We often say, "When you understand how advisors get paid, you may understand how they behave."

Advisors can make between 3-8% of initial investments up front on commission based products. That's $30,000 - $80,000 on a $1 million account for a few hours of paperwork. We feel this is like a financial one-night stand. If an advisor makes all their income up front, it leaves no financial incentive to continue to care for the client long term. Too often the ethical obligation to care for the client is overcome by this financial incentive and, instead of serving the client, the commission advisor is off looking for new money.

The way we structure our compensation is the best way...of course. Fee-based advisors make a much smaller percentage, closer to 1% of assets under management. However, we make that every year IF we are doing a good job of serving our clients, returning calls, monitoring retirement and estate planning goals and making sure their needs are being met. Our ethical and financial incentives are aligned to take care of our clients into the future, whether they have new money to invest or not. Retirement Planning

Retirement Income Options and Projections

We offer a range of planning to our clients. Some of our advisors specialize in robust plans using the best software available to advisors. The cost of these plans is based on the level of detail and analysis that's desired.

We also do a more simplified version of planning to help clients see what investment options are available and project the result over time. These simplified plans and projections are often done on one page and help the clients see the big picture of our recommendations. We do this work usually up front and without charge to earn the trust and confidence of the people we hope to serve. View a sample Income Plan here. Risk Management

Protection from Unforeseen Tragedies

A large part of financial planning is providing for loved ones in case of an unforeseen tragedy. Life, disability, and long-term care insurance can be a way to minimize those risks.

We consult regularly on these issues and can provide quotes from almost any insurance company available. Tax Planning

Strategies to Help Reduce Taxes

While we do not prepare taxes at our firm, we have experience with tax planning and can advise on investment strategies that would limit taxes on investments for our clients. Some of these would include investing in traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs and utilizing retirement plans for business owners and self-employed people.

For the high net worth individuals, municipal bonds can be a great way to reduce taxes on interest earned. We don't do this alone and would work with our client's current CPAs or tax preparers to ensure the strategies we recommend are the best and most effective way to lower thier tax bill. Estate Planning

Passing Wealth to the Next Generation

Part of the financial planning process is to ensure an individual's assets pass to the desired heirs and to minimize estate taxes at death. Most estate plans are set up with the help of an attorney. We can work with the attorney of our client's choice or can refer them to some we trust in the area.

Some of the tasks of the estate plan include:

- Creating a will - Limiting estate taxes by setting up trust accounts
- Establishing a guardian for living dependents
- Naming an executor of the estate to oversee the terms of the will
- Updating beneficiaries on plans such as life insurance, IRAs and 401(k)s
- Setting up funeral arrangements
- Establishing annual gifting to reduce the taxable estate
- Setting up durable power of attorney (POA) to direct assets

About SMB Financial is owned and operated by SMB Financial Services, Inc., a registered investment advisor with the SEC. SMB Financial Services, Inc was established in 2003 and is located in the Portland, OR area. Things to do Contact one of our advisors Download our ADV Schedule a free appointment Read Tim & Bruce's blog Useful Links TD Ameritrade Morningstar Retirement Calculator Allevi-8 PDF's Privacy Policy Information on this website is for educational purposes only and not intended as investment planning or advice. There is a risk in investing. Account values can go down and the principal can be lost. Not every investment is appropriate for every investor. Any guarantees mentioned are offered by specific financial institutions and not SMB Financial. Some of the information may be out of date. Please consult your own financial advisor or SMB Financial before acting on any of the information on the website. The advisor may not transact business in states where it is not registered, excluded or exempted from registration. Individualized responses to persons that involve either the effecting of transaction in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, will not be made without registration or exemption.