Roth Conversion and IRMAA: A Houston Retiree's Guide
Considering a Roth conversion in Houston? Review Medicare premium effects and compare scenarios with a fee-only fiduciary before deciding.
Independent · Fee-only · Fiduciary · Houston, TX
Advice without a product to sell
Work directly with Todd Smurl, CFA, for independent, fee-only financial planning and customized investment management, with close attention to investment costs and taxes.
- Independent
- Fee-only, no commissions
- Fiduciary at all times
- CFA charterholder, 30 years
Published fees
Investment management
1.0%/yr
On the first $1 million; 0.85% above that.
Financial planning
Included
Part of the investment management fee. No separate planning charge.*
Introductory meeting
Free
No obligation, by video or in person.
Commissions
None
Fee-only. Paid only by our clients.
*For clients with assets under management under $500,000, the Advisor reserves the right to charge an hourly fee for financial planning.
What we do
Two services, one independent fiduciary
Customized investment management
Your own index of individual stocks and low-cost ETFs, managed by Todd Smurl, CFA, with values screens included and optional active tax management for taxable accounts.
Learn more →
Personal financial planning
Retirement income, Social Security, Medicare, Roth conversions, and estate coordination, included in the investment management fee.* Compare your choices using stated assumptions and financial estimates where reasonably quantifiable.
Learn more →*For clients with assets under management under $500,000, the Advisor reserves the right to charge an hourly fee for financial planning.
Why Integrity
Portfolio and plan, one advisor
At Integrity, Todd Smurl, CFA, provides both portfolio management and personal financial planning. He has spent 30 years managing portfolios for banks and wealth-management firms, and your personal financial plan is included in the investment management fee. For clients with assets under management under $500,000, the Advisor reserves the right to charge an hourly fee for financial planning.
We are paid by our clients and do not accept product commissions. We do tax planning, not tax preparation. We are not a CPA firm, and we coordinate with your tax preparer rather than replacing them.
We are members of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard and publish our fees on this site.
Who we work with
- Retirees and pre-retireesRetirement income, Social Security and Medicare timing, RMDs, and turning a portfolio into a paycheck.
- Values-based investorsFaith-based and ESG portfolios with client-directed exclusions. Screens can cause returns to differ from the index, positively or negatively.
- Oil and gas professionalsConcentrated employer stock, deferred compensation, and layoffs and buyouts that come with the cycle.
Ready to talk?
A free, no-obligation introductory meeting. Pick a time with Todd Smurl, CFA.
Insights
Recent writing
Leaving a Large Brokerage Firm? What to Know Before You Move
Thinking of moving $1-5 million from a large brokerage firm? Compare fee layers, fiduciary duty, and how an in-kind account transfer works.
The Maturation of Wealth: Transitioning Your Portfolio for the Distribution Phase
Why Houston energy executives outgrow brokerage platforms near retirement: fewer fee layers, active cash management, and tax-aware retirement income.
Common questions
How do I get started?
Start with a free introductory meeting. Schedule one online or contact us and we'll discuss your situation, what you need, and whether we're a fit. There is no obligation.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, at all times. We are a fee-only registered investment adviser and a member of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard. We are compensated only by our clients and accept no commissions or product incentives.
What does fee-only mean?
Fee-only means the only money we earn comes from our clients, as advisory fees or planning fees. Fee-based advisors also earn commissions on products. We are fee-only.
How much do you charge?
Personal Index Portfolios are billed at 1.0% on the first $1 million and 0.85% from $1 million to $10 million, and a negotiable rate above $10 million. Financial planning is included as part of the investment management fee; there is no separate planning charge. For clients with assets under management under $500,000, the Advisor reserves the right to charge an hourly fee for financial planning. Full details are on the fees page.
As seen in
Featuring Todd Smurl's work prior to founding Integrity Financial Planning.
Talk with a CFA about your situation
A free introductory meeting, no obligation.