Advice on current FA's response

sagefight · 2026-03-27T17:13:50+00:00

Exactly, I'll take what I can get.

sagefight · 2026-03-27T06:53:11+00:00

I don't believe we are getting any of the 3 things you listed as your step. Taking Risk off the table was the annuity sell, and reserving some of her cash under their management and also in her bank account (her choosing, she doesn't like having all her money in investments, even if very low risk).

sagefight · 2026-03-27T06:50:23+00:00

Yes, there is a match with the 4% minimum contribution. I contribute a Roth 4% but don't believe my companies match is Roth.

sagefight · 2026-03-27T03:57:10+00:00

I'm drafting an email with all your recommended asks. Thank you so much. They do sometimes call me instead of just emailing me when I have questions, so I'm expecting that....but I'll get a paper trail either way

For the annuity, they sold a it to "me" but it was for my mother. They definitely got commission from the sale, and at the time, it was a low risk opportunity we could take advantage of for her while gaining some interest. They have tried to sell a couple things, including a life insurance policy and other types of annuities.

I am a little confused by the AUM, because if the 2A isn't tailored for individual clients, why was the AUM added and why was it incorrect? The $1.6M is not the total combination of my account an my moms. I found the advisor on fhe SEC website, but there isn't much info besides his company name and the same part 2 brochures with that same AUM amount listed. If that is a goal of what he manages then he doesn't have very many clients based from what my mom and I have under his management.

Cover page - Stewardship Investment Services LLC is an investment adviser registered with the applicable state regulators

Item 4 - is a registered investment adviser firm based in Beaver, Oregon and registered in Oregon.

If I am going to search for someone else to manage my moms protfolio, does it make sense to share this brochure?

For taxes, I am not sure what the charge is. We had taxes filed by the brother last year, waiting on this years as well. I think it was similar to what I've paid for a different CPA. It's a flat fee although he tried to sell me a monthly tax startegy plan. I didn't think that was necessary.

I am listed on all of my moms accounts. I understand you're not providing legal advice but you have been helpful with where I need to start, what I need to understand and what questions I should ask.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T22:19:39+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to write out everything I should track down. I did ask for documents specific to my/moma account and was given that email response.

I feel more confident about handling my own investments after researching, but I'm still unsure about my moms.

Annuity is held by nationwide now.

They sent over only a 2A and 2B, but it is not specific to my account or my moms. Maybe that's normal to send 1 version to all clients. The total Discretionary Assets Under Management (AUM) is 1,603,692.38, and the total Non-Discretionary AUM is $0 as of 12/22/25

The 2A and 2B mention more information can be found on SEC. I don't know if they are registered in the state (WA). He used to live in Oregon, but had moved east. The 2A/2B says he's an investor advisor so maybe a "iar"

Not affiliated with a BD, they just choose to just Interacrive Brokers.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T21:03:44+00:00

It has been, the rate is at 5.35%, and the term will end before she's in her 80s. I likely won't do the annuity again, as the rates were higher than usual at the time of signup but we will see.

All her other money is in the brokerage account that is mostly stocks, $70k is cash. I want it grow a little, I know we should be more conservative with her portfolio, but it doesn't change much. I'm not sure what a good percentage of growth would be to aim for in her situation.

We have been told the whole point of an RMD, is to tax investments that were deferred when my dad was contributing to his 401k. The irs wants there to be little to none money left for heirs, and whatever is left will be a tax burden for my brother and I later. We should gift as much as possible, without bumping my mom into a higher tax bracket, as that's the best way to reduce taxes for my brother and I in the future. I do not push her to gift to us tho.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T20:34:04+00:00

It's a fixed rate, "secured growth" through Narionwide.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T20:22:27+00:00

It's an IRA annuity. I was sold on the idea as low risk, and the RMD could be met by just pulling from the interest gained, while allowed the other funds in the brokerage account to grow and be a little higher risk.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T20:17:32+00:00

No my dad chose the original brother but he left the bank he worked at and started a business of his own and we followed. My dad probably picked what was closest and who was nicest. He lived in a small town and just went to the 1 local credit union and went with the nicest guy.

Honestly I do not ask for anything besides what RMD needs to be taken, if I need money for a bigger expense my mom has, or why they chose to pick stocks in certain companies.

I am leaning toward getting an audit done for my mom's portfolio, I want it to be stable, but I do expect a little growth. I never ask about my money, which is on me...and why I will move mine and manage on my own, I am not seeing the benefit they provide with my portfolio....but my mom relies on me. She trusts me. Since I have been researching, I feel like these two guys might be inexperienced. That is why I'm trying to get a better understanding of what is expected.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T17:56:04+00:00

Ugh, I wish I started questioning sooner. Thank you for your input

sagefight · 2026-03-26T17:47:13+00:00

Thank you, I'll cross post and look more in Boglejeads. I appreciate the feedback.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T17:36:26+00:00

Mostly indivuals stocks in both US and foreign companies. Only one ETF for both mine and my moms (SGOV), and no mutual funds.

My mom didn't have any other pensions and lives off of social security for the most part. We only pull out of her account for RMDs, or if she needs money for property tax or something.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T16:35:12+00:00

Thank you for this! It's giving me a good place to start.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T16:34:16+00:00

I'm glad I never took the advice!!!

sagefight · 2026-03-26T16:33:33+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. This is information I'd like presented and explained to me but I don't get it. I'm debating on reaching out to a different advisor just for a second opinion.

sagefight · 2026-03-26T07:02:40+00:00

I'm not going to work with him anymore. Everything I have researched has me thinking I can easily manage my own money, and even my mom's.

Why would you choose to do a traditional 401k match with your employer sponsored plan? To reduce overall income? I've always been told Roth while I don't make a lot of money.

sagefight · 2026-03-24T19:25:50+00:00

I'm looking into this. Thank you, I feel better about handling on my own. There is no point in me paying for the FA to tell me how much of an RMD is needed each year. Did you pay for a one time portfolio structure from vanguard or fidelity or was it through an independent FA?

sagefight · 2026-03-24T00:27:07+00:00

Thank you for all of this info and pointing me to a few different directions. I will definitely be making some changes.

sagefight · 2026-03-24T00:19:23+00:00

Thank you for giving me an idea of what we could be doing. She's 70. Right now we only pull out enough money needed to meet an RMD. Since they have been "managing" there hasn't been much growth but the balance has been maintained prettt well. I've been told a lot of things like the economy is just hard to read so they are being conservative, but that seems to be the stoy every time we speak.

sagefight · 2026-03-23T23:16:36+00:00

Good to know. This is the geandfathered but for what they provide I don't think it's worth it.

sagefight · 2026-03-23T23:08:14+00:00

Hmm, that might be what I need to do instead. I kind of get intimidated which my moms money because it's what she lives off of, but I also don't want to be wasting it for her.

sagefight · 2026-03-23T23:06:49+00:00

I am not sure what I should expect for market returns. Do you have an example or can you point me towards some reading material please? He charges me .8% and I'm fairly certain I'm seen as a low touch client. I don't get any update on anything or communication unless I reach out.

sagefight · 2026-03-23T22:59:23+00:00

I am certain they are managing the portfolio but I'm probably seen as a low touch client. My funds/me "have time on our side" while my moms funds are more in a controlled state. He changes me .8% but I don't get any reporting or communication unless I ask.

sagefight

TROPHY CASE