Their team, which includes certified financial planners (CFPs), certified public accountants (CPAs), and chartered financial analysts (CFAs), focuses on building personalized portfolios, with services such as retirement planning, estate planning, cash flow analysis, and risk management.
Pure also promotes client education through its learning center, free financial assessments, and regular events to help its customers make informed financial decisions.
Is Pure Financial Advisors a fiduciary?
Yes, Pure Financial Advisors operates as a fiduciary.
As a fee-only RIA, the firm is legally required to act in the best interests of its clients. This means its advisors do not earn commissions for selling financial products, so they offer advice aligned with each client’s goals and financial situation.
This fiduciary model sets Pure apart from commission-based brokerages like Edward Jones, while aligning more closely with services such as Vanguard Personal Advisor.
What are the pros and cons of Pure Financial Advisors?
Pure Financial Advisors is known for its fiduciary, fee-only approach and focus on comprehensive retirement planning.
Its strengths include having credentialed advisors and integrated services, but its structure may be less suitable for investors with smaller portfolios or those seeking a fully digital experience.
The pros of Pure Financial Advisors
Fiduciary and fee-only model: Advisors are legally obligated to act in clients’ best interests and do not receive commissions.
Credentialed team: The firm employs CFPs, CPAs, CFAs, and other qualified professionals to deliver specialized planning for clients.
Comprehensive services: Investment management, retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, and risk management are all integrated.
Retirement focus: The company has a strong emphasis on income planning, Social Security strategies, and long-term financial security for retirees and pre-retirees.
Client education: It offers free assessments, educational resources, and events to help clients make informed decisions.
The cons of Pure Financial Advisors
Limited digital tools: The firm emphasizes an advisor-led service instead of a digital platform.
Geographic reach: The company’s offices are primarily in California, with a few locations beyond, which may limit in-person access for some clients.
Pure Financial Advisors fees: How much does it cost?
Pure Financial Advisors offers flexible fee options that cover both comprehensive planning and ongoing investment management, providing transparency and adapting to different client needs.
Before we detail the fees, it’s worth flagging that the initial assessment is free. This meeting helps clients review their financial situation and decide if Pure’s services are a good fit.
Here is a breakdown of the fees:
One-time financial planning fee
For standalone plans, Pure charges $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the services being provided.
These plans often include retirement projections, tax strategies, and estate planning guidance, making it ideal for those who want professional advice but prefer to manage their investments.
Ongoing advisory fee
Clients who choose continuous management pay an annual fee based on the assets under management (AUM). This includes investment management, ongoing planning, and tax-efficient strategies.
Fees are tiered by portfolio size:
$0–$350,000: 1.6%
$350,001–$500,000: 1.25%
$500,001–$650,000: 1%
$650,001–$800,000: 0.8%
$800,001–$1.1 million: 0.7%
Over $1.1 million–$2 million: 0.6%
Over $2 million–$10 million: 0.5%
Over $10 million: 0.4%
What is Pure Financial Advisors’ minimum account size?
Pure Financial Advisors does not set a minimum account size to work with the firm.
Clients can engage with its services regardless of portfolio size, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. Fees are charged on a tiered basis, starting at 1.6% for smaller accounts and declining to 0.4% for portfolios over $10 million.
This flexible structure allows both individuals with modest assets and high-net-worth families to access the firm’s advisory team, while larger accounts benefit from reduced fees.
Who should consider Pure Financial Advisors?
Pure Financial Advisors is best suited for individuals and families with more complex financial needs who want ongoing, comprehensive planning rather than investment management alone.
The firm’s fee-only fiduciary model, combined with its in-house tax expertise, makes it especially valuable for higher-net-worth clients and those approaching retirement.
Pure Financial Advisors is ideal for:
Pre-retirees and retirees with mid to high-six-figure portfolios: Individuals can receive advice on tax-efficient withdrawals, Social Security, Roth conversions, and required minimum distributions (RMDs).
High earners with multiple income sources: High earners can benefit from integrated tax planning, charitable giving strategies, and insurance reviews.
Business owners or self-employed individuals: They can optimize their business structures, plan their retirement, and access tax deferral opportunities.
Estate-planning-focused households: Access estate attorneys and strategies to help protect and transfer generational wealth.
DIY investors seeking planning support: Self-directed investors can engage Pure for tax and estate planning expertise alongside their investment management.
Pure Financial Advisors is less suitable for:
Individuals with smaller portfolios (under mid-six figures): Advisory fees may be disproportionately high relative to the account size.
Hands-off investors seeking automation: Pure’s approach emphasizes advisor interaction, strategy sessions, and ongoing planning instead of a robo-advisor.
Investors focused only on market returns: The firm prioritizes tax efficiency, retirement readiness, and holistic strategies over chasing short-term performance.
Investors comparing options might also consider LPL Financial, which offers a large network of advisors, or Fisher Investments, which similarly focuses on high-net-worth retirement planning.
Is Pure Financial Advisors secure?
Yes, Pure Financial Advisors is a secure option for managing client assets.
As an RIA, the firm is regulated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and operates under a fiduciary standard, requiring it to act in clients’ best interests.
The firm does not directly hold client assets. Instead, investments are custodied with established third-party firms such as Charles Schwab and Fidelity, providing an added layer of safety through the separation of advisory and custodial responsibilities.
Accounts held with these custodians are protected by Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) insurance up to $500,000, including $250,000 for cash, which safeguards against custodian failure, but not against market losses.
Pure employs standard digital protections such as encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication to keep client information secure.
Pure Financial Advisors: Customer service
Pure Financial Advisors’ customer service is centered on its advisor-led model.
Clients work directly with a dedicated advisory team that provides investment management, financial planning, and tax strategy support. Meetings can be held in person at one of the firm’s offices or remotely by phone or video call.
The firm also emphasizes accessibility, offering free initial assessments, ongoing planning sessions, and educational resources through its website and events. This approach reflects its focus on long-term relationships.
Overall, Pure’s customer service is personalized and advisor-driven, but it may feel less tech-enabled compared with firms that offer 24/7 chat or app-based support.
Pure Financial Advisors reviews: What do real customers say?
Pure Financial Advisors reviews are generally positive, particularly from clients who value comprehensive financial planning and an advisor-led service.
On Reddit, reviews often describe the onboarding process as smooth and thorough, with advisors taking time to understand client goals before offering tailored recommendations.
Some reviews also point out the convenience of remote access, noting that one-time planning sessions via Zoom can be helpful for those not seeking a long-term commitment.
Independent review platforms reinforce these themes. On Indyfin, Pure holds a strong rating, with reviews highlighting clear communication, knowledgeable advisors, and a focus on financial education.
Overall, reviews suggest that Pure is well-suited for clients seeking holistic planning and tax-efficient strategies. However, it may not appeal to investors looking for low-cost or automated solutions.
Is Pure Financial Advisors worth it?
Pure Financial Advisors is worth considering for individuals and families seeking comprehensive, advisor-led financial planning and wealth management, especially if retirement, tax strategy, or estate planning are top priorities.
Its fee-only, fiduciary model and team of qualified professionals make it a solid fit for clients navigating complex financial needs.
Source:
https://purefinancial.com/
https://purefinancial.com/why-pure/
https://purefinancial.com/why-pure/our-story/https://purefinancial.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ADV-Brochure-3-2025.pdf