Am I paying too much for my financial advisor?

The short answer: Maybe. It depends on what you pay in total and what you get for it. Many people pay 1% to 2% a year once every fee is added up. A low-cost index fund can cost less than 0.1%. The gap is worth checking.

Find the fees you can see

Your statement may show an advisory or wrap fee. Write down the dollar amount for the last 12 months.

Find the fees you can't see

Funds charge a yearly fee called an expense ratio. It comes out of the fund's value, so it never shows up as a bill.

Turn percentages into dollars

Multiply your balance by the total yearly fee. On $150,000, 1.5% is $2,250 a year, every year.

See what fees do over time

Fees grow like interest, just in the wrong direction. Our fee-drag calculator shows a rough picture in seconds.

Ask what you get for it

Planning, taxes and coaching can be worth paying for. Ask your advisor to show you, in writing, what you get each year.

Compare with a simple index portfolio

Our Report Card does this for you, with your real deposits and withdrawals.