My advisor has averaged close to 10% for 3 years, is this a ponzi?
Two years ago, maybe....now, not unlikely. Cash out, and buy an S&P index fund. Pay super low (next to none) fees, and "match" the market every year. Retire happy and play botche ball with me and drink little old man beers.
New question, how do I maximize my safe harbor match?
I can't help you on that one.
However, to reiterate my belief in index funds, the smartest guy I have ever met told me that the worst thing that his finance/accounting people could do was to try and make him richer...instead just match the market at super low fees. He said he'll focus on getting rich on doing what he knows how to do (focusing on his occupation).
A mutual friend of LSOC and I who now owns a private equity fund was once a HUGE disciple of John Bogle, founder of Vangaurd who wrote "Truth about Mutual Funds."
http://www.amazon.com/Bogle-Mutual-Funds-Perspectives-Intelligent/dp/0440506824This friend was ADAMANT that the best way to realize a healthy return was index funds..........
......but then, he decided to create his own fund. He joined the other side....and he now reaps the rewards.
He interviewed for a Wall Street analyst job once, for an equity fund, and the portfolio manger told him that he decided to be a fund manger because he couldn't sing (couldn't be a rock star) and wasn't an athlete (couldn't play pro ball), so managing funds was the next most profitable gig.