“Are you a fiduciary?” It’s one of the most important questions you can ask a financial advisor — and one many people don’t know to ask. Here’s what the word means, why it matters, and how to use it when choosing an advisor in Westminster or anywhere else.
What Does “Fiduciary” Mean?
A fiduciary is someone who is obligated to act in your best interests — not their own, and not their company’s. When a fiduciary advisor recommends something, the recommendation must be driven by what’s best for you.
That may sound like the bare minimum. But not all financial professionals are held to this standard at all times. Some are held to a lower bar, historically known as a “suitability” standard: the product must be suitable for someone in your situation, but it doesn’t have to be the best available option for you. The difference can show up in costs, in product choices, and in whose interests come first.
What the CFP® Marks Add
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals commit to the CFP Board’s standards, which require acting as a fiduciary — in the client’s best interests — when providing financial advice. That commitment covers the advice itself, not just the products involved. It’s one reason the marks are worth looking for — and one reason Puckett Financial Group is built around a team of CFP® professionals rather than a single credentialed advisor.
Questions to Ask Any Advisor
- Are you a fiduciary?
- Will you put that in writing?
- How are you paid — fees, commissions, or both?
- Do you earn more by recommending certain products?
- What credentials does your team hold, and what standards do they require?
An advisor who welcomes these questions is telling you something. So is one who dodges them.
Why This Matters Most in Retirement
For pre-retirees and retirees, the stakes are highest. Decisions about Social Security timing, rollovers, annuities, and withdrawal strategies are often one-time choices involving decades of savings. These are exactly the moments when you want the people advising you to be required to put your interests first — and experienced enough to know what that looks like.
Talk to Us
Puckett Financial Group is an independent, fiduciary financial services firm in Westminster, Maryland. The advisors of Puckett Financial Group collectively serve over $600 million in brokerage and advisory assets (as of July 1, 2026) for families across central Maryland. If you’d like a plain-language conversation about your retirement picture — and clear answers to every question above — call 410-871-4040 or send us a message through our contact page.
