Benefits of working with a financial advisor

The right advisor can help. Find out how.

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1. Create a customized long-term strategy

Investing can involve a dizzying array of products and strategies. A financial advisor can help cut through the clutter.


  • • Build a customized strategy that works with your specific goals and risk tolerance
  • • Identify quality, diversified investment products
  • • Receive guidance to feel informed and in control of your finances
  • • Pivot your strategy as markets shift and needs change

 

Ken Cella, Head of Branch Development

 

“Our financial advisors know their clients best: what they need, what they value, and what it will take to help them achieve financially what is most important.”

2. Provide a holistic approach to your finances

A financial advisor considers your entire financial picture—not just a single investment or account—and can help you understand your assets achieve the maximum benefit.

  • Manage investments like stocks, bonds and mutual funds
  • Identify the best approach to manage and pay off debt
  • Consider assets like a private business or real estate holdings
  • Integrate risk tolerance and a preference for active vs. passive investing

Find your starting point

Getting comfortable with the basics is the first step on your financial journey. That's why we created our Starting Point tool. We're excited to learn more about you so we can better serve you.

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3. Plan your retirement

The average U.S. life expectancy is 78.51, and the top financial worry for 30%2 of retirees is outliving their savings. Your investment portfolio needs to provide income for as long as you'll need it, and a financial advisor can help make sure it does.


  • • Identify the type of retirement accounts best suited to your needs
  • •Meet savings goals and plan your spending for all phases of retirement
  • •Protect loved ones with an estate or trust or education savings plan
  • •Plan for lifestyle goals like vacations and hobbies

 

Source:

1 World Health Organization
2 AgeWave study, "Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement"

Retirees who report a high quality of life say the smartest retirement preparation actions they took were saving early, reducing debt, maximizing contributions, and working with a financial advisor.

Source: Agewave, Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement, 2022

4. Prepare for the unexpected

You can’t predict the future, but you can prepare for it. A financial advisor can help you cope with the fallout of life's unexpected events and adapt your strategy to stay on track.


  • • Market dips that impact your current investments
  • •Job loss or other career changes that impact your income
  • •Destruction of a home or other property damage
  • •Major injury or illness

5. Replace reaction with reason

During periods of market turbulence, it's easy to allow emotional reactions to drive investment decisions. An experienced third party can give you the confidence to stay the course.


  • • Develop a mindset around long-term gains instead of short-term comfort
  • •Create a data-driven approach that helps quell feelings of uncertainty
  • •A continuous focus on risk tolerance and time horizon customized for your needs
  • •Follow only the most relevant and objective online news sources

6. Consider investment factors up ahead

Investors often have goals based on current and planned needs, but financial advisors can offer guidance around factors that you may not have considered.

  • Combat rising inflation costs
  • Prepare for post-retirement healthcare expenses like Medicaid
  • Plan for regulations that impact taxable accounts, contribution limits, etc.
  • Provide withdrawal rate guidance over the course of retirement

7. Limit tax liabilities and penalties

As you plan your investments, a financial advisor can identify which accounts are taxable, as well as help you navigate changing tax laws and regulations—to help ensure your wealth remains yours.


  • • Invest in accounts with different tax treatments to diversify
  • •Consider taking advantage of tax-loss harvesting to maximize investments, especially in retirement
  • •Limit or eliminate tax penalties and various fees
  • •Adapt to new regulation like Secure 2.0

 

Sarah Karpicus, Registered Branch Associate

 

“Clients know that if they call our branch, they’re going to get one of us. They know our names, they know what we did over the summer. We are real people to them, and we have a personal relationship.”

8. Build a long-term, trusted relationship

Building a personal relationship with a financial advisor helps the FA tailor their guidance to your specific life situation—and the value of a long-term, trusted partnership compounds over time.

  • A broader understanding of your financial goals helps deliver a richer financial strategy
  • Deeper knowledge of your personal situation helps forecast future needs
  • Financial independence may help support your mental and emotional health