Frequently Asked Questions

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We can schedule an introductory meeting via phone, virtual video conference, or in-person.

An initial consultation is always complimentary.

Yes, we can work with clients anywhere in the country.  We have team members that frequently travel across America to meet with federal employees.  We can always start with a phone call or video meeting at the convenience of your schedule.  

Yes, although our focus is federal employees, we have clients from many different walks of life.  We work with corporate employees, small-business owners, doctors, lawyers, and everyone in-between.

Most of the folks that we work with have a net worth between $1-10 million, with a significant portion being investable assets.  Most new clients engage with us between 1-3 years of their anticipated retirement date.  It's never too early to start planning.  

This ranges from three to six months depending on the complexity of your situation, how readily you can gather information and the scheduling of meetings. If you have a specific timeframe in mind, please share that with us so that we can discuss how to make that happen.

 As fiduciary financial planners, we put our client’s best interests first.

We believe in transparency in all areas of financial planning and have designed a straightforward financial planning fee.  This will depend on a variety of factors including case complexity and scope of services provided but is typically a percentage of the assets you hire us to manage on your behalf.  We will discuss the details of your fee structure before client onboarding. 

An initial meeting or phone call is always complimentary.

Electronic transfers from the Thrift Savings Plan, brokerage firms and mutual fund companies generally occur within 10 business days. Non-electronic transfers from some brokerage firms and mutual fund companies, banks, annuity companies, and trust companies can take up to 1 month.

Note: The organization transferring out assets, known as the contra-firm, primarily controls the

timeframe. Assets are unavailable for trading, liquidation, or for cash withdrawal during this time.

You will receive monthly statements from Schwab. You may enroll in electronic delivery for  statements, trade confirmations, proxies, and tax forms if you wish.  Schwab also provides easy-to-use online access and a mobile app.  Please let us know and we will walk you through this process.

Of the many custodians available to us, we find that Schwab offers the best blend of security, stability, cost, service, and technology.

While your assets are not protected from investment loss, there are protections against improprieties. Schwab complies with the SEC’s Consumer Protection Rule that requires your assets be kept separate from those of Schwab, maintains Securities Investment Protection Corporation (SIPC) insurance and Lloyd’s of London excess insurance, and has a 100% fraud guarantee. We maintain an independent Errors & Omissions insurance policy.

Client files are stored in a paperless professionally managed manner. All devices are secured with

dual-factor authentication and frequently monitored. Any hard copy documents in our possession

are either returned to clients or shredded through Iron Mountain. 

Each staff member of our firm has undergone an FBI background check, is subject to ongoing requirements and monitoring, and has signed a confidentiality agreement. Our staff are always present when our janitorial service is present.