Financial planning services should be provided to those that have the need. If you are unsure if you have a need for them, consider these situations. Do you need help planning for your retirement? Do you need help with purchasing your new home? Do you have kids going to college down the road? Then you need this service.

The range of what a financial planning associate can do for you will vary from one place to the next. You should take the time to find out if they sell annuities or if they are working with just the planning aspects. If they sell them, make sure that they are not trying to get a commission off of you by pressuring your to buy them.

Some financial planning companies have affiliations that you should know about. If you are working with a company, find out if they are working with others. If so, make sure you never feel pressured into working with or purchasing those services. IF they push this, they are not offering you the best service possible.