Nerd's Eye View

MAY 9, 2025

Also in industry news this week: Younger Americans are eager for financial advice (and appear willing to pay for it) according to a recent survey, creating a potential opportunity for advisors who have the wherewithal and capacity to meet their planning priorities (which can differ from older, retirement-focused clients) A study of advisors who are (..)

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Financial Advice Clients Retirement Planning 245

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 3, 2025

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with a recent survey indicating that a majority of advisors are viewing new client acquisition as their primary challenge in the current competitive environment for financial advice (followed by compliance and technology management) and suggests (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Advice Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Also in industry news this week: NASAA has proposed an amendment to its broker-dealer conduct model rule that would restrict the use of the terms “advisor” and “adviser” for broker-dealers and their registered representatives who are not also investment advisers or investment adviser representatives A recent study suggests that (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Asset Allocation Taxes Tax Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 31, 2025

Also in industry news this week: While RIA M&A deal flow hit record levels in 2024 (both in terms of volume and the speed of completing them), firm valuations saw relatively modest gains In its latest annual regulatory oversight report, FINRA joined the SEC in flagging the potential risks to firm and client data from the use of third-party vendors (..)

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Compliance Valuation 245

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 1, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A recent study suggests that while a majority of financial advisory clients surveyed have only had 1 advisor, deteriorating client service is a key risk factor that could sway certain clients to leave for a different advisor RIA M&A activity in 2024 is poised to surpass the total number of deals seen in 2023, according (..)

Financial Planner 188

Financial Planner CFP Certification Retirement Planning 188

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Each week in Weekend Reading For Financial Planners, we seek to bring you synopses and commentaries on 12 articles covering news for financial advisors including topics covering technical planning, practice management, advisor marketing, career development, and more.

Financial Advisor 246

Financial Advisor Financial Planner Insurance Clients 246

Darrow Wealth Management

FEBRUARY 9, 2025

The idea of living off dividends in retirement sounds nice, but investors often don’t realize how much money they’ll need invested to generate enough income from dividends to cover lifestyle expenses. You may need more money than you think to retire on dividends. Retire on dividends?

Retirement 85

Retirement Asset Allocation Taxes Portfolio 85

Nerd's Eye View

MAY 2, 2025

a ski chalet), assessing whether it will lead to greater overall wellbeing, or, alternatively, more stress, is more challenging Enjoy the 'light' reading! a ski chalet), assessing whether it will lead to greater overall wellbeing, or, alternatively, more stress, is more challenging Enjoy the 'light' reading!

Financial Planner 182

Financial Planner CFP Financial Advisor Retirement 182

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 14, 2025

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey finds that while advisors are increasingly using passive investment vehicles, many are taking the time to look beneath the hood to examine the makeup of different indexes in order to choose the best option for their clients A survey of advisors working at enterprise firms shows a significant increase (..)

Financial Planner 162

Financial Planner Compliance Commission Retirement 162

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 18, 2025

Also in industry news this week: According to a recent survey, 40% of financial advisory clients would switch to an advisor who offers estate planning services, with help with specific tasks like beneficiary designations or tax strategies as the most sought-after service among respondents RIA M&A activity set a first-quarter record to start the (..)

Financial Planner 195

Financial Planner Risk Tolerance Estate Planning Clients 195

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 13, 2024

Also in industry news this week: While the SEC has had the power to restrict mandatory arbitration clauses in RIA client agreements for more than a decade, an advisory committee meeting this week suggests support for such a measure isn't unanimous CFP Board saw a record number of exam-takers during 2024, reflecting recognition of the professional and (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Retirement Certification 246

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 26, 2024

Also in industry news this week: While the number of RIA M&A deals has not surged in 2024, the average size of deals has increased, demonstrating interest from (often private-equity-backed) firms in pursuing larger targets Off-channel communication tops the list of concerns amongst RIA compliance professionals, with advertising and marketing coming (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Communication Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 14, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week finalized a series of rules designed to discourage future runs on money-market funds, potentially reducing their liquidity risk A recent study suggests that advisor marketing messages that address prospective clients' emotional concerns, in addition to their technical questions, could be particularly (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Compliance Media Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 16, 2024

Also in industry news this week: Fidelity and Advyzon are teaming up to offer RIAs a combined custodial platform-AdvisorTech bundle aimed at smaller RIAs, though its unclear whether Fidelity will take on some of the smallest firms A report indicates that RIA M&A grew in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023, with new firms (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Communication Retirement Commission 246

MainStreet Financial Planning

JUNE 17, 2025

These small, intentional moves aren’t just about staying organized in the short term—they also help you protect your long-term financial health, including your ability to continue building toward retirement. For more ideas, read our article on Joyful Holiday Spending. Final Thought A quick summer check-in doesn’t require an overhaul.

