a balance between stocks and bonds, we observed a significant flaw: clients' risk scores tended to fluctuate with market conditions and current news. This led to a reactionary investment strategy, which is not in line with a disciplined approach to investment management.

Instead, we now focus on two key criteria to determine risk tolerance:

• Decline Tolerance in Dollar Terms: This involves understanding how much of a decline in your portfolio, in absolute dollar terms, you are comfortable with before feeling the need to make significant changes. For example, if you have a $2,000,000 portfolio and a $200,000 decline (10%) would prompt you to consider major adjustments, a market-exposed strategy might not suit you. Conversely, if you are comfortable with a $500,000 decline (25%), indicating a higher tolerance for market fluctuations, a portfolio with a greater stock allocation could be more appropriate.
  
  
• Required Growth as Dictated by Your Financial Plan: This involves aligning your portfolio's risk level with the needs of your retirement income plan. If your plan requires a significant distribution level to maintain your desired income, a conservative strategy consisting solely of CDs and bonds might lead to principal depletion. On the other hand, if your financial plan is well-funded and can achieve its goals with a lower return, it might be prudent to take on less risk.

The right mix of investments is determined by carefully weighing these two criteria together. It's crucial to understand that while risk tolerance can evolve over time, changes should be based on life stage and financial goals rather than as a knee-jerk reaction to current events. Our goal is to ensure that your portfolio aligns with your decline tolerance and financial objectives, avoiding situations where temporary market downturns lead to permanent financial setbacks. 

We provide two distinct types of client relationships: 

• One-time Planning Relationships: In this model, we offer a flat-fee service that focuses on comprehensive planning and analysis for optimal retirement distributions. This service includes strategizing the most tax-efficient sequence for withdrawing from retirement savings, determining the best scenario for Social Security filing, and evaluating the impact of Roth conversions. This relationship is akin to hiring an attorney for a specific task, such as drafting a Will or Trust. We gather all necessary information from you, develop a detailed plan, and then provide you with a thorough walkthrough of this plan. Following the delivery of the plan, we are available to answer any questions you might have about it. However, it's important to note that this relationship does not extend beyond this one-time service and the follow-up support related to the plan.
• Ongoing Comprehensive Relationships: For clients seeking continuous guidance, we offer an ongoing comprehensive relationship. This includes all the planning steps of the one-time service, with the added benefit of ongoing advisory support. In this relationship, we not only create and implement your retirement plan but also actively manage your investment portfolio to align with the plan's objectives. This comprehensive service encompasses all aspects of planning, continuous consulting, and investment management. It's tailored for those who value and wish for continuous guidance and oversight on their journey to and through retirement.

Both services are designed to provide tailored, expert advice to help you navigate your financial journey, whether you're looking for a one-time comprehensive plan or ongoing, in-depth financial guidance.

Our firm occupies a unique position in terms of size. For clients accustomed to the environment of large financial firms, Carroll Advisory Group would be considered small. Conversely, for those familiar with smaller advisory firms, we may be perceived as large.

Currently, our firm manages approximately $170 million in assets*. This size allows us to provide personalized and detailed attention to each client while maintaining a breadth of resources and expertise typically associated with larger firms. We aim to combine the best of both worlds – the personalized care and attention of a smaller firm with the professional capacity and expertise of a larger one.

* as of November 4, 2024

We are upfront about our ambitious growth plans for the firm. Our industry is evolving, and we believe that we are well positioned to offer a fresh alternative to traditional firms.  

Effectively managing our firm's growth is crucial. We've built a strong foundation with a team-based approach and processes established by our founder, Devin. This setup is designed for scalability and upholding our ‘white glove’ service standards. As we grow with our clients, we'll strategically expand our teams, adding members who are carefully screened and trained to match our philosophy and processes which should ensure continued personalized and expert service for every client. 

Our client base is predominantly individuals who are preparing for, or living in, retirement. Many of our clients come from engineering or IT backgrounds, where they’ve applied their analytical skills to build successful careers. These clients have typically been diligent savers, with savings ranging from $1 million to $10 million. While highly intelligent in their respective fields, they recognize that their time is best spent focusing on what they do best, rather than becoming retirement experts.

