Carson Wealth review: is this advisory firm the right fit for you?
In this review, we cover Carson Wealth’s services, fees, and client feedback to help you decide if it's the right fit for you.
Carson Wealth: Who are they?
Carson Wealth is a national wealth management and financial advisory firm founded in 1983 by Ron Carson, a well-known thought leader, author, and speaker in the personal finance space.
Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the firm is part of the Carson Group, which also includes coaching and partnership services for other advisors.
With billions in assets under management (AUM) and over 100 partner firms nationwide, Carson Wealth has grown into a respected leader in independent, client-centric financial advice.
The firm is built around a mission of helping clients achieve clarity, confidence, and control over their financial lives.
What does Carson Wealth offer?
Carson Wealth delivers comprehensive financial services that go beyond traditional investment advice. Their offerings include:
Investment management: Strategic, risk-based portfolios
Financial planning: Retirement, tax, college, and estate planning
Wealth coaching: Behavior-focused financial education and goal-setting
Business owner services: Succession planning, liquidity strategies
Tax planning and coordination: Integration with CPAs and tax advisors
Insurance reviews and guidance: No commissions or product pushing
The firm serves individuals, families, business owners, and retirees, focusing on life-stage and values-based planning.
Carson Wealth’s business model explained
Carson Wealth operates as a fee-only, fiduciary RIA (Registered Investment Advisor). This means:
No product commissions
Advisors are paid through advisory fees only
All advice is legally obligated to be in the client’s best interest
The firm’s advisors are salaried or incentive-aligned, not compensated by product sales, creating an atmosphere of trust and transparency.
Many of their partner firms also adopt this same client-first approach, extending the firm’s ethical standards nationwide.
What are the pros and cons of Carson Wealth?
Pros of Carson Wealth:
Fiduciary, fee-only financial advice
Personalized planning focused on long-term goals
Deep bench of specialists, including CFP® professionals
Strong educational and behavioral finance foundation
No proprietary products or hidden commissions
Cons of Carson Wealth:
May have higher minimums than digital platforms
Not designed for DIY or day-trading investors
Limited international presence outside US partnerships
Some advisors operate semi-independently, creating variability
What are Carson Wealth’s minimum investment requirements?
Carson Wealth’s minimum investment requirements vary depending on the type of portfolio and advisory service selected:
General minimum: Most managed accounts require a minimum investment of $10,000.
Strategy-specific minimums: Some model portfolios may require between $5,000 and $250,000, based on the complexity and nature of the strategy.
Exceptions: These minimums may be waived at the firm’s discretion, considering factors such as:
Total client relationship value
Asset types within the account
Time and resources required to manage the account
Advisor-client relationship dynamics
Is Carson Wealth a fiduciary?
Yes, Carson Wealth is a fiduciary.
As an SEC-registered RIA, all of their advisors are required by law to act in your best interest. The firm is 100% fee-only, meaning they don’t sell financial products, insurance, or annuities for commission.
This fiduciary commitment is part of what distinguishes Carson from many hybrid advisors or brokers operating under a “suitability” standard rather than a true fiduciary duty.
What are Carson Wealth’s fees?
Carson Wealth employs a tiered fee structure for asset management, which decreases as the total assets under management (AUM) increase:
1.80% for assets under $2 million
1.55% for assets between $2 million and $5 million
1.00% for assets between $5 million and $25 million
0.90% for assets between $25 million and $50 million
0.80% for assets over $50 million
Fees are calculated using a tiered approach, meaning each portion of the portfolio is charged at its corresponding rate.
For instance, a $9 million portfolio would incur fees as follows:
$2 million at 1.80% = $36,000
$3 million at 1.55% = $46,500
$4 million at 1.00% = $40,000
Total annual fee: $122,500
Carson Wealth also offers financial planning services:
Comprehensive wealth plan: $1,000 per $1 million in total assets, with a minimum fee of $3,500. This fee is collected upfront when the wealth plan agreement is signed.
