The Importance of Seeking Sound Advice

So, you have decided that you are ready to invest in a Retirement, Investment, Education, and/or Estate Plan.

What do you do now?

Many investors think it’s a smart move to select their investment plans on their own, working directly with the investment plan provider.

The logic is, they cut out the middle man and save money. It makes sense, doesn’t it?

Absolutely not.

Independent Financial Advisory firms not only have years of experience in the matching the right investments with the appropriate investors. Equally importantly – due to their business volumes - the larger companies almost always garner much better rates on the plans than you would as an individual going directly to the plan providers.

In addition – respectable Independent Financial Advisory firms have access to a very large selection of investments, and therefore can find one that suits you best.

So, for access to the widest range of choices, at the lowest rates and the most unbiased advice possible, you are far better off working with an experienced and knowledgeable Financial Adviser.

But beware. Not all Financial Advisers are created equal.

Three Classes of Financial Advisers

Financial Advisers fall into one of three categories:

• Tied
• Multi-Tied
• Independent

Knowing the status of your Financial Adviser is instrumental, as it greatly affects the scope, quality and inherent bias of the advice you receive.

A ‘tied’ Adviser is limited to the products of only one single provider which, needless to say, drastically reduces your choice range. By definition, a tied Adviser is far less able to offer you a perfect match between a pension plan and your specific requirements.

A ‘multi-tied’ Adviser works with more than one product provider. And that, of course, means you have a greater range of choices, right? Well, maybe yes; maybe no.

A multi-tied Adviser, while maintaining multiple relationships with companies providing retirement and other financial services, may very well only retain a relationship with one company in each product area. That is, the Adviser may be dealing with one insurance company, one pension company, one investment company, etc., thus limiting your choices in exactly the same way a tied Adviser would.

On the other hand, Independent Financial Advisers are individuals who are not limited to sell any single company’s products and are required to give ‘best advice’ when recommending products to clients.

Not surprisingly, given their inherently autonomous nature, reputable and experienced Independent Financial Advisers - IFAs – are in a position to give you the broadest selection and most unbiased advice.

Considerations

When deciding on a Financial Adviser, consider:

• How much can you spend for your investment plan?
• Seek an Adviser who is experienced or specialised in the type of investment plan you want.
• Request that all recommendations and costs be confirmed in writing.

During the initial meeting with your prospective Adviser, don’t hesitate to ask questions, including the following:

• How long have you been a Financial Adviser?
• Do you specialise in one product area specifically (e.g. pensions vs. insurance)?
• Are you qualified and/or certified in the Financial Services industry?
• In which industry/role were you before becoming an IFA?
• Have you provided advice to others with similar situations to mine?
• Will you handle my investment needs directly, or will I be dealing with a colleague or more junior member of your staff?

If you are not comfortable with the answers to one or more of these questions, you are probably better off looking elsewhere for an Adviser.

Finding the right Adviser is among the most important elements of sound investment planning!

Why deVere?

The deVere & Partners Group comprises the largest and most respected international team of expert Offshore Independent Financial Advisers across the globe.

Due to our outstanding reputation and associated substantial volumes of business, the deVere team has established exceptional terms with investment providers and offshore financial institutions throughout the world.

This means that you not only benefit from the best advice in the marketplace, but that you directly benefit from the best deals and offers available.

deVere Advisers are knowledgeable, dedicated and experienced professionals who approach your investments as if they were their own.

Don’t trust your investments with just anyone.
Trust them with the best.
deVere