Full Disclosures

Last Updated: October 21, 2025

IMPORTANT: READ BEFORE USING OUR SERVICE

This page contains critical information about RetirementAdvisorFinder.com, how we operate, our compensation, potential conflicts of interest, and your responsibilities. Federal and state securities laws require certain disclosures.

Please read carefully.

1. NATURE OF OUR SERVICE

What We Are

RetirementAdvisorFinder.com is a lead generation and referral matching service. We operate a website that connects individuals seeking retirement planning assistance with licensed financial professionals.

What We Are NOT

We are NOT:

• A registered investment advisor (RIA) with the SEC or any state

• A broker-dealer registered with FINRA

• An insurance agent or agency

• A financial planner or advisor

• A fiduciary to you in any capacity

• Subject to RIA or broker-dealer regulatory oversight

• Providing investment advice or recommendations

Regulatory Status

We Are Not Regulated As:

• An investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940

• A broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

• An insurance producer under state insurance laws

We Operate As: A marketing and lead generation service, which is generally not subject to financial services regulations. However, we comply with consumer protection laws including TCPA, CAN-SPAM, CCPA, and state consumer protection statutes.

2. HOW OUR SERVICE WORKS

The Matching Process

Step 1: You Provide Information

• Name, contact information (email, phone, address)

• Retirement planning stage (just starting, mid-career, pre-retirement, already retired)

• Primary financial concerns (saving, risk management, income, taxes, healthcare, legacy)

• Express consent to be contacted and share information

Step 2: We Match You

• We review your information

• We identify 1-3 licensed financial advisors in our network who:

  • Are licensed in your state

  • Specialize in your retirement planning stage

  • Have expertise in your stated concerns

  • Are accepting new clients

Step 3: We Share Your Information

• We provide matched advisors with ALL information you submitted

• This includes your name, contact info, retirement stage, and concerns

• We share with a maximum of 1-3 advisors only

Step 4: Advisors Contact You

• Matched advisors may contact you via phone, text, or email

• They offer free initial consultations

• They explain their services, fees, and approach

• You decide whether to engage any advisor (or none)

Step 5: You Choose (or Don't)

• You are under NO obligation to hire any advisor

• You can interview multiple advisors

• You can decline all advisors

• You can seek additional advisors outside our service

What Happens After We Share Your Information

Important: Once we share your information with advisors, we have no control over:

• How often they contact you

• What they say or recommend

• Their fees or services

• Their conduct or compliance with regulations

• How they use or store your information

Each advisor operates independently with their own business practices, privacy policies, and regulatory obligations.

3. COMPENSATION & CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

How We Are Compensated

RetirementAdvisorFinder.com may receive compensation from financial advisors in our network. This compensation creates potential conflicts of interest that you should understand.

Types of Compensation

Per-Lead Fees (Most Common)

• Advisors pay us a fixed fee for each lead we provide

• Typical range: $50-$300 per lead depending on lead quality and exclusivity

• Payment occurs when we share your information, regardless of whether you engage the advisor

Referral Fees

• Advisors pay us if you become their client

• Typical range: $500-$2,000 per successful client referral

• Payment occurs after you sign an agreement with the advisor

Commission Sharing

• Advisors may share a percentage of fees or commissions they earn from you

• Typical range: 10-25% of first-year fees or commissions

• Payment occurs when advisor earns fees/commissions from your account

Ongoing Revenue Sharing (Rare)

• Advisors may pay us a percentage of ongoing advisory fees

• This creates an ongoing financial interest in your relationship continuing

Material Conflicts of Interest

These compensation arrangements create significant conflicts:

We Benefit Financially When:

• You use our service (we earn per-lead fees)

• You hire an advisor we matched you with (we may earn referral fees)

• You maintain a relationship with that advisor (we may earn ongoing revenue)

• You have more assets (advisors may pay us more for "high-value" leads)

This Means:

• We have a financial incentive to encourage you to use our service

• We may prioritize advisors who pay us higher fees when matching

• Our "matching algorithm" may be influenced by compensation, not just suitability

• We benefit from you hiring ANY advisor, regardless of whether they're best for you

What This Does NOT Mean

Despite compensation from advisors:

• Your costs don't increase: Advisors cannot charge you more because they found you through us

• We don't receive your fees: Compensation comes from advisors, not from your accounts

• Advisor obligations remain: Advisors who are fiduciaries still owe you fiduciary duties

How We Attempt to Mitigate Conflicts

While we cannot eliminate conflicts, we:

• Limit matches to 1-3 advisors (not dozens)

• Verify advisor licensing before adding to our network

• Consider your stated needs and location in matching

• Disclose compensation arrangements clearly

• Do not claim to recommend "the best" advisor

However: Our matching is influenced by commercial considerations, not solely your best interests.

