Frequentely Asked Questions
How can a financial advisor benefit you?
The final years before retirement, and the first several years after, are the most important financial years of your life.
At this stage, the challenge is no longer about saving more or picking the right investments. It’s about turning what you’ve already saved into a sustainable, tax-efficient retirement income plan. A retirement-focused financial advisor helps you move from accumulation to execution and distribution.
This includes determining how much you can safely spend, how that spending should adjust over time, and which accounts to draw from first to reduce lifetime taxes. It means coordinating Social Security, healthcare, and Roth conversion decisions so they work together. And it means aligning your investment strategy with your real-world income needs, not abstract market benchmarks.
For individuals within 10 years of retirement or newly retired, small decisions can have outsized consequences. Claiming Social Security too early, drawing from the wrong accounts, or missing tax-planning opportunities in your 60's can be costly over your lifetime.
A financial advisor specializing in retirement planning provides structure and clarity during this high-stakes transition. Instead of guessing, reacting to headlines, or relying on rules of thumb, you have a clear framework for making informed decisions, both today and years from now.
The goal isn’t just to grow your money.
It’s to use it confidently, efficiently, and intentionally throughout retirement.
How are your fees structured?
1. Initial Financial Planning
All new client relationships begin with a 4-month Financial Planning engagement. This phase is designed to answer the most important retirement questions — before any long-term decisions are made.
During the Financial Planning engagement, we focus on questions such as:
- How much can I safely spend each year in retirement?
- How can I create tax-efficient income from my assets?
- Am I taking on more investment risk than I need to?
- Are there steps I can take before retiring to increase how much I can spend in retirement?
This planning engagement carries a one-time fee of $4,000, which is only assessed if you decide not to move forward with ongoing investment management at the conclusion of the planning process. This fee exists solely to compensate our team for the time and expertise required to build your personalized retirement plan.
Our goal is to build long-term advisory relationships, so in most cases, this fee is never assessed. Instead, the relationship naturally transitions from planning into ongoing financial planning and investment management.
2. Ongoing Financial Planning & Investment Management Fees
For clients who choose to move forward with our investment management services, we provide complimentary financial planning. Our investment managment fees are based on assets under management and follow a tiered schedule.
Advisor Fee:
- $0 – $1,000,000: 1.00%
- $1,000,001 – $3,000,000: 0.85%
- $3,000,001 – $10,000,000: 0.70%
- Above $10,000,000: 0.50%
Unified Platform Fee:
- $0 - $250,000: 0.40%
- $250,001 - $500,000: 0.37%
- $500,001 - $750,000: 0.32%
- $750,001 - $1,500,000: 0.27%
- $1,500,001 - $3,500,000: 0.22%
- $3,500,001 - $10,000,000: 0.20%
- $10,000,001 - $25,000,000: 0.15%
Clients in Unified Program will pay a Manager Fee based on the selected Investment Manager.
3.Why We Structure Fees This Way
This structure ensures that:
- Planning decisions come before implementation
- Advice is aligned with your long-term outcomes
- Our incentives remain focused on acting in your best interest
- You always understand what you’re paying, why you’re paying it, and what value you’re receiving in return.
Disclaimer: Financial Planning & Consulting is a complimentary no obligation service provided to new and existing advisory clients. Financial Planning & Consulting Services is completed through a separate agreement from the Investment Management Services agreement. Please refer to firm's ADV Part 2A and the client's agreement for additional platform, strategist or any related fees that may apply.
Who does Gariano Wealth Management help best?
Gariano Wealth Management works best with individuals and couples who are approaching retirement, or who have recently retired, and want clarity around how to turn their savings into a confident, sustainable retirement plan.
Our ideal clients are typically within 10 years of retirement or in their first years of retirement. They’ve done a good job saving, but recognize that the decisions ahead are different, and often more complex, than anything they faced during their working years.
They want help answering questions like:
- How much can I safely spend without running out of money?
- Which accounts should I use first to reduce lifetime taxes?
- When should I claim Social Security and how does that affect the rest of my plan?
- How do I balance enjoying retirement now while still planning for the long term?
