As we get older, the way we think about money changes. It’s not just about growing a nest egg anymore—it’s about protecting it. It’s about knowing that what you’ve worked hard to earn is secure, that it’s still growing, and that it will be there for you when you need it. Whether you’re retired or approaching retirement, having a smart investment strategy becomes more important than ever.

That’s where Edward Jones comes in.

With more than a century of financial expertise and a reputation for putting clients first, Edward Jones has built an investment model that’s especially powerful for older adults. It offers both the reassurance of safety and the possibility of growth. This article is a deep dive into how Edward Jones is uniquely positioned to serve people in their later years, helping you preserve what you’ve built and keep moving forward.

It Starts with You: Personalized Financial Strategies That Reflect Your Life

At Edward Jones, there’s no such thing as a cookie-cutter investment plan. Your life, your goals, your timeline—these are the things that matter most. The relationship starts with a conversation. Not a spreadsheet. Not a sales pitch. Just a conversation.

Your advisor will want to hear about the life you’ve imagined. Maybe that means a retirement full of travel and hobbies. Maybe it’s making sure your grandkids’ college funds are taken care of. Maybe it’s just having the freedom to enjoy life without worrying about money. Whatever your goals are, your advisor will help create a strategy that supports them.

But it’s not just about where you want to go—it’s also about how you want to get there. Some people prefer to take a more hands-on role in managing their investments. Others want a trusted professional to handle the day-to-day decisions. Edward Jones honors that preference. You can be as involved—or as hands-off—as you want to be.

And let’s not forget one more critical factor: your comfort with risk. After all, you’ve spent decades building your savings. The last thing you want is to feel like it’s being put in jeopardy. That’s why your advisor takes the time to discuss your risk tolerance and align it with your investment plan. The idea isn’t just to grow your wealth—it’s to help you sleep well at night, too.

Where Safety Meets Strategy: The Insured Bank Deposit Program

For many older adults, a big concern is where to park their cash. You want your money to be accessible, but you also want it to be protected. Edward Jones understands this. Their Insured Bank Deposit Program offers FDIC protection—up to $5 million in individual accounts, and up to $10 million in joint accounts. That’s not a typo.

Here’s how it works: Edward Jones partners with a network of FDIC-insured banks. When you enroll in the program, your cash is automatically spread out across these banks in such a way that you stay under the insurance limit at each one. It’s an elegant solution that gives you the peace of mind of government-backed protection without the hassle of managing multiple bank accounts.

You’ll see your deposits right alongside your other investments on a single, easy-to-read statement. And if your cash goes above the FDIC limit? It can be directed into a money market fund or another eligible account, depending on your preferences.

It’s all about making your money work smarter for you, while keeping it safe.

Investing for Growth—Without Losing Sight of Risk

Now let’s talk about growth. Because safety is important—but so is making sure your money is still working for you. Edward Jones embraces a long-term investment philosophy that focuses on quality and diversification. That’s financial speak for “smart and steady.”

What does that look like in practice? Think mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are selected not just because they’re trendy, but because they have a history of solid performance. Think portfolios that are diversified across industries, sectors, and geographies, so that no single event can send your whole strategy into a tailspin.

One of the most comforting truths they emphasize is this: bear markets—those scary times when stock prices drop by 20% or more—are actually pretty normal. In fact, since 1946, the average bear market has lasted just 16 months. But here’s the good news: the bull markets that follow tend to last far longer and produce much stronger returns. On average, bull markets have lasted over 5 years and delivered gains of nearly 200%.

That’s why Edward Jones encourages staying the course. Trying to time the market—jumping in and out based on headlines or emotions—is almost always a losing game. The data shows that even missing just the 10 best days in the market over a 30-year period can dramatically reduce your returns. It’s the people who stay invested who tend to come out ahead.

Professional Management with Advisory Solutions

Many older investors reach a point where they’d rather not worry about the ups and downs of the market on a daily basis. If that sounds like you, Edward Jones’ Advisory Solutions might be a great fit.

Advisory Solutions is a professionally managed investment program that does the heavy lifting for you. Your advisor works with a team of over 50 investment professionals—many of whom hold Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) credentials—to make thoughtful, research-driven decisions on your behalf.

You can choose between two main formats: Fund Models and Unified Managed Accounts (UMA).

Fund Models are a great option if you’re looking for a lower entry point—starting at $25,000. These accounts are made up of mutual funds and ETFs and are actively managed and rebalanced by Edward Jones professionals.

If you have a larger portfolio (think $300,000 and up), UMA Models offer even more flexibility. They can include mutual funds, ETFs, and even separately managed accounts that invest in individual stocks and bonds. You can customize these accounts to reflect your values, excluding things like fossil fuels, tobacco, or weapons manufacturers if that’s important to you.

