By Gregg Gonzalez, CFP®
When it comes to managing someone’s life savings, there’s no room for shortcuts. At RetireStrong Financial Advisors, our clients trust us with their future, and we don’t take that responsibility lightly.
That’s why we hold ourselves to the highest standard in the financial industry: the fiduciary standard. It’s not a tagline or marketing slogan. It’s a legal and ethical obligation and it’s the baseline of how we operate every single day.
Let’s unpack what that means and why it matters to you.
What Is a Fiduciary Advisor?
A fiduciary advisor is legally required to act in the best interest of their clients at all times. This obligation is both:
- Legal: Set by federal regulations like the Investment Advisers Act of 1940
- Ethical: Rooted in professional integrity, transparency, and care
This is different from the “suitability standard,” which allows some financial professionals to recommend products that are merely suitable (not necessarily optimal) for the client. Fiduciary advisors have no leeway.
The Legal Side: What the Law Requires
Fiduciary advisors must comply with strict legal requirements, including:
✅ Duty of Loyalty – Advisors must avoid conflicts of interest (and disclose any that do exist).
✅ Duty of Care – Advisors must provide well-researched, thoroughly considered advice tailored to the client’s situation.
✅ Full Disclosure – Clients must be informed of all fees, compensation, and material facts.
✅ Acting in Good Faith – Advisors must operate with honesty, diligence, and professionalism.
Failing to uphold these standards isn’t just bad business, it’s a breach of fiduciary duty with legal consequences.
The Ethical Side: What You Should Expect
Beyond legal compliance, being a fiduciary is about trust, empathy, and doing the right thing, even when no one’s looking.
At RetireStrong, we:
- Listen first – Every client is unique, and so are their financial goals.
- Educate, not sell – We explain your options in plain English so you can make confident decisions.
- Build long-term relationships – Our goal is not a transaction. It’s a trusted partnership.
Fiduciary responsibility isn’t something we turn on or off. It’s who we are. It’s the culture we’ve built and the promise we make to every client we serve.
Why Fiduciary Duty Is the Baseline at RetireStrong
Our clients are primarily women and couples 50+…people preparing for retirement, navigating Social Security, managing healthcare costs, and planning legacies. These are deeply personal and often complex conversations.
When someone sits down with us, they deserve to know:
- Their advisor is sitting on their side of the table
- Their best interests come before our business goals
- Their questions are welcomed, not brushed aside
Fiduciary responsibility is not just a box we check. It’s our baseline. The starting point of how we show up, serve, and support.
We Don’t Believe in Bare Minimums
Plenty of firms meet legal standards. At RetireStrong, we go further. We blend legal fiduciary duty with a human-first approach that prioritizes honesty, clarity, and care. We guide our clients through the forest of finances with confidence because they know we’ve got their back.
Let’s Start with Trust
If you’ve ever wondered whether your current advisor is legally obligated to put your needs first, it may be time for a second opinion. At RetireStrong, your interests are our priority because that’s what fiduciary means, and that’s who we are.
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
