True North Wealth Solutions · Annapolis, MD
Fee transparency is part of being a fiduciary. Here is exactly how we are paid, and the two ways you can start.
Two ways to start
Most people we meet at our Taxes in Retirement sessions aren't ready to transfer accounts on day one, and they shouldn't be. So we built two front doors. You can pay us to build your plan first and see the value before anything moves, or you can begin with ongoing management right away.
You pay a fixed fee for a complete, written financial and tax plan built for your situation: retirement income, Social Security timing, Roth and tax-bracket strategy, Medicare and IRMAA, and how it all fits together.
We deliver it, walk you through it, and you decide what to do next. No obligation to become a management client.
Best if you want proof of value before you move accounts, or you'd rather keep managing your own investments and just need the roadmap.
If you already know you want us managing your investments, we begin there. Ongoing planning, including the tax work above, is built into the management relationship at no separate charge.
Your accounts are held at Charles Schwab. We never take custody of your money.
Best if you're ready to delegate investment management now and want planning and tax strategy handled on an ongoing basis.
Path 01 · Planning fees
The fee depends on the complexity of your situation. We give you a firm quote at your introductory meeting. No running meter, no surprises.
| Plan | For | Fixed fee |
|---|---|---|
| FoundationalSingle, focused decision | A specific question, e.g. "when do I claim Social Security?" or a one-issue review | $2,500 |
| Retirement RoadmapMost clients | A full retirement-income, tax, Social Security, and Medicare plan in one written document | $4,500 |
| ComplexMulti-part situation | Business sale, concentrated stock, equity comp, or multiple entities and accounts | $7,500+ |
Planning fees are invoiced directly: a deposit at engagement and the balance on delivery of your plan. We do not deduct planning fees from any investment account.
The planning fee pays for the planning work itself. It is not a deposit toward investment management, and it is not credited or refunded if you later become a management client. We keep the two separate on purpose: it means the advice in your plan is independent of whether you ever hire us to manage your money.
Path 02 · Asset management fees
The rate steps down as your managed assets grow. Each tier applies only to the assets within that band, so you always pay the lower rate on the dollars above each breakpoint, not a higher rate on the whole balance.
| Assets under management | Annual fee on assets in this tier |
|---|---|
| First $1,000,000 | 1.10% |
| $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 | 0.90% |
| $2,000,001 to $5,000,000 | 0.75% |
| Above $5,000,000 | 0.50% |
Underlying fund expenses and any custody charges are separate from our advisory fee and are disclosed in your account paperwork.
Common questions
When we prepare a financial plan, that plan may recommend our own asset management services. You are never obligated to act on that recommendation, and your planning fee is the same whether you do or not. We disclose this conflict in our Form ADV.
Book a no-cost, no-obligation introductory call. We'll talk through your situation and quote your plan, or map out next steps if you're ready to begin management.
Schedule a conversation