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About Pollock Planning Associates Pollock Planning Associates was founded in 1985. The firm has served a broad variety of clients on a fee-only basis for over twenty years. We believe that continuing guidance and education are essential building blocks for a sound financial plan. Being compensated on a fee-only basis allows us to be accessible, objective and to make decisions with only your best interests in mind. Our raison d’être is to help you realize your life-long financial goals. What’s behind fee-only? We have felt strongly from the start that the fee-only model stands alone in allowing an advisor to act with an unmatched level of objectivity. We believe that an inherent conflict of interest exists should we stand to gain financially from any course of action or product that we recommend to you. We charge a fee for our services that is based primarily on the time involved to provide the service. Many advisors and salesmen who sell products use the term "fee-based" to describe their method of compensation. What this actually means is that, in addition to a commission received, they are also charging a fee for some of the services that they provide. While this may seem like a subtle distinction, in practice, when one has a hammer in their hands, everything starts looking like a nail. For example, a life insurance salesman is in a position to offer a range of products to solve just about any financial need be it retirement income, a savings vehicle or education funding. As a guard against an untimely demise, pure life insurance is unrivaled…in many other circumstances, there are far more elegant solutions. Affiliations and Education As members of The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), we are required to meet rigorous Continuing Education requirements. In fact, NAPFA has imposed requirements that are more stringent than those of the Board of Certified Financial Planners. NAPFA requires adherence to a strict code of ethics. Members maintain a fiduciary responsibility to their clients…a relationship of utmost trust and confidence. The Planning Process We perceive financial planning as an on-going, dynamic process, as opposed to an event. As we identify specific financial goals or objectives, we will, in concert with you, develop planned steps to achieve them. For this reason, our standard services are provided on a fixed-fee, open retainer basis. We would prefer that you feel free to call or meet with us for any reason as opposed to being forced to make a cost-benefit analysis with respect to each and every issue. Following an initial meeting with you, we will quote an all-inclusive fee based on your income, net worth and the complexity of issues presented. This fee anticipates periodically reviewing and revising your plan to adjust for changes in the financial climate, applicable law or changes in your personal goals or situation. Whether your goal is to put the children through college, buy that condo on the golf course or retire in the comfort that you’ve always envisioned, a consistent, methodical and proven approach will allow you to realize your objectives. Why hire a financial advisor? Individuals are increasingly in charge of their own financial futures. Today’s trend is away from defined benefit pension plans where employees are guaranteed a fixed income at retirement regardless of the investment environment. With the proliferation of 401(k) and 403(b) defined contribution plans, many people are faced with self-directing the performance of a fund that should, eventually, become their retirement nest egg. Most are aware that planning is critical, yet don't have the time or the expertise to develop a plan and make the requisite financial decisions. While there is an abundance of financial information available on the internet and through other media, most people are not financial experts. Financial information is easily available, wisdom is not. Maybe you have consulted with a financial advisor in the past…perhaps you felt you were being asked to buy something you didn't fully understand. Or, maybe you felt that products were recommended without consideration for your overall financial situation. Comprehensive, fee-only financial planning eliminates these concerns. You receive objective advice targeted to your needs and goals. We recognize that along with financial success comes increased responsibilities and complexity. We provide a holistic approach to managing all aspects of our clients’ financial situations. In doing so, we can exploit the critical interdependencies among investments, income and taxes, providing income for retirement, daily expense management, as well as business counseling and philanthropic decision-making, where appropriate. We recognize that our clients’ unique financial needs and goals change over time, so we offer a spectrum of services. We can demonstrate the short-term as well as long-term benefits of smarter tax strategies and improved investment decisions. We will also show our clients how to securely transfer money to loved ones, establish a trust or foundation, or simply help them to manage their finances on a daily basis. |