Focused wealth plan: Valued at $1,500, this plan is designed for clients who do not require a comprehensive plan. The fee can be waived or applied toward a Comprehensive Wealth Plan if the client upgrades.
These planning services include personalized cash-flow analysis, risk management planning, and Social Security analysis.
It's important to note that fees may vary depending on the specific services and advisor selected.
Clients are encouraged to review the fee structure in detail and discuss any questions with their advisor.
Who does Carson Wealth serve best?
Carson Wealth is a great fit for:
Individuals and families approaching retirement
Business owners navigating succession and exit planning
Executives with stock compensation and complex tax needs
Clients looking for goal-based, life-focused planning
Their planning philosophy appeals most to those who value professional guidance and want more than just an investment portfolio; they want a financial life plan.
Carson Wealth may not be ideal for:
Investors with less than $250K to invest
Traders or those looking for self-directed brokerage platforms
People seeking purely digital or robo-advisory services
Carson Wealth investment philosophy
Carson Wealth believes that long-term success comes from planning, discipline, and evidence-based investing. Their portfolios are built using:
Diversified global asset allocation
Low-cost ETFs and mutual funds
Periodic rebalancing
Risk-based portfolio models tailored to each client’s goals
They avoid market timing and speculative strategies, focusing instead on behavioral coaching to help clients stay on track through market cycles. This approach is rooted in Ron Carson’s decades of industry experience and commitment to financial education.
What’s the real client feedback on Carson Wealth?
Carson Wealth is widely recognized for its personalized, planning-first approach.
The firm has earned national recognition, ranking #9 on Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors and holding an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
However, prospective clients should be aware that its fees can run higher than average, reaching up to 2.5% of assets under management or $500 per hour (ComparisonAdviser, Reddit).
Carson Wealth vs. Edelman Financial and Facet Wealth
| Firm | Model | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Firm | Model | Best For |
| Carson Wealth | Fee-only, fiduciary | Planning-focused investors |
| Edelman Financial | Fee-based, fiduciary | Mass affluent, retirement-focused |
| Facet | Flat-fee planning | Budget-conscious planners |
Carson stands out for its deep advisor relationships, wealth coaching model, and ability to support complex needs, not just investments, but life alignment.
Carson Wealth: Is it secure?
Yes, Carson Wealth is considered secure. It is:
Registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
A fee-only fiduciary.
Committed to cybersecurity best practices, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and secure document sharing.
Subject to third-party audits and supported by internal compliance teams to ensure all client interactions meet regulatory standards.
Final verdict: Is Carson Wealth worth it?
Carson Wealth earns its strong reputation through a combination of ethical standards, educational planning, and deep client relationships.
The firm’s fiduciary commitment, coaching-based approach, and investment discipline make it ideal for investors who want more than just returns; they want a financial partner who understands their life goals.
FAQs about Carson Wealth
1. Is Carson Wealth a fiduciary?
Yes. Carson Wealth is a fee-only, SEC-registered fiduciary firm. All advice must be in the client’s best interest.
2. What is the minimum investment to work with Carson Wealth?
Most clients start with $250,000 to $500,000, though some affiliates may offer flexible options.
3. Does Carson Wealth sell financial products?
No. They don’t sell mutual funds, insurance, or annuities — their revenue comes only from advisory fees.
4. Is Carson Wealth good for retirement planning?
Yes. Retirement income planning is one of their core specialties, especially for pre-retirees and business owners.
5. How does their wealth coaching work?
Wealth coaching is a guided, values-based planning process that helps clients align their financial decisions with life goals.
6. Can I access my accounts online?
Yes. Carson Wealth offers a modern client portal with full access to your investments and plans.
Writers
Our team of writers, who have decades of experience writing about personal finance, including investing and retirement, are here to help you find out what you must know about life’s biggest financial decisions.