Scot Benefiel
Advisor at Merrill
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Some details may be added by the advisor after claiming their profile. Refreshed daily • Updated today.
Advisor at Merrill
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Some details may be added by the advisor after claiming their profile. Refreshed daily • Updated today.
Location
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Credentials
Series 63, Series 66
Industry experience
33 years
Scot Benefiel is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been with Merrill Lynch since 1988, working in the Phoenix area throughout his career. Scot founded The Benefiel Group, a multi-generational team focused on delivering customized wealth management strategies to high net worth individuals and their families. The group provides comprehensive financial services, including portfolio development, business transaction advice, estate and legacy planning, and structured credit through Bank of America.
Scot holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Indiana University, obtained in 1982. He began his professional career as a Certified Public Accountant from 1984 to 1988 and has held positions such as Director of Finance at Markland Properties before joining Merrill Lynch. His team's expertise spans services for individuals and corporate clients, covering areas like portfolio management, business sales, insurance, trust services, and financing solutions. Scot holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA).
Outside of his professional role, Scot has been active in the Phoenix community for over 40 years. He has served on the Executive Council of the Phoenix Boys and Girls Clubs, participates on the Hoyt Foundation Advisory Board, and has coached high school basketball in Scottsdale. Scot enjoys spending time with his wife Mary, their two children, and five grandchildren. His personal interests include basketball, golfing, hiking, skiing, and swimming.
Based on Merrill
$0 - $2,000,000: 1.10% (for Managed Strategy with MFSA under $2 million) $2,000,000+: 1.00% (for Managed Strategy with MFSA at and above $2 million)
Account minimum: $2,000,000 minimum to qualify for Premium Access Strategy per SEC data and Merrill brochure context; no other firm-wide minimum clearly stated
520 Newport Center Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92660
California · Texas
Bank of America,N.A.
2011 - Present (15 years)
Merrill
2005 - Present (21 years)
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through — whether you ultimately need an advisor or not.
Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly — so you can choose with confidence.
Warmer provides personalized recommendations and introductions to independent fiduciary advisors. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
Each advisor listed on our site is an independent fiduciary responsible for their own advice. Warmer may receive fees from advisors for participation or referrals; these fees are paid by advisors and do not affect the fees clients pay for advisory services.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before entering into an advisory relationship.
By using our service, you agree to Warmer's Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement and Privacy Policy. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")