Financial Planning for Veterans is Different
Every Veteran is unique and requires personalized financial adviceAt NEST Financial, we have great respect for the sacrifices that are made and want to do our part to serve those who have sacrificed. We understand the challenges and help plan around them to protect what veterans value most: your family. Many family members of our team have served as well as a multitude of our clients, which is no surprise seeing as according to the most recent U.S. Census data, there more than 17 million Veterans in the United States.Ironically, serving your country could have a difficult economic impact on you and the ones you love. The VA is an amazing resource for veterans with programs such as the Aid and Attendance benefits and Household allowances, but the VA does not offer financial planning for those who have served.
Where is a Veteran to turn?
A Financial AdvisorA good financial plan should look at every part of your life, not just your investments. A financial advisor will look at your whole financial situation.Financial advisors generally fall into one of two categories:
- Commission-based, earning money based on your investments and planning choices; or
- Fee-only, working for a flat rate or a percent of your assets. They earn nothing extra based on your decisions.
Veterans are the legacy guardians of our country and have risked their lives to protect ours. You should not have to worry about what fees you are paying and if you are being overcharged. At NEST, we believe it should be simple and straightforward. We charge a flat annual fee of 1% of a client's account balance. There are no product fees, no investment holding periods and no commissions. Just the simple 1%.Our purpose is to provide our clients with the best investment management and advice to fits your unique lives through transparency, flexibility and trust. No hidden charges applied.After deciding which type of advisor you feel fits your needs best, expect to be asked specific questions about the goals you have for your finances. Any good financial advisor will also spend time asking questions on how you came to be in your current financial situation to better assist you. There will also be questions about your service, for example:
- Where did you serve?
- Which branch did you serve in?
- How long did you serve?
- Were you wounded?
- What was your rank?
- Are you receiving VA benefits?
- Are you aware of the various VA benefits?
The above questions will be interspersed with others like:
- Do you want to save money for retirement or a child's college education?
- What is your health like?
- Do you have dependents?
- Retire early or later?
- Sell or buy a retirement home?
- Are you risk-averse?
- Do you plan to work in retirement?
Planning for Veterans is DifferentThe big question of, “did you serve your country?” leads to a multitude of follow up questions that can help inform your financial planner. With this information, they will help you draw out the roadmap to your financial goals.With the array of investment and financial needs required by different people, there should be no such thing as a one-size-fits-all financial plan. Every financial situation is unique and requires personalization. Again, this is especially true when working with Veterans.Veterans require specific planning strategies due to certain VA benefits, unique insurance needs, debt management and retirement income strategies. Professional financial advice targeted toward you as a Veteran, your life and your goals is what you deserve.Thank you for your service.