Frequently Asked Questions

A fiduciary is legally required to put your interests first. As a fee-based fiduciary firm, Patriot Asset Advisors is compensated primarily through transparent advisory fees rather than product commissions, which helps keep our advice aligned with your goals.

We specialize in retirees and pre-retirees in Central Ohio who want a clear, personalized plan for turning their savings into dependable retirement income.

We are based in Pataskala, Ohio and serve clients throughout Columbus, Newark, Licking County, and the surrounding Central Ohio communities.

Our team includes CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professionals, an IRS Enrolled Agent for tax strategy, and legal counsel — with more than 55 years of combined experience. Meet your partners.

We provide retirement income planning, investment management, portfolio protection, tax planning, Social Security strategy, 401(k) and IRA rollovers, Roth conversions, and estate and wealth-transfer guidance.

Your first conversation and our Retirement Checkup are complimentary and carry no obligation. Call (614) 944-5225 or request a meeting to begin.

As a fiduciary, we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times, ahead of our own. Every recommendation is made with your goals first.

A suitability standard only requires that a product be suitable, even if a cheaper or better option exists. A fiduciary must recommend what is best for you — and disclose any conflicts of interest.

Yes. We are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), which means we are held to the fiduciary standard under securities regulations.

Our compensation comes primarily from transparent advisory fees rather than commissions on the products we recommend, which reduces conflicts of interest.

Our Form ADV Part 2A and 2B brochures and our privacy policy are linked in the footer of every page and detail our services, fees, and any conflicts of interest.

No. We work with retirees and pre-retirees across a range of situations, and the fiduciary standard applies to every client relationship regardless of account size.

Common sources include dividend income, interest income, and portfolio withdrawals. Many retirees use a combination of all three. Read more about retirement income planning.

Companies can reduce or suspend dividends during economic downturns. Diversification across companies and sectors can help manage this risk.

Bond laddering involves holding bonds that mature at different times, which can help manage interest rate risk and improve liquidity.

The 4 percent rule is a guideline for withdrawals in retirement. It is often used as a starting point, with adjustments made based on market conditions and spending needs.

Required minimum distributions begin at age 73 for certain retirement accounts and can increase taxable income, making planning essential.

Rather than withdrawing a fixed percentage each year, the guardrail approach adjusts withdrawals based on market performance. You take less when markets are down and can withdraw a bit more when conditions improve, helping your portfolio last longer.

Portfolio protection is a set of strategies designed to reduce the impact of market downturns on your retirement savings while still allowing for growth, so a single bad year does not derail your plan. Learn how we protect portfolios.

It is the risk that poor investment returns early in retirement, when you are also withdrawing money, permanently reduce how long your savings last — even if long-term average returns are acceptable.

Common approaches include holding a cash buffer, diversifying across asset classes, using an income-and-growth bucket strategy, and keeping withdrawals flexible in down years.

Usually not. Selling after a decline can lock in losses and leave you exposed to inflation. A diversified, planned approach is generally more effective than reacting to headlines.

Spreading investments across different asset classes and sectors reduces the chance that a single decline affects your entire portfolio at once.

At least annually, and after major market moves or life changes, so your allocation, withdrawal strategy, and overall retirement plan stay aligned with your goals.

Market risk is the possibility that your investments lose value due to market downturns or economic conditions. In retirement, this risk is heightened because withdrawals from a declining portfolio can permanently reduce your savings. See how we manage market risk.

The bucket method divides your assets into short-term (1–3 years), mid-term (4–10 years), and long-term (10+ years) segments. Each bucket has a different risk and return profile. You draw from the short-term bucket for immediate income and replenish it over time from the longer-term buckets.

High-yield bonds carry greater credit risk and may not be appropriate as a primary income source in retirement. High-quality bonds, Dividend Aristocrats, and annuities are generally more suitable choices for retirees focused on capital preservation and steady income.

Yes. Rising prices reduce what your income can buy over a retirement that may last decades, which is why plans include growth assets and are reviewed as conditions change.

It is a complimentary review where you share a few key details and receive a clear snapshot of how prepared you are for retirement, along with any adjustments that might help. Request your checkup.

Yes. The checkup is complimentary and carries no cost or obligation.

A handful of basic details about your savings, income, and retirement goals is enough to produce a useful snapshot.

No. The checkup is educational. You are free to use the insights on your own or decide later whether to work with us.

It is designed to be simple and quick, and we follow up to walk you through the results.

It is ideal for retirees and pre-retirees in Central Ohio who want to know whether their current plan can support a comfortable retirement.