Iam not sure what you mean by individual, but if you mean the typical average middle class retiree, of course they can execute any options I may share with them.
Keep in mind that the first meeting with someone, I do not really know enough about them to make specialized, detailed options because it would just be innappropriate. I can, however, take a snapshot of their current situation and share with them the general ideas that I have for what they are doing well, what they can do better, and what they need to begin to do to really hit the goal they are seeking.
With that in mind, if they take the advice I give them in our first consultation, which by the way I do for free with no strings attached, and do it on their own, there is nothing I can do about that. I am not trying to set things up to where the only way they can follow my plan is through me. If a person wants to listen to me and then go out, research, and implement my recommendations; they are free to do so. But how many people really have the time to research and educate themselves enough to control their investments wisely and confindently enough to know that, yes, their money will be there at age 65 and also last them until age 100.
There is nothing wrong with someone seeking professional advice. We went to school-teachers for answers as children, lawyers for answers with the law, so it only makes sense to seek a financial advisor for help with investments. If it makes people sleep well at night and live a better retirement, whats wrong with that?