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Question

What is a fiduciary and why does it matter?

Answer

A fiduciary is a professional who is legally required to act in a client’s best interest when providing advice. This duty includes providing prudent recommendations and disclosing potential conflicts of interest. Understanding whether an advisor acts as a fiduciary helps clients evaluate how advice is delivered and how incentives may affect recommendations.

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Last Updated Aug. 5, 2026
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Further Learning

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Investment Management Podcast

Episode 38 – The Science of Investing

CIO Don Calcagni unpacks why active investing underperforms, why indexing is a smart start, and how factor investing can improve your long-term returns.

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Financial Planning Podcast

Episode 524 – Generational Wealth

John Walker and Jason O’Meara break down the mindsets and strategies that help families grow and preserve generational wealth across decades.

Financial Planning Article

How To Open a Trump Account for Your Child

Trump Accounts (Section 530A) let families invest up to $5,000 a year for any child under 18 — plus a $1,000 federal pilot contribution for kids born 2025 to 2028.

Financial Planning FAQ

What happens to a Trump Account when my child turns 18?

See the answer
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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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