4. ADVISOR INDEPENDENCE & RELATIONSHIPS

Advisors Are Independent Third Parties

All financial advisors in our network are:

• Independently owned and operated businesses

• Not employees, agents, or partners of RetirementAdvisorFinder.com

• Separately licensed by state and/or federal regulators

• Solely responsible for their own advice, services, and compliance

We Do NOT

• Supervise advisors or their recommendations

• Monitor advisor compliance with securities laws

• Review advisor disclosures or Form ADV

• Conduct ongoing due diligence on advisors

• Verify advisor credentials after initial network admission

• Control advisor business practices or fee structures

• Review specific advice given to you

• Guarantee advisor qualifications or performance

Advisor Selection for Our Network

Initial Screening (When Advisors Join Our Network):

• Verify current licensing (via BrokerCheck, state databases)

• Review disciplinary history (serious violations = exclusion)

• Confirm they're accepting new clients

• Agree to compensation terms

Ongoing Monitoring:

• We do NOT continuously monitor advisor licensing or disciplinary actions

• We do NOT verify advisors maintain their licenses

• We do NOT conduct annual reviews or audits

• We rely on advisors to notify us of license changes

Removal from Network:

• We may remove advisors if we learn of license revocation or serious misconduct

• We do NOT retroactively notify past matches of advisor removals

Your Relationship with Advisors

Separate Relationship: Your engagement with any advisor is a separate, independent relationship governed by:

• The advisor's client agreement (not our Terms)

• The advisor's privacy policy (not ours)

• Securities laws and regulations applicable to the advisor

• State and federal consumer protection laws

We Are Not a Party: We are not part of your advisor relationship and have no liability for advisor conduct.

5. NO FIDUCIARY DUTY TO YOU

What Is a Fiduciary?

A fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interests, disclose conflicts, and prioritize your interests over their own.

We Are NOT Your Fiduciary

RetirementAdvisorFinder.com does NOT owe you a fiduciary duty. This means:

• We are not required to act in your best interests

• We are not required to recommend advisors best suited to you

• We may prioritize our financial interests when matching

• We may match you with advisors who pay us more

• We have no duty to monitor advisors after matching

Some Advisors ARE Fiduciaries (But Not All)

Fiduciary Advisors:

• Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) generally owe fiduciary duty

• Some financial planners may be fiduciaries

• Broker-dealers acting as advisors under Reg BI have heightened obligations (but not full fiduciary duty)

Non-Fiduciary Advisors:

• Broker-dealers acting in broker capacity (transactional)

• Insurance agents selling insurance products

• Some dual-registered advisors (depends on capacity)

You Must Ask: Whether any advisor you engage is acting as a fiduciary to you.

6. RISKS OF USING OUR SERVICE

Using RetirementAdvisorFinder.com involves risks you should understand:

Risk: Advisor May Not Be Suitable

• We match based on limited information (your form responses)

• We cannot assess whether an advisor is truly right for your situation

• Advisors may not have expertise in all areas you need

• You may need specialized advice we cannot identify from your form

Risk: Advisor Misconduct

• Advisors may provide unsuitable recommendations

• Advisors may engage in fraud or misconduct

• Advisors may have undisclosed conflicts of interest

• Advisors may lose their license after we match you

• We do NOT monitor advisor conduct or protect you from misconduct

Risk: Our Conflicts of Interest

• Our compensation from advisors may influence matching

• We may prioritize our revenue over your best interests

• Higher-paying advisors may receive preferential treatment in our algorithm

Risk: Information Sharing

• Once shared, we cannot control how advisors use your information

• Advisors may contact you repeatedly

• Advisors may share your information per their own privacy policies

• You may receive solicitations from multiple advisors

Risk: No Guarantee of Service

• Advisors may decline to work with you after consultation

• Advisors may have account minimums you don't meet

• You may not be matched if no advisors are available

• Matches may not contact you

Risk: Investment & Financial Losses

• Following advisor recommendations may result in losses

• Investments carry inherent risks

• Past performance does not guarantee future results

• We are not liable for investment losses

7. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Before Engaging Any Advisor, You MUST:

Verify Credentials & Licensing:

Visit BrokerCheck.FINRA.org and search for:

• Advisor's name and firm name

• CRD number (Central Registration Depository)

• Current licenses and registrations

• Employment history

• Disciplinary actions, customer complaints, arbitrations

• Criminal history

• Financial disclosures (bankruptcies, liens)

Visit IAPD (Investment Adviser Public Disclosure):

• For investment advisors (RIAs)

• Review Form ADV Parts 1 and 2

• Check disciplinary history

• Review services, fees, conflicts

Check State Insurance Departments:

• For insurance agents

• Verify active license

• Check for complaints or disciplinary actions

Request & Review Disclosures:

• Form ADV Part 2 (Brochure): Services, fees, conflicts, disciplinary history

• Form CRS (Customer Relationship Summary): Relationship type, fees, conflicts, required for RIAs and broker-dealers

• Fee Schedule: All costs, commissions, ongoing fees

• Client Agreement: Terms, arbitration clauses, fee structure

Ask Critical Questions:

• Are you a fiduciary? In what capacity?

• How are you compensated? (Fee-only, fee-based, commission?)

• What are your conflicts of interest?

• What licenses and certifications do you hold?

• What is your investment philosophy?

• What are your account minimums?

• Have you had any disciplinary actions?

• What services do you provide?

• Who will manage my account day-to-day?

Get Multiple Opinions:

• Interview at least 2-3 advisors

• Compare fees, services, and approaches

• Don't feel pressured to decide immediately

• Seek advisors outside our service for comparison

Read Before Signing:

• Read ALL documents thoroughly

• Understand fee structures completely

• Note arbitration clauses (you may waive right to sue in court)

• Ask questions about anything unclear

• Consider having an attorney review agreements

Monitor Ongoing:

• Review statements regularly

• Question unexpected fees or trades

• Verify performance claims

• Report suspected misconduct immediately

8. WARNING SIGNS & RED FLAGS

Be Cautious If An Advisor:

• Guarantees returns or claims investments are "risk-free"

• Pressures you to invest immediately or sign quickly

• Discourages you from reading documents or asking questions

• Suggests moving all assets without full review

• Recommends unsuitable products (too risky or complex)

• Has recent or multiple disciplinary actions

• Cannot clearly explain their compensation

• Avoids providing required disclosures (Form ADV, Form CRS)

• Asks you to make checks payable to them (not the custodian)

• Promises unrealistic tax savings

• Uses complex strategies you don't understand

• Discourages you from involving family or other advisors

• Has no clear succession plan

Investment Fraud Warning Signs:

• Ponzi schemes (using new investor money to pay earlier investors)

• Affinity fraud (targeting specific groups: religious, ethnic, professional)

• High-pressure sales tactics

• Unregistered investments or advisors

• Promises of "guaranteed" high returns

• Secretive or proprietary strategies

• Difficulty withdrawing funds

Report Suspected Fraud:

• SEC: sec.gov/tcr (tips, complaints, referrals)

• FINRA: finra.org/investors/file-complaint

• State Regulator: Check NASAA.org for state securities regulator

• FBI: ic3.gov (Internet Crime Complaint Center)

9. STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

Advisor Must Be Licensed in Your State

Financial advisors must generally be licensed in the state where you reside:

• Investment Advisors (RIAs): Registered with SEC (for large firms) or state securities regulator

• Broker-Dealers: Registered with FINRA and state

• Insurance Agents: Licensed by state insurance department

We Attempt to Match You With State-Licensed Advisors:

• We verify advisor licenses when they join our network

• We attempt to match based on your location

• However, we do NOT guarantee advisors maintain current licenses

• YOU must verify current licensing before engaging services

Cross-State Issues

If you split time between states or move:

• Notify your advisor immediately

• Advisor may need additional licenses

• State regulations may differ

• Some states have stricter protections

10. TYPES OF ADVISORS & COMPENSATION MODELS

Types You May Be Matched With:

Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs)

• Registered with SEC or state

• Generally owe fiduciary duty

• Typically fee-only or fee-based

• Must provide Form ADV
  

Broker-Dealers

• Registered with FINRA

• Subject to "Regulation Best Interest" (Reg BI)

• Often commission-based

• May also be RIA (dual-registered)
  

Insurance Agents

• Licensed to sell insurance products

• Commission-based

• May also be RIA or broker

• Regulated by state insurance departments
  

Dual-Registered

• Both RIA and broker-dealer

• Can act in either capacity

• Different standards apply depending on capacity

• Must clarify which "hat" they're wearing
  

Compensation Models:

Fee-Only

• Paid directly by clients (not product commissions)

• Hourly, flat fee, or percentage of assets under management (AUM)

• Generally fewer conflicts of interest

• Typically 0.5-2% of AUM annually
  

Fee-Based

• Primarily fees but may also earn commissions

• Combination of fee-only and commission

• More conflicts than fee-only

• Disclosure required
  

Commission-Based

• Paid by product providers (mutual funds, insurance, annuities)

• No direct client fee

• Significant conflicts of interest

• Must follow suitability or Reg BI standards
  

Each Has Pros/Cons: Ask advisors to explain their compensation clearly.

11. IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

Fiduciary

Legal obligation to act in client's best interests, disclose conflicts, and prioritize client interests over own.

Suitability Standard

Broker-dealers historically held to "suitability" (recommendation must be suitable for client, but not necessarily the best option). Now subject to Reg BI.

Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI)

SEC rule requiring broker-dealers to act in client's best interest when recommending securities, but not full fiduciary duty.

Form ADV

Disclosure document filed by RIAs with SEC or state. Part 2 (brochure) describes services, fees, conflicts, disciplinary history.

Form CRS (Customer Relationship Summary)

Short, plain-English disclosure of relationship, services, fees, conflicts. Required for RIAs and broker-dealers.

Assets Under Management (AUM)

Total market value of investments an advisor manages for you. Often basis for advisory fees.

Custodian

Financial institution that holds your assets (Schwab, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, etc.). Separate from advisor.

12. COMPLAINTS & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Complaint About Our Service

If you're dissatisfied with RetirementAdvisorFinder.com:

Contact Us First:

• Email: [email protected]

• We will attempt to resolve within 45 days

State Attorneys General:

• File complaint with your state attorney general's consumer protection division

• Texas: texasattorneygeneral.gov

• California: oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company

Federal Trade Commission (FTC):

• File complaint at ftc.gov/complaint

• FTC handles deceptive practices, consumer protection

Complaint About an Advisor

If you have issues with a matched advisor:

Contact the Advisor's Firm First:

• Attempt resolution through their complaint process

• Document all communications

Regulatory Bodies:

• FINRA: For broker-dealers and registered representatives

  • Online complaint: finra.org/investors/file-complaint

  • Phone: (301) 590-6500

• SEC: For investment advisors

  • Online complaint: sec.gov/tcr

  • Phone: (800) 732-0330

• State Securities Regulator: For state-registered advisors

  • Find your state regulator: nasaa.org

• State Insurance Department: For insurance agents

  • Find your state: naic.org

FINRA Arbitration:

• Many advisor agreements require arbitration

• File through FINRA's dispute resolution process

• Alternative to court litigation

Legal Action:

• Consult an attorney specializing in securities law

• Note: Arbitration clauses may limit court options

13. ADDITIONAL INVESTOR RESOURCES

Free Investor Education:

• FINRA Investor Education: finra.org/investors

• SEC Investor Information: investor.gov

• NASAA (State Regulators): nasaa.org

• CFP Board: cfp.net (for certified financial planners)

Background Checks:

• BrokerCheck (FINRA): brokercheck.finra.org

• IAPD (SEC/State RIAs): adviserinfo.sec.gov

• Insurance Agent Lookup: varies by state (check naic.org)

