Founded in 2006 and registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), the firm aims to help clients integrate investment, tax, estate, and insurance planning under one coordinated strategy.
Unlike automated or digital investing platforms, Mariner’s service is entirely advisor-led.
Each client is paired with a dedicated wealth advisor who works to design a long-term financial plan that aligns with personal goals such as retirement, education funding, or wealth transfer.
The firm emphasizes holistic planning, ensuring that investment decisions are considered alongside tax implications, estate structure, and risk protection.
What are Mariner Wealth Advisors' core services?
Mariner Wealth Advisors provides services to individuals, their families, and businesses.
For individuals and families, Mariner Wealth Advisors provides several core services designed to help them manage different aspects of their financial lives, including:
Wealth planning: Advisors work with clients to outline financial priorities and create long-term plans that cover retirement, education funding, and other personal objectives.
Investment management: The firm’s investment professionals construct diversified portfolios that may include both traditional and alternative strategies, depending on the client’s goals and risk tolerance.
Tax and estate coordination: Mariner’s in-house specialists assist with developing tax strategies and coordinating estate plans, including trust administration through affiliated partners.
Insurance review: Advisors evaluate life, disability, and long-term-care insurance options to help clients address financial protection needs within their overall plans.
For businesses, Mariner also provides advisory services for business owners and wider organizations seeking financial guidance that connects personal and company objectives.
Some core services include:
Retirement-plan consulting: Advisors assist employers with the design, implementation, and management of workplace retirement programs.
Tax strategy and planning: The firm’s tax professionals offer guidance on corporate tax approaches and compliance considerations.
Succession planning: Mariner works with business owners to plan ownership transitions and long-term continuity strategies.
Cash-management guidance: Advisors offer insights into managing company liquidity and short-term investments, enhancing financial oversight.
What are the pros and cons of Mariner Wealth Advisors?
Mariner Wealth Advisors offers a broad advisory model that combines investment management and financial planning, but it may not suit every type of investor.
Here is a breakdown of the firm's key pros and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.
Pros of Mariner Wealth Advisors:
Comprehensive wealth management structure: Mariner Wealth Advisors offers a full range of advisory services, including wealth planning, investment management, tax strategy, estate and trust coordination, insurance review, and business advisory support. This broad scope allows clients to consolidate multiple aspects of their financial life under one advisory firm.
Integrated tax and estate expertise: The firm employs in-house tax professionals who assist with ongoing planning and annual preparation, including multi-state and charitable-giving strategies. Estate and trust management is supported through Mariner Trust Company, its affiliated entity, providing fiduciary and administrative services.
Flexible service and fee arrangements: Mariner primarily charges an asset-based advisory fee but may also offer fixed-fee, hourly, or project-based pricing for financial-planning or consulting engagements. This flexibility allows the cost structure to reflect the scope and complexity of each client’s engagement.
Advisory options for business owners and professionals: In addition to individual wealth management, Mariner offers services for business clients that address the financial needs of clients whose personal and business finances are interconnected.
Cons of Mariner Wealth Advisors:
Relatively high potential costs: The advisory fees may be as high as 2.50% per year, with certain programs adding additional charges such as platform or sub-manager fees. Clients are also responsible for other expenses, including brokerage commissions, custodial fees, fund expenses, and possible “trade-away” charges, which can increase the total cost of management.
No automated or digital investing option: The firm operates exclusively through human advisors and does not provide a robo-advisory or self-directed platform, limiting accessibility for investors who prefer technology-based solutions.
Best suited for complex financial needs: Mariner’s combination of investment management, tax strategy, estate planning, and business-advisory services indicates that its model is oriented toward clients with more complex financial situations or multiple planning priorities. Investors seeking only straightforward portfolio management may find its structure broader than necessary.
Custody fees vary by provider: Custodial costs are set by each custodian and can differ even among clients using the same provider. Some clients who joined Mariner through acquired advisory businesses retain earlier, grandfathered custody arrangements, resulting in variations in fee levels across accounts.
Overall, Mariner Wealth Advisors delivers a comprehensive advisory experience backed by multidisciplinary expertise, but this comes with potentially higher costs.
It stands out for clients who need holistic wealth coordination involving taxes, estates, and investments. It may not be the most suitable option for investors looking for a streamlined, tech-driven, or low-cost solution.
Mariner Wealth Advisors fees: How much does Mariner Wealth Advisors cost?
Mariner Wealth Advisors follows a flexible fee model that depends on portfolio size and the type of advisory relationship.
Fees are generally charged as a percentage of assets under management (AUM), with additional costs that vary by program and custodian.
The structure offers room for customization but provides little public transparency.
