One-Time Planning Services
Personalized Guidance, One-Time Fee.
At Portfolio Advisors, we understand that not everyone needs a full-time financial advisor. Sometimes, you just need honest answers to one pressing financial question.
Our One-Time Planning Services are built for exactly that. Whether it’s understanding your tax return, choosing the right time to claim Social Security, navigating a complex pension system, or getting a second opinion on your investment portfolio, we’ll help you get clarity and confidence.
Each service is grounded in our fiduciary commitment to serve your best interest — and tailored to give you clarity, direction, and peace of mind.
A one-time review gives you space to look closely at an important concern before you act, without taking on a longer-term commitment. You can use the recommendations to weigh your options and decide what makes the most sense for your situation.
Please Note: Our One-Time Planning Services are designed for a single, one-time engagement. The same service cannot be repeated annually.
Tax Return Review
Make sense of your tax situation — and find opportunities for improvement
Many people feel in the dark about their taxes and just need a few pointers from an experienced professional, such as an unexpected bill, an underwhelming refund, or are unsure if you’re missing something important.
We help you cut through the complexity. You’ll work with an experienced advisor who uses professional tools like Holistiplan to break down your return, flag areas of concern, and recommend actionable next steps without jargon or judgment.
What’s included:
- Initial 30-minute consultation
- Final 30-minute review of your Holistiplan Tax Report
- Written summary with key observations and planning recommendations
Price: $1,500
Optional Add-On ($500): Explore additional scenarios or future tax projections using Holistiplan.
Social Security Review
Confidently choose the right time and strategy to claim benefits
Claiming Social Security is a big decision — and many people feel anxious about getting it wrong. Whether you’re nearing retirement or already retired, you might be wondering:
Am I leaving money on the table? What if I file too early? Will I regret this later?
This service helps you understand your options, weigh the trade-offs, and make an informed choice. You’ll walk away with clarity on when and how to file, and how your benefits fit into your broader retirement plan.
What’s included:
- Initial 30-minute consultation
- Final 30-minute strategy session
- Personalized Social Security Analysis Report with clear guidance and recommendations
Price: $1,500
Optional Add-On ($500): Hands-on help with filing — online or in person — if you’ve got a complicated situation, are feeling overwhelmed, or unsure about the process.
CalSTRS / CalPERS Review
Clarity and confidence for California public retirement system participants
CalSTRS (California State Teachers’ Retirement System) and CalPERS (California Public Employees’ Retirement System) are complex systems — lots of choices that can feel impossible to decode. You may feel overwhelmed, confused, or fearful of making the wrong decision.
Whether you’re years away from retirement or fast approaching your exit date, we’ll help you break down and understand your benefits and options — and what actions (if any) you should take now.
What’s included:
- Initial 30-minute consultation
- Advisor attendance at your CalSTRS or CalPERS meeting
- Final 30-minute follow-up meeting
- Summary of your benefits, takeaways, and personalized guidance
You’ll get clear answers from an experienced professional who’s navigated these systems many times before.
Price: $1,500
Investment Second Opinion
Not sure if your portfolio is working for you? We’ll give you a clear-eyed view
You’ve been investing, but something doesn’t feel right. Maybe you’re wondering if you’re paying too much in fees, taking on too much (or too little) risk, or if your current advisor is really acting in your best interest.
We provide a second set of eyes, giving you independent feedback on what you own, what you’re paying, and whether your portfolio still fits your goals.
What’s included:
- 15-30 minute review call to go over your statements and goals
- Final 30-minute consultation to walk through our portfolio analysis
- Portfolio Comparison Report with observations and recommendations.
Ideal for: Individuals with existing portfolios who want objective feedback without changing advisors yet.
Price: $1,500
Who Can Benefit From One-Time Financial Planning
One-time financial planning may be useful when you already manage much of your financial life on your own but want expert input before making an important decision. An outside perspective can help you spot something you may have missed, test your assumptions, and better understand the tradeoffs involved.
This approach may also suit people who have already done some research and feel comfortable putting recommendations into action themselves. In those situations, the goal is to get informed guidance while remaining in control of what you choose to do next.
An upcoming deadline or milestone can be a good reason to seek one-time guidance. You may be approaching retirement, deciding when to claim Social Security, evaluating a benefits election, or considering a change to your investment strategy.
When Ongoing Financial Planning May Make More Sense
Some financial needs extend beyond a single question or decision. If you want regular guidance across several areas of your finances, an ongoing advisory relationship may be a better fit.
That may include reviewing your investment strategy, retirement income needs, tax considerations, and cash flow as your circumstances evolve. A continuing relationship also gives your advisor more opportunities to revisit earlier recommendations and adjust them when your priorities or financial situation shift.
If you expect to need regular review and coordination across several areas of your finances, ongoing planning can provide support beyond the scope of a one-time engagement.
How to Prepare for a One-Time Financial Planning Review
A little preparation can make a one-time review more focused and productive. Start by gathering the documents that relate directly to the issue you want to discuss, such as recent tax returns, investment statements, Social Security information, or CalSTRS or CalPERS materials. Review them beforehand so you can flag anything you do not understand or want your advisor to look at more closely.
If several accounts or documents relate to the same financial situation, bring the most current information for each one. For example, a retirement review may involve investment balances, pension estimates, benefit information, and recent tax documents. Having those pieces together can give your advisor a more complete view of what you are considering.
Next, think about the decision itself. Write down the questions you want answered, the options you are considering, and any deadlines that could affect your timing. If your circumstances have recently shifted — for example, because of retirement, a change in income, or new benefits information — include that context as well.
Bring any calculations, estimates, or notes you have already gathered so your advisor knows what you have considered so far. It is also worth thinking about what you hope to get from the review. You may want a second opinion, help comparing two options, or a clearer sense of what to do next.
What to Expect
One flat fee. One clear deliverable. No pressure to commit long term.
After your Initial Consultation, we’ll schedule your Final Review (typically within two weeks). You’ll leave with a personalized report and planning recommendations — yours to keep and use.
Please Note: Our One-Time Planning Services are designed for a single, one-time engagement. The same service cannot be repeated annually.
Bonus: If you decide to become an ongoing-client within 30 days, we’ll credit the full cost of your one-time service toward your first year of advisory fees.
Payment is collected by check at the Initial Consultation.
For more information on the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ credential, please see our Disclosures page. Not all services will be necessary or appropriate for all clients, and the potential value and benefit of the adviser’s services will vary based upon a variety of factors, such as the client’s investment and financial circumstances and overall objectives. Neither customized services nor the scope or nature of financial planning should be construed as guarantees of a particular outcome.
Comprehensive financial planning indicates that financial planning will be informed by the material financial and investment circumstances of the client, as communicated by the client to the adviser, but may not consider literally all aspects of a client’s financial affairs. Clients are free to accept or reject any planning recommendations provided by the firm and may choose to implement accepted recommendations with the professional(s) of the client’s choosing.
The effectiveness and potential success of the adviser’s services can depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the manner and timing of implementation, the client’s tax bracket and financial circumstances, coordination with the client and the client’s other engaged professionals, market conditions, and other factors. Portfolio Advisors, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and does not provide legal or tax advice.
Website visitors and clients should consult an attorney or tax professional regarding their specific legal or tax situation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing comes with risk, including risk of loss.