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Mason Investment 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.

Mason Investment Advisory Services (MIAS) says on its website that it was founded on the principle that each client deserves independent, straightforward financial advice. 

Some of the qualifications among the firm’s staff include the chartered financial analyst (CFA), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF), certified financial planner (CFP) and more. 

Asset-based fees and fixed fees primarily make up MIAS’s compensation arrangements. However, this financial advisor has a fee-based fee structure, meaning some advisors can earn commissions from securities sales. 

MIAS also appears on our top financial advisors list for Reston, Virginia, as well as our statewide Virginia list.

Mason Investment Advisory Services Background

MIAS was established in 1982 as a subsidiary of Mason International, Inc. The firm began with the mission of providing customized financial planning, investment management and charitable services to private individuals and families, according to its website. Over the years, MIAS has expanded to offer investment consulting services for institutions. 

William Mason III is the firm’s chief executive officer (CEO).

Mason Investment Advisory Services Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

MIAS serves individuals, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable institutions, foundations and endowments.

The firm doesn’t have a minimum account size requirement.

Services Offered by Mason Investment Advisory Services 

MAIS offers the following advisory services:

  • Portfolio management
  • Financial planning
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Mason Investment Advisory Services Investment Philosophy 

MIAS says its investment approach is based on long-term strategic allocation plans combined with rigorous rebalancing policies and a manager selection process. The firm also recommends allocation strategies based on each client’s financial situation and preferences. Each allocation recommendation includes up to sixteen asset classes diversified by objective and investment style, according to the firm’s brochure. 

MIAS mainly invests in mutual funds, but the firm also utilizes bonds, cash and cash equivalents.

Mason Investment Advisory Services Fees

For financial planning, fees range from $6,000 to $25,000. The firm offers the following fee schedule for investment management services:

MIAS Investment Management Service Fee Schedule
Amount of assets Annual fee
Less than $1,000,000 1.00%
$1,000,000-$2,999,999 0.75%
$3,000,000-$4,999,999 0.66%
$5,000,000-$24,999,999 0.50%
$25,000,000-$49,999,999 0.45%
$50,000,000-$99,999,999 0.40%
$100,000,000 or more 0.35% 

 

*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 Mason Investment Advisory Services*
Your Assets Mason Investment Advisory Services Fee Amount
$500K $5,000
$1MM $7,500
$5MM $25,000
$10MM $50,000

Learn more about advisors' typical costs here.

 

What to Watch Out For

The firm has one disclosure on its record. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that between 2014 and 2016 the firm purchased, recommended or held certain advisory clients' mutual fund share classes that charged 12b-1 fees when shares of the same funds without fees were available. MIAS paid a $150,000 fine and submitted to a censure, as well as a cease and desist.

Another thing to keep in mind is that MIAS advisors can earn commissions from the sale of investment products. This can create a conflict of interest, but the firm says it abides by a fiduciary duty.

Opening an Account with Mason Investment Advisory Services

You can get in touch with MIAS by visiting the firm’s office, or by calling an advisor at (703) 716-6000.

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

Retirement Tips for Beginners

  • Not sure how much you need to settle comfortably in your retirement years? Our retirement calculator can help you determine whether you’re saving enough to meet your savings goals.
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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