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How To Find a Retirement Advisor

Where can you get a plan for retirement? 

You want to retire, but don’t know where to go for help.

When you’re looking for someone to guide you through the process of retiring, it’s important to have high standards for whom you choose to work with.

When you begin your search for an advisor, you’ll likely quickly discover there are many different professionals who say they can help you create a plan for your retirement. However, it’s important to note that not all these professionals are created equal.

You’ll need to do your research to find the right one for you.

Check out our latest video on the choices you have and to whom you can talk to get started.

In the article below, you will also find helpful tips on how to find the best solution for you.

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Who can help you create a financial plan for retirement?

When you’re looking for someone to guide you through the process of retiring, it’s important to have high standards for whom you choose to work with.

When you begin your search for an advisor, you’ll likely quickly discover that there are many different professionals who say they can help you create a plan for your retirement.

However, it’s important to note that not all these professionals are created equal. You’ll need to do your research to find the right one for you.

The problem is that the financial planning profession has had challenges with protecting the use of the title of “financial planner” because under current regulations just about anyone can call themselves a planner.

This means people who may not have the experience or qualifications to help you plan for your retirement can still call themselves “planners.” So, it’s important to be careful before choosing someone to help you.

Here’s what I mean…

I did a quick Google search that came back with 15 different types of professions that say they are financial planners (See below).

Search results of professions saying they are “Financial planners:”

  1. Insurance agents
  2. Stockbrokers
  3. Investment Advisor Representatives
  4. CPA / Certified Public Accountants / Personal Financial Specialists
  5. CFP / CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER
  6. Tax preparers
  7. Bankers
  8. Investment bankers
  9. Mortgage brokers
  10. Estate attorneys
  11. RIA’s
  12. Mutual Fund Companies Representatives
  13. Trust Companies / Trust Officers
  14. College Professors
  15. HR and Employer-Sponsored Plans Customer Service Representatives (401Ks, TSP, 403B)

No wonder it’s hard to know who to turn to for help.

Sadly, the problem with these results is that in my opinion, many of these providers may not be qualified to help you prepare for something as important as your transition into retirement.

 

With so many choices available, how can you decide which one is right for you?

 

Your top choice should meet these three criteria…

Look for someone who meets the following:

1) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification.

2) Owns or works for an Independent Firm.

3) Has a clear specialty focus on retirement planning.

 

Here’s why:

  1. To become a CFP® professional, they’ve had to pass a rigorous training program and certification process and endure strict oversight in order to retain their certification. This also denotes they are fiduciaries.
  2. Being independent gives them the freedom to recommend the best products and services for their clients regardless of what the company provides them.
  3. Being a retirement planning specialist means they’ll have the experience and knowledge to help you create a plan that will meet your specific needs.

Tips for Selecting a Good Financial Planner for Retirement

 

Here are some tips for selecting a good financial planner for retirement income planning:

  1. Ask around.  Did your recently retired friends work with someone who was good?
  2. Visit the CFP® website, where they have a searchable database of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ that references their stated specializations.
  3. Look for financial advisors who specialize in Retirement Income Planning.

When you’ve identified a potential candidate, research their website or ask them directly about the following things:

  • What is their planning process? They should have a step-by-step process they will walk you through.
  • Are they specialists or generalists?
  • What is the average age and situation of their clientele? You want someone who focuses on helping people like you.

Final thoughts…

Just because someone is a CFP® doesn’t mean they’re the right planner for you. CFP®s must pass a rigorous certification process, but that doesn’t mean they’re the best fit for everyone.

I know CFP®s who focus on investment management or cater to younger millennials as opposed to helping people who are ready to retire.

It’s important to interview several planners before making a decision. Ask them about their experience and qualifications as well as their approach to financial planning.

And most importantly, make sure that the planner is a good fit for you. You’ll be working with this person for years, so it’s important to choose wisely.

If you’d like to learn about a more detailed method for selecting a financial advisor, please take a look at my book called On Investing Well, where I dedicate a section to how to select a financial advisor.

 

ABOUT US SECTION:

For those of you new to our content, my name is Chris Merchant, CFP®. I am the founder of Hunt Country Wealth Management. My firm and I are dedicated to serving the distinguished needs of today’s modern retirees nationwide. We strive to help YOU experience the freedom and independence of a well-planned retirement.

If you’re interested in learning more about starting your journey into retirement, we invite you to access our free getting-started tools:

Here’s where you can find our book On Investing Well: The Elements of Good Investing by Chris Merchant, CFP®

Thanks for reading!

Have questions about retirement, investing, or financial planning?

 

Hunt Country Wealth Management can help.
Click below to explore our services, or schedule a 15-Minute Discovery Call to talk with an advisor.

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By: Chris Merchant, CFP® 

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