Frequently Asked Questions
Are you a fiduciary?
What level of communication can I expect when working with you?
I believe in a high level of communication with you. I generally recommend meeting 2-4x/yr. to ensure we are covering all of the different wealth management areas while keeping up with changes that are happening in your life.
How will my money be invested?
What is your investment philosophy?
What is an adaptive asset allocation?
Many firms have adopted passive, diversified allocations based off of “modern portfolio theory,” utilizing low-cost ETFs & Index Funds. These strategies became conventional wisdom in the 1970s and 1980s, but have proven themselves to be less successful over the past two decades, subjecting many investors to losses of 35-50% twice (crashes of 2000-2002 & 2007-2009).
Depending on your needs and preferences, as an alternative, I may utilize dynamic allocations, or “adaptive allocations,” utilizing a key-factor, Momentum, which is a centuries-old market factor. It has had hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that have shown that many major asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and more) that have been rising, tend to continue to rise. Also, it has provided better returns with significantly less risk. Note: Past performance is not indicative of future results.
How are you different than other financial advisors?
Prior to Swad Wealth Management, I worked at a Fortune 500 financial services firm for over 10 years. I had the opportunity to partner with 15 top independent advisory firms in the Bay Area. I learned firsthand what worked well and what areas needed improvement. Based on this experience and knowledge, I created today what fully encompasses the needs of people in retirement or close to it. These are the main factors that differentiate Swad Wealth Management from the rest:
Retirement Planning Specialization: Many firms are generalists. They help anyone with a pulse and a chunk of money with “comprehensive” wealth management.
At SWM, I specialize in working with people in retirement or getting close to it. This means we are better equipped at understanding advanced strategies unique to your situation. We are more in-tune with the needs and emotions that arise during the critical retirement transition along with the situations that our clients face throughout the rest of their lives.
Advanced Tax Planning & “Ask Your CPA”: Many firms claim that they help with “tax planning” and “tax minimization” strategies for their clients. But, at the end of the day, they don’t have the tools or expertise necessary so many of them refer the client back to their CPAs or give vague guidance.
Unfortunately, many CPAs don’t do forward-looking, multi-year tax strategies for their clients. It also makes it difficult for the clients as they would have to coordinate with their CPA, and their CPA had no idea what their financial plan was.
At SWM, I help with advanced tax planning strategies including Roth conversion analysis, coordination of retirement income, asset location, tax-loss harvesting, and more. I will coordinate with your CPA to make sure you are taking full advantage of these strategies.
At SWM, I can utilize dynamic allocations, or “adaptive allocations,” utilizing a key-factor, Momentum, which is a centuries-old market factor. It has had hundreds of peer-reviewed studies that have shown that many major asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and more) that have been rising, tend to continue to rise. Also, it has provided better returns with significantly less risk.
Satisfaction Guarantee: None of the independent advisors offer a satisfaction guarantee.
At SWM, if you are unhappy for any reason, I will refund your advisory fees.
Refund requests must be received within 90 days of the date the fee was charged.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
How are you paid?
What are your fees?
Our fees are transparent and straightforward:
For Wealth Management clients, our fees start at 1% per year on investable assets with a minimum fee of $10,000/yr. (see schedule below). While 1% is the average in our industry, my promise is to deliver substantially more value than our fee. I believe that through our specialization and advanced tax tools and knowledge that I deliver far more than the average advisor.
In fact, if you don’t see the value, you are covered by our Satisfaction Guarantee (see other FAQ titled “What happens if I am not happy with your service?”).
Wealth Management – Fee Schedule:
| 1.00% | First $3 million |
| 0.75% | Next $2 million |
| 0.50% | Next $10 million |
| 0.25% | $15 million and above |
What happens if I am not happy with your service?
You are covered by our Satisfaction Guarantee. If you are not satisfied with my work at any time, I will refund your fees for any reason. There are no long-term commitments so you are free to terminate the relationship at any time.
Refund requests must be received within 90 days of the date the fee was charged.
Do you have a client minimum?
Because our minimum fee is $10,000 per year, it typically makes sense to have a nest egg (bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, etc.) of at least $1,000,000 unless one of the following exceptions apply:
- You are a higher earner, saving aggressively, and will have a nest egg of $1,000,000 or more within the next year or two
- You anticipate a large influx of money (e.g. selling a business, selling a property, inheriting money, etc.) that would increase your nest egg to at least $1,000,000.
