Is Schwab Wealth advisor a fiduciary?

Asked by: Omari Conn  |  Last update: January 13, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)

If you are a Retirement Investor1 and a Schwab representative is giving you investment advice (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or "ERISA") about your Retirement Account(s)2, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are ...

Are Schwab wealth advisors fiduciaries?

As an investment advisory firm and a fiduciary, we can begin managing your Charles Schwab accounts on your behalf. Still, you will retain control of the accounts and any big decisions that must be made.

Is a wealth advisor a fiduciary?

Some financial advisors can act in a fiduciary capacity, but be careful — this does not mean that all advisors are fiduciaries. A financial advisor who isn't a fiduciary may recommend products for which they receive a commission or other form of payment.

How do I tell if my financial advisor is a fiduciary?

1 – Ask them directly: A genuine fiduciary will straightforwardly affirm their role and commitment to act in your best interests. 2 – Review the advisor's credentials: Certifications such as CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) or AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) often indicate a fiduciary standard.

What is the difference between a wealth advisor and a financial consultant at Schwab?

Your Financial Consultant works closely with your advisor and manages your overall relationship with Schwab. Your Wealth Advisor provides strategy and planning guidance, and specific U.S. investment recommendations.

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29 related questions found

What is considered high net worth at Schwab?

"High-net-worth" is defined as having $5 million or more in assets.

What is the minimum amount for a personal advisor at Charles Schwab?

Common questions. What are the fees for Schwab Wealth Advisory? The annual fee for Schwab Wealth Advisory starts at 0.80% of assets and decreases at higher asset levels (see chart). Enrollment minimum is $500,000.

Why would a financial advisor not be a fiduciary?

May not be a fiduciary: Not all financial advisors are held to a fiduciary standard of care, which means that they may not always act in the best interests of their clients. Potential conflicts of interest: They may have conflicts of interest, such as receiving commissions on the products they sell.

What is the average fee for a fiduciary financial advisor?

Hourly rates for financial advisors typically range from $200 to $400 per hour.

Is my Edward Jones advisor a fiduciary?

Advisors at Edward Jones are not bound to the fiduciary standard at the brokerage level. The firm's advisors working with institutional plans are, though. Edward Jones advisors who have earned the right to use the CFP or CFA marks are required to act as fiduciaries.

What is the downside of using a fiduciary?

While there are many advantages to working with a fiduciary, some potential drawbacks to consider include: Higher upfront costs: Some brokers don't charge clients fees directly, whereas a fiduciary advisor does.

Which advisors are fiduciaries?

Common examples of fiduciaries are: trustees, corporate officers, attorneys, and real estate agents. Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®s) are fiduciaries, as are Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs).

Are JP Morgan advisors fiduciary?

Our team of advisors act as fiduciaries, meaning no matter who you work with, you can be confident that all our advisors have your best interests at heart.

Who is better, Charles Schwab or Edward Jones?

Choosing between Edward Jones and Charles Schwab hinges on individual circumstances and financial objectives. While Edward Jones excels in personalized financial advising and strong client-advisor relationships, Charles Schwab stands out for its comprehensive range of financial services and transparent fee structures.

How much does a Schwab financial advisor cost?

At Schwab, there's no cost to work with your Financial Consultant. ²

Is my fidelity advisor a fiduciary?

When we act as an investment adviser, we are considered to have a fiduciary relationship with you and are held to legal standards under applicable federal and state securities laws.

Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor?

Industry standards show that financial advisor fees generally range between 0.5% and 1.5% of AUM annually. Placement of a 2% fee may appear steep compared to this average. However, this fee might encompass more comprehensive services or cater to more unique, high-maintenance portfolios.

Is a fiduciary better than a financial advisor?

If you're making big decisions that may affect your financial security, a fiduciary advisor might be a better fit because they're required to give you unbiased advice and act in your best interest.

At what net worth should I get a financial advisor?

However, in general, it's wise to start working with a financial advisor or wealth management team once you've built a nest egg of $1M in investable assets.

How to tell if your advisor is a fiduciary?

A fiduciary advisor:
  1. Always puts their clients' best interests above their own.
  2. Advises fairly and honestly with the knowledge and expertise they have.
  3. Shows prudent judgement in actions and advice.
  4. Avoids conflicts of interest.
  5. Discloses all material facts.

Can you lose money with a fiduciary?

You can still experience investment losses when a fiduciary is managing your portfolio.

Is Ameriprise a fiduciary?

Ameriprise Financial Services and your financial advisor provide non-discretionary “investment advice” services as a fiduciary to your plan under Section 3(21) of ERISA with respect to investment monitoring and recommendations provided to the plan.

What is the 4% rule in Charles Schwab?

One frequently used rule of thumb for retirement spending is known as the 4% rule. It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement.

Is Schwab Wealth Advisory a fiduciary?

If you are a Retirement Investor1 and a Schwab representative is giving you investment advice (as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or "ERISA") about your Retirement Account(s)2, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are ...

How do Schwab advisors get paid?

Compensation. In addition to a base salary, Advice Consultants are eligible to earn an annual bonus that is funded based on Schwab's performance and determined based on manager discretion, which may include consideration of metrics based on service quality and client satisfaction.