Clear answers to the questions most thoughtful retirees ask before hiring a financial advisor.

+ About Our Services

• What does a retirement financial advisor do—and do I need one?

  We help you answer a simple but important question:

  “Am I going to be okay—and am I making the best decisions along the way?”
  That goes far beyond managing investments.

  Our work focuses on helping you make smart, coordinated decisions across:

  Tax planning (often the biggest lever in retirement)
  Withdrawal strategies (which accounts to draw from, and when)
  Social Security timing (maximizing lifetime benefits)
  Investment structure (simple, low-cost, evidence-based portfolios)
  We use planning tools like Monte Carlo analysis, but the real value is helping you translate those results into clear, confident decisions.

  Many of our clients are thoughtful, financially successful people who simply want a second set of eyes—and a more intentional plan for the next phase of life.

• Who is Mayfair Financial best suited for?

  We’re likely to be a great fit if you:

  • Are 50 or older and preparing for or living in retirement
  • Want to reduce unnecessary taxes and keep more of what you’ve earned
  • Live comfortably within your means
  • Value education and clarity in your financial decisions
  • Understand that strategic planning upfront leads to better long-term outcomes
  • Believe in working with a kind and trustworthy advisor who prioritizes your best interests

  If this sounds like you, we’d love to connect and see how we can help!

• What’s included in your flat-fee retirement planning service?

  Our flat-fee service includes a comprehensive retirement plan tailored to your goals. This covers tax strategy, investing, Social Security timing, healthcare planning, withdrawal sequencing, and
  ongoing updates. We also offer support with estate planning and insurance review. It’s everything you need—without hourly fees or hidden charges.

• Do you offer one-time financial planning engagements?

  We do. If you are most interested in a one-time advice-only financial plan, we charge $10,000, with half upfront and half at completion. The service typically spans a three-month period.

+Fees & Compensation

• How much does Mayfair Financial Charge?

  Our standard annual flat fee is $10,000, billed quarterly in arrears. This fee applies to client relationships with net worth up to $10 million and a level of complexity typical of the families we serve. Many financial advisors charge based on a percentage of "Assets Under Management" (AUM). The industry average fee is around 1%, meaning that if you have $5,000,000 with an advisor, you could be paying $50,000 per year in fees.

  With our flat-fee structure, your costs are transparent and predictable. We ensure you receive expert financial guidance without fees increasing as your portfolio grows. This approach allows us to focus solely on providing the best advice for your financial future without any conflicts of interest.

• How are you compensated?

  We are a transparent flat-fee firm. That means that our compensation comes solely from our clients in a set fee agreed to up front. That fee is currently $2,500 a quarter, paid in arrears. We do not accept
  payment from any of the product or service providers that we recommend.

• Can I switch from a one-time plan to ongoing service later?

  Absolutely. Many clients begin with a one-time advice-only plan and choose to transition to ongoing planning and investment management as their needs evolve. We're happy to adjust our engagement as your situation changes.

+Investment Approach

• What is your investment philosophy for retirement portfolios?

  We believe in a well-diversified, low-cost, buy-and-hold approach to investing. For most situations, we recommend tax-efficient ETFs from Vanguard or Dimensional. The allocation between fixed income and equities is determined by your risk appetite and the timeframe you expect to need the funds.
  We do not recommend individual stocks or bonds.

• Who manages my investments—do you do it for me, or do I handle it myself?

  That’s your choice, based on the level of service that best fits your needs:
  Ongoing Planning & Asset Management: Your investments are held with one of our custodians (Schwab or Altruist—you choose), and we handle all trading, rebalancing, and management on your behalf.
  One-Time Advice-Only Plan: We provide investment recommendations, but you execute the trades and manage your money at your current custodian.
  Either way, you get a clear, customized strategy designed to fit your goals.

+Advisor Relationship & Continuity

• How long will Joe Petry continue working as a financial advisor?

  I plan to personally develop financial plans and manage investments for many years to come. Over time, I expect to bring on a carefully selected partner who will be trained in my firm’s approach to
  ensure continuity and the highest level of service

• What happens to my investments if something happens to you?

  As a planner, I believe in planning for the unexpected. I have a contingency plan in place that ensures you will be taken care of in case of my incapacitation.
  My wife, Ann—who works in the firm—will notify clients within a few days.
  If we are both unavailable, a trusted partner firm will contact you to guide you through the next steps.
  You’ll have the option to continue with them or choose another advisor, but either way, you will be supported during the transition.
  My goal is to give you peace of mind, knowing your finances are always in good hands.

+Choosing the Right Advisor

• How is a flat-fee financial advisor different from a traditional AUM advisor?

  Most traditional financial advisors charge a percentage of your assets (often around 1% per year). That means as your portfolio grows, the fee grows—regardless of how complex your situation is.

  We take a different approach.

  We are a flat-fee, fee-only fiduciary firm, which means:

  You pay a clear, predictable annual fee
  No commissions, no product incentives
  Advice is aligned with your best interests—not your portfolio size

  Just as importantly, our focus is not on picking stocks or timing markets. We specialize in retirement planning and tax strategy—helping clients make thoughtful decisions around:

  Roth conversions
  Withdrawal strategies
  Social Security timing
  Reducing lifetime tax liability
  Most of our clients come to us after years with an AUM advisor, looking for a more intentional and transparent approach as they near or enter retirement.

• How can a financial advisor help reduce taxes in retirement?

  A good advisor helps you strategically time withdrawals, optimize Roth conversions, manage tax-efficient investments, and coordinate Social Security and Medicare decisions. At Mayfair Financial, tax planning is integrated into every step of our retirement advice.