Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc

CRD#110473
Investment Advisor Firm

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Overview

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc is a financial advisor company based in Arlington, Virginia. It has $56.2 billion in total assets across 77 accounts, placing it among the largest financial advisory firms in the nation by assets under management (AUM). The company has a large team, including 169 financial advisors. Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc is not a registered broker-dealer, meaning the firm cannot buy and sell securities for its clients' and own accounts and instead is required to go through a broker-dealer company to do so. Securities are exchangable financial assets like bonds, options and equities.

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc oversees most of the firm's accounts in a discretionary manner. Discretionary management means that transaction judgments for the client's account are made by an investment advisor without requiring the client's permission. It also manages five non-discretionary accounts with a total of $8.2 billion in assets. The company manages roughly $730.0 million for each customer account. An average financial advisor at Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc oversees fewer than one client account, making it one of the most individualized firms in the country.

The firm's main office is at 800 N. Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia 22203. The firm is legally permitted to provide services to investors throughout 17 U.S. states and territories.

Assets Under Management

$56.2 billion

Number of Advisors

169

Disclosures

No

Office Location

800 N. Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22203

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc by the Numbers

Total Assets Under Management

$56.2 billion

National Average: $9.0 billion
Total Number of Employees

173

National Average: 71,771
Total Number of Accounts

77

National Average: 4,329
Average Account Size

$730.0 million

National Average: $2.1 million
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Products and Services

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc provides multiple services, including portfolio management for pooled investment vehicles, portfolio management for institutional clients, pension consulting services, selection of other advisers, publication of newsletters, market timing services, educational seminars and other services. It does not sell products or offer services apart from investment advisory services to its investment advisory accounts. Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc is affiliated with one or more other service providers in the financial services industry, including with a broker-dealer or securities dealer, insurance company or agency, pension consultant and commodity pool advisor.

Core Advisor Services

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    Financial Planning Services

    This is the process of planning for your financial future, including for events such as retirement, your child's college education or estate succession.

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    Portfolio Management

    This is the selection and management of an investment mix and portfolio strategy for individuals and small businesses.

  • Offered by 0% of firms

    Market Timing Services

    This is the practice of attempting to make short-term profits on investments by buying low and selling high.

Other Services

  • Offered by 21% of firms

    Selection of Other Advisors

    This is the firm's assistance with choosing other advisors to work with who may have different specialties.

  • Offered by 3% of firms

    Publication of Periodicals

    This is the publication of various financial education materials.

  • Offered by 7% of firms

    Educational Seminars/Workshops

    This is the hosting of seminars or workshops to educate investors on financial concepts.

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Fee Structure

Fees for financial advisory services are based on the type of services provided. Fees charged by the firm likely consist of the following fee structures: asset-based, hourly, fixed or other. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are not offered by the company.

Available

  • Offered by 70% of firms

    Percentage of Assets

    Show Explanation

    This fee, which is the most common fee type charged by advisors for portfolio management, is based on the amount of assets you have under management. Also referred to as an asset-based fee, this fee typically ranges from 0.50%-2.00% of AUM annually. You'll typically pay a lower rate the more assets you have under management.

  • Offered by 21% of firms

    Hourly

    Show Explanation

    Like a lawyer, a financial advisor may charge you by the hour. This can be helpful if you are only looking for short-term or one-time advice. Rates typically range from $100-$300 per hour, depending on the complexity and level of services needed.

  • Offered by 33% of firms

    Fixed

    Show Explanation

    Fixed fees are a one-time, lump sum charged for a specific service, like the creation of a financial plan without subsequent implementation. This can be useful if you only need advice for one specific purpose, rather than a long-term advisor. Fixed fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,000.

  • Offered by 10% of firms

    Other

    Show Explanation

    Firms can sometimes charge customers using non-traditional fee structures. See this firm's Form ADV for more details.

Unavailable

  • Find one of the 1% of firms that offer this fee type

    Commissions

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    Occasionally, advisors earn commissions from selling financial products, such as securities or insurance policies, or making certain referrals or transactions. Advisors who earn commissions may be incentivized to make certain recommendations to clients in order to make a commission. Fee-only advisors do not earn commissions, while fee-based advisors may.

  • Find one of the 26% of firms that offer this fee type

    Performance-based

    Show Explanation

    Advisors only earn performance-based fees if a portfolio outperforms a defined benchmark. This fee may be calculated in a number of ways but most commonly is charged as a percentage of investment profits. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to make riskier decisions in order to generate higher returns.

  • Find one of the 0% of firms that offer this fee type

    Subscription

    Show Explanation

    Firms generally charge this fee for educational materials provided, such as a monthly magazine. This can be useful if you want to learn about investing or financial management on your own.

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Types of Clients

The company caters to pension plans and state or municipal government entities. Out of its 77 customers, Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc's largest client type is pension plans. Just 1% of its accounts reside abroad.

  • High-Net-Worth Individuals* - 0%
  • Other Individuals - 0%
  • Corporations - 100%
  • Charitable Organizations - 0%

* The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) defines a high-net-worth individual as someone who has at least $750,000 under management.

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Disclosures

Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc does not have any disclosures.

Please visit its Form ADV for more details.

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Financial Advisors at Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc

Benjamin Leach
Chicago, IL
Christy Loop
Alpharetta, GA
Allison Fox
Stamford, CT
Beau Morrison
Atlanta, GA
Debra Woida
Chicago, IL
Dakota Burke
Atlanta, GA
Peter Nickle
Chicago, IL
Joseph Auger
Saint Louis, MO
Yannick Gagne
Irvine, CA

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The content in this profile was updated by SmartAsset on 4/16/2023. All advisor details come from publicly available data, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the content. We are unable to make individual profile updates. If you want your profile removed temporarily or permanently, please contact profile-compliance@smartasset.com.

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