Financial advisors for people close to retirement in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to if you're close to retirement in California?
For people close to retirement in California, talk to a fee-only planner five to ten years before you stop working, while there's still time to change things. Look for someone who tests your retirement date and shows you what would have to be true for it to work. Records to start with include John Pak of Otium Advisory Group, Joseph Alfonso of Aegis Financial Advisory and Eric Amzalag of Peak Financial Planning.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- John Pak Otium Advisory Group, El Segundo Holds the CFP, RICP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- Joseph Alfonso Aegis Financial Advisory, Cupertino Holds the CFP, RICP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Eric Amzalag Peak Financial Planning, Canoga Park Holds the CFP and RICP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, percentage of assets.
- Mary Ann Sullivan 395 Financial Planning, Mammoth Lakes Holds the CFP and RICP. Fees on file: subscription, one-time planning fee.
- Nannette Belt Inspiration Financial Planning LLC, Carlsbad Holds the CFP and RICP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee, percentage of assets.
- Lorne Abramson Abramson Financial Planning, LLC, Burlingame Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with people close to retirement?
The Wellspent public graph lists 376 fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California, at 176 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California located?
Of the 376 fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California, 49 are in San Diego, followed by 29 in San Ramon and 25 in Walnut Creek.
Plus 238 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California is a percentage of assets, used by 86% of the 376 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 38% charge by the hour and 34% charge fixed fees.
How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?
Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.
How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?
A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.
What credentials should a financial advisor for people close to retirement have?
For people close to retirement, look for the CFP, RICP and EA. In California, 49% of the 376 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- CFP49% in California
- The CFP covers the whole transition.
- RICP2% in California
- The RICP focuses on turning savings into income.
- EA2% in California
- Enrolled agents help with the low-tax years before Social Security.
How do California advisors for people close to retirement compare with the rest of the US?
34% of fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California charge fixed fees, compared with 40% of the 2,969 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for people close to retirement.
Does California tax Social Security?
No. California doesn't tax Social Security. Its treatment of IRA withdrawals and pensions has its own rules, so ask to see them in your plan.
What should I ask a financial advisor if you're close to retirement in California?
- Can I retire when I want to, and what would change your answer?
- How should my investments change in the years before I stop working?
- How do I cover health insurance before Medicare?
- What should I do with my 401(k) when I leave?
- How does California tax each source of my retirement income?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for people close to retirement in California?
Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.
All 376 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Al Faber Collaborative, do-it-with-you hourly or flat-fee planning for people who want to stay in control, with no product sales or ongoing fees. | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Mary Ann Sullivan Pension-focused retirement planning and education for educators and public employees who want to manage their own money confidently. | 395 Financial Planning | Mammoth Lakes | CFP, RICP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| John Boyd | MDRN Wealth | Venice | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Sheila McGinn | Brightview Financial Solutions, LLC | Redwood City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Stephen Nelson | Birchwood Capital LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tommy Lopez | Coffeehouse Capital LLC | Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| AJ Flores | Portfolio Advisors, Inc. | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Angela Dorsey | Dorsey Wealth Management | Torrance | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ariadne Horstman | Tamarind Financial Planning | Palo Alto | CFP, RLP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Emilie Goldman | Tamarind Financial Planning | Palo Alto | CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Niergarth | Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gabriel Anderson | Crafted Wealth Management, LLC | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gustaf Rounick | Westlight Wealth | Venice | BA, CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Laryssa Freeman | Meritage Wealth Management LLC | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nate Nieri | Modern Money Management | San Diego | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Shannon Grey | InvestEdge Planning | San Diego | CFP, CRPC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Tina Mistry | Portfolio Advisors, Inc | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Anandi Krishnamurthy | AKrish Financial Advisory | Cupertino | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Arielle Bittoni | Good Balance Financial Planning | Los Angeles | BA, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Carol Somoano | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Deirdre Hegarty | Branch & Bloom Financial Planning, LLC | Menlo Park | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Don Martini | Envision Financial Planning | San Francisco | CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jacob Greenberg | Pure Financial Advisors, LLC | San Diego | AIF, CFP, ChFC, MPH | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Jake Taylor | Astra Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| John Pak | Otium Advisory Group | El Segundo | BA, CFP, EA, MST | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Krystal Fortner Simple, no-nonsense advice-only planning for clients at any savings level, starting with a plan and twice-yearly check-ins. | Krystal Fortner | Richmond | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Lorne Abramson | Abramson Financial Planning, LLC | Burlingame | CFA, CFP, CTEC, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Nannette Belt | Inspiration Financial Planning LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, RICP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Neil Portus | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Scott Brooks | Brooks Wealth Management | Westlake Village | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Cathy Curtis | Curtis Financial Planning, LLC | Oakland | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Eric Amzalag | Peak Financial Planning | Canoga Park | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Gerald Gasber | Gasber Financial Advisors, Inc. | Folsom | CFP, CFS, CIMA, CIMC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| James Schwarz | CLEAR Retirement Advice | San Mateo | CFP, MBA, RICP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Joseph Alfonso | Aegis Financial Advisory | Cupertino | CFP, ChFC, EA, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mark Young | Clearview Financial, Inc. | San Diego | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Randall | Oak Summit Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Sarah Maitre | Camriel Advisors | Mount Shasta | CFP, CFA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Steven Medland | TABR Capital Management, LLC | Orange | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Danny Michael | Satori Wealth Management Inc. | San Diego | CFP, RLP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Daryoosh Khalilollahi Advice-only planning since 2004 for individuals and families ready to take charge of their finances and ask questions. | DABK Financial Planning Services | El Cerrito | CFP, MBA, MSEE | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Gabriel Shahin | Falcon Wealth Planning, Inc. | Irvine | AIF, CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeremy Portnoff | PortSalus Wealth Management | Mission Viejo | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jon Luskin Hourly, advice-only planning for do-it-yourself investors from a fiduciary and longtime advocate of simple, low-cost index investing. | JonLuskin.com | San Diego | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Michael Martinez | Live, Learn, Grow Wealth Management | Diamond Bar | CFP, CRPC | Fixed fees |
| Uchechi Kalu | Greenlight Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Zack Swad | Swad Wealth Management, LLC | Santa Rosa | CFP, AAMS, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
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