Fee-only wealth management for high-net-worth individuals.
At $5M+ investable, the wirehouse 1% AUM model stops making sense. Fee-only RIAs deliver coordinated tax, estate, and investment strategy at 0.4-0.7% — with no product conflicts. Matched with advisors who specialize in HNW.
The wirehouse vs fee-only math on $10M
Typical wirehouse (Merrill, Morgan Stanley, UBS) charges 1.0-1.2% AUM on wrapped accounts, pushes mutual funds with 0.5-0.8% expense ratios, and earns kickbacks on proprietary products. At $10M, annual drag: ~$150-200K.
Typical fee-only HNW RIA charges 0.4-0.7% AUM on a transparent basis, uses low-cost index funds or direct indexing (0.04-0.3% expense ratio), no kickbacks, coordinated tax/estate planning included. At $10M, annual drag: ~$45-75K.
Planning dimensions specific to HNW
- Asset location across entity types. Taxable, IRA, Roth, HSA, trusts, 529s, maybe DAF — what to hold where optimizes after-tax returns. Most wirehouse advisors skip this entirely.
- Direct indexing with tax-loss harvesting. SMA replicating S&P 500 or similar, harvesting individual-stock losses continuously. At $5M+ AUM, typical annual tax alpha is 1-1.5% — worth $50-75K/yr.
- Concentrated-stock management. Inherited, executive comp, or post-exit concentrations. Exchange funds, CRUTs, gradual sell-down, direct indexing offsets.
- Private investments. Access to PE, VC, private credit, real estate — typically restricted by accredited-investor thresholds. Fee-only RIAs coordinate allocations without proprietary-fund conflicts.
- Coordinated planning. Your advisor quarterbacks tax (CPA), estate (attorney), insurance (broker), business-exit. Wirehouse advisors typically just manage the money, leaving coordination to you.
- Family wealth planning. Multi-generational strategy, governance, education of heirs, philanthropic structures.
Tools & guides
How to Choose a Fee-Only Wealth Advisor for High-Net-Worth
Credentials, fee structures, Form ADV reading guide, and 10 diagnostic questions that reveal whether an advisor has genuine HNW depth — or is a generalist who serves wealthy clients incidentally.
Wirehouse vs Fee-Only Fee Calculator
Estimate the annual cost difference on your current AUM + project 20-year impact on wealth.
Direct Indexing TLH Calculator
Estimate annual and cumulative tax-loss harvesting benefit from direct indexing on your taxable account.
Direct Indexing Guide: When It Actually Saves Money
How direct indexing works, the 23.8% federal-rate math, provider landscape (Aperio, Parametric, Vanguard), and the concentrated-stock synergy most advisors don't explain.
Complete Guide to HNW Wealth Management
Full guide: fee models, direct indexing, concentrated stock, coordination, family wealth planning.
Concentrated Stock Diversification Guide
Exchange funds, CRUTs, and gradual sell-down strategies — with a tax-cost calculator for your position.
Wirehouse vs Fee-Only RIA: The True Cost Comparison
Fee structures, the Reg BI vs fiduciary distinction, red flags to watch for, and how to evaluate an RIA before switching.
Private Banking vs Fee-Only Wealth Management
JP Morgan Private Bank, Goldman Sachs PWM, and Citi Private Bank vs fee-only RIAs — fee structures, minimums, the lending-centered vs planning-centered model difference, and when each makes sense for $5M–$50M investors.
Asset Location Optimizer
Calculate annual tax savings from placing bonds, REITs, US equity, and international equity in the right account types across your portfolio.
Family Office Services Explained
Single vs. multi-family office vs. fee-only RIA — what each costs, where the minimums are, and what works for $5M–$50M families.
Alternative Investments for HNW
Private equity, private credit, real assets, and hedge funds — access tiers (accredited vs. qualified purchaser), allocation sizing, J-curve, and fee transparency.