Our clients understand that achieving meaningful financial goals is a long-term process and have realistic expectations when it comes to investment returns. They are not interested in trying to outperform the stock market or chasing after the latest investment trends. Instead, they prioritize steady, reliable growth and maintain a level-headed approach, avoiding knee-jerk reactions to market fluctuations or current events.

Most importantly, our clients are pleasant, thoughtful individuals who value a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship. They trust our expertise to guide them through their retirement planning, allowing them to enjoy their hard-earned success while we take care of their financial future.

Our approach to monitoring client accounts is grounded in a detailed process which was designed by Devin. 

This process is based on a client service calendar that outlines specific tasks for each month. There are recurring tasks that are consistent every month, as well as unique tasks specific to the given month. Adhering to this calendar ensures that nothing gets overlooked or neglected in the management of your accounts.

A significant portion of this work happens behind the scenes and doesn’t directly involve you. It’s part of the ongoing service we provide, which you entrust us to handle. However, there will be times when we need to reach out to you for clarifications or to ask specific questions.

While Devin has dedicated associates to assist in administering the client service process, he is intimately involved in the daily direction and execution of these tasks.

Most of our clients engage with us virtually. However, our approach isn’t restricted to purely local or virtual interactions; rather, we adapt to the preferences and needs of each client. 

Absolutely! Even though most of our clients work with us virtually, we love having clients come to the office. Texarkana is one of those towns that not many people live in, but lots of people drive through. 🙂 

If you know you are coming through, please let us know. You can find directions and see a few pictures of the office on our Google listing at https://g.page/r/CbbljhzBTiriEAE 

In mid-2023, after a lot of thought, Devin transitioned the practice to a flat fee model. This decision, though challenging and initially reducing the firm's revenue by six figures, was driven by a blend of ethical conviction and strategic business insight.

First, on an ethical level, it became increasingly clear to us that the right approach was to base fees on the services provided, not on the size of a client's assets. This realization emerged gradually, following a deep dive into my service processes and business metrics. It reflected a fundamental belief in fairness and transparency in our advisory relationship with clients.

Second, from a strategic standpoint, we recognized the need to align with the evolving landscape of the financial advisory business. This insight wasn't driven by industry consultants or peer opinions, but rather from direct feedback from the 1-2 million people who engage with Devin's content monthly. Many, particularly those with substantial retirement savings, found the traditional percentage-based fee structure confusing and unappealing. Ultimately, he realized that change was necessary and didn't want to be the one holding on to outdated practices - like selling buggy whips in an age where almost no one owned a horse. 

For 2024, the fee is $10,300. This includes all planning and investment management services. There are no additional fees for trading or other services. This fee is set to increase by 3% compounded annually. For example, in 2025 the fee will be $10,609, in 2026 the fee will be $10,927. The fee will continue to adjust in this manner for each subsequent year based on the compounded rate.  

Our annual fee is all-inclusive for the planning and investment management services we provide, meaning there are no additional charges from us for trading, account maintenance, or any other related services. However, it's important to clarify that while our fee covers our advisory services, each investment held in your portfolio typically incurs its own underlying fee, charged by the investment sponsor.

For example, if your portfolio includes the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, this particular fund has an underlying fee of 0.03%. These fees are part of the investment products themselves and not additional charges from our firm. We are committed to keeping your total portfolio expenses low, striving to maintain a total expense ratio of less than 0.10%.

Our fee structure is primarily designed to maintain simplicity and efficiency in our processes. Generally, we adhere to our established fee structure, as deviating from it often adds complexity that can impact our operational efficiency. However, we do make an exception for clients who wish to work with us but do not meet our $1 million threshold for flat fee billing.

We understand that for clients with investable assets between $500,000 and $1,000,000, our standard flat fee could be disproportionately high. To accommodate these clients and ensure our services remain accessible and fair, we offer an alternative fee structure of 1% of their assets under management.

Paying our fee is a straightforward process. Each month, we submit a fee billing statement to our custodian. Based on this statement, the fees are then automatically deducted from your investment accounts every month. This process ensures convenience and simplicity, as it requires no action on your part. For our legacy clients, this fee deduction occurs on a quarterly basis instead of monthly.

