Everything is going digital. There are even companies that sell a suite of services called “robo-advisors” that offers subscribers a “low-cost, algorithm-derived, passive strategic asset allocation.” Service providers claim that using their technology platform, investors no longer need to use a financial advisor.
It’s not artificial intelligence that is behind managing your investments. It’s an algorithm. An algorithm is a sophisticated mathematics procedure or formula used in problem solving. People using robo-advisors leave their investment decisions to a math program running on a server somewhere.
What services are you getting with a robo-advisor?
Although robo-advisors are “high tech financial advisors” they’re using the term financial advisor in the broadest possible way. What do they do? – Asset allocation. Although using a certified financial planner gives you tons of services not available from robo-advisors, the one thing robo-advisors do, you can do yourself using any number of tools available free, on the Internet. They too use algorithms for asset allocation. Some of these site are:
- SUREPAYROLL
- CNN Money
- Market Watch
- Calcxml
Using the same criteria for each of these sites, you get 4 completely different sets of suggested asset allocation. One site asked four questions and one as many as 12. Though, the allocations were all different, the differences were small. So, if you want to check on the asset allocation plan your financial advisor developed with you, try one of the tools. It is likely the calculator and your real asset allocation plan that you worked on with a financial planner do not match.
Why does my financial planner’s asset plan differ from the plan from a robo-advisor?
Simply put, the robo-advisor is an asset allocation tool and returns a general asset allocation plan generated from the information you give. It cannot create a financial plan and it does not consider other factors about your finances. But a financial advisor provides you with loads of services you cannot get from a robo-advisor, and asset allocation is part of your personal plan. In addition, most robo-advisors have three huge flaws.
- Their calculations use broad, general assumptions that are not always correct.
- They are incapable of taking human nature into account.
- The variables put in by people often change
Services offered by a financial planner
Since there are so many variables that have an impact of your financial plan, this requires you to think about these uncertainties. Compare the services offered by free and paid robo-advisors to those of a fee-only wealth management firm. Typical services provided by a fee-only wealth management firm include
- Management of your assets by your personal financial planner or retirement planner
- A free first meeting to discuss your financial goals and needs without obligation;
- A customized retirement income strategy
- Wealth accumulation
- Asset protection
- Annuities
- Life insurance
- Tax minimization strategies
- Long-term care protection
- IRA and 401(k) rollovers
In addition, many professional retirement planners have a professional network to help you with
- Trusts;
- Charitable giving
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
- IRA legacy planning
High-income/high-asset people need the human experience and ability offered by a financial planner. The lower fee offered by a robo-advisor once again proves the adage – you get what you pay for. Bargain shopping is not the way to build and protect your wealth. When you work with a retirement planner you enjoy fact-to-face investing.
Jared M. Elson is a graduate of San Jose University with a degree in Communication and Business. He also has a background working in the high tech industry, having spent nearly a decade, taking on multiple roles with Yahoo! prior to working as an investment advisor. Jared offers investment advisory services through Global Financial Private Capital LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. He has lived in the south county area all his life. He was raised in Morgan Hill, California, and he calls Gilroy his home. Jared enjoys playing amateur ice hockey, outdoor activities, reading and spending time with his family and friends.
This material is intended to provide general financial information and is not written or intended as tax or legal advice. Individuals should seek advice from their own tax or legal counsel for their particular situation. Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Financial Private Capital, LLC, an SECRegistered Investment Advisor. Jared Elson and Global Financial Private Capital, LLC do not provide tax or legal advice.
