Nerd's Eye View

MAY 30, 2025

Also in industry news this week: In the continued absence of formal SEC guidance on advisory firm use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), many firms are taking a curious, but cautious, approach toward adopting AI-powered tools A recent report identifies the growing total wealth controlled by women in the U.S.

Financial Planner 225

Financial Planner Risk Tolerance Retirement Retirement Planning 225

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

MARCH 28, 2025

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey indicates that younger "DIY" investors are more likely to be interested in working with a human advisor than their older counterparts, suggesting an opportunity for advisors to tap into this demographic (perhaps by setting minimum planning fees that ensure these clients can be served profitably today (..)

Financial Planner 228

Financial Planner Retirement Retirement Planning Clients 228

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

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

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

OCTOBER 21, 2022

Enjoy the current installment of “Weekend Reading For Financial Planners” - this week’s edition kicks off with the news that Congress appears poised to pass a series of changes affecting retirement planning, dubbed “SECURE ACT 2.0”, ”, by the end of the year. Social Security COLA for 2023.

Financial Planner 234

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Insurance 234

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

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Among other measures, the proposal would amend the current 5-part test that determines fiduciary status for retirement accounts by defining as a fiduciary act a one-time recommendation to roll funds from a company retirement plan to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), strengthen advice standards for independent insurance professionals, apply to (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Insurance 246

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

JUNE 30, 2023

Also in industry news this week: Concerned about the (insufficient) frequency of its examinations of RIAs, an SEC committee has recommended that the regulator allow third parties to conduct these examinations and to request Congressional authorization to charge investment advisers under its purview a ‘user fee’ that would provide steady (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Fee Only Commission Retirement Planning 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

NOVEMBER 6, 2024

In the early days of financial planning, serving clients often meant developing transactional relationships focused on facilitating trades and selling insurance. Over time, advisors shifted toward more analytical approaches, such as investment management and retirement planning.

Clients 130

Clients Planning Financial Planner Financial Planning 130

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

OCTOBER 6, 2023

Also in industry news this week: A new advisor benchmarking study indicates that high-growth firms are excelling in 3 areas: client acquisition, "relationship alpha", and strategic scale A recent survey indicates that while advisors increasingly are leveraging home office investment models to save time and scale more efficiently, they often customize (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Certification Communication 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

SEPTEMBER 9, 2022

From there, we have several articles on practice management: A new company aims to train the next generation of planners and provide a valuable outsourced service to advisory firms. We wrap up with three final articles, all about time management: Why scaling your time can be more effective than trying to stretch or save it.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Education Financial Advisor 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

NOVEMBER 11, 2022

From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: Three tactics advisors can use to improve their ‘close’ rate with prospective clients. While “free” Medicare Advantage plans might sound enticing, advisors can help their clients assess whether a different plan might actually be more cost-efficient.

Financial Planner 244

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Compliance Clients 244

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 2, 2022

This increased demand could be particularly acute among younger investors (who might be experiencing an inflationary environment and sustained market downturn for the first time) and those nearing retirement (who might seek professional guidance to ensure their retirement plan is secure).

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Financial Planning 241

Nerd's Eye View

JULY 28, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The SEC released a proposal that would require firms to take steps to eliminate or neutralize conflicts of interest when using predictive data analytics tools with clients A recent study found that financial advisors remain the top source of financial advice for consumers, with social media coming in well behind From (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Advisor Financial Advice 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

DECEMBER 23, 2022

”, a series of measures that will have significant impacts on the world of retirement planning. From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: Five tactics advisors can use to make the most of the online referrals they receive. How ‘regifting’ can help save money and reduce waste.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Financial Planning Budgeting 246

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

JANUARY 6, 2023

How planning specializations can help firms and their advisors stand out from the pack. From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: Why an individual’s portfolio of relationships could be just as important as their investment portfolio when it comes to happiness in retirement.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Commission Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 30, 2022

” has brought a wide range of changes to the world of retirement planning. From there, we have several articles on advisor technology: A recent survey shows that many advisors at large firms are unhappy with their firm’s current tech stack and that client growth has suffered because of it.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Clients Planning 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

AUGUST 5, 2022

From there, we have several articles on advisor content marketing: How advisors can generate topic ideas for content to engage their target audience. We wrap up with three final articles, all about the advisor regulatory landscape: Why better regulation of the insurance industry could make life easier for financial advisors.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Compliance Insurance Retirement Planning 246

Nerd's Eye View

OCTOBER 1, 2022

From there, we have several articles on advisor marketing: How some of the biggest financial services firms are increasing their television advertising and how smaller firms can craft a scalable, cost-efficient marketing strategy. The potential advantages of taking RMDs in stock rather than in cash during the current market downturn.

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Advertising Taxes 245

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

OCTOBER 7, 2022

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: Defying popular wisdom, a research study argues that younger workers should delay saving for retirement, even if it means foregoing a company match.

Financial Planner 245

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Economy 245

Nerd's Eye View

APRIL 14, 2023

Also in industry news this week: The Foundation For Financial Planning has gotten a boost toward its goal of connecting 10,000 CFP professionals with pro bono work thanks to increased funding from Orion Advisor Solutions FINRA has resubmitted a proposal, now with tighter rules, that would allow a broker working remotely to supervise other brokers, (..)

Financial Planner 243

Financial Planner Retirement Planning CFP Financial Planning 243

Nerd's Eye View

JANUARY 13, 2023

From there, we have several articles on retirement planning: The latest rules for 2023 Required Minimum Distributions from inherited retirement accounts. Why relying on Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) to support the bulk of retirement income needs could be risky.

Financial Planner 241

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Retirement Compliance 241

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

OCTOBER 4, 2024

Also in industry news this week: A recent survey found that while 1/3 of advisory firms are currently using AI tools, another 1/3 are fearful of doing so, indicating that while some firms are eager to be early adopters of this technology, others are taking a wait-and-see approach, perhaps as regulation surrounding this technology evolves over time (..)

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner Retirement Planning Clients Retirement 246

Nerd's Eye View

DECEMBER 16, 2022

From there, we have several articles on practice management: Why it is important for advisors charging on a fee-for-service basis to regularly reassess their pricing, and best practices for letting current clients know about a fee increase. How firms can best leverage their internal data to improve the number of client referrals they receive.

Financial Planner 246

Financial Planner CFP Retirement Planning Financial Advisor 246