Estate Planning for $5M–$50M Families
OBBBA $15M permanent exemption, state estate taxes, ILIT/SLAT/CRUT structures, and coordination with your estate attorney.
Multi-Generational Wealth Planning
529 superfunding, annual gifting, GRATs, SLATs, FLPs, and the behavioral challenge of raising financially capable heirs — for $5M–$50M families.
QSBS Section 1202: The $15M Exclusion
Qualified Small Business Stock can eliminate federal tax on up to $15M of founder/investor exit gain. OBBBA 2025 rules, eligibility checklist, state tax traps (California), and interactive savings calculator.
Donor-Advised Fund Tax Strategy for HNW Donors
Donating appreciated stock to a DAF bypasses capital gains tax and generates a full FMV deduction. 2026 OBBBA rules, bunching strategy, DAF vs. private foundation comparison, and interactive scenario calculator.
Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Federal income tax + NIIT + state can take 45%+ of investment income at $5M+. Guide to NIIT, AMT post-OBBBA, QBI deduction, capital gains optimization, and state tax strategy — with an interactive NIIT calculator.
Business Exit Planning for HNW Owners
Stock vs. asset sale tax math, installment sales under IRC § 453, ESOP § 1042 elections, pre-close charitable strategies, and post-exit portfolio strategy for $5M–$50M exits.
Equity Compensation Planning: ISOs, RSUs, NQSOs
The 2026 tax mechanics for each equity comp type, the ISO AMT trap (interactive calculator), the RSU withholding gap, and how advisors model multi-year exercise strategies to minimize taxes.
RSU Tax Planning: Minimizing Taxes on Restricted Stock Units
Employers withhold only 22% on RSU vests, but executives in the 35–37% bracket owe 50–70% more than that. Guide covers the withholding gap, an interactive shortfall calculator, 5 tax-reduction strategies (estimated taxes, sell-to-diversify, DAF donation, TLH offset, 10b5-1 plans), state-sourcing traps for California and New York, and common cost-basis errors that generate unnecessary capital gains.
83(b) Election: Startup Equity's 30-Day Tax Window
Founders and early employees have 30 days from grant to file an 83(b) election — or owe ordinary income tax on every dollar of future appreciation. How it works, QSBS clock timing, ISO early exercise strategy, and an interactive tax savings calculator.
Tax-Loss Harvesting Strategies for HNW Investors
At 23.8% federal LTCG + NIIT, a disciplined TLH program on a $5M taxable account generates $20,000–$60,000 in annual tax savings — before state taxes. Wash sale rule, ETF pair substitutes, when TLH creates vs destroys value (step-up basis, DAF donations, domicile change), tax-gain harvesting in low-income years, and an interactive annual savings calculator.
Medicare IRMAA Planning for HNW Retirees
IRMAA surcharges add up to $13,872/year extra for a couple at the top tier. Interactive calculator shows your tier and cliff savings. Covers Roth conversion pacing, QCDs, capital gains timing, and the SSA-44 appeal process.
RMD Planning Strategies for High-Net-Worth Retirees
A $3M IRA forces $151K/year in taxable income starting at 73 — growing each year. RMD projection calculator shows your lifetime forced distributions, plus how QCDs ($111K/yr, MAGI-excluded), QLACs ($210K, 2026), Roth conversions, and the still-working exception reduce the bill before it starts.
Real Estate Tax Planning: 1031 Exchanges, DSTs, and Cost Segregation
Selling appreciated real estate triggers LTCG at 23.8% plus up to 25% depreciation recapture — before state taxes. Guide to 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts, 100% bonus depreciation via cost segregation (OBBBA), and QOZ strategy. Interactive tax deferral calculator.
Municipal Bonds for HNW Investors: Tax-Equivalent Yield Calculator
At 37% + 3.8% NIIT, a 3% muni bond equals a 5.07% taxable bond — before state. Interactive tax-equivalent yield calculator, AMT treatment of private activity bonds, IRMAA interaction, and how munis integrate with direct indexing and Roth conversions in an HNW portfolio.
