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Parametric Portfolio Associates 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.

Parametric Portfolio Associates is a company that says it was founded on the principle of discipline. The Seattle-based institutional financial advisor firm also offers services to registered investment advisors (RIAs) who work with individual clients. Assets at Parametric are held in client accounts belonging to individuals, high-net-worth individuals and various institutional investors. The firm employs a large team of financial advisors that provide wealth management and investment management services.

Parametric is a fee-based firm, meaning that it may earn compensation from certain financial products. While this is a potential conflict of interest, the firm is bound to act in the best interests of clients.

Parametric Portfolio Associates Background

Parametric has been in business for over 30 years, having opened for business in 1987. The firm's leadership team includes so-president/chief investment officer (CIO) Thomas Lee, CEO Brian Langstraat and co-president/chief operating officer (COO) Ranjit Kapila. The firm employs several financially certified advisors, such as chartered alternative investment analysts (CAIAs) and chartered financial analysts (CFAs).

Parametric Portfolio Associates Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

Parametric's client base can be divided into two sections: institutional and individual. Institutional clients work with Parametric directly, and they include investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, charities, municipal and state governments, other investment advisors, insurance companies and businesses. Its individual clients, who work indirectly with the firm, are split between those with and without a high net worth.

Parametric Portfolio Associates requires a variety of different investment minimums, depending on the type of account you wish to open. These minimums range from $0 to $100 million.

Services Offered by Parametric Portfolio Associates

Parametric typically manages client portfolios according to the needs of the institutional or individual investor. It does this through these high-level services:

  • Systematic equity portfolios
  • Tax-managed core equity portfolios
  • Centralized portfolio management
  • Futures- and options-based overlay services
  • Balanced asset allocations
  • Managed currency and duration exposure
  • Speciality index strategies

Parametric divided into two segments in order to comply with the Global Investment Performance Standard (GIPS).

Parametric Portfolio Associates Investment Philosophy

Parametric uses structured, mathematical and rules-based methods of analysis when it comes to choosing securities for client portfolios. It also relies on modeling and other financial technology to help determine the value of various securities.

Parametric doesn't particularly pursue a long- or short-term strategy, as the firm instead looks to prioritize the specific needs and goals of each client. The firm and its advisors take into account risks, expenses, taxes and other investing characteristics, all while attempting to maximize returns.

Parametric Portfolio Associates Fees

All client fees that Parametric charges are based on a percentage of their account's AUM. Each program that the firm offers adheres to a separate fee schedule, with riskier strategies generally charging higher rates. There are many different investment strategies you can use at Parametric, so it's important to be familiar with the fees and minimums associated with each.

What to Watch Out For

Parametric Portfolio Associates has six disclosures listed on its SEC-filed Form ADV. These are all regulatory in nature, with each being attributed to advisory affiliates of the firm.

Parametric is a fee-based firm as advisors can earn third-party commissions. They also collect performance-based fees from certain clients. These dynamics creates the potential for a conflict of interest. Despite this, the firm is still bound by fiduciary duty, meaning that it is legally obligated to act in clients' best interests.

Opening an Account With Parametric Portfolio Associates

To open an account at Parametric, you can go online and submit a form on its website. You can also find a regional wealth manager by using the firm's interactive map on their wesbite.

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
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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