Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, we are fiduciaries — that means we are legally and ethically committed to acting in your best interest at all times.

  • We’re a fee-based advisory firm. We charge a transparent fee for our services rather than earning commissions from product sales. We’ll walk you through our pricing model clearly before you commit. Further information can be found in our Form ADV Part 2A.

  • We believe in disciplined, long-term investing tailored to your goals — not chasing trends. Our MarketPlus® strategy combines personalized planning with intelligent portfolio design to help weather all market cycles.

  • Our team members include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) chartholders. We believe that learning is a constant endeavor that helps us to continue to provide you with the timely advice you need.

  • Our Toledo area wealth management and financial planning services aim to help high-net-worth individuals, retirees, business owners, and multigenerational families. We also provide investment management services for public funds and nonprofits. Whether you’re building wealth or transitioning into retirement, we tailor our approach to your unique situation.

  • Yes — while we have financial advisors in Sylvania, Perrysburg, Scottsdale, and Chicago, we serve clients across the country with secure virtual meetings and digital tools.

  • MarketPlus® Investing is our proprietary process of structuring investment vehicles and designing portfolios to help you achieve your financial goals. MarketPlus® Investing starts with a comprehensive market-wide investment structure, then builds upon it with a carefully designed mix of stocks, bonds, and other global investments weighted to match your desired investment goals, risk tolerance, and timeframe.

  • Toledo native Scott Savage began SJS Investment Services in 1995, and it has since grown to include financial advisors in the Toledo,Ohio, region, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Chicago, Illinois. Today, SJS is a nationally recognized high-net-worth wealth management firm with $2.6 billion assets under management serving a variety of individuals, families, business owners, and organizations.

General Questions

  • While SJS cannot guarantee returns, we continuously monitor our MarketPlus® Investing portfolios against industry benchmarks and regularly evaluate our investment philosophy to strive to effectively capture the full investable market.

  • Our investment philosophy is thoughtfully designed to align with a risk tolerance that’s personalized to you.

  • Absolutely! We are committed to aligning your investments with your personal values and financial goals.

  • SJS will continuously monitor your portfolio to ensure that it is in tolerance with our MarketPlus® Investing portfolios.

Investing Philosophy

  • While market downturns are unpredictable, the local financial advisors at SJS will be by your side every step of the way. In times of uncertainty, we strive to provide timely market commentary and are always available to talk through your concerns. We will work with you to make any adjustments to your portfolio in line with your goals and comfort level.

  • At SJS, we understand that market uncertainty is a major concern for many families. While we can’t predict the future or guarantee returns, you can trust that your portfolio has been thoughtfully and carefully designed with balance in mind. Investing can feel overwhelming at times, but we’re always here to talk through your concerns and ensure your portfolio remains aligned with your risk tolerance.

  • We continuously monitor the market and assess our MarketPlus® Investing strategy. Our Investment Committee meets multiple times each year to review and refine our approach, ensuring your assets are invested in the most suitable funds.

Economic Concerns

  • The onboarding process is designed to be straightforward and seamless. Our team will collect the necessary information to complete the required documents, and for clients who are out of town, we offer the convenience of electronic signature.

  • We send out quarterly reports and set up meeting schedules that fit the client’s needs.

  • We’re here to support you every step of the way. For urgent matters during business hours, please call our office and a member of our team will assist you promptly. During non-business hours, please feel free to email and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • Although you will have an advisor to reach out to at any time, any member of our team is happy to assist with your needs. Our team works collaboratively to support you throughout your financial journey.

Client Relationship

  • It depends on your lifestyle, goals, and resources. With decades of experience in retirement planning services, the financial advisors at SJS will help you create a retirement income plan that shows exactly how your assets can support your desired lifestyle — and what adjustments may be needed.

  • We build retirement strategies that prioritize consistent income, tax-efficiency, and flexibility. This includes Social Security planning, required minimum distributions (RMDs), and smart withdrawal strategies.

  • These are key parts of your retirement picture. We help you make informed decisions on when to file and how to coordinate benefits with your broader financial plan.

Retirement

Families & Accumulators

  • We’ll help you evaluate education savings options like 529 plans and build this into your broader financial plan so you can save without sacrificing your own retirement.

  • Our financial advisors can help you prioritize your values and financial goals — creating a clear plan that builds momentum over time.

  • This might include building an emergency fund, creating an estate plan, purchasing the right insurance, and investing tax-efficiently. We’ll walk you through all the essentials.

  • Yes. Whether you’re preparing to sell, pass the business to family, or plan for retirement, we can help you explore all options and build a transition plan aligned with your goals.

     

  • We do. We can help design and manage retirement plans for your employees and guide you on how to make the most of your own plan as an owner.

  • We’ll work with your CPA or tax professional to find the most tax-efficient strategies for income, distributions, and long-term wealth building.

     

Business Owners

  • As a registered investment advisor, (RIA), we focus on tax-efficient strategies as part of your overall plan — from investment location (taxable vs. tax-advantaged accounts) to withdrawal strategies, gifting, and more.

  • Yes. While we don’t draft legal documents, we collaborate closely with your estate attorney to align your financial plan with your wishes and minimize estate taxes.

  • We can help you structure charitable giving, create trusts, and pass down wealth in a way that’s thoughtful, tax-smart, and aligned with your values.

Taxes, Estate & Legacy Planning

Schedule a Discovery Meeting

We believe you should have the opportunity to work with a financial advisory firm whose values and commitments match yours. If you’d like to learn more about what SJS Investment Services can do for you, no matter what life circumstances you may face, then please contact us to schedule a discovery meeting.

Call (800) 434-4406, fill out the form below or visit our Contact page for more information.