If you’re paying advisory fees, it’s a fair question.
You want to know what you’re getting in return, beyond a quarterly statement and a performance number.
SmartAsset recently published a model that tries to break that down. Their estimate: after fees and inflation, working with an advisor may add roughly 2.4% to 2.8% in annual return compared to going it alone.
Over time, that gap can become meaningful. Not because of one big decision, but because of dozens of smaller ones compounding in the right direction.
But the truth is, focusing only on returns misses the bigger picture.
A lot of the value shows up in places that are less obvious.
Taxes are a good example. Their research found that people who used professional tax help received more back than those who self-filed. On its own, that might not feel like a game changer. But when those savings are reinvested year after year, they become part of the bigger system working for you instead of against you.
Then there’s behavior.
This is the part that doesn’t show up neatly in a report, but it shows up in outcomes.
We regularly see investors second-guessing decisions during market volatility, holding onto positions for the wrong reasons, or letting one area of their portfolio become too concentrated over time. None of those feel like major mistakes in the moment. But over years, they can quietly drag down results.
That’s where a structured plan makes a difference. Not just telling you what to invest in, but helping you make better decisions consistently.
If you want to see how SmartAsset approached the analysis, their full article is worth your time: Read HERE.
And if you’re starting to wonder how much of this applies to your own situation, that’s exactly what we walk through in a Retirement Audit Session. No pressure, just clarity around where you stand and what could be improved.
We look forward to meeting you! Schedule an Initial Consult via the 'Reserve a Consult' buttong on the top of this page or by calling us directly at 720-729-2500.
Colorado Wealth Group (“CWG”) is a financial services group offering investment advisory services through Savvy Advisors, Inc. (“Savvy”). Savvy is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). CWG is not a separately registered investment advisor
