John Thiel, former head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, believes investors care less about financial benchmarks and more about their long-term financial security. In an interview with ThinkAdvisor, Thiel emphasized that clients want straightforward answers about their financial futures rather than complex discussions about market performance.

After 27 years at Merrill Lynch, Thiel retired in 2018 and recently launched Indivisible Partners, a registered investment advisor (RIA) designed to reshape the way financial advisors serve clients. The firm, co-founded by several former Merrill executives, offers advisors the ability to create and own their businesses while receiving regulatory, technological, and operational support from Indivisible Partners.

Thiel told ThinkAdivsor that, unlike traditional RIAs, the firm allows advisors to operate under their own branding while leveraging a shared platform. Fidelity Family Office serves as the firm's custodian, and its technology integrates multiple solutions into a single system, streamlining processes for advisors and their clients.

During his tenure at Merrill Lynch, Thiel led the shift to goals-based wealth management. However, he told ThinkAdvisor that he now advocates for outcomes-based advice—ensuring that clients achieve their financial objectives rather than simply setting goals. He encourages advisors to start conversations with the most pressing question: "Do I have enough money to retire comfortably?"

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