Financial Planners

> Do You Need a Planner? Take our interactive quiz.

> What Your Planner Needs to Know

What Planners Can Offer

Time: Many of us lack the time to do our own financial planning. A plan requires constant maintenance. A planner can provide this and advise when it's time to make changes.
Training: A good financial planner is certified and has years of training. Consult an expert to help you fill in your knowledge gaps.
Temperament: A good financial planner can curb impulsive investing, help determine your risk tolerance and find the right type of investment for your needs.

Finding a Financial Planner

Questions you should ask candidates:

• What is your professional training? The most widely respected designation in the field is “Certified Financial Planner” (CFP).
• Who is your typical client? Look for a general fit.
• How long have you done financial planning? You want someone who's had practice.
• How big is your back-up staff? An overworked planner could ignore phone calls or your needs.
• How are you compensated? Typical compensations are commissions, fees or fees plus commission. Fee-only planners can get costly, but some commission-only planners push only the products that pay them the most. Get referrals if possible.