Safety & Security

We manage the strategy. Schwab protects the assets.

One of the most important questions you should ask any financial advisor is: "Where is my money?"

At Deane Retirement Strategies, we believe in a strict system of checks and balances. We never take physical custody of your assets. Instead, we have selected Charles Schwab & Co. as our independent custodian. This separation of powers ensures that while we have the authority to manage your investments, we never have the authority to access your funds without your consent.

Why We chose Charles Schwab & Co.

We partner with Schwab not just for their brand name, but for their institutional strength. As one of the largest and most respected financial institutions in the world, they provide the "vault" that safeguards your life savings.

1. Institutional Strength. Schwab custodies trillions of dollars in client assets. By holding your accounts at a major, publicly traded institution, you gain the peace of mind that comes with robust financial stability and rigorous regulatory oversight.

2. Total Transparency. Because your accounts are held independently, you always have a direct line of sight to your money.

  • Independent Verification: You don't have to take our word for what is in your account. You can verify your balances, holdings, and history directly through Schwab at any time.
  • Third-Party Statements: You will receive monthly statements directly from Schwab (by mail or email), providing an objective record of all activity that is separate from our firm’s reporting.

3. Best-in-Class Execution. Schwab provides us with advanced trading technology that allows us to execute block trades for all our clients simultaneously. This ensures that every client receives the same price and that your trades are executed efficiently and at low cost.

How Your Assets Are Protected

Your wealth is protected by multiple layers of insurance and regulatory safeguards.

SIPC Insurance. Your brokerage accounts at Schwab are protected by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). This covers up to $500,000 in securities (including up to $250,000 in cash) per account registration type.

"Excess SIPC" Coverage. For high-net-worth clients, standard limits may not be enough. Schwab provides an additional insurance policy through Lloyd’s of London and other insurers. This "Excess SIPC" policy provides protection up to an aggregate of $600 million, ensuring that even catastrophic events at the brokerage level are covered.

The "Asset Segregation" Rule. By law, your fully paid securities are segregated from Schwab’s own assets. This means that even if Schwab were to face financial difficulties, your assets are kept separate and cannot be used to pay the firm’s creditors.

Peace of mind is non-negotiable.

If you have questions about custody, safety, or how we protect your privacy, let's talk.