Services
Our Commitment to You
We work hard to serve our clients’ best interests through careful planning and transparent actions. When working with us, you’ll know the reasons for our recommendations and any fees associated with them. You’ll receive timely attention when you have a concern or question. And we can work together in person, by phone, or via email – whichever works best for you.
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Advisory Services
Your investments are important. Advisory Services can help them receive the care they deserve.
Your investments can be professionally managed or a Financial Advisor can help you manage them yourself.
Wells Fargo Advisors programs allow flexibility to help you reach your goals.
Some investors enjoy managing their own plan. They are confident in their abilities and have the time to research and monitor their investments’ performance.
You’re not alone if you don’t fall into that category. Like many others, you may want to work with a professional by taking advantage of an advisory program.
You can save time and have a professional manage your investments when you use the services of an advisory program.
Advisory programs generally fall into two categories. One gives another party the power to make decisions for your account’s day-to-day management. This means you can allow a portfolio manager — in some cases your Financial Advisor — to decide when to buy, sell, and hold investments without consulting you.
Your portfolio manager will make decisions based on a variety of factors:
In the other program, you collaborate with your Financial Advisor. We will provide you with objective advice and guidance based on your needs, goals, and today’s investment environment, to help you make your own buy, sell, and hold decisions.
You can choose which advisory services program you implement. Wells Fargo Advisors offers an array of programs. You can decide what products you would like to have managed, such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, bonds, and commodity-based investments.
We can discuss the programs with you and see what fits your situation – and what makes you feel more confident in helping you reach your goals.
Decide if you would like some extra help with making your investment decisions.
Make an appointment to talk with us about advisory accounts.
Your investments can be professionally managed or a Financial Advisor can help you manage them yourself.
Wells Fargo Advisors programs allow flexibility to help you reach your goals.
Managing investments
A lot may be riding on your investments: retirement, children’s or grandchildren’s education, your financial legacy. Your investment plan should get the attention it deserves.Some investors enjoy managing their own plan. They are confident in their abilities and have the time to research and monitor their investments’ performance.
You’re not alone if you don’t fall into that category. Like many others, you may want to work with a professional by taking advantage of an advisory program.
Using an advisory program
You can save time and have a professional manage your investments when you use the services of an advisory program.
Advisory programs generally fall into two categories. One gives another party the power to make decisions for your account’s day-to-day management. This means you can allow a portfolio manager — in some cases your Financial Advisor — to decide when to buy, sell, and hold investments without consulting you.
Your portfolio manager will make decisions based on a variety of factors:
- Your long-term objectives
- The time you have to reach your objectives
- Your risk tolerance
In the other program, you collaborate with your Financial Advisor. We will provide you with objective advice and guidance based on your needs, goals, and today’s investment environment, to help you make your own buy, sell, and hold decisions.
Fee replaces commissions
So how can an advisory account differ from a traditional brokerage account? One difference is how you pay for the services you receive. In an advisory account program, you generally pay a fee. This is often charged on a quarterly basis based on a percentage of your account’s value. In a traditional brokerage account you would pay a commission for each transaction.Flexible range of alternatives
You can choose which advisory services program you implement. Wells Fargo Advisors offers an array of programs. You can decide what products you would like to have managed, such as mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), stocks, bonds, and commodity-based investments.
We can discuss the programs with you and see what fits your situation – and what makes you feel more confident in helping you reach your goals.
Next steps
Decide if you would like some extra help with making your investment decisions.
Make an appointment to talk with us about advisory accounts.
Planning for Retirement
Creating a plan can help you stay focused, plan for challenges, and make choices that work for you. Find out how to create and manage your retirement plan.
Learn MoreIndividual Retirement Account (IRA)
An IRA lets you save for your retirement and take advantage of tax benefits. Find out ideas on how we can help you reach your retirement goals with an IRA.
Learn MoreEstate Planning Strategies
Everyone could use an estate plan. It’s not about what you own – but putting you in control. Here’s some helpful information to think about.
Learn MoreAdvisory Services
Our Advisory Services can help you save time managing investments. Find out how we can offer financial guidance and help you keep up with the markets.
Learn MoreCollege Savings Plans
Saving up for your child’s college education doesn’t have to interfere with retirement goals. Find out how 529 plans and trust funds may work for you.
Learn MoreCalculators
Use our financial calculators to help you run the numbers to see where you stand in your investment plans.
CalculatorsWorking with Us
We’ll provide the advice and guidance you need to focus on your short- and long-term goals while navigating life’s financial opportunities and turning points. Once we’ve helped you explore your goals, we’ll create an investment plan together to help support them.
What to Expect
We believe your investment strategy should support and sustain your long-term financial future. Drawing on industry-leading investment choices and research, we’ll help you align your strategy to your most meaningful plans and goals for your life. Think of it as a careful, deliberate planning approach that goes way beyond simply aiming for returns and hoping for success. Here’s what you can expect from us:- Time – to get to know you and what matters most to you and your loved ones
- A personalized investment plan tailored to your unique life goals
- Scheduled reviews with you to help ensure you’re on track to meet your objectives and risk tolerance
- Holistic, big-picture advice throughout your financial journey
Of course, life often includes unexpected twists and turns. If your goals or financial needs change, simply let us know. We’ll talk through any necessary adjustments to your strategy.
