Consumer Resources
The following resources are provided to help you better understand your financial situation. NAPFA is constantly developing new resources for the public, so come back often to see what we have added to Tips and Tools.
To jumpstart Americans' retirement planning, we asked our members to rank advice that represents the type of comprehensive planning that consumers should expect from a financial planner. Use this infographic to view top tips for people who are 5, 10 and 20 years away from retirement.
The checklist is an excellent way to get an overview of an advisor's capabilities. Print copies of this checklist and present it to the advisors you are considering hiring. Use their responses as a basis for then deciding which advisor to interview.
After you have selected advisors to interview, print this diagnostic and ask the advisors to complete it. Review the answers and compare them to the “answer key” of NAPFA-recommended responses that is included in the Diagnostic. If the advisor’s responses closely match the answer key, you can be confident that the advisor will work in your best interest.
FEE-ONLY FINANCIAL PLANNING ADVICE - For Every Stage of Life
You don’t need to be a millionaire to benefit from broad-based financial planning. Whether your net-worth is thousands or millions of dollars, you are entitled to help from a financial advisor who has met the highest standards of education, training, and competency. This resource will help you understand the role of financial planning in achieving your objectives.
NAPFA members are not all alike. Though they adhere to the same key principles, they are each independent advisors who serve their clients differently. Use this document to understand the differences in forms of compensation and level of service that will be provided.
COMPENSATION and FEE DECLARATION
The purpose of this document is to provide full and specific disclosure as to how the financial planner and the planning firm will be compensated if the client decides to accept and implement the planner’s recommendations.
This document will help you "pull back the curtain" about how an advisor operates. It will explain how much control of your assets your advisor will have and who will be the custodian of your money.
PROTECTING YOURSELF WITH A FIDUCIARY PLANNER
This infographic and these GIFs explain the meaning of the term "fiduciary", why it's important, and how you can go about finding a financial planner who follows a fiduciary standard.
REDUCING YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT
This infographic will show you how to tackle the credit card debt that consumers easily acquire - but can't seem to pay off quite as effortlessly. Simple recommendations for paying off your debt - and making sure it stays paid off - are covered in this no-nonsense document.
MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH INVESTING
If you're interested in effecting change or supporting a cause through your investments, this infographic will clarify points to consider prior to making the leap into socially-responsible investing.