How high is too high for investment fees?
High and Low Ratios
For portfolios with a $100,000 value, a 1% annual fee can reduce that value by as much as $30,000. “The average investor pays from approximately 1.5% to 2% annually,” says Stuart Boxenbaum, CFP®, investment advisor and president of Statewide Financial Group. “So the math is pretty simple.
Most of my research has shown people saying about 1% is normal. Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.
While 1.5% is on the higher end for financial advisor services, if that's what it takes to get the returns you want then it's not overpaying, so to speak. Staying around 1% for your fee may be standard but it certainly isn't the high end. You need to decide what you're willing to pay for what you're receiving.
Many financial advisers charge based on how much money they manage on your behalf, and 1% of your total assets under management is a pretty standard fee.
At Morgan Stanley, or any big firm, 1% is a fairly common fee---and a fair one, in many cases--provided it covers all transaction costs and is the Advisors' sole compensation on the account [meaning that the client's interest should be the Advisor's only interest.]
Financial advisor fees may be negotiable. Whether you're able to get fees reduced can depend on which advisor or firm you're working with. If an advisor is willing to negotiate fees, they must specify that in their Form ADV.
On average, you can expect to pay between 0.5% and 2% of your total assets under management annually, $150 to $400 per hour, or a flat fee ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for a comprehensive financial plan.
A typical independent financial adviser fee might be between 0.25% and 1%, but some advisers may charge a different percentage depending on your circ*mstances. Be sure to find out exactly what service you are receiving for any ongoing charges, and whether it is dependent on a certain level of returns.
| Billable Assets | Fee Schedule |
|---|---|
| First $1 million | 0.80% |
| Next $1 million (more than $1M up to $2M) | 0.75% |
| Next $3 million (more than $2M up to $5M) | 0.70% |
| Assets over $5 million | 0.30% |
At what net worth should I get a financial advisor?
Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.
The range of the markup that Merrill charges is between 0.50% – 2.00%, depending on the maturity of the MLI. A portion of the Merrill markup, which may be discounted by your Advisor, is paid to your Advisor as compensation.
| Fee type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Assets under management (AUM) | 0.25% to 0.50% annually for a robo-advisor; 1% for a traditional in-person financial advisor. |
| Flat annual fee (retainer) | $2,000 to $7,500. |
| Hourly fee | $200 to $400. |
| Per-plan fee | $1,000 to $3,000. |
Investors who work with an advisor are generally more confident about reaching their goals. Industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add up to 5.1% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated.
Not everyone needs a financial advisor, especially since it's an additional cost. But having the extra help and advice can be paramount in reaching financial goals, especially if you're feeling stuck or unsure of how to get there.
Fees Under Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
According to the firm's brochure, the maximum rate charged for the Merrill Lynch is 1.75%. Program fees cover the cost of investment advice and guidance, as well as related brokerage services.
Both companies are highly regarded. Fidelity is consistently rated among the top online brokers; it often occupies the top spot. In 2023, 35 of the financial advisors on the Barron's Top 100 list came from Morgan Stanley.
JPMorgan Chase & Co is most highly rated for Compensation and benefits and Morgan Stanley is most highly rated for Culture.
Choosing low-cost mutual funds, going with passive investments like an ETF or an index fund, and being aware of how much you are paying in fees can go a long way toward reducing the amount you pay to invest.
If you are ordering online you may end up having to accept the package by the shipping method used by the company from which you are ordering. But remember you have choice to self-clear to avoid extra fees. And if you are sending a gift a gift to someone you can also prepay the duty and taxes and brokerage fees.
Are investor fees worth it?
Investment fees aren't all bad. They cover some important costs to help ensure that your investments are managed well. You just want to make sure you're getting good value from your investments without letting excessive fees cut into your returns. You should never invest in anything until you understand how it works.
Edward Jones invests and manages your account. Annual Program Fee of 1.35%, with lower tiers and reduced rates for higher asset levels. Annual Portfolio Strategy Fee of 0.09% or 0.19% depending on account type, with lower tiers and reduced rates for higher asset levels.
There is no advisory fee for accounts with less than $25,000. Investments of $25,000 or more are charged 0.35% per year, but that level gets you unlimited one-on-one financial coaching sessions. Portfolio Advisory Services – This wealth management account requires a $50,000 minimum, and the fee is 1.1% per year.
But even the best financial advisors are at the whim of the market. Most professional investors who try to beat the market actually underperform it over a given time period. And those who do manage to outperform the market over one time period can rarely outperform it again over the subsequent time period.
The wealthy also trust and work with financial advisors at a far greater rate. The study found that 70% of millionaires versus 37% of the general population work with a financial advisor.
