The questions we hear
most often.

Our advisors who have earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification have met rigorous education, experience, and ethical requirements. Their insights reflect a dedication to the highest standards in financial planning. As an SEC-registered investment adviser, we are committed to acting in our clients’ best interests. We do not accept commissions or offer proprietary products.

A fiduciary financial advisor helps you organize your financial life, create a plan to reach your goals, and guide investment decisions—while being legally required to act in your best interests. GDS operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning we do not receive commissions or compensation for recommending proprietary products.

We are a fee-only financial management firm, meaning there are no commissions, no kickbacks, and no proprietary products. The only fee you pay is determined by the size and complexity of your situation and generally ranges from 0.50% to 1.25% of assets under management.

Here at GDS Wealth Management, our clients are truly the heart of our business. We place them first through our commitment to delivering highly personalized service. We work closely with our clients to create a financial plan that addresses their individual financial needs and goals, and we maintain active, involved relationships throughout the planning process. When you work with our team, you receive our unwavering commitment to helping you pursue your financial goals.

As involved as you want to be. Some clients prefer to stay close to every decision, others prefer us to handle the details—we’re structured to support both. Schedule an introduction call with our team to learn more about our involvement.

Yes. GDS works with clients throughout the United States. We effectively deliver our services both in-person and remotely, depending on your location and what works best for you. Please feel free to reach out to our office today to schedule your initial consultation. We would love to speak with you about your financial goals.

Responsive communication is a standard here, not an exception. We take pride in timely communication because we know that when it comes to your financial life, silence isn’t reassuring. Whether you have a quick question or need to work through something more, you can expect timely communication and clear updates throughout the process.

In order to ensure that our clients receive the exemplary service and personalized attention that we are known for, our clients have a minimum of $1,000,000 in investable assets.

GDS provides comprehensive wealth planning services built around your entire financial life, including investment management, retirement planning, tax-aware strategies, and estate and legacy planning. Every recommendation starts with a tailored strategy and is continuously updated as your goals and circumstances evolve, with ongoing guidance and regular reviews to support your financial plan.

You deserve personalized financial guidance that fits your unique goals and circumstances. That’s why we offer a complimentary, no-obligation consultation where you can explore your financial priorities and see if our approach aligns with your needs. During this initial meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your objectives, and determine whether partnering with a GDS Wealth Management financial advisor feels right for you.

Financial planning is the overall strategy for your financial life—covering everything from retirement and tax planning to cash flow, insurance, and estate considerations. Investment management focuses specifically on how your assets are invested to support that broader plan.

A comprehensive financial plan includes retirement planning, income strategies, tax planning considerations, investment management, risk management, and legacy planning, all tailored to your financial goals and long-term objectives.

Generally, your financial plan should be reviewed at least annually, or whenever a major life event occurs, such as retirement, a career change, an inheritance, or the sale of a business. Your financial plan should evolve as your goals and circumstances change.

Strategic financial planning can help identify tax-efficient opportunities through account structure, investment selection, withdrawal strategies, charitable giving, and long-term planning.

A financial plan can evaluate your income, expenses, savings, investments, and retirement goals to determine whether you’re on track. It can also highlight adjustments that may improve your long-term outlook.

While every financial plan should be tailored to your unique goals and circumstances, a well-constructed plan typically includes:

• Personalized goals that reflect your current priorities and future aspirations.
• Adjustments for inflation to help preserve purchasing power over time.
• Healthcare cost projections, including premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
• Investment return assumptions aligned with your risk tolerance and long-term objectives.
• Social Security timing strategies designed to help maximize lifetime benefits.
• Long-term care planning to address potential coverage gaps.
• Asset allocation guidance, distinguishing between assets incorporated into the plan and those held in reserve.
• Life event planning, including milestones such as retirement, education funding, or extended longevity.
• Tax-aware strategies designed to improve overall tax efficiency.

We reinforce each client’s plan through our service model, which generally includes in-depth semi-annual reviews to assess progress toward their financial goals. In addition to scheduled reviews, we communicate regularly regarding updates to the plan as clients’ needs, priorities, and circumstances evolve.

Yes. Our planning process includes comprehensive Social Security analysis to help clients evaluate claiming strategies and retirement income decisions. We help clients understand their claiming options at different ages and evaluate which strategies may best align with their financial goals and retirement plan.

Choosing to work with a wealth manager is a highly personal choice that should not be taken lightly. Experienced wealth managers, such as our team members at GDS Wealth Management, work to provide clients with peace of mind. Our team prioritizes personal relationships with our clients. We take the time to get to know you and your financial needs before developing a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your goals. Experience personalized financial planning with our dedicated team.

The amount you need to retire depends on your lifestyle, spending needs, retirement age, healthcare costs, and long-term goals. A personalized retirement plan can help determine how much you may need to support the retirement you envision.

While 4% is often used as a starting guideline, the right withdrawal rate depends on your investments, retirement timeline, market conditions, and income needs. Many retirees benefit from a flexible withdrawal strategy that can adapt over time.

Retirement income typically comes from a combination of investment withdrawals, Social Security benefits, pensions, and other assets. A well-designed income strategy can help provide consistent cash flow while managing taxes and preserving assets.

The best time to claim Social Security depends on factors such as your health, life expectancy, income needs, marital status, and retirement goals. Strategic timing can help maximize your lifetime Social Security benefits.

Common retirement risks include outliving your savings, market volatility, inflation, rising healthcare expenses, and unexpected life events. A comprehensive financial plan can help you prepare for these challenges and make more informed financial decisions as circumstances evolve.

We believe in an actively managed and diversified portfolio tailored to your specific needs and goals. Because every client’s financial goals are unique, we create an investment strategy designed to align with your overall financial plan. When we build portfolios, we use a variety of assets, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual stocks, derivative-based products, and cash and cash equivalents. We involve our clients throughout the planning process to help ensure their portfolio aligns with their individual strategy and financial goals.

Market downturns are a normal part of investing. A well-built financial plan incorporates diversification, risk management, and long-term strategies designed to help clients navigate periods of market volatility while remaining focused on their long-term financial goals.

A will outlines how assets should be distributed after your death, while a trust can help manage assets during your lifetime and may help avoid probate. Depending on the type of trust and your circumstances, a trust may also provide greater privacy and control over how and when assets are distributed to beneficiaries.

Depending on the size and structure of your estate, planning strategies may help reduce estate, gift, and income tax burdens for your heirs. Proper planning can also help facilitate the efficient transfer of wealth to future generations.

An estate plan often includes a will, trust, powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations. Together, these documents can help manage your affairs during your lifetime and provide clear instructions for your loved ones.

You should review your estate plan regularly and update it after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, inheritance, or significant changes in assets. Keeping your plan current helps ensure it continues to reflect your wishes and family circumstances.