If you’re not sure, schedule a 15-minute introductory call and we can discuss your situation to see if it makes sense for us to work together. If not, I’ll refer you to another advisor that is a better fit.
What are your credentials/qualifications/experience?
Isn’t it too expensive to hire a financial advisor?
Vanguard did a study that shows that advisors can add up to 3% per year in returns. Their study doesn’t include some of the advanced tax, financial, and investment planning strategies that our firm incorporates nor does it factor in the clarity, confidence, and peace of mind that working with an expert can bring.
I’m confident you’ll see the value in working with me. And If you don’t, you are covered by our Satisfaction Guarantee. I will credit you back your fees for any reason.* There are no long-term commitments so you are free to terminate the relationship at any time.
*Refund requests must be received within 90 days of the date the fee was charged.
Swad Wealth Management is a small firm - what happens to your clients if something happens to you?
That’s true – I am the sole person that owns Swad Wealth Management, LLC. That being said, I take very seriously my obligation to clients in making sure they’re always taken care of. I have a Business Continuity Plan in place which I review annually and update as needed. The Business Continuity Plan includes, but is not limited to, a written action plan in the event of my death or incapacity. This would include company procedures in case of natural or manmade disasters. This plan helps ensure the business continues to operate smoothly regardless of the conditions presented. You may contact me to learn more about it or if you’d like a copy.
You have access to your documents and investments at all times and don’t need me to access them.
Do you carry errors & omissions insurance?
Yes – while we have never had to use it, we do carry errors & omissions insurance to help protect our clients. As a member of XY Planning Network, Swad Wealth Management, LLC pays a premium for coverage under their group policy. XY Planning Network and myself have done significant due diligence, and the policy has extensive coverage for more than 500 financial advisory firms across the country. To see a copy of the certificate, please click HERE. If you’d like a copy of the full policy, please send an email to info@swadwealth.com.
I'm not located in Santa Rosa, CA. Can you meet virtually and work with people in other states?
Do you have a list of services that you provide?
I help clients with many topics:
- Financial Life Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Retirement Income Planning (Coordination of Income Sources, e.g. Social Security, Pensions, Annuities, IRA Distributions, Rental Income, etc.)
- Social Security & Pension Optimization
- Investment Planning
- Tax Minimization Strategies & Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Titling & Beneficiary Designations
- Risk Management and Insurance Planning
- Estate Planning
- Planning for Incapacity
- Education and Family Support
- Executive Compensation (Stock Options, Restricted Stock, etc.)
- Concentrated Positions
- Banking & Credit Management (Mortgages, Debt Optimization, etc.)
- Budgeting & Cash Flow
Who is your custodian and how can I know my money is safe? How are my assets protected?
What is a custodian, you might ask? The custodian is a financial institution that holds clients’ securities (investments) for safekeeping to prevent them from being lost or stolen.
Swad Wealth Management is not a custodian. We are an independent registered investment advisor (RIA). As an RIA, we can advise and manage investments on your behalf.
It’s important to have a custodian that is separate from your advisor.
After significant due diligence, we have selected Charles Schwab & Co. as our custodian for our clients.
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with 35.9 million active brokerage accounts, 5.4 million workplace plan participant accounts, 1.9 million banking accounts, and $9.74 trillion in client assets as of August 31, 2024.
Schwab is dedicated to the principles of safety and soundness. They take appropriate actions to help give our clients peace of mind about the security of their accounts, adhering to strict internal practices and standards designed to keep client assets safe. You can read more here: How Client Assets Are Protected at Schwab
In addition, Schwab offers a robust security guarantee, which you can read here: Schwab Security Guarantee
I want to work with you. What are the next steps?
Great! I’m excited to help you.
The first step is to meet with me to ensure we are a good fit. Please schedule an introductory call by clicking the gold “Schedule Intro Call” button below. If for any reason we aren’t a good fit, I will gladly introduce you to another firm that better suits your needs.
(707) 899-1010 ♦ info@swadwealth.com
100 Stony Point Rd, Suite 244, Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST (Office Hours by Appointment Only)
© 2022 SWAD WEALTH MANAGEMENT, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
