Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common financial planning questions. If you need more info, feel free to reach out.
SERVING THE ST. LOUIS REGION
Get answers to the most common financial planning questions. If you need more info, feel free to reach out.
SERVING THE ST. LOUIS REGION
We provide comprehensive financial planning tailored to your needs. Our holistic approach ensures every strategy aligns with your long-term goals while allowing you to enjoy life today.
Our services include:
We provide comprehensive financial planning tailored to your needs. Our holistic approach ensures every strategy aligns with your long-term goals while allowing you to enjoy life today.
Our services include:
Michael Becker earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Additionally, he holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).
Craig Toberman holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics from the University of Illinois and a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Finance from Saint Louis University. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder, and Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
The market often tempts investors to act impulsively—chasing hot stocks in surges and selling solid investments during downturns. Successful investors stay the course, and we help them do just that.
At Toberman Becker Wealth, we continuously monitor market indicators, stay informed on industry trends, collaborate with professionals, and invest in ongoing education. Using these insights, we provide regular market updates and an in-depth annual report on key economic and investment trends.
Providing clear guidance at the beginning of the year and timely updates during volatility, we help clients remain confident and focused on long-term success.
If you are 50+ and planning for retirement, our process is designed to help you build a secure future:
As a fee-only fiduciary firm, we never earn commissions or sell financial products. Our only compensation comes directly from our clients, helping ensure our advice is always in your best interest.
Toberman Becker Wealth is guided by two dual-certified CFA®/CFP® professionals—Craig Toberman and Michael Becker—bringing advanced financial expertise to every client relationship.
This means you receive genuinely personalized financial planning built on transparency, empathy, and a commitment to your long-term success. We put relationships first—guiding you through every step of your journey with care and expertise.
At Toberman Becker Wealth, we align your portfolio with your risk tolerance. We identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks through diversification, insurance, and asset protection planning.
While some risk is essential for growth, taking on more than you’re comfortable with increases the likelihood of exiting during market volatility, locking in losses instead of long-term gains. Our approach ensures your investment plan remains strategic and sustainable.
As a fee-only advisory firm, we are solely compensated by our clients—never by commissions or product sales—seeking to mitigate conflicts of interest. Bound by the fiduciary standard, we are legally and ethically committed to prioritizing your best interests. We take pride in building lifelong relationships in St. Louis and beyond, committed to guidance that always serves you best.
We charge a straightforward 0.75% advisory fee—no hidden costs, no commissions.
Retirement should be on your terms—without requiring sacrifices today to secure your future. We believe you deserve to live comfortably now while building the financial foundation for the life you envision.
That’s why we take a reverse-engineered approach to retirement planning, crafting a strategy that balances your current lifestyle with your long-term goals. Our integrated planning process considers the following:
Our mission is to eliminate financial uncertainty, prevent family conflicts, and ensure no goal is missed due to poor planning or miscommunication. With the right strategy, you can retire when ready, without compromising the life you enjoy today.
At Toberman Becker Wealth, our investment philosophy is systematic, evidence-based, and built around your long-term success. We apply the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory, which show that asset allocation, not stock picking or market timing, is the most reliable driver of long-term portfolio returns. Research consistently supports this approach, with studies finding that over 90% of return variability comes from how a portfolio is allocated.
We construct diversified portfolios using low-cost, tax-efficient index funds and ETFs designed to capture broad market returns. As a fee-only firm, we receive no compensation from our selected investments. This allows us to remain objective and focused on your best interests. Keeping investment costs low is central to our philosophy, as lower fees correlate with better long-term outcomes.
While we favor a passive approach, we’re not dogmatic. In certain situations, such as managing concentrated positions or mitigating specific risks, we may incorporate active strategies when they offer a clear net benefit. We aim to stay disciplined, cost-conscious, and fully aligned with your goals, providing confidence through every market cycle.
Toberman Becker offers concierge-level service, built from the ground up to prioritize your success. Free from sales quotas, outdated processes, and hidden agendas, we focus solely on your financial well-being. As St. Louis natives, partners Craig Toberman and Michael Becker are committed to helping individuals and the local community grow their wealth.
