Client communications

From secret children to sudden engagements, these are client disclosures that shocked planners.

“How I do retirement plans today is very different from how I did it 15 years ago,” says Merrill Lynch adviser Jason Ting.

Like many planners, Shane Larson never received any training in psychology. Now he finds using basic counseling skills can help make relationships with his clients stronger.

This in-house position helps one firm attract larger clients and build contractual relationships with descendants.

By educating themselves and clients about these possibilities, advisers can diffuse some retirement planning worries.

It begins with recognizing that this is a critical investment for succession planning and cultivating the next generation of clients.

"I have a terminal illness." "My daughter is in rehab." How planners can respond to disturbing comments or questions.

Miscalculations, assumptions, planners missing the point — find out how it all can go awry, and what can be learned after the dust settles.

One criticism of online advice providers is that they must improve how they communicate to their customer what to expect when support is provided.

Many advisers have been suggesting saving too much, at the cost of living frugally before retiring.