Advisers Articles
What to Do When You Get a Large Windfall
August 2026 by Sam Levine
Regardless of where newfound wealth comes from, it’s important to prepare to manage it properly.
August 2026 by Sam Levine
Regardless of where newfound wealth comes from, it’s important to prepare to manage it properly.
2026 Robo-Advice Landscape: Survivors Search for the Next Leg of Growth
June 2026 by Ken Schapiro
With most early adopters already established as clients, robo-advice platforms compete on scale, pricing, planning depth and customization.
June 2026 by Ken Schapiro
With most early adopters already established as clients, robo-advice platforms compete on scale, pricing, planning depth and customization.
Robo-Advice Update for 2025: Continued Consolidation and Greater Customization
July 2025 by Ken Schapiro
With the initial wave of users onboarded, leading robo-advisers are shifting their focus to profitability.
July 2025 by Ken Schapiro
With the initial wave of users onboarded, leading robo-advisers are shifting their focus to profitability.
Adviser Communication Gaps Can Lead to Inadequate Retirement Preparation
February 2025 by Tudor Pop
A research study reveals a disconnect between financial advisers and their clients on whether important retirement discussions are held.
February 2025 by Tudor Pop
A research study reveals a disconnect between financial advisers and their clients on whether important retirement discussions are held.
Shifting Control of Personal Finances With a Daily Money Manager
October 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin, Susie Marbury
How to choose the right professional when you or a loved one needs help with finances like bill paying.
October 2024 by Charles Rotblut, Cynthia McLaughlin, Susie Marbury
How to choose the right professional when you or a loved one needs help with finances like bill paying.
Six Lessons of Investment Loss to Keep You Winning
September 2024 by Andrew Stotz
Stories of investing loss that underscore the importance of preparation, vigilance and learning from others’ experiences.
September 2024 by Andrew Stotz
Stories of investing loss that underscore the importance of preparation, vigilance and learning from others’ experiences.
2024 Robo-Advice Landscape: Industry Shifts and Leading Platforms
June 2024 by Ken Schapiro
Increased fees at one robo-adviser and the shuttering of two robos at large firms illustrate the difficulty of making a profit while offering advisory services at rock-bottom prices.
June 2024 by Ken Schapiro
Increased fees at one robo-adviser and the shuttering of two robos at large firms illustrate the difficulty of making a profit while offering advisory services at rock-bottom prices.
Winning the Battle Against Investment Fees and Biases
May 2024 by Paul Merriman
Arm yourself with the tools you need in the fight to keep as large a share as possible of your investment returns.
May 2024 by Paul Merriman
Arm yourself with the tools you need in the fight to keep as large a share as possible of your investment returns.
Reasons That Investors Part Ways With Their Financial Adviser
July 2023 by Pratham Shah
There are several common, but multi-dimensional, reasons that advisers are terminated by their clients according to research by Morningstar.
July 2023 by Pratham Shah
There are several common, but multi-dimensional, reasons that advisers are terminated by their clients according to research by Morningstar.
Turmoil in the Robo-Advice Industry, Plus the Best Robo Platforms
June 2023 by Ken Schapiro
A look back at the digital advice industry and an update on current robo products and performance.
June 2023 by Ken Schapiro
A look back at the digital advice industry and an update on current robo products and performance.
Gauging the Current Robo-Advisers on Features & Returns
June 2022 by Ken Schapiro
Insight from The Robo Report into the most compelling robo services for 2022.
June 2022 by Ken Schapiro
Insight from The Robo Report into the most compelling robo services for 2022.
Minimum Disclosure by Brokers and Advisers
November 2021 by Adam Scheg
Regulations intended to provide investors with more information about their financial advisers’ business practices have fallen short, according to Morningstar.
November 2021 by Adam Scheg
Regulations intended to provide investors with more information about their financial advisers’ business practices have fallen short, according to Morningstar.
Robo-Adviser 2021 Innovations and Performance Drivers
June 2021 by Ken Schapiro
Robo-advisers are now looking beyond investment management to banking and various other services.
June 2021 by Ken Schapiro
Robo-advisers are now looking beyond investment management to banking and various other services.
Coronavirus Returns for Robo-Advisers Expose Differences
June 2020 by Ken Schapiro
While performance has varied among providers, most robo portfolios represent a viable, low-cost option for professional management.
June 2020 by Ken Schapiro
While performance has varied among providers, most robo portfolios represent a viable, low-cost option for professional management.
What the SEC Is Doing for Individual Investors
June 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Lori J. Schock, Jay Clayton
The SEC chairman and education director address AAII members’ concerns in a wide-ranging discussion covering the volatile markets, investor scams, SEC initiatives and teaching your kids.
