FAQs
Find answers to all our most commonly asked questions about navigating US financial complexities as an expat, our transparent fee structure, and how we help you plan for the future.
About us
Are you fee only?
Plan First Wealth is fee-only in that our revenue is solely from advisory fees. We do not receive any commissions. As registered investment advisers, we have a fiduciary duty to provide advice that’s in our clients’ best interest.
Who are you regulated by?
Plan First Wealth is regulated by the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).
What is your SEC reference number, and where can I prove your regulation?
Can I choose between meeting in person or on a video call?
No, we meet all clients virtually. Not only are our clients located across the US, but so are we. We’re set up to run meetings using video conferencing and screen-sharing. You can book an initial meeting here with our quick video assessment tool.
How long has Plan First Wealth been providing financial advice?
The business was founded in 2018, but our advisors have decades of experience between them.
Where are you based, and do you work with clients outside your local area?
Our head office is in Greenwich, CT (within the NYC metropolitan area). But as a virtual firm with clients across the US, we’re also spread out, with staff in Philadelphia and Florida.
What additional certifications and accreditations do your advisers or firm hold?
All our advisers are either CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS® (CFP®) or Chartered financial planners.
Do you have any client reviews or written/video testimonials, and where can I view them?
Both video and written testimonials can be found throughout our site or on our “Why choose us?” page.
What makes your firm different from other financial advisers and planners?
We’re relentlessly cross-border and expat focused. Our passion is retirement planning for successful expats. And we constantly strive to improve by seeking the opinions of our clients through surveys and testimonials. Discover more on our “Why choose us” page.
What are the key cities, towns and areas you work with clients in?
Our clients are across the US, but clustered in the north-east, Texas, California, and Florida.
Working together
How can I book an initial meeting?
Follow the short, simple steps here: https://www.videoask.com/f2yrs7xwy
Do I have to pay for an initial meeting?
No – your initial meeting comes with no charge, and no obligation.
What do I need to bring to an initial meeting?
A smile, and a willingness to talk openly about your affairs, frustrations, and objectives.
What happens in the first meeting?
We try to get an idea of what’s on your mind, what you’re trying to achieve, whether we can help you, and if we’ll be a good fit.
How long should I allow for an initial meeting?
It’ll take around 30 minutes.
Do I have to sign up to your services at an initial meeting?
No, there’s no obligation whatsoever.
What happens if my financial adviser or planner is away on holiday?
We’re a cross-trained team, and there will always be someone available to you during business hours.
How often will I hear from my financial adviser or planner?
Depending on the service level, you will have between one and three “agenda-led” meetings each year. We also issue a weekly email newsletter, and your adviser is always available to you.
What happens if my circumstances change?
In most cases, we simply update or change the plan, but if we need to, we can help you find a new adviser (if you’ve moved to another country, for example).
Can you work alongside my accountant or lawyer?
Absolutely – we welcome this. We want a relationship with your professional team. In some circumstances, we’ll even pay them for additional planning on your behalf.
Can you coordinate with my mortgage adviser if they need information from you?
Absolutely, we’d be happy to.
What happens if my adviser leaves the firm?
You’ll be assigned a new adviser, and/or you can interview different advisers at the firm until you’re happy. Our investment proposition and service are centralised and consistent, and we hire planners who identify with our culture and values. So, should you want to continue with us, we’ll be able to deliver the same experience and outcomes.
Can I see an example of a financial plan?
We can show you an example after our initial meeting as part of the process.
Do you provide an online portal for clients to view their investments?
Yes, via the Plan First Wealth portal, and our app – more details about this are available on request.
How often will I meet with my adviser or planner?
Depending on the service level, you will have between one and three “agenda-led” meetings each year. Your adviser is always available to you, which is especially important if your situation changes in between meetings.
Advice areas
Can you advise on mortgages?
No, this isn’t a service we offer, but we’ve got trusted contacts we can refer you to if needed.
Can you advise on equity release?
No, this isn’t a service we offer, but we’ve got trusted contacts we can refer you to if needed.
Can you advise on personal pensions?
Yes, we’d be happy to.
Can you advise on occupational pensions?
Yes, of course.
Can you help me consolidate multiple pensions?
Yes, we can.
Can you help me take my pension tax-efficiently?
Yes, no problem.
Can you help with ethical or sustainable investing?
Yes, we can do that.
Can you help me invest an inheritance I’ve received?
Yes, we can.
Can you advise on self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs)?
Yes, we are experienced in this area.
Can you advise on final salary or defined benefit transfers?
No, but we can help you get advice on this if needed.
Do you offer advice on long-term care or later-life planning?
Yes, we do.
