GuidedChoice Asset Management is a San Diego-based financial advisor firm that strives for personalization by utilizing diversified allocation, retirement spending, risk/reward balance and scenario analysis. The firm specializes in working with defined contribution retirement plans and their participants, with billions in assets under management (AUM). The fee-only financial advisor has a massive client base of more than 100,000 clients.
GuideChoice says on its firm brochure that it provides investment advisory services for institutional clients. If you’re an individual looking for investment guidance and you’re not in a qualified retirement plan, you may want to consider other firms. Our free financial advisor matching service can help.
GuidedChoice Asset Management Background
GuidedChoice, which was founded in 1999, is a subsidiary of GuidedChoice.com, Inc. The financial services provider is an independent firm that specializes in retirement plan advisory service. Sherrie E. Grabot is the firm’s founder and chief executive officer (CEO), while Louis van Zijl serves as the firm’s chief operating officer (COO).
GuidedChoice's investment team includes one chartered financial analyst (CFA) and two committee members who hold doctorate degrees, one of whom earned a Nobel Prize in economics in 1990.
GuidedChoice Asset Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
The firm primarily offers retirement planning advice for individuals in qualified retirement plans, but it also serves clients like financial institutions, service providers and qualified plans.
The firm doesn’t impose a minimum account balance for its advisory services.
Services Offered by GuidedChoice Asset Management
GuidedChoice offers the following advisory services:
- Portfolio management
- Financial planning
- Pension consulting
GuidedChoice Asset Management Investment Philosophy
GuideChoice says on its website that its mission is to bring financial freedom to everyone. The firm also says it strives to provide investment allocations that allow individuals to reach retirement income goals with appropriate levels of risk. To create personalized plans, the firm uses a software model to combine client needs with actuarial data, probability analysis and mean-variance optimization.
The firm also offers individuals within qualified plans a range of investment options, including open-ended mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), money market funds, money market deposit accounts, exchange-listed securities, stable value funds, separate and commingled trusts, real estate investment trusts, guaranteed investment contracts and variable and fixed annuities.
Fees Under GuidedChoice Asset Management
The firm primarily charges clients plan level, individual level and sub-advisory fees. GuidedChoice’s plan level fees must be negotiated with plan providers and plan sponsors, and the exact fees are highlighted in the agreement between the client and firm. The firm offers guidance and advice services through GuidedSavings, its digital accumulation service. GuidedChoice doesn’t charge fees for those services.
Clients using the firm’s retirement income planning digital service, GuidedSpending, will pay up to $299 annually. The firm charges individuals up to 0.45% for managed account advisory services. Additionally, GuidedChoice may also impose other charges, such as licensing or platform fees, implementation fees and development fees.
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. Estimated fees assume a maximum 0.45% advisory fee. | |
| Estimated Investment Management Fees at GuidedChoice Asset Management* | |
| Your Assets | GuidedChoice Asset Management Fee Amounts |
| $500K | Up to $2,250 |
| $1MM | Up to $4,500 |
| $5MM | Up to $22,500 |
| $10MM | Up to $45,000 |
What to Watch Out For
This firm doesn’t have any disclosures listed on its Form ADV, and there isn’t much to be wary of when it comes to GuidedChoice. The firm is compensated through a fee-only fee structure, meaning you won’t encounter any conflicts of interest since advisors can’t earn commission-based compensation.
Opening an Account With GuidedChoice Asset Management
GuidedChoice offers several options for prospective clients interested in opening an account. You can either fill out the firm’s contact form on its website, contact its inquiry email or reach out through its customer support line. You can also visit the firm’s office to speak with an advisor, or you can call its main office at 1-888-675-4532.
Tips for Finding a Financial Advisor
- Investing can be one of the best ways to save, but you’ll want to have a strategy before you make your investments. Whether you’re an active or passive investor, portfolio diversification and asset allocation can be instrumental in determining how much you earn compared to how much you spend. Our asset allocation calculator can help you.
- If you’d like help narrowing down your financial advisor search, you may want to interview more than one. 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.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