Gariano Wealth Management is a strong fit for people who value planning over predictions and who want a structured, repeatable process, not one-off advice or product recommendations. Our clients receive clear explanations, thoughtful tradeoffs, and a plan that adapts as markets and life changes.
This is not a firm for day traders, short-term speculation, or one-size-fits-all solutions. It’s for people who want a deliberate, tax-aware, retirement-focused strategy, and a long-term advisory relationship to support it.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, at Gariano Wealth Management we take the fiduciary standard very seriously.
That means we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times, not ours, not a product provider’s, and not a third party’s.
As a fiduciary, our advice is based on what’s most appropriate for your situation, goals, and long-term outcomes. Every recommendation is made within the context of your overall retirement plan.
Are you currently accepting new clients?
Yes, we are currently accepting new clients, though we intentionally work with a limited number of households to ensure a high level of service and attention.
We focus on building long-term relationships with individuals and couples who are approaching retirement or recently retired, and we are selective to make sure we’re a good fit for each other.
This allows us to be proactive, responsive, and thoughtful in how we serve our clients.
Availability can change throughout the year, so the best next step is to schedule a brief consultation. That conversation allows us to confirm fit, answer questions, and outline what working together would look like.
What can I expect from a communication standpoint once I become a client?
Once you become a client of Gariano Wealth Management, communication is clear, intentional, and proactive.
You’ll know who to contact, how to reach us, and what to expect at each stage of the relationship. During onboarding and plan implementation, communication is more frequent as we gather information, review decisions, and put strategies in place. As your plan moves past the intial planning stages, communication becomes structured and purposeful, focused on decisions that actually matter.
We don’t believe in constant noise or reactive check-ins driven by market headlines. Instead, we communicate when there’s a reason to, whether that’s a planning opportunity, a change in your life, or an adjustment needed to keep your plan on track.
You’ll have ongoing access to our team and can reach out by email or phone whenever a question comes up. We also schedule regular review meetings twice per year to revisit your plan, assess progress, and make updates as markets, regulatory changes, or your personal situation evolve.
The goal is simple: you should never feel left in the dark, and you should never wonder whether something important is being missed. Our communication is designed to support confident decisions, not overwhelm you with information that doesn’t move the needle.
Is there a cost for our first meeting?
No, the initial consultation is complimentary.
This first meeting is designed to determine fit and gives you a chance to ask questions, understand how our process works, and see whether Gariano Wealth Management is the right partner for your retirement planning needs.
You’ll leave the conversation with clarity on next steps and whether it makes sense to move forward, with no pressure and no obligation.
Do you offer virtual consultations or only in-person meetings?
We offer both virtual and in-person meetings.
Many of our clients choose to meet virtually, which allows for flexibility and convenience without sacrificing the quality of the planning experience.
For those who prefer face-to-face meetings, in-person appointments are also available.
Regardless of how we meet, the planning process, level of service, and depth of analysis remain the same.
Our goal is to make the experience accessible while maintaining a high standard of communication and guidance.
What sets Gariano Wealth Management apart from other Financial Advisors?
Gariano Wealth Management is built specifically for people approaching retirement.
What sets our firm apart is a retirement-first planning approach. We start with taking inventory of current assets, income, and real-world spending decisions, then align investments to support those outcomes. Many advisors lead with investment decisions. We lead with the questions that actually determine whether retirement works.
Our system is structured, repeatable, and designed for high-stakes decision-making. Clients don’t just receive recommendations; they gain a framework for understanding tradeoffs, adjusting to change, and making confident decisions over time. We focus heavily on tax-aware planning, Social Security timing, healthcare coordination, and spending strategy, which are areas where small choices can have permanent consequences.
We also believe clarity is a form of value. Our clients understand why decisions are being made, not just what is being done. The goal isn’t complexity, it’s confidence.
Gariano Wealth Management isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. We work best with individuals and couples who want a deliberate, thoughtful retirement strategy and a long-term advisory relationship built around planning, not predictions.
How do I get started as a new client?
Click the button below to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Services
Gariano Wealth Management is family focused, working with individuals and couples entering or already in retirement.
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Our multi-generational firm brings a unique perspective to our role as your long-term, trusted financial partner.
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Take the next step toward financial security by exploring a partnership with Gariano Wealth Management.