Frequently Asked Questions
I offer both comprehensive retirement planning services and focused hourly consultations to meet your specific needs:
- Comprehensive Retirement Planning Services:
- Retirement Strategy Development - Including income planning, Social Security optimization, and tax-efficient withdrawal strategies
- Financial Review & Validation - Analyzing your existing strategies and providing second opinions
- Asset and Wellbeing Protection - Addressing healthcare costs and long-term care planning
- Ongoing Advisory Support - Regular updates and guidance through life transitions
- Hourly Consultation Services:
- Single-topic consultations for specific retirement questions
- One-time portfolio reviews or second opinions
- Targeted analysis of specific retirement concerns
- Annual retirement plan checkups
No. As an independent, fee-only advisor, I provide analysis and recommendations regarding your investment strategy but do not directly manage assets. This allows me to remain objective and avoid conflicts of interest while focusing on comprehensive retirement planning.
Yes, I am a fiduciary. This means I am legally and ethically bound to act in your best financial interests, providing transparent and unbiased advice that prioritizes your financial well-being.
- Three key factors distinguish my practice:
- I specialize exclusively in retirement planning and hold the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) designation
- I operate on a transparent fee-only basis, charging by the hour or project rather than based on assets under management
- You work directly with me in a one-on-one relationship, ensuring personalized attention
I take a holistic approach, considering not only your financial resources but also your lifestyle goals, legacy aspirations, and overall well-being.
- A comprehensive retirement plan typically includes:
- Analysis of your current financial situation
- Projections of retirement income needs and potential income sources
- Development of a personalized retirement income distribution strategy
- Recommendations for optimizing retirement savings and investments
- Tax implications and estate planning considerations
- One-year access to retirement planning software
- I provide detailed analysis and guidance on:
- Optimizing Social Security benefits for your situation
- Medicare enrollment timing and plan options
- Integration of healthcare costs into your retirement plan
- Coordination with other retirement income sources
Our initial meeting focuses on understanding your retirement goals, current financial situation, and specific concerns. I'll discuss how my services align with your needs and outline potential strategies for moving forward.
Meeting frequency is tailored to your needs. For comprehensive planning clients, we'll meet more frequently during the initial planning phase, then transition to regular review meetings (annually or semi-annually). For hourly consultation clients, meetings are scheduled as needed.
- Comprehensive planning clients receive one year of complimentary access to retirement planning software that allows you to:
- View your complete retirement plan in one secure location
- Run "what-if" scenarios
- Track progress toward retirement goals
- Access up-to-date account information
- Yes, I provide specialized guidance for:
- Marital status change (widow/widower, divorcee)
- Retirement transitions from specific employer
- Long-term care planning
- Estate and legacy planning
- Complex family situations
I take a collaborative approach when specialized knowledge is required. I maintain a network of experts in various fields and can help facilitate connections to ensure you receive appropriate advice for your specific situation.
- I offer transparent hourly or project-based billing:
- No commissions or product sales
- No asset-based fees
- You only pay for the specific guidance you want
- Clear pricing discussed upfront
No. Since I don't manage investments directly, my services are available to anyone seeking retirement planning guidance, regardless of portfolio size.
- I offer a complimentary 30-minute initial consultation to:
- Answer your questions about my services
- Learn about your retirement planning needs
- Determine if we're a good fit for working together
I'm based in the Seattle metropolitan area but serve clients nationwide through virtual meetings and consultations.
