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Can I trust a workplace adviser with my personal information?

If you ask to find a financial adviser through work, you are most likely to be referred to experts on:

•    Life insurance, through the company that handles your company plan
•    Personal banking, through the bank that handles your pay
•    Retirement savings, through the company that runs your pension or savings plan
•    Education savings, through an adviser who works with your company or union
•    Financial planning, through a special program your company offers.
 

How much should I tell an adviser at work?

This chart shows you how much you may need to share with your adviser. It depends on what you plan to discuss.

To get some ideas about investing, or test out your thinking on financial topics:

To get some help with simple personal banking or saving:

To get full advice on things like retirement planning or life insurance:

Little or no personal and financial information

Basic personal and financial information

Detailed personal and financial information

How will an adviser protect my privacy?

Any adviser you are referred to through work should not share what they learn about you with your employer. To make sure, ask the adviser:
  • Will you tell my employer anything about what we discuss or do?
  • Will you need to share what I tell you with others? Who would that be, and why?
  • Will you check with me before sharing any of my information with others?
  • Where will you keep my information so that it remains safe and private? Will the information be kept somewhere outside my place of work?
  • Will we share information over the Internet? What steps will you and your company take to keep any information sent over the Internet safe?
  • Will you make sure that any papers of mine are shredded before they are thrown away?
  • If others work with you to help me, how will you make sure that they also keep my information private?

Remember: Your adviser works for you.

They should not share your personal or financial information. If you have any concerns at all, be sure to ask questions about how your adviser will protect your privacy.