Investment Performance Review in Boston: 403(b) & 457(b) Portfolio Management
By Tim Hayes, Financial Advisor for the Public and Not-for-Profit Sector
Do You Suspect Your 403(b) or 457 Could Be Working Harder?
Are you confident your current 403(b) or 457 is working as hard as it should? I specialize in independent, fiduciary portfolio management that cuts the high fees common in older 403(b) plans and optimizes your MA SmartPlan 457 investment assets for growth.
What Your 403(b) Fee & Performance Review Includes
A review compares your current fees and costs (including those hidden in older 403(b) annuities) with a hypothetical portfolio of mutual funds and ETFs that have passed my due diligence. (ETFs are only available in 403b rollovers to an IRA) It also compares the performance of your current investments against specific benchmarks.
- Holding Summary — overview of the proposal, my role, and the services I provide
- Style Analysis — breakdown by U.S. equity, international, and fixed income
- Portfolio Performance — current 403(b)/SMART Plan holdings vs. proposed
- Fee Analysis — current costs vs. proposed costs
- Risk Tolerance Report
- Closing comments and next steps
You’ll see everything in plain English, in writing. We can stop there, or you can ask me to manage the accounts going forward. You decide.
What's Inside a 457 SMART Plan Strategy Review
For a flat hourly fee I build a custom portfolio using the institutional managers inside the plan — Dodge & Cox, Fidelity, Dimensional — around your actual income picture, including the Social Security Income the Fairness Act restored.
No ongoing fee. No product to sell. You own the strategy.
The Fiduciary Process Behind the Review
I use the Fiduciary Focus Toolkit™ to screen over 10,000 mutual funds and ETFs, narrowing it down to a few hundred suitable for your portfolio. This portfolio management process evaluates manager tenure, fees, performance, and style. I cross-reference my results with the fi360 Fiduciary Score™ to objectively compare peer investments and document a consistent selection and monitoring process.
Dedicated Fee-Only Management for Larger Portfolios
Fees are clear and never greater than 1%, based on account size and complexity.
Investments are in mutual funds and ETFs that have passed my rigorous due diligence.
Your portfolio is designed to meet your goals and match your comfort with risk.
You receive monthly statements and online access.
We meet periodically to review performance, rebalance, and ensure you’re on track.
The Three-Track Planning Model — How We Work Together
Every client starts in one of three tracks. We choose the track based on what you actually need: depth of planning, level of ongoing involvement, and cost structure. You are not locked in forever — you can move from one track to another as your situation changes.
Track 1: Hourly Planning — $200 per hour
Capacity: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. (RIA) — Investment Adviser Representative (fiduciary)
- Plan for investing and retirement income (including Social Security timing).
- Advice-only: keep your accounts; written recap with next steps.
Track 2: Ongoing Advisory (Portfolio Management) — 1% or less per year
Capacity: Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. (RIA) — Investment Adviser Representative (fiduciary)
- Custom money management tailored to your situation.
- Scheduled reviews; no sales quotas.
Track 3: Commission-Based Implementation — Varies by product
Capacity: Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (broker-dealer) — Registered Representative (Reg BI)
- Often best for smaller accounts.
- Works for Roth & Traditional IRAs; some 403(b) plans.
Book a 20-Minute Intro Call
We'll identify which track fits you best. No asset transfer required for the first conversation.
During the Market Decline He Acted
I have been working with Tim Hayes for several years. Tim has excellent communication skills, knowledge, integrity and experience. He has the client’s best interest at heart and shares pertinent information in a timely manner. To wit, during the recent market decline Tim implemented alterations and amendments that positively affected my account. Tim’s approachability and willingness to touch base through written and oral narratives contribute to my continuation of his service.
Deidre McDonald
Client
Testimonial Disclosure: Testimonials are based on individual client experiences and may not represent the experiences of all clients. They are not a guarantee of future performance. Each client’s situation is unique. No compensation has been provided for these testimonials.
Where Your Assets Are Held
Most accounts are held at Pershing LLC and Fidelity Investments. Pershing is a subsidiary of BNY Mellon. I also support clients who prefer to keep assets directly with a fund company or in an existing 403(b)/457/SMART Plan when it makes sense to keep them there.
Commission & Strategic Planning for Growing Accounts
My fee-based accounts typically require a minimum of $100,000. For portfolios below this, I can often work on a commission or hourly rate basis.
Regardless of account size:
I use the same rigorous due diligence process.
I work with all account types (IRAs, Roth IRAs, 403(b)s, 529s, etc.).
You will receive regular statements and online access.
We will meet periodically for portfolio reviews and rebalancing.
Schedule a Consultation with Tim Hayes
Fiduciary financial advisor with 35+ years helping Massachusetts public employees and educators with retirement planning. Fee-based, hourly, or commission — whatever fits your situation.
"My goal is to ensure your retirement plan is built on your best interests, not a product sale."
Schedule a consultation or call 508-277-5847.
These are the opinions of Financial Advisor Tim Hayes and not necessarily those of Cambridge Investment Research. They are for informational purposes only and should not be construed or acted upon as individualized investment advice. Content provided via links to third-party sites should not be considered an endorsement of content that we cannot verify completeness or accuracy of.