• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Personal FinanceRetirement

Most near retirees haven’t met with a retirement adviser—and it could cost them. Here are 10 questions to ask to find the right one

Alicia Adamczyk
By
Alicia Adamczyk
Alicia Adamczyk
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
Alicia Adamczyk
By
Alicia Adamczyk
Alicia Adamczyk
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 28, 2023, 10:00 AM ET
Coworkers having a meeting in the lobby
Financial advisers can help you make sense of all of the complex money questions or just offer reassurance.Marko Geber—Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

More than two-thirds of near retirees haven’t met with a financial planner, and that could be hurting their confidence when it comes to having enough money for retirement.

So finds a new survey of over 2,000 Americans age 55 or older by Retirable, a financial planning company.

Retirable’s survey took the temperature of the near retirees to get a sense of how they plan to spend their retirements and how ready they feel financially. Over 60% of respondents do not feel as though they have enough money to last them through retirement (or are unsure if they do), while only 27% of respondents said they’re confident their savings will last.

“Once you’re close to pulling the plug on work and electing Social Security and electing a pension and investing money for income instead of growth, it’s good to have a professional in that space,” says Tyler End, a certified financial planner (CFP) and Retirable’s CEO.

Obviously, Retirable has skin in the game—it makes money by helping people plan their retirement. But the results are in line with many other surveys that ask Americans about financial planning: Most of us don’t have a plan at all.

You don’t necessarily need to pay someone to help you with your finances. However, financial advisers can help you make sense of complex money questions, like tax and retirement planning, appropriately diversifying your investment mix, when to elect Social Security, and so on.

Here’s what to know if you’re considering hiring a financial adviser.

How to find the right financial adviser

One reason so many Americans don’t have a plan: It can be overwhelming, and it’s difficult to know who to trust. Advisers can be helpful by cutting through the noise and giving you a holistic overview of your finances, as well as a plan for reaching any goals you might have (saving for a child, a home, retirement, etc.).

Many advisers say they also act, more or less, as therapists for their clients, talking them through market swings and helping them stay on track without their emotions getting in the way.

If that sounds helpful, then you’ll want to look for the certified financial planner designation. Plenty of people call themselves financial advisers, but a CFP distinction means the professional is a fiduciary, and must act in your best interest—not just recommend a financial product because he or she gets a commission. You can verify a CFP’s credentials here. You’ll want to ensure you’re meeting with a fiduciary before you even take a meeting—otherwise, you might be sold on products that will help only the adviser’s bottom line, not yours.

And you don’t have to go with the first planner you find. Most should offer some sort of “discovery” meeting to learn about you and your goals—take a few and test out the waters.

“A good planning discussion should have a discovery period where the planner learns about you and your family—what makes you tick and why,” says Nicole Gopoian Wirick, a Michigan-based CFP. “The numbers are important, and they come in time, but the qualitative is equally important—the why behind the numbers.”

Here are some questions planners recommended to Fortune to ask for a sense of how a CFP can help you:

  1. What does your financial plan include? (Legal advice, tax advice, etc.)
  2. Can you describe your financial planning process?
  3. How do you help your clients? (You can also ask how they can help you achieve a certain goal, like debt payoff or planning for retirement.)
  4. What tools will you use to help me determine my goals clearly?
  5. What will you need from me throughout this process?
  6. What is your responsiveness? How long will it take you to email me back?
  7. How do you get paid?
  8. What areas could you improve on within my current financial plan? 
  9. What blind spots do you currently see with my finances? 
  10. How often will we meet to review and update the plan?

Of course, there will be other questions, depending on your goals and what’s important to you. But those can get you started and give guidance on whether the CFP you’re meeting with is the right fit. If something doesn’t feel right during the initial meeting, then move on.

Working with a CFP often isn’t a one-and-done experience. Ideally, you will check in with them periodically to get updates on your progress and reassess your plan if your goals have changed.

“The best financial plans are those that are considered to be living documents that are updated regularly as life changes,” says Wirick. “These plans challenge people to examine their hopes, dreams, and fears, and identify what money means to them and why.”

Once you select an adviser, take some time to think through your financial goals. When you meet, be honest about everything. Some examples:

  1. Retiring by a certain age
  2. Saving for a child’s college education
  3. Saving for a home
  4. Purchasing a vacation home
  5. Budgeting
  6. Paying off debt
  7. Diversifying investments outside of retirement
  8. Tax planning
  9. Help with wills and other succession planning (such as for a small business)

Retirable’s survey finds most people just want to live a normal life in retirement—most don’t want to take extravagant trips around the globe. They’d rather spend time on hobbies and with their grandkids. A financial planner can help make that happen.

Learn how to navigate and strengthen trust in your business with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter examining what leaders need to succeed. Sign up here.

About the Author
Alicia Adamczyk
By Alicia AdamczykSenior Writer
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Alicia Adamczyk is a former New York City-based senior writer at Fortune, covering personal finance, investing, and retirement.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Personal Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Personal Finance

Students happy outside of school
SuccessColleges and Universities
One U.S. college is fixing tuition at just 10% of parental income: ‘We’re not hiding the cost of college behind secret formulas’
By Emma BurleighJune 25, 2026
3 hours ago
Personal Liability Insurance for Homeowners: Coverage and Common Exclusions Explained
Personal FinanceInsurance
Personal Liability Insurance for Homeowners: Coverage and Common Exclusions Explained
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
3 hours ago
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Insurance: The Smart Coverage Bundle Many Small Businesses Overlook
Personal FinanceInsurance
Business Owner’s Policy (BOP) Insurance: The Smart Coverage Bundle Many Small Businesses Overlook
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
3 hours ago
What Is General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses?
Personal FinanceInsurance
What Is General Liability Insurance for Small Businesses?
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
3 hours ago
TIAA CEO Thasunda Brown Ducket
SuccessFortune 500: Titans and Disruptors of Industry
TIAA’s CEO made $26,000 in her first job but still maxed out her 401(k). She has advice for Gen Z
By Emma BurleighJune 25, 2026
4 hours ago
Top CD rates from major banks June 25, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates from major banks on June 25, 2026: Chase CDs, Bank of America CDs, Citibank CDs, and more
By Joseph HostetlerJune 25, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
11 hours ago
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Retail
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
Asia
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
2 days ago
Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants
Success
Ikea’s billionaire founder was so frugal that he bought clothes from flea markets and took free salt and pepper from restaurants
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 25, 2026
11 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.