Complaint & Fraud Reporting:

• SEC Tips & Complaints: sec.gov/tcr

• FINRA Complaints: finra.org/investors/file-complaint

• FBI Internet Crime: ic3.gov

• FTC Complaints: ftc.gov/complaint

14. LIMITATIONS OF OUR SCREENING

What We Do When Advisors Join:

• Verify current licensing via BrokerCheck/state databases

• Review for recent serious disciplinary actions

• Confirm advisor is accepting clients

• Agree to compensation terms

What We Do NOT Do:

• Conduct in-depth background checks

• Verify credentials beyond basic licensing

• Interview advisors in person

• Review their Form ADV in detail

• Assess quality of advice or services

• Monitor client satisfaction

• Conduct ongoing compliance monitoring

• Verify financial stability of advisor's firm

• Review advisor's malpractice insurance

• Test investment performance or strategies

Our "Screening" Is Minimal:

We are a marketing service, not a regulatory body. Our screening is designed to exclude obvious bad actors (license revocations, fraud convictions) but does NOT ensure advisor quality, suitability, or competence.

You Must Conduct Your Own Due Diligence.

15. MARKETING PRACTICES DISCLOSURE

How We Market Our Service:

We may advertise through:

• Search engines (Google, Bing)

• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

• Display advertising

• Email marketing (to those who opted in)

• Referral programs

• Content marketing (blog posts, guides)

Marketing Claims:

We may use statements like:

• "Find your trusted retirement advisor"

• "Get matched with vetted professionals"

• "Only 1-3 matches—no spam"

Clarification:

• "Trusted" means licensed, not that we endorse specific advice

• "Vetted" means basic license verification, not comprehensive background checks

• "No spam" refers to limiting matches to 1-3, not eliminating all contact

Testimonials & Reviews:

If we display testimonials:

• They reflect individual experiences (not typical results)

• Participants may have been compensated

• Results vary significantly by individual

• No testimonial guarantees similar results for you

16. NO GUARANTEE OF OUTCOMES

We Make NO Guarantees About:

• Investment returns or financial performance

• Advisor quality or suitability

• Your satisfaction with matched advisors

• Advisor responsiveness or availability

• That advisors will accept you as a client

• Financial advice quality

• Whether advisors maintain licensing

• That you'll achieve your retirement goals

• Tax savings or benefits

• Any specific financial outcomes

Investment Disclaimer:

All investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. No investment strategy can guarantee profit or protect against loss.

17. ARBITRATION DISCLOSURE

Many financial advisors require mandatory arbitration clauses in client agreements. This means:

You May Waive:

• Right to sue in court

• Right to a jury trial

• Right to appeal (limited appeal rights in arbitration)

• Right to join a class action

Arbitration:

• Generally faster and less expensive than court

• Heard by industry arbitrators (FINRA panel)

• Limited discovery (evidence gathering)

• Final and binding (very limited appeal)

Read Carefully: Before signing any advisor agreement, understand the arbitration clause. Consider consulting an attorney.

18. DATA PRIVACY & SECURITY

See our complete Privacy Policy for details. Key points:

• We share your information with up to 3 advisors

• Advisors may use your information per their own policies

• We use reasonable security measures but cannot guarantee security

• You have rights to access, correct, and delete information

• California residents have additional CCPA rights

19. UPDATES TO DISCLOSURES

We may update these disclosures at any time. Material changes will be posted on our website with the updated effective date. Continued use of our service after changes constitutes acceptance.

20. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By using RetirementAdvisorFinder.com, you acknowledge:

✓ You've read and understood these disclosures
✓ You understand we are a lead generation service, not a financial advisor
✓ You understand our compensation creates conflicts of interest
✓ You understand advisors are independent third parties
✓ You will verify advisor credentials before engaging services
✓ You understand all investment and financial decisions are your sole responsibility
✓ You understand we provide no advice, recommendations, or guarantees
✓ You accept all risks associated with using our service

21. QUESTIONS?

Email: [email protected]

Mail:
RetirementAdvisorFinder.com
9016 East Indiana Ave Suite C

Spokane , WA 99212