AUM Fees: The Real Cost of Paying Your Financial Advisor 1.5% Every Year

Michael Trefel

Published on: 14/04/2026

Most families never do the math on what 1.5% AUM fees actually cost over 20 years. This post breaks down the compounding drag of asset-under-management pricing on a $500,000 portfolio and introduces a structural alternative that front-loads costs, then tapers — while delivering tax-free income, downside protection, and a legacy.