Navigating the myriad of financial decisions in your life can be daunting, whether contemplating the benefits of leasing a car, buying a home or an investment property, tax and estate planning, or preparing for retirement. This is where the expertise of a wealth advisor becomes invaluable. Acting as an independent sounding board, a wealth manager’s role extends beyond investment advice. By establishing a relationship with a wealth manager who is also a fiduciary, you gain access to informed insights and strategies that consider all the moving parts of your financial life, ensuring that every decision you make positively impacts your financial future. Engaging with wealth management firms in Toronto offers a localized and comprehensive approach to managing your assets effectively.
Build a Personalized Financial Plan
A wealth manager or portfolio manager who takes a holistic approach will review your entire financial picture and give advice accordingly. They will recommend investment strategies, suggest an appropriate asset allocation between asset classes, such as stocks and bonds, and assist you in other areas as necessary. Tailored wealth management services ensure a personalized strategy that aligns with your financial goals, whether in Toronto or seeking Calgary wealth management solutions.
A significant part of the wealth management process involves constructing a financial plan and understanding a client’s tax position and stage of life. During this process, a wealth or portfolio manager can determine the client’s profile. For instance, if the client is still in accumulation mode with an aggressive savings and investing rate or is close to retirement, in decumulation, and needs to generate income. Wealth management in Canada is adept at navigating these life stages with their clients, providing guidance that’s both strategic and empathetic.
Minimize Your Tax Burden
For investors close to retirement, your money manager will offer a robust financial plan to provide a roadmap for minimizing your tax burden if you’re in decumulation mode through strategic withdrawals from various accounts. Addressing critical questions, such as whether you’re overspending or saving adequately while evaluating and stress-testing various financial scenarios, is key.
A wealth manager can also aid in the process by communicating directly with your accountant to understand your current tax rates, assess any carry-forward losses, and supply essential information needed to prepare your tax return. This may include trading summaries, T slips, and foreign income reporting requirements.
Wealth managers can also identify key areas of need, like a trust account appropriate for transferring wealth or an individual pension plan (IPP) to help minimize taxes for highly taxable clients. More importantly, wealth managers offer a second set of eyes and ears as well as the platform to have a meaningful conversation to discuss your options and path forward. Engaging with a private wealth management firm in Toronto can provide bespoke solutions catering to their clients’ intricate needs.
Strategic Estate Planning for Your Legacy
Estate planning is another crucial component of your financial portfolio that wealth managers will address. They’ll ask, “Do you have a will? Is your Power of Attorney set up? Do you have a second corporate will?” Suppose you own multiple properties or anticipate significant capital gains taxes upon death and wealth transfer. In that case, you should leverage your wealth manager’s network to engage a trusted lawyer or accountant for assistance. This process can also highlight potential insurance needs to address specific tax liabilities, such as covering large capital gains with a policy that pays out within 30 days of death to bypass probate. For those navigating estate planning and considering private wealth management in Toronto, it’s crucial to have a strategy that addresses all aspects of your legacy, ensuring a smooth transition and the management of potential conflicts or disputes over the estate. While insurance can be a valid option, it’s important to note that it is sometimes overused in the industry due to the lure of large commissions. Suppose your wealth or portfolio manager holds a fiduciary license. In that case, they can provide valuable guidance in navigating the complexities of insurance and give you advice that always puts your best interests first.