Roth Conversion Strategy for HNW Households
Fill-the-bracket Roth conversion calculator with 2026 MFJ brackets, 6-tier IRMAA cliff detection, and T.D. 10001 inherited IRA 10-year rule math. Covers state tax arbitrage and when Roth conversion headroom is worth protecting.
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation (NQDC) for Executives
Section 409A election windows, 6 permissible distribution events, credit risk on employer-held assets, and Roth conversion coordination for executives with large NQDC balances.
Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA): The 401(k) Tax Strategy for Executives
Executives with employer stock in a 401(k) can pay LTCG rates — not ordinary income — on the appreciation by distributing shares in-kind instead of rolling to an IRA. On a $2M position with a $400K basis, this can save $100K–$200K in lifetime taxes. Interactive NUA vs. rollover calculator, estate step-up angle, and state tax conformity guide.
Social Security Timing Strategy for HNW Households
Investment-adjusted break-even calculator, WEP/GPO repeal, OBBBA senior deduction phase-out for HNW, survivor benefit math, and how SS integrates with IRMAA and Roth conversion strategy at $5M+.
Retirement Income Planning: Withdrawal Strategy at $5M–$20M
Why the 4% rule breaks at HNW scale, account sequencing (taxable→IRA→Roth), RMD planning (QCD, Roth conversion window), and a portfolio longevity calculator with 2026 LTCG stacking and IRMAA tier detection.
Backdoor Roth IRA for High Earners: 2026 Guide
Direct Roth contributions phase out at $252K MFJ in 2026. The backdoor and mega backdoor (up to $47,500/year) bypass the limit. Pro-rata trap explained, plus a Roth vs. taxable compounding calculator.
529 College Savings: Superfunding and Estate Strategy for HNW Families
For $5M+ households, 529s are an estate-planning tool first. Superfund $190K per beneficiary out of your estate in one move, use the SECURE 2.0 529-to-Roth rollover, and coordinate with the rest of your gifting strategy. 2026 rules + tax-free growth calculator.
Irrevocable Trust Strategies: GRAT, SLAT, and IDGT
GRATs transfer all appreciation above the 5.0% §7520 hurdle to heirs gift-tax-free. IDGTs use the lower 4.08% mid-term AFR and convert grantor income tax payments into invisible gifts. SLATs remove assets from your estate while preserving indirect spousal access. Interactive GRAT remainder calculator + strategy comparison table.
Trust Income Tax Planning: The Bracket Compression Problem
Irrevocable trusts hit the 37% bracket at $16,000 of income — vs $751,600 for married filers. For a family trust with $150K in annual income, that's $22,000+ in avoidable tax. Distribution timing, the 65-day trustee election, in-kind distributions, and grantor trust structure — with an interactive retain-vs-distribute calculator.
Cash Balance Plan + Solo 401(k) for HNW Business Owners
A 58-year-old practice owner netting $900K can shelter $320,000+/year in a solo 401(k) + cash balance plan combo — saving $140K+ in federal and state income tax annually. 2026 IRS limits ($290K §415(b) benefit ceiling), age-based contribution table, interactive tax savings calculator, and pre-business-sale exit strategy.
State Income Tax Planning: Domicile Change for HNW Households
A California household with $2M in annual income pays $266,000/year in state taxes that a Florida resident avoids entirely. Interactive domicile-change savings calculator, FTB and NY audit guide, and timing strategies for business sales, Roth conversions, and large capital gains around a state change.
Life Insurance for HNW: ILIT, PPLI, and Survivorship Strategies
At $5M–$50M, life insurance isn't about income replacement — it's about removing a large death benefit from a taxable estate (ILIT), sheltering alternative investments inside a tax-deferred wrapper (PPLI), or funding estate liquidity through a survivorship policy. Interactive ILIT estate tax savings calculator.
