Question

Does Mercer Advisors’ asset-based fee create a conflict of interest?

Answer

Yes. Because Mercer Advisors is compensated as a percentage of assets under management, it has an economic incentive to grow client assets — which can create a bias against strategies that would reduce them, such as paying down debt, making large charitable gifts, or purchasing certain annuities. Mercer Advisors discloses this conflict openly rather than glossing over it, and manages it through its fiduciary duty, plan-based advice, and documented review of every recommendation against each client’s overall financial plan. When evaluating any advisor, ask how their compensation structure could influence the advice they give — and how the firm mitigates that influence.

Last Updated Aug. 17, 2026

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

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