Investing 101: The Investment Policy Statement

Jun 10, 2014 | Allocation, BDE, Investing, Wealth Management

As an investor, you need to be sure that you and your financial advisor are on the same page about your investment strategy, how your portfolio is allocated, and why. The Investment Policy Statement is a key tool that will help you address these issues.

Every investor should have an Investment Policy Statement, which is a document that outlines your goals, needs and wants, your investment strategy, and your asset allocation. If you don’t already have an Investment Policy Statement, work with your advisor to create one. If you do have one, make sure that you revisit it every year and after major life events and transitions. The Investment Policy Statement should always reflect your current goals and needs, so you want to re-evaluate it annually and adjust as needed.

There are several benefits to having an Investment Policy Statement. First, it helps ensure that you and your advisor both understand your investing game plan. It is like having a mission statement for your money. Second, the process of articulating your goals and assessing your needs can spark important conversations about your financial health. Third, having your investment objectives in black and white can keep you on track if you ever feel tempted to stray from the road map you’ve established. Remember, a wise investor tunes out market noise and sticks to a rational, well-thought out strategy. An Investment Policy Statement can help you stay on track.

Share This