Founded in 1983, it is a fiduciary and focuses on offering independent advice supported by a team of specialists and a rigorous investment process.
Altfest builds customized investment portfolios based on each client’s goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs, and manages them on a discretionary basis with ongoing oversight and rebalancing.
The advisory firm also offers comprehensive planning services that integrate retirement planning, tax strategies, estate and trust considerations, insurance, cashflow guidance, and funding education into one long-term plan.
It provides access to investment funds and offers ERISA fiduciary services for employer-sponsored retirement plans.
What are the pros and cons of Altfest Personal Wealth Management?
Altfest Personal Wealth Management offers advisor-led wealth management that combines active investment management and comprehensive financial planning, making it suitable for clients who want personalized portfolios and financial advice from specialists.
Its strengths include a fiduciary, fee-only model, tailored investment strategies, and access to private investment vehicles that expand beyond traditional public markets.
However, there is much to consider, especially for investors seeking low-cost automated solutions or those who prefer DIY investing.
Pros of Altfest Personal Wealth Management:
A transparent, fee-only fiduciary model: Altfest has a clear and transparent fee structure as a fee-only fiduciary, so it doesn’t work on commission or sell financial products. This is designed to ensure that advice is aligned with clients’ best interests.
Advisor-led, customized portfolio management: Altfest builds portfolios around each client’s goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs. It manages portfolios on a discretionary basis with continual oversight and rebalancing.
Comprehensive financial planning: Clients get planning that incorporates retirement projections, tax strategies, estate and trust considerations, cashflow planning, insurance, and funding education. It is supported by a team of specialists.
Access to private investment funds: Eligible clients can invest in private investment funds, including an alternative value fund and real estate-focused funds, broadening diversification opportunities beyond traditional markets.
Dedicated ERISA fiduciary services for retirement plans: Altfest offers 3(21) and 3(38) services for employer-sponsored plans, including ongoing monitoring and a cost overview.
Cons of Altfest Personal Wealth Management:
Higher minimum asset requirement: Its standard investment management service generally requires a $1 million portfolio (with limited exceptions), making it inaccessible to beginner investors or those with smaller portfolios.
It’s not a digital or algorithm-based platform: Altfest doesn’t offer automated investing or low-cost digital portfolio management, so it may not appeal to investors who value these features.
Private funds have liquidity limits and extra costs: Real estate and alternative funds may have separate management charges, incentive fees linked to performance, and reduced liquidity due to their private structure.
Comprehensive planning may not be necessary: Clients who only want basic investment management or minimal advisor support may find Altfest’s full service model more extensive and expensive than required.
Altfest offers a transparent fee-only structure and personalized investment and planning services, making it suitable for clients who want advisor-led guidance and access to a broad range of financial strategies, including private funds.
However, its high asset minimums and lack of automated investing tools may make it less aligned with investors seeking low-cost digital solutions or simplified portfolio management.
Investors considering alternatives to Altfest Personal Wealth Management may also compare other personalised, advisor-led firms such as Mission Wealth, Ritholtz Wealth Management or Annex Wealth Management, which similarly focus on tailored planning and investment strategies. Those looking for more automated or hybrid guidance could explore options like Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium, SoFi Automated Investing or Empower Personal Strategy for a blend of digital portfolio management and planning support.
Altfest Personal Wealth Management fees: how much does it cost?
Altfest Personal Wealth Management typically charges a tiered, asset-based advisory fee ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% of assets under management, with separate fees for financial planning, investment reviews, private funds, and ERISA fiduciary services.
Below is a detailed breakdown of Altfest’s advisory fees across its investment management, planning, and retirement plan services.
Investment management fees:
Altfest’s standard investment management fee schedule is:
| Assets | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| The first $3 million | 1% |
| Between $3 million and $6 million | 0.75% |
| Over $6 million | 0.5% |
Additional billing rules include:
Portfolios of under $2 million have an additional minimum advisory fee of 0.1%.
Fees are billed quarterly in advance, based on the prior quarter-end market value.
Deposits or withdrawals of $50,000 or more after quarter-end generate prorated adjustments in the next billing period.
The firm’s minimum portfolio size is $1 million, with exceptions at the firm’s discretion.
Fees for select investment review clients:
$600–$900 per hour, depending on complexity.
If specific recommendations are requested, there is a minimum fee of $5,000.
Clients typically pay 50% upfront and 50% upon delivery.
Clients may end the agreement anytime and pay only for hours worked.
Financial planning fees:
Financial planning services are billed on a fixed-fee basis, determined by complexity, scope, and negotiated terms.
50% retainer due after the fact-finding session.
Remaining balance due upon plan delivery.
Plans are typically completed within a few months, and no later than six months.
ERISA 3(21) & 3(38) fiduciary services fees:
For employer-sponsored retirement plans, the annual fees are:
| Assets | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $3 million | 0.75% |
| Between $3 million and $6 million | 0.6% |
| Between $6 million and $10 million | 0.45% |
| Between $10 million and $15 million | 0.35% |
| Between $15 million and $20 million | 0.3% |
| Between $20 million and $30 million | 0.25% |
| Over $30 million | 0.2% |
Fees are billed quarterly by using the quarter-end valuation of assets.
Altfest’s fees reflect its advisor-led, full-service model, with investment management charged via a tiered AUM schedule and separate pricing for financial planning, private funds, select investment reviews, and ERISA plan services.
While costs are higher than automated platforms, the firm’s fee-only structure and transparent billing are designed to support personalized advice.
