What’s Next for the Elite Financial Advisor?

Smart, strategic career planning for advisors managing $100MM+ in AUM

The wealth management industry is at a crossroads. A wave of demographic, technological, and economic shifts is creating unprecedented career inflection points for top financial advisors. According to McKinsey, more than one-third of U.S. advisors will retire within the next decade, and over $84 trillion in assets is expected to transfer from Baby Boomers to the next generation. Yet the real story isn’t just about retirement—it’s about reinvention.

The advisors who thrive in this evolving environment aren’t the ones with the biggest books—they’re the ones with the clearest strategies. They don’t just manage assets—they manage their careers with the same precision they bring to client portfolios.

If you’re managing $100MM+ in AUM, you’ve already built something valuable. But have you future-proofed it? Have you asked the hard questions about where your firm fits into your long-term plan—or whether it’s still the best platform for your next decade?

Below are five critical questions every elite advisor should consider. Whether you’re 5 years from retirement or 15 years into growth mode, these five themes can reshape how you think about optionality, value creation, and long-term control.

1. The Hidden Cost of Staying Put

   Many advisors delay evaluating their current firm out of loyalty or comfort. But staying too long can quietly erode value. From payout compression to platform inefficiencies, failing to benchmark regularly can cost advisors millions. Elite advisors routinely assess comp, technology, and autonomy—even if they’re not planning a move.

2. Succession, Legacy, and the Advisor’s 10-Year Question

   Succession isn’t about retirement—it’s about planning. Advisors need a clear glide path to protect income, client relationships, and long-term value. Smart firms offer structured succession support. The best advisors start planning 5–10 years before they expect to exit.

3. Is Your Firm Still Earning Its Share?

   Top advisors are reassessing whether their firms are pulling their weight. Friction from tech stacks, admin drag, and comp misalignment can become silent dealbreakers. If the platform no longer adds value, it may be time to explore better-aligned models.

4. What Top Advisors Know That Others Don’t

   Elite advisors build optionality long before they need it. They stay close to the market, quietly evaluate their worth, and understand their options. This isn’t about disloyalty—it’s career insurance. Being prepared means having power and clarity in every phase of your career.

5. The Transition Question: What If You Wait Too Long?

   Many advisors wait too long to act—until momentum fades, comp locks in, or team dynamics shift. The best time to plan your next step is when things are going well. Transition timing is leverage. Don’t wait until you’ve lost it.

What’s Your Next Strategic Move?

Whether you’re actively exploring options or simply want a clearer picture of your market value, it pays to be informed. At Magellan, we work with elite advisors to navigate complex career decisions with discretion, insight, and strategy. No pressure, no pitch—just a conversation grounded in what’s best for you and the business you’ve built.

If you’re ready to explore what’s next—or just want to benchmark where you stand—we’d be happy to talk.