Every investor working with a financial planner/wealth manager/financial advisor/stockbroker…whatever title is used…should read at least the following quote. In Jason Zwieg’s article on WSJ.com, he provides one of the easiest to understand summaries I have read on the responsibility that person has to you:
As of now, the roughly 630,000 brokers, bankers and insurance agents registered to sell securities must determine whether investments are “suitable”—based on how wealthy you are, what else you have invested in, your tax status and your investment objectives.
Securities salespeople generally aren’t obligated to act in your best interest. They needn’t tell you that they make extra money pushing one particular investment or that cheaper alternatives might provide you a higher return.
Suppose two mutual funds are “suitable,” but one of them pays the broker a fatter fee. You may well end up in that one—without finding out that your broker had an incentive to favor it.
On the other hand, financial advisers—who are regulated as “fiduciaries” under the federal Investment Advisers Act—are obligated to put you first. They must explain their fees, disclose conflicts of interest and disclose past infractions. If they get paid extra to recommend a fund or sell an insurance product, they have to tell you.
Read Entire Article by Jason Zwieg of WSJ.com
Tags: 401k advice, 401k fiduciary, 401k investor help, fiduciary, personal finance, retirement
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