Our compensation model is straightforward and transparent. Apart from the occasional placement of an insurance product (as detailed in questions #7 and #8), we do not receive any other forms of compensation. This means we do not accept referral fees, nor do we receive any kind of soft compensation such as dinners or gifts from investment sponsors. Our focus is solely on the advisory fee, ensuring our advice remains unbiased and aligned with your best interests. This approach is central to maintaining the integrity and trust that underpin our client relationships.

Yes, we do have a policy in place for increasing our flat fee, primarily to ensure that the quality of our service remains at its highest. As detailed in response to question #19, our flat fee is subject to an annual increase of 3%. This structured increase allows us to consistently provide the level of service our clients expect from us.

The rationale behind this increase is to keep pace with the evolving demands of our industry. It enables us to attract and retain the best team members, invest in top-notch training programs, and cover the rising costs associated with advanced technology. This approach ensures that we continue to offer cutting-edge advisory services while maintaining the high standards we're known for.

A simple answer: As fiduciary advisors, we are ethically and legally bound to act in your best interests, regardless of our compensation model.

But this question deserves a more thorough response. The question of how financial advisors are incentivized to grow client investments is an interesting one, particularly given the industry's shift from commission-based to assets under management (AUM) fee structures. There's a common perception that a percentage-based fee aligns the interests of the client and the advisor, encapsulated in the idea of 'when we do better, you do better.' This suggests that advisors are more motivated to grow your investments because their fees increase with your asset growth.

It's important to recognize that investment growth is largely driven by market forces, over which advisors have no control. Given this, the notion that a percentage-based fee provides a stronger incentive for advisors to grow your investments can be misleading. In reality, since advisors cannot control market performance, and paying more for this non-existent 'incentive' is often a result of misunderstanding, sometimes perpetuated by advisors lacking integrity.

Our incentive is not tied to the size of your assets but to your satisfaction with our service. We aim to keep you as a client by consistently acting in your best interests, offering sound advice, and maintaining the high level of service that meets your needs.

Yes, you can view your accounts online. All the custodians we work with offer comprehensive online platforms, enabling you to easily access your accounts and see transaction data anytime.

There are three parties involved in the management of your accounts

• The Advisor
• The RIA
• The Custodian

Here are more details on each of these parties:

The Advisor

Our lead advisor is Devin Carroll. Even though he has a team helping him, he is the ultimate responsible person for your account. His services as an advisor are offered to the public through our advisory firm, Carroll Advisory Group.

The RIA

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, a legal entity (not individual person) must be the registered investment advisor (RIA). The investment advisor representative (IAR)  is the individual advisor underneath the RIA who formally delivers the advice.

Currently, the RIA is Strategic Financial Concepts (SFC). Devin is not an owner of this firm, simply an Advisor with the RIA. In the past, he has owned his own RIA, but sold it due to the compliance workload and the desire to focus more on the part of the business he enjoys (and that isn't the endless paperwork that’s required when you own your own RIA 😳).

To ensure compliance, Carroll Advisory Group is under constant oversight by the RIA, and the RIA is audited by the SEC.

The Custodian

This is the third party company who is responsible for the custody of your assets. They are the ones who process your fee billing, statements, trades, and multiple other back-office tasks. We use Schwab and LPL Financial as our custodians. 

All three of these parties are required to meet very strict requirements as dictated by the SEC.

We use multiple technology solutions to assist us in financial planning, efficiencies, secure file storage, and CRM. These programs are continuously evaluated and potentially exchanged for superior tools that could enhance the client experience
 
A critical aspect of our technology infrastructure is the security of client information. To safeguard this data, all our applications and platforms employ bank-level encryption. Specifically, our application traffic is protected at a minimum by 256-bit encrypted SSL (https). This level of encryption is akin to what is used in the banking industry and is considered highly secure, ensuring that sensitive client data is transmitted and stored with the utmost security

Our custodians will send reports with transactions and other information on a monthly or quarterly basis. We can provide comprehensive customized reports at any time subject to your request.
 

