It’s become fairly common for advisors who give Social Security workshops to offer prospects a free initial consultation on Social Security claiming. While most advisors agree that it’s good to use Social Security advice to follow up with workshop prospects, there was a spirited discussion on the merits of charging for it at our last
Savvy Social Security 2-Day Intensive Workshop.
Those against charging point out that people are less likely to come in and see you if you expect them to pay for it, and that the charge—generally a few hundred dollars—is not worth the clients it could cost you. Proponents of charging for the consultation suggest people have become skeptical
of “free” offers, and that charging creates a more honest context for a business conversation.