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The Next Step Planning Group FAQs

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the first meeting cost?

There is no cost for the first meeting and we will spend up to an hour to learn about your plan, help you dream, and discuss how we can help you.

What should I expect the first year working with your team?
We will go through a planning process focused on setting a strong foundation during at least 4 meetings and schedule extra meetings as needed.
How long should we expect our relationship to continue?
The planning agreement is valid for 12 months, however, our goal is to work with you up to and through your retirement.
What is a Certified Exit Planner (CExP)?
A Certified Exit Planner (CExP) helps a business owner dream about what they want to accomplish from their business. It includes focusing on planning from when you first start a business, to the growth phase of your business, and eventually when you decide to sell and need income in retirement.
Where do you work with clients?
We work with clients across the United States. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide planning services for Canada and other countries outside of the United States.
What is a fiduciary and what are the benefits to working with one?

The term fiduciary is commonly referenced when working with someone who handles your investments. A Fiduciary is contractually obligated to put your best interests before their own. We offer products and services held to a fiduciary standard.

Are you a business consultant?
No. Business consultants spend most of their time working on the daily operations to reduce costs and improve profitability. We work alongside business consultants to help business owners coordinate their personal financial plan with the business financial plan, protect the value of the business, implement meaningful benefits for their team, establish a plan on how they will build wealth with the business, and design a plan on how they want to eventually sell.
Are you a fee only financial advisor?

When we start our relationship with new clients we typically sign a financial planning agreement and charge a financial planning fee for the first 12 months. During the planning process, the client is not obligated to purchase additional services through us. See “How are you compensated?” below for more information on the other services we can provide.

How are you compensated?

There are three ways we receive compensation.

  1. A Planning Fee that is charged monthly for 12 months and can be renewed each year.
  2. Insurance Products such as life insurance, long term disability insurance, long term care, group life insurance and disability insurance, and health insurance.
  3. Investment Products such as managed wealth, mutual funds, annuities, 401k plans, SIMPLE IRAs, IRAs, Roth IRAs, and taxable investments.
When should I consider working with a financial advisor?
You should work with an advisor whenever you start to make an income. The Next Step Planning Group is focused on your habits and behaviors; not just investments and insurances. We want to make sure there is a comprehensive plan that takes all your decisions into consideration before purchasing products.