What You Need to Know Before Choosing a Financial Advisor - 52

Joe Anderson, CFP® & Alan Clopine, CPA answer frequently asked investing questions and explain key factors to look for when choosing a financial advisor on YMYW podcast 52. Should you choose a fee-only or fee-based advisor and does it matter if they follow the fiduciary standard? Find out. Original publish date July 30, 2016 (hour 2). Note that content may be outdated as rules and regulations have changed. 

00:00 - Intro

02:27 - “I’m currently employed by two employers, which brings my yearly income to $170K. I understand my pre-tax contributions. One of my employers now offers a Roth contribution. Am I eligible to contribute to only one employer's Roth?”

04:54 - “Yes, you can contribute to both plans…can you contribute to a Roth in either or both plans? The answer is yes.”

08:15 - “I just purchased a home in January 2015 and I'm now wanting to sell with a potential profit of about $60K. I am newly married as of May 2016, and would like to file Head of Household to avoid paying Capital Gains. My income alone is $44K and married we are at $74K. I would like to be sure that I am under the radar and not having to pay capital gains tax if I sell today.”

09:32 - “When you’re married, you can’t file head of household unless you’ve been separated for six months and have not lived with your spouse for six months.”

15:46 - “You want to work with a fiduciary 100% of the time where there are no other licenses. If they have a broker-dealer affiliation, they sell products.”

20:45 - “An overwhelming percentage of retirees are very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their financial health.”

25:39 - “If you look at the average 401(k) or IRA balances of those who are 55-64…it’s $100,000. If you look at all people age 55-64, the median retirement account balance is $12,000 (Source: TIAA CREF Survey).”

28:52 - “My wife and I both draw on our Social Security Insurance benefits. We are both 68 years old. We just adopted 3 grandchildren. Does this change our benefits in any way?”

30:38 - “I will be retiring in a month or so and will be about 2 years before the mandatory withdrawal. Where can I park my money so that I have the least management fees and can earn some returns?”