What is a Financial Advisor (and what is Not)?

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Episode Description:


Before you hire someone to help with your retirement portfolio, you need to know what you're actually hiring. This episode breaks down the four main categories of financial professionals—investment advisors, financial planners, brokers, and insurance agents—and explains what each one actually does, how they get paid, and which standard of care they follow.


If you're a DIY investor considering professional guidance, or if you need specific products that require working with a licensed professional, this primer will help you understand who does what and avoid costly confusion.


Episode Highlights


[00:00 - 02:21] Welcome Back to Season 2

• Introduction to the topic: hiring professionals for retirement planning
• Why this matters even for DIY-minded investors
• Some retirement income strategies require working with licensed professionals

[02:21 - 05:14] What Is a Financial Advisor, Really?

• The confusion around the term "financial advisor"
• Four categories of financial professionals: investment advisors, financial planners, brokers, and insurance agents
• Warning signs: titles like "financial professional," "financial representative," or "financial consultant" often aren't true financial advisors

[05:14 - 08:25] Investment Advisors: The True Financial Advisors

• Legal definition and licensing requirements
• How they're compensated (typically 1-1.25% annual fee charged quarterly)
• Discretionary portfolio management authority
• The Fiduciary Standard: Must act in your best interest
• The Suitability Standard: Only needs to be "suitable," not optimal (used by non-fiduciary professionals)

[08:25 - 11:16] Financial Planners: Big Picture Guidance

• Focus on broader financial advice, not just investments
• Services include budgeting, debt management, major financial decisions
• Comprehensive planning using specialized software
• May or may not hold investment licenses
• Often compensated through flat fees, hourly rates, or retainer arrangements

[11:16 - 17:45] Brokers/Registered Representatives

• Transaction-based compensation model
• Follow suitability standard, not fiduciary standard
• Load mutual funds and commissioned products
• Increasingly being replaced by self-directed platforms
• Often work with employer 401(k) plans and prospect through workplace seminars

[17:45 - 21:50] Insurance Agents: The Product Specialists

• Specialize in life insurance (term and permanent) and annuities
• Commission-based compensation
• Follow suitability standard
• Products you can't easily buy on your own—you need a licensed agent
• Generally lack deep investment or broader financial planning expertise

[21:50 - 29:32] How to Choose the Right Professional

• Why one person rarely does everything well
• Financial advisors excel at portfolio management but may lack insurance expertise
• Financial planners excel at comprehensive planning but may not actively manage investments
• Insurance agents are product specialists but typically don't handle investments
• Look for teams of professionals or strong referral networks
• Understanding these distinctions prevents mismatched expectations

Host: Brandon Roberts, with nearly 20 years of experience in retirement and financial planning


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