Financial Planning 52

Financial Planning Retirement Planning Insurance Coverage 52

Nerd's Eye View

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" - this week's edition kicks off with the news that the Department of Labor this week released its long-awaited "retirement security rule", its latest effort to curb conflicts of interest around retirement savings recommendations.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Insurance 246

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 25, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC settled its first charges related to its new marketing rule with a firm that advertised 2,700% annual returns A survey suggests that older Americans prefer the term "longevity" to "aging", perhaps informing the way advisors discuss related issues with their clients From there, we have several articles on retirement (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Advertising 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 26, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A House committee has advanced a bill that would extend several expired business-related tax measures from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and would increase the value of the Child Tax Credit The SEC released its examination priorities for 2024, which include a focus on advisers' adherence to their duty of care and duty of (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Advisor Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 5, 2024

Supreme Court decision shifting authority to interpret laws passed by Congress from Federal agencies to the judicial system could have significant impacts on regulation of the financial advice industry, including the potential for additional legal challenges to regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of Labor (DoL), (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Commission Financial Advice 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 19, 2024

Also in industry news this week: While the total number of RIA M&A deals in 2023 fell short of a record-setting 2022 amidst an elevated interest rate environment, continued interest from private equity firms and creative deal structures could boost deal flow in 2024 While the SEC authorized 11 "Spot" Bitcoin ETFs last week, comments from chair (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Fiduciary Duty Retirement Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

AUGUST 30, 2024

Nonetheless, given that adding services requires an investment on the part of the firm (often in the form of increased staffing to offer high-touch services and add needed expertise), firms appear to be analyzing the costs and benefits of offering these services in-house versus adding value to clients by referring them to trusted professionals in these (..)

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Financial Advisor Retirement Clients 241

Nerd's Eye View

MAY 10, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners"– this week's edition kicks off with the news that a recent analysis from Morningstar suggests that the Department of Labor's (DoL's) new Retirement Security Rule (aka Fiduciary Rule 2.0)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Valuation 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC agreed to a series of settlements with 9 RIAs resulting from charges of improper use of hypothetical returns in advertising under the regulator's marketing rule How several CEOs of large RIAs and AdvisorTech companies have found that receiving funding from private equity firms and taking the responsibility for (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Advertising 246

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 5, 2024

Enjoy the current installment of "Weekend Reading For Financial Planners" – this week's edition kicks off with the news that comment letters submitted regarding the Department of Labor's (DoL) proposed Retirement Security Rule, which is intended to strengthen standards regarding the provision of certain retirement-related advice, reflect the (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Financial Advisor 246

Nerd's Eye View

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week released its 2023 examination priorities, which include its new marketing rule, Reg BI, and complicated investments The House of Representatives is considering legislation that would broaden the definition of who qualifies as an accredited investor and is potentially eyeing a role for financial advisors (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Certification Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Also in industry news this week: Edward Jones, which added more new CFP professionals than any other firm last year, announced that it is planning to offer financial planning services nationwide, highlighting the value for RIAs and other firms of differentiating themselves amidst increased competition not only for clients, but also for advisor talent (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Financial Planning Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A CFP Board study indicates that financial planners with the certification earn 10% more than other advisors and show very high levels of career satisfaction A Morningstar study has identified 4 main areas where investors find value from their financial advisors, which might not match an advisor's own list of top ways (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Compliance Fee Only Communication 246

Tobias Financial

JUNE 15, 2025

Retirement planning is deeply personal, and for single individuals, it comes with both unique opportunities and important considerations. Whether by choice or circumstance, retiring solo means you’re in full control of your financial decisions, but you also face distinct planning challenges that require thoughtful strategy.

Retirement 52

Retirement Financial Advisor Retirement Planning Taxes 52

A Wealth of Common Sense

JUNE 1, 2023

A reader asks: When we read articles about “How much you should have saved by age X”, should it not be “How much income you will be earning with savings Y”? Total retirement savin. Here’s my scenario: Mid 30s, worked at a public University for 11 years and left to take a job in the private sector.

Retirement 123

Retirement Numbers 123

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 22, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey suggests that advisors who best understand their prospects' and clients' unique needs and communicate their value and fees clearly could be best positioned to win and retain clients Why a dearth of advisor talent could spur additional M&A activity and 'poaching', and what firms can do to attract (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Communication Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 3, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A recent FINRA arbitration ruling reaffirmed the ability of brokers operating in the independent broker-dealer model to take their clients with them when they change firms A bipartisan group of U.S.

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Retirement Clients Numbers 241

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A legal challenge to FINRA's operations as a self-regulatory organization has the potential to upend the current regulatory system for broker-dealers and their registered representatives A recent study indicates that while many consumers appear confident handling their finances on a 'DIY' basis during their careers, (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Strategic Planning Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

From there, we have several articles on investments: How Morningstar plans to simplify its rating system amid continued concerns about its effectiveness. The variety of ways individuals approach retirement, from choosing where to live to finding purpose in their daily lives.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Strategic Planning Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 28, 2023

House of Representatives committee this week approved legislation that would expand the pool of individuals who would qualify as accredited investors able to access certain private offerings Proposed bipartisan legislation would allow individuals to use funds in 529 plans for expenses associated with acquiring or maintaining postsecondary credentials, (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Certification Retirement Planning Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

MARCH 24, 2023

Also in industry news this week: Top Democratic Senators are urging the Treasury Department to crack down on a range of estate planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals, including GRATs and IDGTs Amid fallout from recent bank failures, both Republicans and Democrats are considering whether current FDIC insurance limits should be increased (..)

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner CFP Certification Education 245

Nerd's Eye View

MAY 17, 2024

Also in industry news this week: The SEC this week announced a proposed rule that would require RIAs to collect and verify their clients' personal information in an effort to prevent illicit activity, though many firms likely are taking many of these steps already Why larger RIAs and those that have been acquired tend to have worse client and staff (..)

Financial Planner 238

Financial Planner Wealth Management Retirement Investment Planning 238

Nerd's Eye View

SEPTEMBER 16, 2022

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: A survey indicates that while pre-retirees largely understand the benefits of delaying Social Security benefits, only 11% plan to wait until age 70 to claim them, suggesting that advisors can play an important role in influencing clients’ retirement income decision making.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Numbers 246