Tobin Investment Planning LLC is an independent advisory firm dedicated to providing objective, experienced advice always offered in your best interest. Whatever stage in life you’re headed towards, we’ll develop a personal, comprehensive plan built on evidence, trust and open communication.
Our mission is to improve the financial well-being of families.
Who Do We Work With?
We help a variety of clients from attorneys and small business owners to those nearing retirement to optimize their wealth today while planning for tomorrow.
I have been advising high-net-worth individuals and families on their financial security since 1989. Throughout my 35+ years in the financial services industry, I’ve had the fortunate experience to work at some of the industry’s top firms before opening Tobin Investment Planning. This gave me the opportunity to advise attorneys, small business owners, retirees, corporate executives,
and ultra-high-net-worth families. From this experience, I developed a core belief in always keeping my clients educated during the financial decision making process while offering advice that is honest, transparent and in their best interest.
I specialize in providing guidance to families on topics ranging from investment management, financial planning and tax strategies to multi-generational estate planning. Listening to your goals, aspirations for the future and factoring in your personal risk tolerance is an integral part of the way I do business. The process I use to develop your strategic financial plan is designed to address growing your wealth in a tax-efficient manner.
I believe in collaborating with your entire team of trusted professionals. That’s why I’ll work closely with your attorney, accountant or other advisors, to ensure your comprehensive investment plan is coordinated and implemented properly in order to meet your family’s needs.
Education & Designations
I received a bachelor's of science degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Ithaca College before earning my Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School of Union University. I later completed the Wharton Executive Education program in Investment Management from the University of Pennsylvania.
With a dedication to ongoing education and commitment to excellence, I've received various industry designations including:
We’re an independent advisory firm by choice. Why? When David founded the firm, he established a fiduciary oath as a cornerstone of the advisory practice. During his 30+ years in the financial services industry, he's seen firsthand the impact fiduciary advice can have on a client’s life.
What Does Being a Fee-Only Firm Mean?
Simply put, we work for you - and only you. 100% of our earnings come from the fees our clients pay us. That means that our only loyalty is to you and your financial well-being.
No Hidden Fees
No Commissions
No Insurance or Annuity Sales
Recommendations Only in Your Best Interest
Fiduciary Oath
I will always put my clients’ best interests first.
I will act with prudence; that is, with the skill, care, diligence, and good judgment of a professional.
I will not mislead clients, and I will provide conspicuous, full and fair disclosure of all important facts.
I will avoid conflicts of interest.
I will fully disclose and fairly manage, in my clients’ favor, any unavoidable conflicts.
- David M. Tobin
Our Fiduciary Pledge to You
David created a fiduciary oath when he founded our firm. When we give expert investment and financial planning advice, we put your interests first and back it up by signing a fiduciary oath that we are proud to uphold each and every day.
If you're currently seeking advice from a broker, think about it - have they offered you a fiduciary pledge in writing? For most, the answer is no, because brokers are not held to the same standard of fiduciary care as independent financial advisors.
Could You & Your Wealth Benefit From Trustworthy Solutions?
We serve a wide variety of clients in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and beyond. We provide services to individuals, families, businesses, trusts, partnerships, and not-for-profit organizations who wish to pursue long-term goals based on our consultative approach to managing wealth.
Before any changes are made, we will analyze your existing portfolio and discuss our recommendations with you. If changes are warranted, we will work with you to ensure that any transitions occur as smoothly and tax efficiently as possible.
In an effort to align our interests with those of our clients, Tobin Investment Planning LLC receives 100% of its compensation from asset-based advisory fees and planning fees paid by clients. The fees are on a sliding scale; as your portfolio grows, the percentage decreases. Our annual investment advisory fee is prorated and paid quarterly, in advance, based upon the market value of the client’s assets on the last business day of the previous quarter. In the event of a client departure, any unearned fees are refunded. Our fee schedule is available upon request.
We have found that our expertise is best matched with high net worth individuals who have $500,000 to $10 million in investable assets. Every client should expect the same level of respect and fiduciary care, regardless of the size of their portfolio.
No. Clients enter into a separate custodial/clearing agreement with an unaffiliated custodian where the assets are held in the client’s name. Tobin Investment Planning LLC generally recommends that investment management accounts be maintained at Charles Schwab & Co. for execution and/or custodial services. This recommendation is made based on such factors as Schwab’s financial strength, reputation and its full range of services. These include its research and execution capabilities, pricing, banking, technology platform and responsiveness.
Our firm is proud to be among the select firms who have access to DFA funds. We often find that they provide the best vehicles for building cost-effective and diversified portfolios. We receive no commissions for using DFA funds. If we feel there is a better investment option for your particular needs, we will recommend it.
