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Prepare Smart Questions for a Financial Advisor With AI

Meetings about retirement, investing or insurance can feel one-sided. AI can explain the terms beforehand and help you bring a sharper list of questions.

Step by step

  1. Ask what the terms mean. Explain fees, fiduciary, annuity and index fund in plain words.
  2. Write down your goals. When you want income, how much risk feels okay, who depends on you.
  3. Ask AI for questions. How are you paid? What are the total fees? What are the risks?
  4. Look up the advisor. Check them on official registries such as the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site or FINRA BrokerCheck.
  5. Never rush. Take papers home. Good advisors do not pressure you.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

I am meeting a financial advisor about my retirement savings. Explain what a fiduciary is, and give me ten questions to ask about fees, risk and conflicts of interest.

Good to know. Be wary of guaranteed returns, urgent offers and anyone asking you to keep a deal secret.

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Common questions

Can AI choose investments for me?

It should not. Use it to learn and prepare, then decide with a licensed professional.

How do I check an advisor?

Search their name on FINRA BrokerCheck or the SEC's adviser database.

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