Below are common questions we hear from clients and from those considering working with us. Don’t see your question here? Contact us directly, and we’ll get you an answer.
How Are My Assets Protected?
Whole Wealth Management clients benefit from several layers of protection. We, along with our partners, follow all rules set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and FINRA. In addition, our partners are members of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)*.
Through SIPC, securities held in custody with National Financial Services (NFS) are protected up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims. Ask us directly, or visit sipc.org to request a brochure.
How Are You Compensated?
Our compensation depends on the type of service you need. Financial planning solutions typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of your situation.
Our investment management services are offered for a fee based on your total assets, ranging from 0.50% to 1.50%. When managing your assets, we act as fiduciaries, which means we’re required to pursue your best interest at all times.
How Do I Stay Updated on My Accounts?
We pride ourselves on accessibility. You can always contact Jeff or Lynda directly with questions about your account. You’ll also receive regular statements for your investment accounts every quarter, and in any month with activity.
In addition, we provide comprehensive, custom reporting once a year. Together, we review your life circumstances, investments, and financial plan to confirm you’re still on track toward your goals.
What Should I Expect at Our First Meeting?
We want our first meeting to deliver real value. To do that, we need to learn as much about you, your values, and your goals as possible. We’ll ask you to bring investment and financial information with you. We’ll also ask a lot of questions, and answer all of yours.
If it seems like working together makes sense, we’ll ask you to sign paperwork to get started.
How Will Our Ongoing Relationship Work?
As our client, you can expect us to help you pursue genuine financial well-being. We promise to always act in your best interest and deliver exceptional service. You can also expect us to stay proactive, accessible, and vigilant. We’ll communicate regularly by phone, email, and in-person meetings.
We ask our clients to take on some responsibilities too. Specifically, we ask you to share your goals, values, concerns, and full financial information, so we can build the best possible plan. We also ask that you respond to our emails, calls, and any requests tied to your investments and plan.
Put simply, you can expect a collaborative relationship built to help you prosper.
Do You Accept Referrals?
We welcome the opportunity to help your friends and loved ones pursue financial well-being too. We keep our client list intentionally small, but we always welcome connections who could benefit from our approach.
If you know someone preparing for retirement, building a paycheck in retirement, or simply looking to feel more financially confident, let us know and share our information.
What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor, and Why Does It Matter?
A fiduciary financial advisor is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. This is different from a suitability standard, which only requires advice to be “suitable,” not necessarily optimal for you.
As a fiduciary, we don’t earn extra compensation for recommending one product over another. Every recommendation is evaluated on one question: is this genuinely right for you? That standard shapes every plan we build.
What’s the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Financial Planner?
A financial advisor is a broad term covering professionals who help manage money, investments, and financial decisions. A financial planner typically focuses more specifically on building a comprehensive, long-term plan across your whole financial life.
At Whole Wealth Management, we do both. We provide financial planning to map out your goals, alongside investment management to help you pursue them. This combination is what we mean by holistic planning.
Is There a Minimum Amount of Assets Required to Work With You?
We don’t publish a hard asset minimum, because every situation is different. Instead, we look at whether we can genuinely add value to your specific circumstances.
We intentionally keep our client list small. As a result, we can give each relationship real time and attention. The best way to find out if we’re a fit is to schedule a conversation with us directly.
What’s the Difference Between Fee-Only and Fee-Based Advisors?
A fee-only advisor is compensated solely through client-paid fees, with no commissions from product sales. A fee-based advisor may charge fees and also earn commissions on certain products, like insurance.
At Whole Wealth Management, our compensation structure is explained above under “How Are You Compensated?” Because transparency matters, we’re always happy to walk you through exactly how we’re paid before you become a client.
Can I Get a Second Opinion on My Current Financial Plan?
Yes. Many of our clients originally came to us for a second opinion on an existing plan or portfolio. A fresh set of eyes can often reveal gaps, unnecessary risk, or missed opportunities.
Our Second Opinion service is a no-pressure way to see how your current strategy holds up. There’s no obligation to become a client afterward, though many people choose to.
What Is Holistic Financial Planning?
Holistic financial planning means looking at your entire financial life together, instead of managing accounts in isolation. Taxes, retirement income, investments, and estate planning all affect one another.
Because of this, a decision in one area often changes what makes sense in another. Our approach coordinates every piece of your financial picture, so nothing is planned in a vacuum.
Do You Only Work With Clients in Portsmouth, or Across New Hampshire?
While we’re based in Portsmouth, we work with clients throughout the Seacoast region and across New Hampshire. Many of our client relationships are also maintained remotely, by phone, video, and email.
Wherever you’re located, you’ll work directly with Jeff or Lynda, not a rotating team. Reach out to see how we can work together.
When Should I Start Working With a Financial Advisor?
There’s no single “right” time. Some people start when they receive an inheritance, change jobs, or approach retirement. Others start simply because they want more clarity and confidence about their finances.
If you’re asking the question, that’s often a good sign it’s worth a conversation. Our first meeting has no cost or obligation attached.
Still Have Questions?
We’d rather answer them directly than leave you guessing. Reach out to Jeff or Lynda, and we’ll walk you through anything that isn’t fully covered here.
*SIPC was created in 1970 as a nonprofit, nongovernment membership corporation funded by member broker-dealers. Its primary role is to return funds and securities to investors if the broker-dealer holding their assets fails financially. SIPC does not reimburse customers for market loss, investment fraud, or worthless securities. Instead, it steps in to help individuals whose money, stocks, and other securities are at risk when a broker-dealer files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. SIPC protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash claims. An explanatory brochure is available upon request or at www.sipc.org.
