Is there a cost to meeting?
There’s no cost to attend—just good information and real conversations.
Do I need to bring anything?
Nope. We’ll provide everything you need, including materials to take notes if you’d like.
Will I be sold anything?
Absolutely not. This is a purely educational event, and we won’t be talking about investment products or trying to sell you on anything.
Is this linked to Social Security?
No, we’re an independent firm, and this event is not affiliated with the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
What Is A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), And What Does It Do?
A registered investment adviser (RIA) is an investment management company that offers financial services for a fee. It is a legal entity registered with regulators — either the federal Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or a state securities authority. Sequent Planning is an SEC-registered RIA, which allows it to offer services in all states.
What is an investment advisor representative (IAR)?
An investment advisor representative (IAR) is a type of a financial advisor who is a fiduciary and is associated with a registered investment adviser (RIA). To qualify to be an IAR, the person must have passed the Series 65 license exam (or equivalent). Each IAR is registered with either a specific state or multiple states to conduct business. The financial advisors at Sequent Planning are all IARs.
What is a fiduciary?
A fiduciary is a person or entity with a legal and ethical obligation to act in the best interest of another person, known as the client or beneficiary.
Are Open Plan Management advisors fiduciaries?
All Open Plan Management advisors are fiduciaries, but not all financial advisors are fiduciaries.
Is Sequent Planning a fiduciary?
Yes, Sequent Planning, the entity, is a fiduciary, just as its investment advisors (IARs) are fiduciaries. We act in the best interest of clients, disclose conflicts of interest, and provide advice that aligns with clients’ financial situations and goals.
Is Sequent Planning registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?
Yes. Sequent is a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), nationally registered with the SEC.
What is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?
The SEC is a regulatory body established in 1934 as an independent federal agency to regulate the U.S. securities markets and protect investors. The agency oversees securities exchanges, broker-dealers, investment advisors (RIAs), and other market participants.
What services do Open Plan Management advisors offer?
OPM advisors offer investment advisory services including financial planning, investment recommendations, Social Security strategies, tax-efficient planning, estate strategies, charitable giving strategies, generational planning, health care planning, long-term care planning, saving, budgeting and so much more. For more information on our services, check out our Services Page.
Can a Open Plan Management advisor also be an Insurance Agent?
Yes, a OPM advisor can also be an insurance agent. If they are an insurance agent, this will be disclosed to you on a form they supply to you called an ADV Part 2b. Our advisors will make you aware if they are an insurance agent. They will take time to distinguish their investment services versus their insurance services.
How do Open Plan Management advisors get paid?
There are two ways your OPM advisor can be paid for the services they provide you. The most common is a stated fee for services — called an annual advisor fee — that is applied to the ending balance of your investment account. The fee is based on your investment balance and paid quarterly or monthly. At OPM, the most an advisor fee can be is 1.75% on an annual basis. Our advisors have the authority to charge a fee lower than 1.75%. An alternative payment method is an agreed-upon dollar amount for a specific project or period of time. A third way an advisor may get paid is if they also are an insurance agent, selling insurance products such as life insurance or an annuity. Insurance companies pay commissions on their products. If a OPM advisor recommends an insurance product, they will disclose the product’s internal fees and any potential conflicts of interest.
Where can I find more information about Sequent Planning?
Additional information about our advisors is available on this SEC website. If you become a client, our advisors will present their ADV Part 2b for your review. Available to the public, it explains a firm’s services, approach to investing, key officers, and any conflicts of interest. Potential clients and clients should review a firm’s ADV.s of interest.
Can I work with an advisor over the phone and through video appointments, or do I have to meet in person?
OPM advisors will meet with you however you choose, whether that’s in person, or through video and phone calls.
How often will my advisor meet with me within the year?
Each advisor has the flexibility to meet with you as often as you need throughout the year, but OPM at a minimum requires annual reviews for all clients.
If my OPM advisor is unavailable, who do I talk with?
equent Planning team members can help you if your advisor is unreachable. Whether your advisor’s absence is temporary or permanent, Sequent support is always available to you. Temporary absences could include illness, surgery, maternity leave, vacations and travel outside the country. Sequent has succession plans in case of permanent absences such as incapacitation or death, so you will never be left without support.
Why use an advisor?
Financial advisors provide valuable knowledge and strategies that can help you make important financial decisions, especially those involving retirement. The savings and investments that could tolerate more risk over years of accumulation need protected as you near retirement, and this requires a unique skill set. A financial advisor can apply strategies to make your assets last longer. Using an advisor for comprehensive planning can help you mitigate risks, avoid unnecessary taxes, maximize your retirement income, leave a legacy, and so much more — enhancing the likelihood for successful outcomes and freeing you up to live your life.
