We've answered some of the questions that tend to come up before someone decides whether to work with us. If yours isn't here, reach out and we'll be happy to talk through it.
For clients who have us manage their investments, our advisory fee is based on the amount we manage. The fee is tiered, so each portion of the portfolio is charged at the rate for that tier.
| Assets managed | Annual advisory fee |
|---|---|
| First $1 million | 0.80% |
| $1 million to $2 million | 0.55% |
| $2 million to $3 million | 0.50% |
| $3 million to $4 million | 0.45% |
| $4 million to $5 million | 0.40% |
| $5 million to $7.5 million | 0.35% |
| $7.5 million to $10 million | 0.25% |
| Above $10 million | 0.15% |
For example, if we manage $3 million, the first $1 million is charged at 0.80%, the next $1 million at 0.55%, and the third $1 million at 0.50%. The blended advisory fee would be approximately 0.62% per year.
The minimum annual advisory fee is $2,400.
Financial planning is included for investment management clients.
For planning-only clients, there is a $400 initiation fee followed by an ongoing annual fee of $3,600 to $15,000, based on the complexity and scope of the planning relationship.
We also offer a one-time plan, with a one-time fee of $3,600 to $15,000, based on the complexity of your situation and the scope of the work.
Depending on how your portfolio is invested, there may also be third-party platform or investment expenses, which are separate from the One Life Advisory cost. We explain those before anything is implemented.
Our current minimum for investment management is $250,000 in assets available for us to manage.
If you are below that amount, we may be able to work together through our financial planning service instead.
Yes, if you are below our minimum for investment management. There are two ways to do it.
Ongoing planning is a continuing relationship. We start by understanding your financial situation and building an initial written plan. From there, we continue to review and update the plan as things change. There is a $400 initiation fee, and the ongoing annual fee ranges from $3,600 to $15,000, based on the complexity of your situation and the planning work involved.
A one-time plan means we build a written plan around what you want to accomplish and walk through it with you, and you put it into action on your own. The one-time fee ranges from $3,600 to $15,000, based on the complexity of your situation and the scope of the work.
We agree on the fee with you before you decide to move forward. We prefer to work with clients on an ongoing basis, because the decisions that come up after a plan is written are often where an advisor matters most.
If you later have enough assets available for us to manage, we can discuss moving into an investment management relationship, where ongoing financial planning is included.
For investment management clients, financial planning is included as part of the relationship.
We manage your investment portfolio based on your goals, time horizon, and comfort with risk. We also help with the broader decisions around your financial life.
Depending on your situation, that may include retirement income planning, cash flow, insurance, tax considerations, beneficiary decisions, and coordination with your estate plan.
The exact planning work depends on what is relevant to you.
Most of our clients are approaching retirement or already retired.
Some are still several years away and want to make sure they're making good decisions before retirement. Others are already retired and want help managing income, investments, taxes, insurance, and the other financial decisions that come with it.
We also work with some people earlier in the process when the relationship makes sense.
We manage the accounts you ask us to manage. You may have other assets that remain elsewhere, such as an employer retirement plan or another account that cannot or should not be moved.
We still want to understand those assets because they can affect the decisions we make together. Our investment management responsibility, though, applies to the accounts we actually manage.
Most of our clients' investment accounts are held at Charles Schwab, which serves as the independent custodian.
The accounts remain in your name, and you continue to receive statements directly from Schwab. We manage the investments in the accounts you've asked us to manage, but we do not take possession of your money.
Yes.
One Life Advisory is a registered investment adviser and acts as a fiduciary in our advisory relationships. That means we have a duty to act in your best interest and to disclose conflicts that could affect the advice we give you.
One Life Advisory itself does not receive insurance commissions.
Some of our advisors are also licensed insurance agents through our affiliation with BetterWealth Solutions and may receive a commission if a client chooses to purchase an insurance product through them in that separate role.
If insurance is part of a recommendation, we'll explain the recommendation and the potential compensation. You are free to purchase the insurance through another agent or company if you prefer.
Yes.
We think many financial decisions are better when the people involved are working from the same information.
We can coordinate with your CPA, attorney, or other professionals when it makes sense. We do not prepare tax returns, provide legal advice, or draft legal documents, so those professionals remain responsible for their areas of expertise.
The first conversation is what we call a Clarity Call. It usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
We'll talk about what prompted you to reach out, what you're trying to accomplish, and the financial questions that are on your mind.
It also gives both of us a chance to see whether working together makes sense before going any further.
If it makes sense to keep going, the next step is a Discovery Meeting.
By that point, we'll have met for Discovery and walked through your Planning Conversation, so you'll have seen where you stand and the direction we'd suggest.
For investment management clients, we formalize the relationship, establish the accounts we will manage, and document the investment approach we'll use. Then we begin putting strategies in place, some right away and some over time, and make sure you understand how everything works.
For planning-only clients, we'll prepare the initial financial plan and then continue working together through regular reviews and updates.
The relationship is meant to continue as your life changes. The plan should change with it.
Still have questions? Bring them to the Clarity Call.