Americans prefer high touch over high tech when receiving advice on investments by a margin of more than two to one, a Gallup poll finds.* Forty-four percent of investors use a financial advisor for advice on investing or planning for retirement, compared to only 20% who use an online financial planning or investing website.
It’s no wonder investors favor using financial advisors; they can help you with a broad range of financial issues. A financial advisor can help you in all the following ways:
- Assess your current financial situation. An advisor can review your recent tax returns, income sources, assets, insurance policies, retirement planning and estate planning documents. Finding out the current state of your finances are currently is a crucial step before deciding on a path to reach your goals.
- Identify your financial needs and goals. Many investors have difficulty establishing appropriate, realistic and manageable goals. Once goals are identified, you may need assistance prioritizing them, as well.
- Develop a financial plan. Once you’ve figured out where you are and where you want to go, you’ll need a strategy for getting there. An investment policy statement can instill structure and discipline into your investing. It states your investment philosophy, goals and guidelines.
- Navigate investments. Understanding the pros and cons of various financial instruments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds can help you put together a portfolio that’s appropriate for you.
- Choose accounts. Using the right accounts can help you reach your goals, and there are many to choose from, including taxable brokerage accounts, 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plans, traditional or Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 529 plans, Coverdell education savings accounts and health savings accounts (HSAs).
- Consider tax implications. Making your portfolio tax-efficient is one consideration when choosing investments, and in deciding which investments to hold in which accounts.
- Keep investment decisions rational. Behavioral biases often lead investors to take actions that are opposed to their own best interests. An objective opinion can help you avoid these mistakes.
- Review your progress periodically. Even the best-laid plans need to be altered periodically, so it’s important to monitor your investments. Seeing your progress can help keep you motivated to work toward goals.
- Protect your portfolio against the dangers of cognitive decline as you age. As people get older, some of them become more susceptible to fraudulent offers or making poor decisions but don’t realize it. Having a third party looking out for you can help.
Get the help you need
Managing financial and investment decisions can be complex and time-consuming and the results can have far-reaching consequences for your financial security. Don’t go it alone; contact an investment professional at Hanscom Investment Services today for a no-cost consultation. Call 781-698-2236 or visit www.hanscomfinancialservices.org.†
* Source: Gallup® Economy, Aug. 15, 2014, www.gallup.com.
†Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. Hanscom Federal Credit Union is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Hanscom Investment Services, and may also be employees of Hanscom Federal Credit Union. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:
Not Insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency / Not Hanscom Federal Credit Union Guaranteed / Not Hanscom Federal Credit Union Deposits or Obligations / May Lose Value
Comment