No matter which option you choose, the portfolios are monitored daily and rebalanced automatically to ensure they stay aligned with your goals and risk preferences. That means you get the benefit of professional oversight without having to micromanage your investments.

Want More Control? You’ve Got Options

Not everyone wants to hand over full control—and that’s okay. Edward Jones also offers Guided Solutions and Select Accounts for investors who want to be more involved.

With Guided Solutions, you and your advisor collaborate to build and maintain your portfolio. You get access to Edward Jones’ investment recommendations, online tools, and automated alerts, but you’re the one who makes the final calls. It’s a good middle ground for people who want support but don’t want to give up decision-making authority.

Then there’s the Select Account, which is all about autonomy. You decide what to buy and sell. Your advisor is there to provide insights and guidance, but ultimately, you call the shots. There are no management fees—just a commission when you make a trade. This is a great fit for experienced investors who enjoy managing their own portfolios but still want a trusted partner to consult with.

Staying on Track: Reviews, Rebalancing, and Adjustments

No matter which account type you choose, Edward Jones doesn’t just set it and forget it. They’re with you for the long haul. That means regular portfolio reviews—usually once a year, but more often if you want them—and real conversations about what’s changed in your life.

Maybe you’ve downsized your home. Maybe you’ve had a major health event. Maybe your goals have shifted from growth to income. Whatever it is, your advisor will work with you to make sure your investment strategy stays relevant and realistic.

And then there’s rebalancing. It’s one of the most underappreciated tools in the investment world. Over time, some investments grow faster than others, which can throw your portfolio off balance. Rebalancing puts things back in line, reducing your exposure to unnecessary risk and helping you stay aligned with your goals. Edward Jones handles this seamlessly in managed accounts.

The point is this: they’re not just managing your money. They’re helping you manage your future.

Planning for Life’s “What Ifs”

One thing you learn with age is that life doesn’t always go according to plan. That’s why Edward Jones takes a holistic approach to financial planning. It’s not just about maximizing returns—it’s about preparing for the unexpected.

What if you face a major medical expense? What if you or your spouse need long-term care? What if you outlive your savings? What happens to your estate?

Edward Jones helps you address these questions with strategies designed to protect your assets and provide for your loved ones. That might mean purchasing long-term care insurance. It might mean setting up a trust. It might mean adjusting your withdrawal strategy to make your money last longer.

Whatever your concerns, they’ve seen it before—and they’re ready to help you plan accordingly.

Making Values-Based Investing Easy

A growing number of older adults want their investments to reflect their values. Maybe you don’t want to profit from companies that manufacture tobacco or firearms. Maybe you care about climate change or ethical labor practices. Edward Jones makes it easy to align your portfolio with your beliefs.

In UMA accounts, you can apply specific restrictions to exclude industries or companies that don’t align with your values. Edward Jones works with MSCI ESG Research to provide objective data on which companies fall into categories like fossil fuels, adult entertainment, and weapons.

Just keep in mind that limiting your investment universe can sometimes mean accepting a little more volatility or slightly lower returns. But for many investors, that’s a tradeoff worth making. And with Edward Jones, you don’t have to sacrifice professionalism or performance to stay true to your principles.

Transparent Fees and Honest Conversations

When it comes to money, no one likes surprises—especially not when it comes to fees. Edward Jones is refreshingly transparent about how they charge for their services.

For Advisory Solutions accounts, you pay a simple annual fee: 1.35% for program services, and 0.05% for platform support. These are tiered, so the more you invest, the lower your fee rate becomes. There are no extra costs for trading, rebalancing, or talking with your advisor.

For Select Accounts, fees are based on individual transactions. So if you buy or sell a stock or bond, you’ll pay a commission. That might be a good choice if you trade infrequently and want to keep costs low.

In all cases, your advisor will walk you through the details before anything is finalized. No fine print. No hidden charges. Just straight talk.

Final Thoughts: A Partner You Can Count On

At the end of the day, investing is about more than numbers. It’s about trust. It’s about feeling seen, heard, and understood. And that’s exactly what Edward Jones offers.

Their advisors take the time to know you as a person—not just as a client. They help you build a strategy based on your life, not just your balance sheet. They stay with you through market dips and life changes. And they work with you, year after year, to help you stay on track and feel confident in your financial future.

If you’re an older adult looking for a smart, safe, and personalized way to invest, Edward Jones is worth a serious look.

Because at this stage in life, you deserve nothing less than a financial partner who gets it—and who gets you.

Want to Learn More?

Visit edwardjones.com or schedule a conversation with a local advisor today. You’ll be glad you did.