Clients also face separate expenses for transactions, custody, and investment funds, which add to the overall cost of management.
| Type | How it’s charged | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Advisory fee (AUM-based) | Annual percentage of AUM; billed quarterly or monthly, typically in advance. This rate is negotiated individually. | Up to 2.50% annually |
| Financial planning fees | This is separate from portfolio management and may be fixed, hourly, or project-based, depending on engagement scope. | Typically, flat or hourly, or up to0.25%annually |
| Additional client costs | Includes brokerage and transaction charges, custodial fees, and fund-level expenses. These are billed by brokers, custodians, or fund managers and are not included in Mariner’s advisory fee. | Varies by provider and account |
Mariner’s pricing model offers flexibility but lacks transparency for new clients, as fees are customized rather than standardized.
Advisory costs can reach the higher end of the market range, especially when platform or sub-manager fees apply.
Investors remain responsible for separate brokerage, custody, and fund expenses.
This structure favors clients who value personalized service and broad advisory support, but it may not appeal to those prioritizing low or upfront transparent fees.
What is Mariner Wealth Advisors’ minimum account size?
Mariner Wealth Advisors sets a minimum investment level for clients seeking managed account services.
While the firm outlines a general threshold, it also allows flexibility based on the scope of services and investment approach.
| Account type | Minimum investment |
|---|---|
| Managed accounts | $100,000 |
While Mariner’s account minimum stands at $100,000, this threshold may be adjusted at Mariner’s discretion depending on factors such as the level of service, the investment strategy, and other relevant considerations.
Mariner’s minimum investment level places it above entry-level accessibility. Although the firm may adjust the requirement for certain relationships, the structure clearly targets investors with established portfolios rather than beginners.
Who should choose Mariner Wealth Advisors?
Mariner Wealth Advisors is best suited for clients seeking comprehensive, advisor-led financial management that integrates investments, tax strategy, estate planning, and business advisory services.
The firm’s structure and $100,000 managed account minimum suggest it is tailored for individuals and families with established portfolios who value personalized, ongoing advice across various aspects of their financial lives.
This structure aligns well with:
Complex financial profiles: Clients with complex or multi-faceted financial situations, such as executives, business owners, or high-net-worth families.
Preference for personal guidance: Investors who prefer working directly with a dedicated advisor instead of managing portfolios through digital or self-directed tools.
Integrated financial oversight: Those looking for a single advisory relationship that coordinates tax, investment, and estate planning in one place.
Mariner may be less suitable for:
Entry-level investors: Beginners or investors with smaller account balances who are seeking a low-cost or automated investing platform.
Self-directed investors: Clients who prioritize full digital access or a robo-advisor experience over traditional one-on-one advisory interaction.
Mariner Wealth Advisors: Is it secure?
Yes, Mariner Wealth Advisors is considered a secure provider of wealth-management services.
The firm is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment advisor and must follow fiduciary standards that require it to act in clients’ best interests.
Client assets are held by independent third-party custodians, not by Mariner itself.
This arrangement keeps client funds separate from the firm’s operational accounts and adds an additional layer of protection.
Depending on the custodian, accounts are typically covered by Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) insurance up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash, which protects against brokerage failure but not market losses.
The firm maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect client information.
While no wealth-management platform is completely risk-free, Mariner’s use of independent custodians, fiduciary oversight, and established privacy safeguards suggests a conventional and reliable level of security for clients’ assets and data.
Mariner Wealth Advisors: Customer service
Mariner Wealth Advisors’ customer service is relationship-based, with clients primarily supported by their dedicated financial advisors and planning teams.
Each client works directly with an advisor who coordinates specialists in areas such as investments, taxes, and estate planning.
This advisor-led model is designed to provide personalized attention and long-term consistency rather than centralized or automated support.
Access to support depends on the advisory relationship.
Clients typically communicate with their advisors through scheduled meetings, phone calls, or email during business hours, while in-person consultations are available at offices across the US.
This structure prioritizes depth of interaction and continuity, but it may feel less immediate to those who prefer real-time, app-based service options.
Mariner Wealth Advisors review: What real customers are saying?
Customer feedback on Mariner Wealth Advisors presents a mixed but generally moderate impression of the firm.
A few users describe generally positive onboarding experiences and note that Mariner’s investment approach can include SMAs combined with low-cost funds. Several discussions indicate that the firm serves a broader client base rather than focusing exclusively on ultra-high-net-worth investors.
Some other users mention that communication tends to be less frequent after the initial account setup. At the same time, recurring concerns focus on communication and responsiveness.
Source: Reddit - Mariner Wealth Advisors | Reddit - Financial Advisors Experience
Is Mariner Wealth Advisors worth it?
Whether Mariner Wealth Advisors is worth considering depends on your preferences and financial complexity.
The firm’s advisor-led model appeals to clients who want integrated planning across investments, tax, and estate needs under one relationship. However, its fees can be on the higher side and may not suit cost-sensitive investors.
Those comparing options might also consider alternatives such as Fisher Investments or Edelman Financial Engines for advisor-led planning, Vanguard Personal Advisor Services for a lower-cost hybrid model, or Facet Wealth and Wealthfront for more budget-friendly digital advice.