Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, Creative Planning, Inc. is one of the largest financial advisor firms. The fee-based firm's premier services include wealth management, financial planning, estate planning, retirement planning and more.
Creative planning has won multiple titles from various financial publications. In 2017, Barron’s named Creative Planning the “No. 1 Independent Wealth Management Firm in America.” Furthermore, from 2014 to 2018, the Financial Times named Creative Planning to its list of the top RIAs in America.
Creative Planning Background
Creative Planning is under the ownership of Peter Mallouk. Mallouk is the president and co-chief investment officer (CIO) of the firm. Although the firm was originally founded in 1983, Mallouk didn’t acquire it until 2003. Additionally, Mallouk held the title of top independent financial advisor in America from 2013 to 2015.
With more than 400 advisory employees, the Creative Planning team holds a number of certifications. These include certified financial planners (CFPs), certified investment management analysts (CIMAs), chartered retirement planning counselors (CRPCs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and more.
What Types of Clients Does Creative Planning Accept?
Individuals are far and away the most common client type at Creative Planning. The firm also works with high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, state and municipal governments, businesses and charitable organizations.
Creative Planning Minimum Account Size
The minimums at Creative Planning vary depending on the type of services you’re looking for. Here are the firm’s minimum requirements:
- Financial planning services: $500,000
- Portfolio mangement services: $100,000
- Retirement account services: $30,000
Services Offered by Creative Planning
Creative Planning’s services are incredibly widespread. Here’s a breakdown of what this firm can offer you:
- Private wealth management
- General investment management
- Financial planning
- Long-term financial goal planning
- Investment management
- Tax planning
- Risk management and insurance planning
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Long-term care planning
- Debt management
- 401(k) services
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan consulting
- Fiduciary services
- Plan design
- Employee education programs
- Investment committee oversight
- Plan fund performance reviews and comparisons
- Institutional services
- Tax minimization strategies
- Risk management
- Asset allocation and spending analysis
- Research and trustee education
- Portfolio liquidity management
- Grant operations assistance
- Investment policy statement (IPS) design
- Manager evaluation and selection
- Automated Investment Program, with Charles Schwab
- Specialized services for ultra-affluent clients
Creative Planning Investment Philosophy
Creative Planning looks to tailor its investment strategies to the needs of its clientele. To do this, the firm takes stock of your ultimate financial goals. In turn, your advisory team will build an investment plan to help you reach those goals. On top of this, the firm will take into account your risk tolerance, liquidity needs and time horizon.
For the most part, Creative Planning assembles investment portfolios using stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), bonds, mutual funds and alternative investments. Rather than stick to one or two specific securities, the firm will diversify your funds across a collection of investments. It does this to protect your money from harsh market crashes.
In some cases, your advisor may adjust their investment strategy. This includes special situations, like inheritances, stock options, legacy holdings and unique tax considerations.
Fees Under Creative Planning
The vast majority of fees Creative Planning charges operate on an annualized, asset-based fee schedule. In other words, the value of your portfolio dictates what rates you pay. The more assets you have invested with the firm, the lower the percentage drops.
Although the rates below are in annual percentages, the firm charges them on a quarterly basis, in arrears. Your exact payments will be based on either the fair market value or an agreed upon value of your assets on the last business day of each calendar quarter.
| Portfolio Management Fees | |
| Assets Under Management | Annual Fee |
| First $500,000 | 1.2% |
| $500,001 - $2,000,000 | 1% |
| $2,000,001 - $5,000,000 | 0.85% |
| $5,000,001 - $10,000,000 | 0.80% |
| $10,000,001 - $25,000,000 | 0.70% |
| $25,000,001 - $50,000,000 | 0.40% |
| $50,000,001 - $100,000,000 | 0.30% |
| Over $100,000,000 | 0.25% |
The fees associated with the firm’s financial planning services operate quite a bit differently. More specifically, if you have more than $500,000 in AUM at the firm, it will comprehensively include financial planning in your portfolio management service. Under other circumstances, the firm may charge you a $1,500 to $15,000 fixed fee.
Check out the table below to see how Creative Planning’s fees for its management services compare to those at similar financial advisor firms. Note that these fees are only estimates and actual costs may vary.
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. | |
| Estimated Portfolio Management Service Fees at Creative Planning* | |
| Your Assets | Fee Amounts |
| $500K | $6,000 |
| $1MM | $11,000 |
| $5MM | $46,500 |
| $10MM | $86,500 |
What to Watch Out For
According to its Form ADV, Creative Planning has one disclosure in 2021 for failing to enforce its code of ethics with regard to radio advertisements.
As a fee-based firm, some of Creative Planning's advisors are licensed as insurance company agents and can earn a commission for selling those products. This creates a conflict of interest. Nevertheless, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, and therefore must act in your best interest at all times.
Opening an Account With Creative Planning
To join forces with Creative Planning, you can either call its headquarters in Kansas at (866) 909-5148, email cpi@creativeplanning.com or visit one of its offices. If you’d prefer, the firm also boasts a “Request a Meeting” form on its website that asks for some personal information before it offers you a free consultation.
Creative Planning’s main office is in Overland Park, Kansas at 5454 West 110th Street.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
Tips for Choosing a Financial Advisor
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- Consider financial advisors' certifications, which can be indicative of an advisor's area of expertise and level of experience. For example, if you want some help with life insurance or estate planning, a chartered life underwriter (CLU) might be a good fit. If you're concerned about tax planning, consider a certified public accountant (CPA).