Our approach to communication with clients is based on a needs-driven model, rather than sticking to a rigid schedule like the typical 'quarterly portfolio review.' We start each year with an annual strategy planning meeting. This meeting sets the tone for the year ahead, where we discuss and identify various tasks and checkpoints for the next 12 months. From this meeting, we will generally identify 2-4 additional contact points which should be scheduled. Outside of these scheduled checkpoints, Communication is initiated either when we identify a need or when you, as our client, have a specific requirement. 

Additionally, we strongly encourage unlimited and open communication with our clients. We believe that frequent and free-flowing communication enhances our ability to plan effectively.
 

We are happy to communicate with our clients through their preferred method. Whether you are more comfortable with traditional phone calls, emails, or modern video conferencing tools like Zoom, we are equipped to accommodate your communication style. Our goal is to make our interactions as convenient and comfortable for you as possible.

No, we do not charge separately for communications. All forms of communication with our clients, whether it's through phone, email, or video conferencing, are included in our annual fee.

When you choose to work with us, your investments are held by a third-party custodian, much like a bank but specifically for investments. This custodian is a separate, independent entity responsible for securely holding your assets. We partner with Schwab and LPL Financial for this critical function.

It's important to understand that while we manage your investments, the accounts are held in your name. They are unequivocally yours, ensuring you retain ultimate control over all decisions regarding these accounts. As your appointed advisor, we have the ability to view account activity, execute trades, and perform other administrative tasks.

This arrangement provides a secure and transparent framework for managing your investments, giving you peace of mind that your assets are in safe hands, while also being under your control.
 

It's important to clarify that delegating investment management to a financial advisor does not mean you are 'handing over' your investments or 'surrendering' them to someone else. Rather, it's a partnership where you entrust us with the decision-making authority within the boundaries that you set, while the control and ownership of the assets remain entirely with you.

Our role as your financial advisor is to provide advice and make decisions about your investments based on the authority you grant us. However, we do not hold your money directly. The custodian maintains strict control over the funds, and we can only act within the permissions you've given us, such as managing the investments or executing trades.

This separation of roles — where we advise and the custodian holds your assets — provides a significant security measure. It ensures that your funds are protected and that any movement of assets can only occur under the regulated, transparent procedures established by the custodian. This structure is designed to prevent unauthorized access or misappropriation of your funds, giving you peace of mind about the safety and control of your investments

Yes, you have the freedom to transfer your accounts to another custodian at any time. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the services our firm provides, you can decide to move your accounts elsewhere. This process is straightforward and requires just a simple signature from you.

It's also important to note that as your advisor, we have no authority to delay or stop this transfer.

In the event that Devin is unable to continue his duties as lead advisor due to an unforeseen circumstance such as death or disability, our firm is fully prepared to ensure that your financial needs continue to be met without interruption. We have a written succession plan in place, which is a critical part of our team-based approach to financial management.

According to this plan, should anything happen to me, an experienced advisor would be immediately assigned to manage all of the firm’s accounts. This transition would be smooth and efficient because our team approach means that multiple professionals are already familiar with and invested in the well-being of our clients.

Understanding the expertise of your potential advisory team is a crucial part of selecting the right financial advisor. While we're open to answering any questions you might have, we also recognize that some aspects of our expertise might not come up in a typical conversation. To give you a comprehensive view of our knowledge and experience, here are a few resources:

Big Picture Retirement Podcast: Co-hosted by attorney John Ross and Devin Carroll, this podcast dives into the essentials of comprehensive retirement planning. We cover the interconnections between legal, tax, and financial planning, offering in-depth discussions to help you see the 'big picture' of retirement planning.

Social Security Intelligence Blog: For those intrigued by the nuances of Social Security, our blog offers a wealth of information. It's a resource where you can immerse yourself in the intricacies of Social Security and how it impacts your retirement planning.

Carroll Advisory Blog: The blog on this site is a great collection of retirement planning articles on a variety of specific subjects. 

YouTube Channel: To stay informed about the latest in retirement planning, especially regarding Social Security, you can subscribe to Devin’s YouTube channel. With over 419,000 subscribers, this channel is a hub for up-to-date, reliable information that can guide your retirement planning decisions.

These platforms reflect our commitment to providing valuable insights into retirement planning and demonstrate our expertise in this area. We encourage you to explore them to get a better sense of how we can assist you in planning a successful retirement

As of the current date, we have 5 team members. This includes operations, service, planning, and oversight (Devin's role).

