America is approaching a retirement crisis. According to a new survey, 20% of Americans are not saving for retirement and another 47% save less than 10% of their income 1. Procrastination is often the biggest obstacle. Even with good paying jobs people find themselves too busy to plan and invest properly for retirement. Most are overwhelmed with the different options and the assume a standard 401k and savings account is sufficient. Too often, the uncertainty of how to plan for the future makes people ignore their retirement planning entirely.
That’s why turning to a professional financial advisor is often the best option. They provide experienced guidance, and can help design a portfolio that will meet your retirement goals. Similarly to the way a personal trainer helps you get the most out of your fitness routine, a financial advisor helps you maximize your money. The problem is most people don’t know where to start or how to find an advisor they feel comfortable working with. But what if someone could help you find the right advisor who understands and sees your goals from a holistic point of view? A leading company, SmartAsset, is working to do just that. They’re on a mission to empower people to make smart financial decisions for their future.
When you visit the SmartAsset site, you’ll be asked a series of questions. The questionnaire is quick, taking only a few minutes, and will help them get a better idea of when you want to retire and how comfortable you feel with investing. From there, they ask the general questions about marriage, kids, income, savings, and personal assets to make sure they find an advisor who will understand your goals.
After completing their survey, you provide an email address and phone number and they will match you with a list of advisors that can help meet your financial goals. At the end, you’ll see a short bio of each potential advisor, so you can compare the different specialties and determine the best fit for your needs. You’ll have the chance to talk with each advisor by phone to make sure you’re comfortable with them and their strategy. If you don’t feel they’re a good fit, SmartAsset will continue to source advisors until you’re satisfied with your match. No other solution out there helps people find the right advisor for them as quickly and as efficiently while also offering a comparison experience.
SmartAsset understands that everyone is different. Whether your goal is saving for your child’s college tuition, retirement, or vacationing in Europe, you will be able to be able to work towards financial stability in the years to come. Most people want help with their finances, but don’t know where to start. The first step is finding someone with the experience to put you on the right track. With an advisor’s help, you will finally begin to save and prepare for the future by making your money work for you. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, now is the best time to think about your future and take action today.
Bankrate, Inc., Financial Security Index, Feb 28 – March 4 20181,