Retirement means different things to different people. For some, it means traveling the world. For others, it means spending time at home with grandkids. For many of Global View’s retired or retiring clients, it means relocating to the Carolinas. And we don’t blame them! The Carolinas are beautiful, can be cost-effective and offer many amenities, including several activities specifically designed for veterans, seniors and retirees.
Moving involves a lot of moving parts and to-dos, so tasks like finding financial planning in Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC should be as simple as possible.
Here are 5 things to look for when finding a new financial advisor:
1. One Stop Shop
To make things convenient for you, look for a firm that can handle a lot of different roles, such as financial planning services, an estate attorney and an in-house accountant. Global View offers all of these services in one, family-style office to help save our clients time and stress, so the transition into retirement life is exciting, as it should be.
2. Test Drive
Before moving, chances are, you scoped out the area, researched amenities and neighborhoods online and spent some time in the area before you actually called it home. When it comes to choosing a new financial advisor, see if you can get the same service. For example, Global View offers a complimentary test drive to see if there’s a mutual fit between our firm and the investor. A good test drive allows you to experience what it’s like to work with a new advisor.
3. Fee-Only
Remember, when choosing a financial advisor to work with, fee-only advisors are the only way to go. A fee-only advisor will be your advocate and work in your best interests. When an advisor works for commission, there is a huge chance they will have a conflict of interest and may sell you products or services that benefit them, but not you. Working with a fiduciary financial advisor is the most important decision you will make. An advisor will determine when you get to retire, how you get to live your life in retirement and what, if anything, you’re able to leave behind.
Your new advisor should also be an independent advisor, someone whose mission is to put your interests first. Unfortunately, conflicts of interest are the rule, not the exception, on Wall Street, so it’s important to know who your advisor is affiliated with. At Global View, we invest right alongside you, so we have skin in the game and we understand your concerns. We don’t sell for commission or recommend products unless they are truly in your best interest.
4. Experience
Experience is invaluable to an investor. When researching firms, make sure you research their years in the industry and whether they work with clients who have some of your same concerns. Are they familiar with relocating and can they help clients who are moving their financial plans and retirement accounts from another state?
5. Established
When looking for a new financial planning firm, interview advisors that are well-established in the area. Advisors who have a history of working in the Carolinas should be familiar with local laws, tax considerations and services that a new resident may not be aware of, like military and veteran discounts. Experience with local programs can pay huge dividends in the long run, such as:
- Tax breaks
North and South Carolina don’t tax certain government and state retirement benefits. There is also no state income tax on Social Security benefits in either state. A local financial advisory firm should know this and can help you better plan for the future.
- Programs for Veterans
North and South Carolina are considered veteran-friendly, offering several benefits for military personnel, including property and income tax discounts. Both states also run multiple veteran homes.
- Price Breaks
Studies have ranked Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC among the best places to retire in their respective states.
Greenville, SC:
- Around 3.5 percent below national average cost of living
- Median house price: $190,000
- Tax breaks for older seniors
Asheville, NC:
- Just 0.2 percent above national average cost of living
- Median house price: $255,000
- Considered tax-friendly for retirees
- How to Spend Your Days
North and South Carolina are regularly in the “Top 10” lists for best places to retire, specifically Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC. Both states experience relatively mild winters, moderate temperatures year-round and good air quality. There are also many activities for seniors here – several golf courses, lots of history and long coastlines.