Yes. Prior to engaging Tobin Investment Planning LLC to provide investment planning services, the client will enter into a formal Investment Advisory Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions under which the client’s assets shall be managed. Clients can terminate the agreement at any point without penalty.
Clients give Tobin Investment Planning LLC full authority to make all purchase and sell decisions in the investment portfolio. We follow an Investment Policy Statement that we establish together and sets forth the client’s target allocation. This arrangement allows us to manage portfolios in a much more efficient manner.
Yes. The account custodian notifies clients of all transactions on a timely basis, provides a comprehensive monthly statement and offers daily account access via the internet. Additionally, Tobin Investment Planning LLC provides an investment aggregation report linked to the client’s financial plan with on-demand portfolio login capabilities. Thus, clients remain current and well-informed about all matters pertaining to their investments.
Clients typically pay three types of fees no matter whom they invest through. In keeping with full transparency, we have chosen to identify all fees separately instead of combining them together.
The custodian charges a transaction fee for effecting certain securities transactions.
Separate account managers also charge an asset management fee, while mutual funds impose management fees and other expenses at the fund level.
Investment advisor fee for advice and implementation.
In conducting our due diligence and seeking the best execution for clients, we pay close attention to all fees and expenses. All fees are disclosed upfront so you will have no surprises.
Yes. If you were to examine David’s personal investment portfolio and those belonging to the firm’s clients who share similar investment objectives, he or she would see very significant overlap in the positions held. That is not to say that we own every mutual fund or security position that a client owns or that a client owns every position that we own. However, the similarities between the portfolios are striking - keep in mind that we build custom portfolios, so no two portfolios are exactly the same. At Tobin Investment Planning LLC, if we do not have enough conviction about an investment to want to own it ourselves, then there is no reason to recommend it for our clients.
We work with a select number of clients in the Greater Philadelphia area bringing clarity, insight and calm to their complex financial picture. Historically, we’ve found that our expertise is best matched with those who have $500,000 to $25 million in investable assets.
Our firm combines the best of a small business with the experience and resources of a large financial powerhouse. At Tobin Investment Planning, you and your finances are treated as more than just a number - you’re a hardworking individual who deserves to know your financial future is in good hands.
Throughout my career, my background has served as the foundation for helping others make better investment decisions. My mother was a school teacher, my father was an engineer. I inherited the best traits of each.
- David Tobin
What Can You Expect When Working With Us?
At Tobin Investment Planning, we work only in our client’s best interest developing a roadmap of customized solutions. Most importantly, we work to understand our client’s goals & values and advise them on objective strategies to unlock a secure future.
We firmly believe in being
Honest
When it comes to your money, you deserve straightforward, fiduciary advice.
Transparent
We believe in the power of financial fluency and keeping you well-informed at all times.
Collaborative
Working one-on-one allows us to ensure you’re comfortable & confident in your financial plan.
Independent
We have no ties to any investment manager and utilize world-class software that provides an integrated approach for your benefit.
Developing the Roadmap Toward Your Financial Future
With Customized Solutions & Straightforward Advice
We believe in the importance of listening first, advising second. We start our financial planning with an in-depth understanding of your unique goals and values. And as we move through the planning process, we’ll work to keep you educated on our objective strategies designed to unlock a more secure financial future.
Our Wealth Planning Services Include
Retirement Advice
Investment Management
Tax Advice
Social Security Planning
Risk Management Analysis
Lifetime Planning
Charitable Gifting
Estate and Gift Planning
Here’s How We’ll Work Toward a Sound Financial Future
Finding financial success is dependent on structuring your portfolio with your unique risk tolerance, goals and today’s economic conditions. Discover now how much you should be saving for retirement.
We invest in a combination of evidence-based and passive index strategies which are well-diversified low-cost investment solutions. In addition, we utilize active managers in less efficient asset classes who seek excess returns after both fees and taxes without substantially adding to the portfolio’s risk profile.
Our Investment Philosophy
We believe in a straightforward investment philosophy - balancing the opportunity for strong returns without substantially adding to the portfolio’s risk profile. As an Evidenced-Based Advisor, we believe that we are students of financial economics. We strive to make this knowledge available and accessible to our clients and base our investing decisions on evidence, not emotion or speculation. Many advisors can manage your investments, but few can bring the experience and perspective we do.
Are You Taking Too Much Risk?
At Tobin Investments Planning LLC., we understand the importance of being prepared, especially when it comes to your portfolio. Discovering your unique tolerance for risk allows us to analyze the effectiveness of your current portfolio. Together, we’ll determine whether or not your current portfolio reflects your risk tolerance, or if there’s more we can do to better align every aspect of your wealth.
Get better organized by utilizing our Personal Document Locator, a handy tool to assist your family in locating your most important financial documents.