Can you help with Inheritance Tax planning or estate planning?
Yes, we’ll work in coordination with your estate planning attorney or connect you to a qualified one.
Can you advise on investments such as ISAs (Individual Savings Accounts)?
Yes – this is an area to be especially careful in America. ISAs are not tax-free in the US and often contain investments that the US views very unfavourably.
Can you advise on protection such as life insurance, critical illness cover, and income replacement?
No, we refer out to an insurance company for these. That’s because we do not want the conflict that arises from us receiving a commission for selling life assurance and annuities.
What other areas can you advise me on?
All things cross-border, including pensions, investments, and any other assets you may hold in more than one jurisdiction.
Fees and value
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
Yes, we do. And because your first interaction with us is at our expense, you’re likely to get some value out of our relationship even before we’ve taken formal action to improve your financial position.
How do you charge for financial advice?
We charge a percentage of the assets under our management (AUM), starting at 1% p.a. and coming down from there depending on assets managed.
What do you typically charge for a financial plan?
Financial planning is provided as part of the investment management. As long as we manage your investments, financial planning is covered by your investment advisory fee.
Do you charge fixed fees or a percentage of my investments?
We charge a percentage of the assets under our management (AUM).
How do I know if your fees are competitive?
If you research other firms (websites and ADV brochures via https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/ are the best places), you’ll see that we’re very competitive, even while providing sought-after service to expats and immigrants living in America.
How do your fees compare to those of other advisers/planners?
We suspect our fees are about average for a registered investment advisor (RIA) providing comprehensive financial planning in addition to investment management, or possibly on the lower end once you factor in our cross-border experience and knowledge.
How can I find your fees?
View our ADV document online: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/
Client types
Do you work with British expats?
Our passion is helping Brits crossing the pond to make the most of their success and seek to live without worry, and we know how to do this because we’ve done it ourselves.
Do you work with American expats?
Cross-border wealth management is our main focus, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands with us.
Do you work with Australian expats?
Yes.
Do you work with Canadian expats?
Yes.
Do you work with South African expats?
Yes.
Do you work with Irish expats?
Yes.
Do you work with all European expats?
Yes.
Who we work with
Can you help me retire early?
We can help you determine whether you can retire early and/or whether that’s a good idea or not.
Can you help me plan my retirement?
Yes, we can.
What type of clients do you typically work with?
Expatriates – mostly British – living in the US with a net worth of between $2 million and $20 million. These clients have been moved here by their employer mid-career, so usually, but not always, have assets/investments/accounts in the US as well as outside the US.
Our clients are typically planning on staying in the US (but also, who knows?). They may be starting to think about retirement and what’s next – and looking to get some clarity and a plan in place.
We enjoy working with people who recognise the unique complexity of being an expat in America (and/or an American abroad), who respect and value advice, who wish to delegate, and who desire to have a meaningful relationship with their professional advisers.
Do you work with younger clients who are still building wealth?
Yes
Do you work with company directors or self-employed clients?
Yes, we do.
Do you work with clients approaching retirement or already retired?
Yes – we focus on this. Most clients approach us as they’re starting to think about “what next?” (i.e., retirement). Often this is because their kids are mostly grown up and they can now really focus on preparing for their next chapter.
We help them get a plan in place – financial, investment, tax and, later, income – and then we help them enter retirement… and stay retired!
Can you help clients who have inherited money?
Yes – this is another area where it’s especially important to work with a cross-border adviser due to American obstacles and landmines.
Can you help clients who have sold, or are in the process of selling, a business?
Yes, we can.
Can you help clients manage their finances after a bereavement?
Yes, of course.
Do you work with business owners, retirees, or professionals?
Ideally, pre-retirees.
Can you help if I already have existing investments or pensions elsewhere?
Yes, no problem.
Is there a minimum amount of investable assets I need to become a client?
Yes, $500,000
Can you help me manage my assets in other countries?
Sometimes – it depends on where and what.
Can you advise on my UK State Pension?
Yes – we incorporate this into our planning process.
Trust, safety, and compliance
What happens if something goes wrong or I have a complaint?
Please communicate with us so we can attempt to address your concerns. We take our clients’ concerns very seriously. You may also file a complaint directly with our regulator, the SEC.
Are you insured to give financial advice?
Yes, we carry Errors & Omissions Insurance.
How can I check that you are appropriately authorised?
Do you have client stories or case studies I can read?
Please see the testimonials throughout our website or on the “Why choose us?” page.
How do you measure client satisfaction?
In our most recent survey from 2025, 100% of clients who responded said they believe that working with us has helped or will help them achieve their financial goals. You can see more highlights from this survey on our “Why choose us” page.
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