We are located at:
Yes — We serve clients locally in Missouri and Illinois, as well as remotely across the United States.
Looking to verify our firm’s presence and reputation across trusted directories? We maintain listings on respected financial, business, and local platforms for added transparency and trust.
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Active investment management strives to beat the market by carefully selecting securities, whereas passive management aims to replicate market performance by tracking a specific index, usually at a lower cost.
According to the CFP Board article titled How Does CFP® Certification Complement My CFA?, professionals who hold both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification and the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation may be better equipped to provide a more detailed and well-rounded approach to financial planning and investment management.
The CFP® certification emphasizes client-centered financial planning, including retirement income strategies, tax efficiency, and estate considerations. The CFA designation is globally recognized for its focus on investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial markets. Together, these credentials reflect a deep and comprehensive foundation across both planning and investment disciplines.
“Holding both CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation equips [financial planners] to offer a more detailed, comprehensive approach to the services [they] provide — helping serve your clients better…”
At Toberman Becker Wealth, partners Craig Toberman and Michael Becker each hold both the CFP® certification and the CFA charter:
Their dual certification reflects a commitment to fiduciary standards, advanced technical knowledge, and long-term client success. Toberman Becker Wealth offers integrated retirement planning, tax-aware investment strategies, and personalized financial advice for individuals and families in St. Louis and across the country.
Active investment management strives to beat the market by carefully selecting securities, whereas passive management aims to replicate market performance by tracking a specific index, usually at a lower cost.
Comprehensive wealth management goes beyond investments. It’s a holistic approach that covers financial planning, investment management, and life planning. Think of it as having a financial concierge dedicated to aligning your decisions with your best interests and ensuring your wealth supports your goals now and in the future.
Working with a fiduciary financial advisor means your interests come first. Fiduciaries are legally and ethically required to act in your best interest, helping avoid conflicts of interest.
Working with a fiduciary financial advisor means your financial plan is developed with a legal obligation to act in your best interest. This standard can provide added confidence when making long-term decisions about retirement, investments, and tax strategies.
At Toberman Becker Wealth, we are fiduciaries, meaning we always have a legal and moral duty to act in your best interest. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we adhere to the strict fiduciary standard enforced by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Many financial advisors are not held to this standard, so they can recommend products that are merely suitable—not necessarily best—for your financial situation.
Your risk tolerance is your comfort with market ups and downs, and it starts by considering how you’d react to a significant portfolio drop, say 15 percent. It includes your willingness to take risks, which is your emotional response, and your ability to take risks, which depends on your financial goals, time horizon, and income needs.
Risk questionnaires and planning tools help build a portfolio aligned with your full risk profile.
To learn more, check out our free risk assessment.
Investing involves risk, but a diversified portfolio helps manage volatility and improve long-term stability. While you can’t eliminate risk, hedging against extreme fluctuations increases the likelihood of staying on track with your financial goals.
Economic cycles, with periods of growth and decline, influence investment performance as different assets and sectors thrive in various phases. Recognizing these economic patterns allows investors to allocate capital wisely and manage risk effectively.
Effective retirement planning starts with setting clear goals, evaluating finances, selecting the right accounts, and investing strategically. These steps can help you build a secure and fulfilling retirement.
A financial advisor helps you create a customized retirement plan based on your goals, timeline, and risk profile. One of the most valuable roles an advisor plays is behavioral guidance, helping you stay disciplined during market volatility and avoid common mistakes like panic selling or chasing performance.
Advisors who specialize in specific client types can deliver more relevant strategies, communicate more effectively, and create plans that are easier to follow. Over time, this focused approach can lead to better decision-making and increased confidence in your financial future.
Working with a financial advisor for retirement planning provides structured guidance and accountability. Toberman Becker Wealth provides expert direction, tailored advice, and reassurance, giving clients peace of mind and motivation to stay the course. We also help consolidate retirement accounts into a single, streamlined plan.
Book a call with us or schedule a visit to our St. Louis office.