What is Altfest Personal Wealth Management’s minimum account size?
Altfest’s minimum requirements reflect its positioning as an advisor-led wealth management firm. Its core investment management service requires a higher starting balance than digital platforms, while other services apply minimum fees rather than minimum assets.
The standard minimum portfolio size for Altfest’s investment management clients is $1 million, but it may make exceptions at its discretion.
Other service tiers, including the Young Professionals program and Select Investment Review service, don’t have asset minimums but instead apply minimum quarterly fees or project fees.
| Assets | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| Service | Minimum requirement |
| Investment management (standard) | $1 million (exceptions are possible). |
| Young Professionals program | Minimum quarterly fee of $1,250. |
| Select Investment Review | Minimum fee of $5,000 (for specific recommendations). |
Altfest is a traditional full-service wealth manager with a $1 million minimum. The Young Professionals program and project-based review services provide more accessible entry points for those seeking limited advice.
Who should choose Altfest Personal Wealth Management?
Altfest is suitable for clients who want an advisor-led and highly personalized wealth management that combines active investment management and comprehensive financial planning.
It appeals to individuals and families seeking tailored portfolios, holistic planning, and access to alternative investment opportunities not offered by automated investing platforms.
Altfest Personal Wealth Management works well for:
High-net-worth clients seeking tailored portfolio management: With a standard minimum portfolio size of $1 million, the firm is suitable for clients who want asset allocation, discretionary management, and ongoing oversight from specialists.
Individuals who want comprehensive, multi-area planning: Clients with complex needs, such as retirement planning, tax strategies, estate and trust planning, insurance, or education funding, benefit from Altfest’s collaborative approach.
Investors who prefer a fee-only fiduciary: Those seeking independent advice with no commission or product sales, and a transparent fee structure may find Altfest suitable.
Clients interested in alternative investments: Investors looking for exposure beyond traditional market assets may want access to Altfest-managed private funds, including alternative value and real estate strategies.
Employers needing fiduciary support for retirement plans: Businesses seeking ERISA 3(21) or 3(38) fiduciary services, such as fund lineup selection, cost evaluation, and education, may find retirement plan services aligned with their needs.
Altfest Personal Wealth Management may not be suitable for:
Investors with smaller portfolios: As the standard advisory minimum is $1 million, Altfest may not be accessible to clients with smaller portfolios.
Those seeking low-cost automated investing: Altfest doesn’t offer robo-advisor services or automated investing tools, making it less suitable for those seeking algorithm-driven management or low advisory fees.
DIY investors or active traders: The firm doesn’t provide a platform for frequent trading, stock picking, or DIY investing strategies.
Clients who need only basic or transactional financial advice: The comprehensive planning model may exceed the needs of individuals looking for simple investment support or limited advice.
Altfest Personal Wealth Management: Is it secure?
Yes, Altfest is a secure and regulated provider of advisory services.
It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), so it operates under fiduciary obligations and US privacy regulations that require the protection of client information.
Altfest has a comprehensive privacy framework and follows US financial privacy laws, including the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). The firm acts as a data controller, limits access to nonpublic personal information, and explains how client data is collected, used, and protected.
Client assets are typically held with independent third-party custodians, not by Altfest, which means the firm doesn’t have physical custody of client funds or securities. This helps ensure that client assets remain in separate accounts at qualified custodians, consistent with SEC rules.
Altfest is a fee-only fiduciary, so it is legally required to act in clients’ best interests, fully disclose fees and potential conflicts, and avoid compensation that may affect recommendations.
Its regulatory status, privacy framework, and use of third-party custodians provide protections consistent with the standard requirements for SEC-registered advisory firms.
As with any financial service, no system is entirely risk-free, but Altfest’s safeguards align with those of other regulated fiduciary advisors.
Altfest Personal Wealth Management: Customer service
Altfest’s customer service focuses on direct, advisor-led support rather than automated assistance. As a full-service wealth management firm, clients primarily work with an advisor who provides ongoing portfolio oversight, financial planning, and periodic reviews tailored to their individual needs.
Clients can interact through scheduled meetings, email, and over the phone with an advisory team. The firm has offices in New York and other locations, allowing clients to connect with specialists during standard business hours in the regions where the firm operates.
As Altfest doesn’t offer digital support or automated chat tools, its service model focuses on personalized advice rather than on-demand assistance. This is suitable for individuals who prefer to talk to an advisor directly.
However, investors seeking 24/7 digital support or live chat may find Altfest less flexible than platforms designed around automated service channels.
Is Altfest Personal Wealth Management worth it?
Whether Altfest Personal Wealth Management is worth it depends on what you are looking for.
For individuals who want a fully advisor-led experience, Altfest offers tailored portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and access to private investment opportunities through a fee-only fiduciary model that focuses on personalized advice.
Its team-based approach and emphasis on long-term planning make it suitable for clients with complex financial situations or those who value working directly with an advisor.
The firm’s ability to integrate tax, estate, retirement, and investment planning can be especially beneficial for high-net-worth households seeking coordinated financial oversight.
However, Altfest may be less suitable for investors who prefer low-cost automated investing or a digital platform. It doesn’t offer a proprietary app or algorithm-driven portfolio management, and its $1 million minimum portfolio size means it isn’t accessible to most new investors or those with smaller portfolios.
Those who want DIY trading or simple investment tools may also find the advisor-centric model more in-depth than needed.
Get expert financial advice
If you need expert financial advice, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will help you manage your money and maximize your investments.