Frequently asked questions

Our fee-only financial planners provide straightforward advice with your values and goals in mind. When it comes to investment advice, we are fiduciaries and put our clients’ interests above all others. Not simply because it’s a legal requirement, but because it’s the right thing to do. Our planners don’t sell proprietary investment products to earn commissions and aren’t incentivized to place your money with any specific funds. We have merged dedicated human relationships with patented financial technology to give individual investors access to advanced portfolio management and personalized financial strategies.

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We work with clients in all stages of life! Edelman Financial Engines clients are looking to hire someone to help them with their financial planning AND investment management needs. You might be new to managing your personal finances, but we’re not. We’ll guide you every step of the way as you embark on your new journey.

Becoming an Edelman Financial Engines client is a straightforward process. The first step is to schedule an initial consultation with a financial planner in your area. After this meeting, if you and your planner mutually agree that it makes sense for you to become an EFE client, the planner will start the process with you. This involves scheduling a second meeting to review your financial goals and how to plan for them and authorizing Edelman Financial Engines to manage your portfolio. Your planner will be with you every step of the way as you embark on your new journey.

Our planners are fee-only and don’t earn commissions. The fee is based on a percentage of the assets managed. Our planners do not charge by the hour.

Yes, we have full virtual meeting capabilities and are happy to accommodate a client’s personal meeting preference, whether that is in person, in one of our 145+ office locations* nationwide or virtually from the comfort of your own home.

*Data as of Dec. 31, 2021

Your account needs to reside with a custodian that works with Edelman Financial Engines. We have relationships with Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade (as well as Fidelity and E*TRADE).  All we require is authorization for Edelman Financial Engines to manage the portfolio at the custodian on your behalf. Edelman Financial Engines does not maintain custody of your funds.

At Edelman Financial Engines, our integrated financial planning is truly personal, designed to help elevate your wealth plan today and take it to the next level. Your accounts are maintained at the custodian in your name. Edelman Financial Engines is authorized to manage the account on your behalf and you always have access to your money. Edelman Financial Engines does require that you allow us to make all day-to-day investment decisions in the accounts we manage (that’s why you hired us!).

Your account needs to reside with a custodian that works with Edelman Financial Engines. We have relationships with Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade (as well as Fidelity and E*TRADE).  All we require is authorization for Edelman Financial Engines to manage the portfolio at the custodian on your behalf. Edelman Financial Engines does not maintain custody of your funds.

We would encourage clients to take the time to meet with us at whatever financial stage in life they are in. We help clients build a sound financial plan from the time they are early investors all the way through retirement and wealth transition. The right time to meet with a financial planner is now.

Yes, Edelman Financial Engines and our financial planners acts a fiduciary. This means we only make decisions based on the best interest of our clients. Not simply because it’s a legal requirement, but because it’s the right thing to do. Fiduciaries must act with a higher standard of care and we take this obligation seriously.

A fiduciary is an individual who acts in the best interests of a particular person or beneficiary. In the world of financial services, that means fiduciary advisors must only act in the best interest of their clients.

A financial advisor can help you focus on the future and gain control of your personal finances. Edelman Financial Engines financial planners know how to help optimize your portfolio for today – and adapt it for tomorrow. Our planners will guide you every step of the way as you embark on your new journey.

While not all of our planners are able to take on new clients at this time, if you have a preference to work with a particular planner, we will do everything that we can to accommodate your request.

Yes, every financial planner at Edelman Financial Engines is listed on our website with their credentials and work experience made available to the public. Please click on the following link to connect with a planner near you.

Find a Financial Planner

You may also view the SEC’s public disclosure website for financial planners.

At Edelman Financial Engines, we have more than 145 offices nationwide* – we recommend that you work with an advisor that is in your area. For those who do not live close to an Edelman Financial Engines office or are otherwise unable to meet in person, we have the option of having a virtual relationship.

*Data as of Dec. 31, 2021

We have more than 340 financial planners* here at Edelman Financial Engines and our goal is to provide the very best service and experience possible to our clients. On our website, we have each of our planners and their profiles available to the public. If you would prefer to meet with another planner who was not assigned to you, please just let us know and we are happy to accommodate you.

*Data as of Dec. 31, 2021

Your financial planner is the backbone of your planning team. In addition, there is a team of portfolio managers who will monitor and manage your accounts on an ongoing basis. Planners also have access to internal and external professional resources.