In our client service model, we strongly believe in a team-based approach. This means that while working with us, you'll have the benefit of interacting with various members of our skilled team, each specializing in different aspects of our service. Our team members have been meticulously trained by Devin to deliver the high-quality service and expertise that our firm is known for.

While Devin is in the office on a daily basis, he serves primarily in an oversight role and ensuring that all operations run smoothly. This means that your day-to-day interactions will typically be with your designated service advisor. They are your primary point of contact for most communications and are well-equipped to address your needs and inquiries.

However, it's important to emphasize that Devin is always accessible. There is no barrier between Devin and the clients who engage our firm. Whether you need to discuss a specific concern or seek additional insight,he is always available via phone or email.

Tax efficiency is a cornerstone of our approach. We pay careful attention to factors like account withdrawal strategies, investment location, the timing of Social Security filing, and decisions about Roth conversions. Each of these elements can have a profound impact on the amount of taxes you pay and, consequently, the longevity of your savings. Our goal is to optimize these aspects to enhance the overall tax efficiency of your financial plan.

However, while we incorporate tax considerations into our planning, we always defer to professional tax advisors for the final say. We highly encourage our clients to allow open communication between us and their tax advisors. This collaboration ensures that our planning strategies are comprehensively reviewed and optimized from every angle.

It's also important to note that we do not currently offer tax preparation services. Our focus is on providing investment advice and financial planning that are tax-aware, complementing the specialized services provided by professional tax advisors.

You will receive a .pdf document which can be printed to best serve your reading needs.

Each client engagement begins with the creation of a 'Big Picture Retirement Roadmap.' This comprehensive document serves as the foundational guide for all subsequent planning and advisory work we undertake for you. It includes critical elements such as determining your ideal retirement income, strategizing effective withdrawal methods, evaluating Roth conversion viability, choosing the best age for Social Security filing, and more.
 

The 'Big Picture Retirement Roadmap' we create for you will be updated and sent back to you at least once per year as part of our regular review process. However, we understand that life is dynamic, and significant financial decisions may arise at any time. Therefore, we encourage our clients to request an update to their plan prior to making any major financial decisions, regardless of when the next scheduled update is due. This approach ensures that your plan remains current and reflective of your latest financial situation and goals, allowing you to make informed decisions with the most relevant and up-to-date information

The succinct, but very unsatisfying answer is: It depends. 

Determining the right age to file for Social Security is a complex decision that depends heavily on individual circumstances. It's not a decision that can be effectively made using a one-size-fits-all approach or simple rules of thumb. There are numerous factors we consider, including the impact on survivor and spousal benefits, the composition of your savings (such as Roth, pretax, and taxable accounts), your monthly income needs, and plans for Roth conversions.

The optimal sequence for withdrawing money from retirement accounts varies significantly depending on individual circumstances. We don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all approach.

Conventional wisdom often suggests withdrawing first from taxable accounts, followed by tax-deferred accounts, and finally from tax-free accounts. However, it's important to recognize that this method might not be the best fit for everyone. Our approach is to critically evaluate each client's financial picture, considering multiple factors such as tax implications, other sources of retirement income, and income needs. We then rigorously test these factors in our planning process to determine the most beneficial withdrawal sequence for each individual.

We actively encourage our clients to provide us with written permission to collaborate openly and freely with their other professional advisors. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of your financial plan are considered from multiple professional perspectives, leading to more integrated and effective strategies tailored to your unique situation.

We recognize the importance of transparency in our relationships, which is why we've made a concerted effort to minimize conflicts of interest in our practice. A key aspect of this is our adoption of a flat fee model which is designed to reduce potential conflicts associated with a revenue model based on the volume of assets under management. This structure ensures that our revenue is not influenced by a client’s decision to increase or decrease their investment assets with us, promoting a more unbiased and client-focused advisory relationship.

However, it is important to acknowledge that no advisory model is entirely free of conflicts of interest. For instance, since our compensation arises solely from client fees, there is an inherent conflict from the outset – we benefit financially when you become a client. This could potentially influence our motivation in recommending our services.