TN Star

Starting a conversation about yourfinancial future can bring up a lot of questions. That’s a good thing. 

We’ve addressed the ones we hear most often below. If yours isn’t here, we’re always happy to talk through it.

Connect with our team.

  • 1. How is True North Advisors compensated?

    We are compensated in a few different ways, depending on the services you use.

    • For Retirement and Financial Plans, we charge a one-time planning fee.
    • For assets we professionally manage, we earn an annual advisory fee based on their value.
    • If insurance products are used for long-term care or lifetime income strategies, such as an annuity, the insurance company may pay us a commission.


    As fiduciaries, we are committed to recommending solutions that are in your best interest and cost-effective for your overall financial plan. We believe transparency is essential, and we clearly disclose all fees associated with any accounts or products we recommend or manage.

  • 2. Is there a minimum asset level to work with True North?

    We don’t have a strict minimum. What matters more to us is whether we can genuinely add value for you. If you’re unsure whether we’re a fit, the best first step is a conversation.

  • 3. Do you offer virtual meetings or work with out-of-state clients?

    Yes to both. We meet virtually or in person, whichever works best for you, and we regularly work with clients across the country.

  • 4. What makes True North different from other advisors?

    A few things set us apart:

    • As fiduciaries, we’re legally required to act in your best interest, not just recommend “suitable” products.
    • Our approach is holistic and personalized, focusing on your full financial picture, not just investments.
    • We emphasize education, transparency, and long-term relationships because we want you to truly understand your plan and feel confident in every decision.
  • 5. Do you offer tax or estate planning advice, or coordinate with outside professionals?

    Yes. Tax and estate planning are built into our financial planning process, not treated as add-ons. When specialized legal or tax work is needed, we coordinate directly with your CPA, attorney, or other professionals so nothing falls through the cracks.

  • 6. Can you help with business succession or planning for a liquidity event?

    Absolutely. We help clients plan for major financial transitions, including business sales or liquidity events. This includes tax-efficient strategies, investment planning, and long-term wealth preservation. We act as a strategic partner before, during, and after the transition.

  • 7. Do you offer second opinions on existing portfolios or financial plans?

    Yes, and there’s no obligation. We’ll take an objective look at your current strategy and evaluate it for risk, costs, tax efficiency, and alignment with your goals. Many people find it’s a useful gut-check, even if they ultimately stay the course.

  • 8. How do you build and manage investment portfolios?

    We start by building a custom asset allocation based on your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline. Portfolios are diversified and cost-conscious, often using passive investments to improve efficiency. From there, we monitor continuously and adjust your portfolio as markets shift or your life changes. Our team works alongside institutional money managers with dedicated research teams to keep a close eye on every portfolio.

  • 9. What’s your approach to minimizing taxes on my investments and retirement income?

    We incorporate tax-efficient strategies across your entire financial plan. This may include asset location, withdrawal strategies, and income timing. We coordinate with your tax professionals to help ensure you’re keeping more of what you’ve earned.

  • 10. Do you offer annuities, and how do you choose them?

    Yes. Annuities are tools we use thoughtfully – not as a default solution. We take an independent, research-driven approach, reviewing options across highly rated insurance companies. We only recommend an annuity when it truly adds value to your plan.

  • 11. Are annuities worth it, especially in a high-cost region like the Bay Area?

    It depends on your situation. Annuities can be genuinely valuable for clients who need guaranteed income or want added stability in retirement, especially in a higher-cost region like the Bay Area where predictable income matters. But they’re not right for everyone. We help you evaluate whether an annuity fits your broader income and tax strategy, or if there’s a better alternative.