June 2020 by Charles Rotblut, Lori J. Schock, Jay Clayton
The SEC chairman and education director address AAII members’ concerns in a wide-ranging discussion covering the volatile markets, investor scams, SEC initiatives and teaching your kids.
Robos Up Investors' Holdings in Bonds and Index Funds
May 2020 by AAII Staff
Switching to a robo-adviser tends to result in a reduction of portfolio holdings in money market funds, individual stocks and U.S. and international active mutual funds in favor of bond holdings and low-cost index mutual funds.
May 2020 by AAII Staff
Switching to a robo-adviser tends to result in a reduction of portfolio holdings in money market funds, individual stocks and U.S. and international active mutual funds in favor of bond holdings and low-cost index mutual funds.
Resources for Checking Out an Adviser or Broker
April 2020 by Ryan Reeh
You can find out a lot from a Google search, but BrokerCheck and the SEC’s IAPD databases are treasure troves of disclosure information on investment advisers and brokerage firms.
April 2020 by Ryan Reeh
You can find out a lot from a Google search, but BrokerCheck and the SEC’s IAPD databases are treasure troves of disclosure information on investment advisers and brokerage firms.
The Financial Advice Gap
January 2020 by Anine Sus
Many individual investors currently going without financial advice might realize greater wealth if they took advantage of financial advice.
January 2020 by Anine Sus
Many individual investors currently going without financial advice might realize greater wealth if they took advantage of financial advice.
An Adviser’s Profile Is as Important as the Investor’s
December 2019 by Matthew Bajkowski
The characteristics of a financial adviser have a large impact on the portfolio recommendations they give.
December 2019 by Matthew Bajkowski
The characteristics of a financial adviser have a large impact on the portfolio recommendations they give.
Women Are More Risk Averse When Their Adviser Is Male
September 2019 by Matthew Bajkowski
Gender differences in investing are more complicated than previously assumed.
September 2019 by Matthew Bajkowski
Gender differences in investing are more complicated than previously assumed.
Robo-Advisers Expand Services and Experience Some Growing Pains
June 2019 by Ken Schapiro
An update on the digital advice industry reveals growing popularity as services are added, along with a few regulatory challenges and other missteps that require investor diligence.
June 2019 by Ken Schapiro
An update on the digital advice industry reveals growing popularity as services are added, along with a few regulatory challenges and other missteps that require investor diligence.
Investors and Advisers Disagree on Most Valuable Attributes
April 2019 by AAII Staff
Investors and financial advisers don’t see eye to eye when it comes to what investors value in their advisers and what advisers believe is important to investors, according to a recent survey.
April 2019 by AAII Staff
Investors and financial advisers don’t see eye to eye when it comes to what investors value in their advisers and what advisers believe is important to investors, according to a recent survey.
Beyond the Index Card: Implementing the Advice of the Financial Experts
November 2018 by Charles Rotblut, Harold Pollack
The story behind Pollack’s index card, which contains the best financial advice individuals need, and the lesson’s he’s learned.
November 2018 by Charles Rotblut, Harold Pollack
The story behind Pollack’s index card, which contains the best financial advice individuals need, and the lesson’s he’s learned.
“Meaningful Benchmark” Required to Prove Breach of 401(k) Fiduciary Duties
September 2018 by
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that participants in a 401(k) cannot simply point to the existence of lower-price funds as proof that their employer and plan sponsor breached their fiduciary duties.
September 2018 by
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled that participants in a 401(k) cannot simply point to the existence of lower-price funds as proof that their employer and plan sponsor breached their fiduciary duties.
Advice on Evaluating an Adviser From an Industry Veteran
September 2018 by William Francavilla
Identifying a good adviser requires conducting a background check and then asking them five important questions.
September 2018 by William Francavilla
Identifying a good adviser requires conducting a background check and then asking them five important questions.
Q1 2018 Robo Report: How Market Volatility Affected Robo Services
June 2018 by Ken Schapiro
First-quarter performance results from sample portfolios at robo-advisers imply that investors should look for diversification not only in the equity holdings, but also in fixed-income holdings.
June 2018 by Ken Schapiro
First-quarter performance results from sample portfolios at robo-advisers imply that investors should look for diversification not only in the equity holdings, but also in fixed-income holdings.
Robo-Advisory Platform Found to Have Some Benefits
June 2018 by
An analysis of trading activity at a broker that offered a robo-advisory tool showed that diversification improved and the tendency to sell winners instead of losers was reduced among those who used the service.
June 2018 by
An analysis of trading activity at a broker that offered a robo-advisory tool showed that diversification improved and the tendency to sell winners instead of losers was reduced among those who used the service.
