Financial advisors for retirees in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to as a retiree in California?
For retirees in California, talk to a fee-only planner who already works with people drawing down their savings. Your questions have moved from saving to spending, so look for steady withdrawals, tax-aware RMD planning, and care planning. Records to start with include Joseph Alfonso of Aegis Financial Advisory, Nannette Belt of Inspiration Financial Planning LLC and Michael Randall of Oak Summit Wealth Management.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Joseph Alfonso Aegis Financial Advisory, Cupertino Holds the RICP, CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Nannette Belt Inspiration Financial Planning LLC, Carlsbad Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee, percentage of assets.
- Michael Randall Oak Summit Wealth Management, San Diego Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee.
- James Schwarz CLEAR Retirement Advice, San Mateo Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee.
- Eric Amzalag Peak Financial Planning, Canoga Park Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, percentage of assets.
- Eric Toya Navigoe, LLC, Redondo Beach Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with retirees?
The Wellspent public graph lists 393 fee-only advisors for retirees in California, at 173 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for retirees in California located?
Of the 393 fee-only advisors for retirees in California, 50 are in San Diego, followed by 30 in San Ramon and 19 in Los Angeles.
Plus 261 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for retirees in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for retirees in California is a percentage of assets, used by 86% of the 393 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 50% charge by the hour and 44% 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 retirees have?
For retirees, look for the RICP, CFP and EA. In California, 46% of the 393 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- RICP1% in California
- The RICP focuses on income in retirement.
- CFP46% in California
- The CFP covers tax, insurance, and estate decisions together.
- EA2% in California
- Enrolled agents help with RMDs and Medicare surcharges.
How do California advisors for retirees compare with the rest of the US?
50% of fee-only advisors for retirees in California charge by the hour, compared with 41% of the 3,334 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 retirees.
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 as a retiree in California?
- How much can I spend each year, and how will you adjust it?
- How do you plan around RMDs and Medicare premiums?
- How would you pay for long-term care if I needed it?
- What happens if I can't manage this myself, or my spouse dies first?
- How does California tax each source of my retirement income?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for retirees 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 393 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annette Di Bello Member | Di Bello Financial | Mission Viejo | CFP, CPA, PFS™ | Percentage of assets |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
| Gabriel Anderson | Crafted Wealth Management, LLC | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU | 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 |
| Carol Somoano | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Evor Vattuone | Aspire Planning Associates, Inc. | Cupertino | CFP, CFS | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Eric Amzalag | Peak Financial Planning | Canoga Park | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Eric Maldonado | Aquila Wealth Advisors | San Luis Obispo | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gerald Gasber | Gasber Financial Advisors, Inc. | Folsom | CFP, CFS, CIMA, CIMC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Heather Comella | Folsom Wealth Advisors | Folsom | CFP | 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 |
| Meghan Coolbaugh | Oak Street Advisory Group, LLC | Nevada City | CFP, MA | Percentage of assets, One-time 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 |
| David Barnett | Barnett Financial Planning | Riverside | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| 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 |
| Zack Swad | Swad Wealth Management, LLC | Santa Rosa | CFP, AAMS, RLP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Andy Moran Ad Astra Financial Planning specializes in helping tech professionals navigate RSUs, stock options, tender offers, IPOs, and financial independence. We are a flat-fee, fee-only, fiduciary firm - we don't receive commissions or kickbacks or charge based on a percentage of your assets. | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription |
| David Carlson | Sound Investment Management, LLC | Newport Beach | CFP, ChFC, CKA, MBA | Percentage of assets |
| Elise Murphy | Level Financial Advisors | Glendora | CFP, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Toya | Navigoe, LLC | Redondo Beach | CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Gabbi Cerezo | Sustain Financial Inc. | Culver City | CFP, AFC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gary Pia | Mission Street Wealth Planning | South Pasadena | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jack O'Donnell | JRO Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Astrinos | Libra Wealth LLC | Los Gatos | CFP, CPA/PFS, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Matthew Etzler Etzler Financial Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary firm providing comprehensive, conflict-free financial planning on a time-based model, helping clients make informed decisions and achieve peace of mind without sales or asset-based fees. | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff | CFP | Hourly, Subscription |
| Ryan Hughes You work hard for your money. We’ll work hard to help you capitalize on what you’ve earned. Bull Oak is a full-service financial advisory firm. We provide investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, tax preparation and filing, and estate planning. Our all-inclusive service frees up your time and gives you an optimal wealth management experience with harmony between all aspects of your financial life. | Bull Oak | Rancho Santa Fe | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Allen Regan | Vistica Wealth Advisors | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
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