Private Foundation vs. Donor-Advised Fund: 2026 Guide
For families building a philanthropic institution, a private foundation offers full investment control, international grantmaking, and the ability to employ family members — at the cost of a 1.39% excise tax, 5% annual distribution requirement, and strict self-dealing rules. Interactive 10-year cost comparison calculator vs. DAF.
Asset Protection for High-Net-Worth Individuals
At $5M+ of net worth, you're a litigation target. A layered strategy — umbrella insurance ($5M–$25M), LLC charging-order protection, ERISA-exempt retirement accounts, homestead exemptions, and domestic asset protection trusts (DAPTs in Nevada or South Dakota) — dramatically reduces collectability and deters suits. Interactive umbrella coverage gap calculator.
Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT): Converting Appreciated Assets to Income
A CRUT converts a concentrated position or appreciated real estate into a tax-free income stream — permanently eliminating 23.8% federal capital gains on sale, paying you annually for a fixed term, then passing the remainder to charity. For a $2M position with $300K basis, that's $404K in gains permanently avoided. Interactive CRUT income calculator + Flip-CRUT guide for illiquid assets.
Charitable Lead Annuity Trust (CLAT): Wealth Transfer + Philanthropy
A zeroed-out CLAT transfers all above-5%-hurdle investment growth to heirs with $0 gift tax and $0 of your $15M exemption consumed — while directing a fixed annual stream to charity for the trust term. At §7520 = 5.00% (May 2026), a $5M trust returning 8% passes approximately $1.4M to heirs after funding $6.5M in charitable giving. Interactive CLAT wealth transfer calculator + CLAT vs GRAT vs CRT comparison.
Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) Investments: 2026 Guide
Defer capital gains and exclude federal tax on fund appreciation after 10 years. OBBBA made the program permanent with rolling QOZ 2.0 rules. If you hold an existing QOF, your deferred gain recognizes December 31, 2026 — plan now. Interactive QOF vs. pay-now calculator.
Family Limited Partnership (FLP): Valuation Discounts for Estate Planning
An FLP discounts LP interests by 20–40% for gift and estate tax purposes — transferring $1M of FLP assets while using only $650–$800K of gift/estate exemption. Each $19K annual exclusion gift moves $27K+ of underlying asset value at a 30% discount. Mechanics, § 2036 compliance guide, IRS case lessons, and interactive discount calculator.
Sudden Wealth Management: The First 90 Days
A business sale, inheritance, IPO payout, or real estate windfall that lands you at $5M+ creates urgent, largely irreversible tax decisions — many with hard deadlines. Guide covers the source-specific tax profile, estimated payment safe harbors, installment sale election windows, pre-close charitable strategies, advisory team assembly, windfall allocation framework, estate planning updates, and the most common mistakes that destroy new wealth in year one. Interactive first-steps checklist by windfall type.
Inherited IRA Planning for HNW Beneficiaries: 10-Year Rule & Annual RMDs
Most adult children who inherit a large IRA must take annual RMDs in years 1–9 (T.D. 10001) AND empty the account by year 10. On a $2M inherited IRA on top of a high-income year, that's $600K–$900K in federal taxes. Interactive 10-year projection calculator shows required distributions, marginal rates, and IRMAA warnings — plus Roth conversion coordination strategy.
Long-Term Care Planning for HNW: Self-Insure or Insure?
At $5M+, LTC planning isn't about Medicaid — it's about whether self-insuring from your portfolio beats paying premiums. 2025 care costs ($130K/yr nursing home), the sequential-care risk for couples, hybrid life/LTC products for HNW, and an interactive portfolio-impact calculator that shows depletion percentage and 20-year opportunity cost across care scenarios.
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HNW Advisor Match is a matching service. We connect you with vetted fee-only financial advisors in our network — we don't manage money or provide advice ourselves. Advisors in our network are fiduciaries who charge transparent fees (not product commissions), and we match you based on your specific situation.