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First Command Advisory Services Review

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This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

First Command Advisory Services

First Command Advisory Services focuses on providing military families with financial planning and investment management services. It currently has billions of dollars in client assets under management (AUM). This financial advisor firm has more than 170 offices worldwide and many are near military installations.

Certain advisors at the firm can receive third-party sales commissions in addition to client-paid fees, which makes it fee-based. A fee-only firm, on the other hand, only receives client-paid fees as compensation.

First Command Advisory Services Background

First Command Advisory Services has been in business since 1958. Today, it exists as a wholly owned subsidiary of First Command Financial Services, Inc. That company is owned by First Command Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The firm also offers banking services to customers.

First Command Advisory Services Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

The firm works exclusively with individuals, corporate entities, retirement plans and trusts. To establish an investment advisory relationship, you generally need a minimum account balance of $20,000 to $50,000, depending on the program in which you enroll. 

Services Offered by First Command Advisory Services

First Command Advisory Services specializes in portfolio management and financial planning services. The company offers both together through its tailored professional services (TPS) program. They can provide advice on such topics as: 

  • Financial coaching
  • Insurance
  • Investing and savings
  • Funding college expenses through 529 plans

The firm also has a banking division that can provide clients with credit cards and other types of accounts. 

First Command Advisory Services Investment Philosophy

First Command Advisory Services primarily utilizes mutual funds, variable annuities and variable life insurance products. However, the firm would tailor an investment portfolio to the individual's financial situation and risk tolerance. 

"We are biased toward managers who select investments based on fundamental analysis of underlying business characteristics, comprehensive review of financial statements, and prudent consideration of risks including security valuation," the company states in its firm brochure. 

Although it generally avoids investing client assets in individual equities and bonds, the firm may turn to these investments if it deems them appropriate to the client. 

Fees Under First Command Advisory Services

First Command charges a total TPS fee based on the client’s income, the complexity of the services provided and other factors. This fee typically ranges from an annual $750 to $6,000. That said, the firm does not charge TPS fees to active duty military members or their dependents.

What to Watch Out For

First Command Advisory Services has been involved in some disciplinary events. The firm has six disclosures on its SEC-filed Form ADV

First Command is affiliated with various financial services firms such as broker-dealers and insurance companies. In turn, its advisors may earn commissions by recommending products from such vendors, in addition to the advisory fee they charge clients. This poses a potential conflict of interest. That said, the firm has a fiduciary duty to work in the best interests of its clients.

Opening an Account With First Command Advisory Services

The easiest way to become a client of First Command Advisory Services is to call (817) 731-8621.

All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.

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How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research