Note: Securian Financial Services' SEC registration was terminated on August 11th, 2023. The following information is from previous ADV filings.
Securian Financial Services, Inc. traces its origins back to 1880 when it was initially established as a life insurance company. While the firm still offers insurance services, it has since expanded to provide an array of financial planning and investment management options.
Securian is a fee-based advisor. There is a massive team of advisors on staff, most of whom also work as broker-dealers. Most of the clients at Securian are individuals, but the St. Paul, Minnesota-based firm also works with institutional clients.
Securian Financial Services Background
Securian was founded in 1993 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Securian Financial Group, Inc. and an indirect subsidiary of a mutual insurance holding company called Minnesota Mutual Companies, Inc. In addition to doing business as a financial advisor, the firm is also a broker-dealer.
Securian Financial Services Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
The majority of the clients at Securian are individuals. The majority of them are not high-net-worth, though the firm does advise a good number of high-net-worth individual clients. Institutional clients include banking or thrift institutions, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, state or municipal government entities, other investment advisors and corporations.
The minimum account size at Securian depends on the services used:
- Retirement plan services: none
- Securian Advisory Annuity: $25,000
- Portfolio Solutions II Program: $50,000
- SEI Asset Allocation Program: $50,000
- SEI Managed Account Program and the Integrated Managed Account Program: $500,000 to $2,500,000 depending on strategy. Each portfolio also has a minimum account size between $50,000 and $250,000
- SEI Distribution Focused Strategies Program: $50,000 to $100,000 based on the strategy and features
- Buckingham Fund Strategist Portfolio Program: $500,000
- Buckingham Unified Managed Account Program: $100,000
- AssetMark Program: Ranging from $10,000 to $1,000,000, based on portfolio options
- Securian Legacy Advance Program: $500,000
- Securian Trust Connection: $500,000
- Individually managed investment management services: $10,000,000
Services Offered by Securian Financial Services
Services at Securian Financial Services include:
- Individual financial planning
- Business financial planning
- Retirement plan services
- Retirement plan participant advisory services
- Educational services
- Investment management services
- Securian Advisory Annuity
- Portfolio solutions
- Asset allocation programs
- Broker-dealer services
Securian Financial Services Investment Philosophy
Most client money at Securian is invested in mutual funds. The rest is invested in stocks, cash or cash equivalents and various bonds. Advisors invest client assets according to the particular program or strategy used.
Various methods of analysis are used to make investments including fundamental security analysis. Modern portfolio theory is used to develop the long-term strategies used with client accounts.
Securian Financial Services Fees
Fees at Securian depend on the services and program you use. The general asset management fees are as follows for any account started after September 25, 2014:
| Securian Financial Asset Management Fees | |
| Assets | Annual Fee |
| First $500,000 | 1.75% |
| Next $1,500,000 | 1.10% |
| Next $1,000,000 | 0.90% |
| Next $1,000,000 | 0.70% |
| Next $1,000,000 | 0.45% |
| Over $5,000,000 | 0.20% |
Financial planning fees are generally charged on an hourly rate not to exceed $500 an hour or on a fixed-fee.
Other programs have their own fees, available in the firm’s SEC brochure.
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. | |
| Estimated Investment Management Fees at Securian Financial Services* | |
| Your Assets | Securian Financial Services Fee Amount |
| $500K | $8,750 |
| $1MM | $14,250 |
| $5MM | $45,750 |
| $10MM | $55,750 |
What to Watch Out For
There is only one disclosure on the firm’s SEC record. In 2019, the firm conducted advisory business with four investment advisors who weren't registered in the state of Alaska. The violation resulted in a $10,000 fine.
Advisors at Securian may earn commissions for selling securities. This is a conflict of interest as advisors may have incentive to sell securities to clients based on the higher commissions, even if it isn’t the best choice for the client. When acting as an advisor, though, advisors must act in the best interest of the client.
Opening an Account With Securian Financial Services
Those interested in finding a financial professional can set up an appointment with an advisor by contacting the firm over the phone or in person. You can also go online to the firm's website to get in touch.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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