Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right
Loading
Tap on the profile icon to edit
your financial details.

Foundation Wealth Management Review

Your Details Done
by Updated

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.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Foundation Wealth Management, LLC (FWM) is a fee-only financial advisor firm that offers clients a variety of services, including financial planning, investment management and individual retirement account (IRA) rollovers.

Being a fee-only firm, FWM earns all of its compensation from client-paid fees. On the flip side, a fee-based firm earns compensation from both client-paid fees and third-party commissions.

Foundation Wealth Management Background

Foundation Wealth Management president Pamela Hardin started the firm in 2003. Hardin remains the majority owner of Foundation to this day.

The advisory staff holds multiple certifications, including certified financial planners (CFPs)

Foundation Wealth Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

Foundation Wealth Management works with both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans and government entities.

In its SEC-filed Form ADV, Foundation Wealth Management states that it institutes a $10,000 minimum annual fee. Clients with an account balance under $1 million will also pay advisory fees at an effective rate above 1.25%. And those with higher account balances will pay lower annual rates.

Services Offered by Foundation Wealth Management

Foundation Wealth Management’s services are focused on financial planning and investment management. Here’s a detailed breakdown of everything that the firm has to offer:

  • Financial planning/consulting
    • Investment management analysis
    • Retirement planning
    • Financial independence analysis
    • Capital needs analysis
    • Education funding analysis
    • Cash management analysis
    • Income tax analysis
    • Estate planning and analysis
  • Investment management
    • Discretionary and non-discretionary services available
    • Investment portfolio customization based on:
      • Risk tolerance
      • Current financial situation
      • Ultimate financial goals
  • Women in Transition program
    • Financial and life planning for women
  • IRA rollovers to a Foundation-managed account

Foundation Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

Modern portfolio theory (MPT) is at the core of Foundation Wealth management’s standard investment strategy. MPT simply states that every increase in risk that an investor takes must be accompanied by a proportionate uptick in return potential. In other words, this theory seeks to help investors get the most out of their respective risk tolerances by ensuring that all decisions relating to your portfolio are risk-adjusted and well considered.

Bonds, stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, individual debt securities and options are the typical investment types utilized by Foundation’s advisors. In an effort to flesh out your portfolio, the firm may also recommend variable annuities and life insurance contracts for its clients.

Fees Under Foundation Wealth Management

The investment management services at Foundation Wealth Management come with a simple, asset-based fee schedule. These fees are tiered so that the higher your balance, the lower the rate you’ll pay. Foundation charges investment management fees on a quarterly basis, in advance, meaning the percentages below are actually split into four equal parts.

Investment Management Fees
Portfolio Value Annual Fee
Up to $1,000,000 1.25%
Next $1,000,000 1.00%
Next $1,000,000 0.75%
Over $3,000,000 0.50%

Check out the table below to see how Foundation’s fees for its investment management services are borne out in actual dollar amounts:

*Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount.
Estimated Investment Management Fees at Foundation Wealth Management*
Your Assets Foundation Wealth Management Fees
$500K $6,250
$1MM $12,500
$5MM $40,000
$10MM $65,000

On the other hand, a fixed fee structure is used for financial planning and consulting through FWM. The firm offers no indication as to what these charges could look like, but they’re negotiable and will be agreed upon prior to the initiation of any services. This fee is divided into two halves: one that must be paid at the dawn of your advisory relationship and the other when your financial plan is completed.

What to Watch Out For

Foundation Wealth Management has a clean legal and regulatory record in the eyes of the SEC.

Opening an Account With Foundation Wealth Management

Prior to stopping by Foundation Wealth Management in St. Louis, Missouri, you may want to call its office at (314) 726-6789 for an appointment. If this doesn’t work for you, the firm also provides an email form on its website that allows you to give your personal information so an advisor can reach out to you.

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

Tips to Improve Your Investments

  • Although the DIY approach to investing has increased in popularity over recent years, the services of a financial advisor can offer clients a more hands-on approach. Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • Diversification is one of the golden rules of investing. This all-important principle states that you should have your assets invested as widely across the market as possible. Doing so will protect your money in the event of a market crash, as the overall success of your portfolio won’t be tied to a small group of securities.

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