Firm Description
Mariaca Wealth Management, LLC. (“MWM”) was founded in 2010.
MWM is a fee-based investment management firm. An evaluation of each Client's initial
situation is provided to the Client, often in the form of a net worth statement, risk analysis
or similar document. Periodic reviews are also communicated to provide reminders of the
specific courses of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur but are not
necessarily communicated to the Client unless immediate changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, tax preparers, insurance agents, etc.) are
engaged directly by the Client on an as-needed basis and may charge fees of their own.
Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the Client in the event they should occur.
Types of Advisory Services
ASSET MANAGEMENT
MWM is in the business of managing investment portfolios for our Clients. MWM provides
investment management services to Clients using model asset allocation portfolios. Each
model portfolio is designed to meet a particular investment goal. After reviewing a Client's
financial situation and investment goals, we identify one of several proprietary model
portfolios appropriate for the Client. We then modify this model portfolio, as needed, to
address specific needs or restrictions of the Client.
In this regard, we seek to build well-balanced and globally diversified portfolios based on
academic research with the goal of providing Clients with excellent risk-adjusted returns.
During our data-gathering process, we determine the Client's individual objectives, time
horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. We may also review and discuss a Client's
prior investment history, as well as family composition and background. Through these
personal discussions in which goals and objectives based on a Client's particular
circumstances are established, we develop a Client's personal investment policy or
investment plan and create and manage a portfolio based on that policy or plan. MWM
provides continuous advice to a Client regarding the investment of Client funds, holdings
and the overall allocation strategy based on the individual needs of the Client. Please see
Item 8 for complete descriptions of our model portfolios.
We manage Client investments on a discretionary basis only. For these accounts, we will
implement transactions without seeking prior Client consent. Clients may impose
reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry
sectors.
Our investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered
by a broker dealer or insurance company and Client portfolios will generally include "no-
load" or "load-waived" mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). We frequently
invest Clients in mutual funds offered by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). DFA-
sponsored mutual funds follow a passive asset class investment philosophy with low
holdings turnover. Consequently, the DFA fund fees are generally lower than fees and
expenses charged by other types of funds. Although not part of our overall investment
strategy, Client portfolios may also include some individual equity and fixed income
securities.
When deemed appropriate for the Client, MWM may hire Sub-Advisors to manage all or a
portion of the assets in the Client account. MWM has full discretion to hire and fire Sub-
Advisors as we deem suitable. Sub-Advisors will maintain the models or investment
strategies agreed upon between Sub-Advisor and MWM. Sub-Advisors execute trades on
behalf of MWM in Client accounts. MWM will be responsible for the overall direct
relationship with the Client. MWM retains the authority to terminate the Sub-Advisor
relationship at MWM’s discretion.
In addition to managing your assets, we may also provide specific financial consulting
advice to Clients, at no additional charge, in the following areas:
• Retirement and income planning: We analyze current strategies and investment
plans to help the Client achieve his or her retirement goals. We analyze the Client's
income tax and spending and planning for past, current and future years; then
illustrate the impact of various investments on the Client's current income tax and
future tax liability.
• Education funding for children and grandchildren: We analyze the Client's
income and develop a strategy of saving and investing to plan for college expenses
and loan repayments.
• Current investment review and analysis: We analyze investment alternatives and
their effect on the Client's portfolio.
• Insurance coverage review and needs analysis: We review existing policies to
ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-term care, liability, umbrella,
home and automobile.
• Charitable gift planning: We will discuss with the Client their charitable needs and
wishes to determine which organizations and causes matter to the Client while
analyzing income streams and valuable tax benefits. We
will work collaboratively
with the Client's legal and tax professionals to implement the Client's charitable gift
plan.
• Legacy planning review and development: We assist the Client in assessing and
developing long-term strategies, including as appropriate, living trusts, wills, review
estate tax, powers of attorney, and asset protection plans.
RETIREMENT PLAN SERVICES
MWM provides service to qualified retirement plans including 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans,
pension and profit-sharing plans, cash balance plans, and deferred compensation plans.
MWM may act as a 3(21) advisor:
Limited Scope ERISA 3(21) Fiduciary. MWM may serve as a limited scope ERISA 3(21)
fiduciary that can advise, help and assist plan sponsors with their investment decisions on
a non-discretionary basis. As an investment advisor MWM has a fiduciary duty to act in the
best interest of the Client. The plan sponsor is still ultimately responsible for the decisions
made in their plan, though using MWM can help the plan sponsor delegate liability by
following a diligent process.
1. Fiduciary Services are:
• Provide non-discretionary investment advice to the Client about asset classes and
investment alternatives available for the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s investment
policies and objectives. Client will make the final decision regarding the initial selection,
retention, removal and addition of investment options. MWM acknowledges that it is a
fiduciary as defined in ERISA section 3 (21) (A) (ii).
• Assist the Client in the development of an investment policy statement (“IPS”). The IPS
establishes the investment policies and objectives for the Plan. Client shall have the
ultimate responsibility and authority to establish such policies and objectives and to
adopt and amend the IPS.
• Provide non-discretionary investment advice to the Plan Sponsor with respect to the
selection of a qualified default investment alternative for participants who are
automatically enrolled in the Plan or who have otherwise failed to make investment
elections. The Client retains the sole responsibility to provide all notices to the Plan
participants required under ERISA Section 404(c) (5) and 404(a)-5.
• Assist in monitoring investment options by preparing periodic investment reports that
document investment performance, consistency of fund management and conformance
to the guidelines set forth in the IPS and make recommendations to maintain, remove
or replace investment options.
• Meet with Client on a periodic basis to discuss the reports and the investment
recommendations.
2. Non-fiduciary Services are:
• Assist in the education of Plan participants about general investment information and
the investment alternatives available to them under the Plan. Client understands
MWM’s assistance in education of the Plan participants shall be consistent with and
within the scope of the Department of Labor’s definition of investment education
(Department of Labor Interpretive Bulletin 96-1). As such, MWM is not providing
fiduciary advice as defined by ERISA 3(21)(A)(ii) to the Plan participants. Advisor will
not provide investment advice concerning the prudence of any investment option or
combination of investment options for a particular participant or beneficiary under the
Plan.
• Assist in the group enrollment meetings designed to increase retirement plan
participation among the employees and investment and financial understanding by the
employees.
MWM may provide these services or, alternatively, may arrange for the Plan’s other
providers to offer these services, as agreed upon between Advisor and Client.
3. MWM has no responsibility to provide services related to the following types of assets
(“Excluded Assets”):
• Employer securities;
• Real estate (except for real estate funds or publicly traded REITs);
• Stock brokerage accounts or mutual fund windows;
• Participant loans;
• Non-publicly traded partnership interests;
• Other non-publicly traded securities or property (other than collective trusts and
similar vehicles); or
• Other hard-to-value or illiquid securities or property.
Excluded Assets will not be included in calculation of Fees paid to MWM on the Retirement
Plan Agreement.
Specific services will be outlined in detail to each plan in the 408(b)2 disclosure.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
The goals and objectives for each Client are documented in our Client files. Investment
strategies are created that reflect the stated goals and objectives. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities. Agreements may not be
assigned without written Client consent.
Wrap Fee Programs
MWM does not sponsor any wrap fee programs.
Client Assets under Management
MWM has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$197,190,682 $0 May 9, 2024