Trading Fractional Shares With Broker-Robo Hybrid Folio Investing
May 2018 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Folio Investing is a unique brokerage-robo adviser hybrid that allows users to invest in portfolios of stocks, ETFs and mutual funds that they can trade in a single transaction.
May 2018 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
Folio Investing is a unique brokerage-robo adviser hybrid that allows users to invest in portfolios of stocks, ETFs and mutual funds that they can trade in a single transaction.
Q2 2017 Robo Report Sees More Hybrid Advice Models
September 2017 by Ken Schapiro
The founder of BackEnd Benchmarking, which publishes The Robo Report, discusses the performance and latest trends in robo-advisory services as of the second quarter of 2017.
September 2017 by Ken Schapiro
The founder of BackEnd Benchmarking, which publishes The Robo Report, discusses the performance and latest trends in robo-advisory services as of the second quarter of 2017.
Top Robo-Adviser Trends, According to the Experts
January 2017 by Barbara A. Friedberg
Robo-Advisor Pros.com asked leaders in the robo industry for their thoughts on where these services are headed.
January 2017 by Barbara A. Friedberg
Robo-Advisor Pros.com asked leaders in the robo industry for their thoughts on where these services are headed.
A Financial Planner’s Guidance for Women on Planning for Retirement
November 2016 by Mary Jo Herseth
Consider the impact of each medical, financial and legal decision you have to make as well as your and your spouse’s vision for retirement.
November 2016 by Mary Jo Herseth
Consider the impact of each medical, financial and legal decision you have to make as well as your and your spouse’s vision for retirement.
The Labor Department's Fiduciary Rule for Retirement Accounts
May 2016 by Charles Rotblut
The new rule requires that financial professionals put their clients’ interests first, but investors should not let their guard down.
May 2016 by Charles Rotblut
The new rule requires that financial professionals put their clients’ interests first, but investors should not let their guard down.
Understanding the Fiduciary Standard
May 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
A new fiduciary standard rule helps to ensure that financial advisers put their clients' interest before their own.
May 2016 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
A new fiduciary standard rule helps to ensure that financial advisers put their clients' interest before their own.
Why Your Financial Adviser Should Be a Fiduciary
November 2015 by Larry Stein
The fiduciary standard requires that the interest of the client be put first, making it stricter than the suitability standard.
November 2015 by Larry Stein
The fiduciary standard requires that the interest of the client be put first, making it stricter than the suitability standard.
What Exactly Do Online Investment Advisory Services Offer?
January 2015 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
In contrast with the moniker of “robo-adviser,” online advisory services vary in the features they offer and how they interact with clients.
January 2015 by Jaclyn N. McClellan
In contrast with the moniker of “robo-adviser,” online advisory services vary in the features they offer and how they interact with clients.
A Majority of Advisers Are Investment, Not Financial, Planners
March 2012 by
Many advisers are misclassifying the types of services they provide, according to Cerulli Associates.
March 2012 by
Many advisers are misclassifying the types of services they provide, according to Cerulli Associates.
How to Check Out a Financial Advisor
April 2011 by Chuck Jaffe
Before hiring an advisor, make sure he is the right person for the job. Here are some questions to ask.
April 2011 by Chuck Jaffe
Before hiring an advisor, make sure he is the right person for the job. Here are some questions to ask.
Due Diligence: 10 Steps to Avoiding Ponzi Schemes and Financial Fraud
April 2009 by Karen C. Altfest
The uncovering of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlights the importance of asking the right questions before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. Ten questions to ask, and red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble.
April 2009 by Karen C. Altfest
The uncovering of Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, and the fraud committed by several other financial hucksters, highlights the importance of asking the right questions before selecting an advisor or participating in an investment. Ten questions to ask, and red flag warning signs of the potential for trouble.
A Guide to Dealing With an Estate Planning Attorney
July 2002 by Paula Hogan
Estate Planning: An up-to-date estate plan maximizes the chance that your wishes with respect to both medical and financial affairs will be carried out in the event of your death or disability.
July 2002 by Paula Hogan
Estate Planning: An up-to-date estate plan maximizes the chance that your wishes with respect to both medical and financial affairs will be carried out in the event of your death or disability.
A Worksheet Approach to Selecting a Financial Planner
January 1992 by AAII Staff
How should you select a financial planning adviser? Asking each potential adviser questions will provide basic information to help you decide who will best fulfill your needs. Worksheets for the evaluation process.
January 1992 by AAII Staff
How should you select a financial planning adviser? Asking each potential adviser questions will provide basic information to help you decide who will best fulfill your needs. Worksheets for the evaluation process.