# James Schwarz

> James Schwarz is a fee-only financial advisor at CLEAR Retirement Advice in San Mateo, California, who holds the CFP, MBA and RICP credentials. James charges an ongoing planning fee (ongoing planning from $6,200 a year) and focuses on retirement planning and tax planning.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-schwarz/
Built from public directory listings; last checked April 21, 2026.

## Facts

- **Firm:** CLEAR Retirement Advice
- **Based in:** San Mateo, California
- **Fee model:** Ongoing planning fee
- **Fees (firm's website):** ongoing planning from $6,200 a year
- **Accepting new clients:** Yes (firm's website)
- **Assets under management (firm):** $153.4M across 218 accounts
- **Credentials:** CFP, MBA, RICP
- **Specialties:** Retirement planning, Tax planning
- **Works with:** Pre-retirees, Retirees
- **CRD:** 1170765 (https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/1170765)
- **SEC registration:** Investment adviser representative in CA
- **Exams passed:** Series 66 (2011)
- **Firm size:** 1 employee
- **Disclosures:** None reported
- **Website:** https://clearretirementadvice.com

## Frequently asked questions

### Is James Schwarz a fee-only financial advisor?

Yes. James Schwarz is listed in the NAPFA directory (NAPFA admits only fee-only advisors). SEC records as of October 27, 2026 show no broker registration and no commission compensation reported by James's firm.

### How does James charge for financial advice?

James charges an ongoing planning fee.

### How much does James charge?

According to CLEAR Retirement Advice's website, checked October 28, 2026: ongoing planning from $6,200 a year.

### Where is James Schwarz based?

James Schwarz is based in San Mateo, California.

### What does James specialize in?

James's specialties include retirement planning and tax planning. James works with pre-retirees and retirees.

### What credentials does James Schwarz hold?

James Schwarz holds the CFP, MBA and RICP credentials.

### Is James Schwarz registered with the SEC?

Yes. James Schwarz is registered as an investment adviser representative in CA (CRD 1170765), per SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure data as of October 27, 2026.

### How much does CLEAR Retirement Advice manage?

CLEAR Retirement Advice reports $153.4M across 218 accounts in assets under management.

### How do I contact James Schwarz?

Through James's website, clearretirementadvice.com.

## Sources

- NAPFA directory listing (https://www.napfa.org/find-an-advisor/firm/44882): NAPFA admits only fee-only advisors
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure and Form ADV: registration, exams, and firm facts, data as of October 27, 2026
- The firm's website (https://www.clearretirementadvice.com/): specialties, clients served, and fees, checked October 28, 2026

---

Source: Wellspent, the public graph of fee-only advisors (https://find.wellspent.co). No paid placement.