Put your future into focus today. Contact us to get started on a personalized investment plan.
401(k) Distribution Options
- Generally you have four distribution choices for your qualified employer–sponsored retirement plan (QRP) assets
- Each has unique factors to keep in mind
- Know all of your options before making a decision
Decide which option is right for you
If you’re changing jobs or retiring, you’ll need to decide what to do with assets in your 401(k) or other qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan (QRP). These savings can represent a significant portion of your retirement income, so it’s important you carefully evaluate all of the options.Generally, you have four options:
- Roll the assets to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
- Leave the funds in your former employer’s retirement plan (if allowed)
- Move savings to your new employer’s plan (if allowed)
- Withdraw or “distribute” the money
Roll the assets to an IRA
Rolling your retirement savings to an IRA provides the following features:- Assets continue their tax-advantaged status and growth potential
- You can continue to make annual contributions, if eligible
- An IRA often gives you more investment options than are typically available in an employer’s plan
- You also may have access to investment advice
Before rolling your assets to an IRA consider the following:
- IRA fees and expenses are generally higher than those in your employer’s retirement plan
- Loans from an IRA are prohibited
- In addition to ordinary income taxes, distributions prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% IRS additional tax
- IRAs are subject to state creditor laws
- If you own appreciated employer securities, favorable tax treatment of the net unrealized appreciation (NUA) is lost if rolled into an IRA
Leave the funds with your former employer
You may be able to leave your retirement plan savings in your former employer’s plan, assuming the plan allows and you are satisfied with the investment options. You will continue to be subject to the plan’s rules regarding investment choices, distribution options, and loan availability.Keeping assets in the plan features:
- Investments keep their tax-advantaged growth potential
- You retain the ability to leave your savings in their current investments
- You may avoid the 10% IRS additional tax on early distributiosn from the plan if you leave the company in the year you turn 55 or older (age 50 or older for certain public safety employees)
- Generally, have bankruptcy and creditor protection
- Favorable tax treatment may be available for appreciated employer securities owned in the plan
Move savings to your new employer’s plan
If you’re joining a new company, moving your retirement savings to your new employer’s plan may make sense. This may be appropriate if:- You want to keep your retirement savings in one account
- You’re satisfied with the investment choices offered by your new employer’s plan
Withdraw or “distribute” the money
Carefully consider all of the financial consequences before cashing out. The impact will vary depending on your age and tax situation. Distributions prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to both ordinary income taxes and a 10% IRS tax penalty. If you must access the money, consider withdrawing only what you need until you can find other sources of cash.Features
- You have immediate access to your retirement savings and can use however you wish.
- Although distributions from the plan are subject to ordinary income taxes, you avoid the 10% additional tax on distributions taken if you turn:
- Age 55 or older in the year you leave your company.
- Age 50 or older in the year you stop working as a public safety employee (certain local, state or federal) — such as a police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, or air traffic controller — and are taking distributions from a governmental defined benefit pension or governmental defined contribution plan. Check with the plan administrator to see if you are eligible.
- If you own employer securities, a distribution may qualify for the favorable tax treatment of NUA.
- Your former employer is required to withhold 20% of your distribution for federal taxes.
- Distribution may be subject to federal, state and local taxes unless rolled over to an IRA or another employer plan within 60 days.
- Your investments lose their tax-advantaged growth potential.
- Your retirement may be delayed, or the amount you’ll have to live on later may be reduced.
- Depending on your financial situation, you may be able to access a portion of your funds while keeping the remainder saved in a retirement account. This can help lower your tax liability while continuing to help you save for your retirement. Ask your plan administrator if partial distributions are allowed.
- If you leave your company before the year you turn 55 (or age 50 for public service employees), you may owe a 10% IRS additional tax on the distribution.
What to consider if you own company stock
NUA is defined as the difference between the value at distribution of the employer security in your plan and the stock’s cost basis. The cost basis is the original purchase price paid within the plan. Assuming the security has increased in value, the difference is NUA. NUA of employer securities received as part of an eligible lump-sum distribution from an employer retirement plan qualifies for special tax treatment. In most cases, NUA will be available only for lump-sum distributions — partial distributions do not qualify.We can help educate you so you can decide which option makes the most sense for your specific situation.
Next steps
- Learn about your choices before taking a distribution
- Pay special attention to taxes, penalties and fees associated with each action
- Contact us or your tax professional if you have questions about how to proceed
Please keep in mind that rolling over your qualified employer sponsored retirement plan (QRP) assets to an IRA is just one option. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and the one that is best depends on your individual circumstances. You should consider features such as investment options, fees and expenses and services offered. Investing and maintaining assets in an IRA will generally involve higher costs than those associated with a QRP. We recommend you consult with your plan administrator before making any decisions regarding your retirement assets.
Wells Fargo and Company and its Affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed.
Videos
Watch our videos on a variety of topics that illustrate key financial concepts and current events.
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