Pension planning
Pension planning is its own corner of retirement work: lump-sum versus annuity elections, survivor-benefit choices, federal employee FERS and CSRS coordination, military retirement integration, corporate pension freezes and buyouts, and the cash-flow modeling required to integrate a pension stream with Social Security and portfolio drawdown. Specialty advisors here run the irreversible elections through several lenses before the deadline closes.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 391 fee-only financial advisors focused on pension planning at 214 firms, most in Columbus, Milwaukee and Orem. 54% hold the CFP certification. Of the 386 with fees on file, 82% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 391
- Firms
- 214
- Cities
- 190
- Hold the CFP
- 54%
- Other credentials: CFA 6% · CPA 3% · EA 2%
- How they charge (of 386 with fees on file): percentage of assets 82% · fixed fees 35% · hourly 31% · one-time planning fee 23%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in pension planning
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christopher Reddick Flat-fee, advice-only retirement and tax planning for educators, federal employees and public servants balancing pensions with workplace accounts. | Chris Reddick Financial Planning | San Antonio | CFP, EA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Cody Murray Fee only fiduciary financial planning firm working with business owners. | Stillwater Financial | Stillwater | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Eric Johns We specialize in tax planning for those nearing retirement. | Equilibrium Financial Planning LLC | Kenner | CFP, EA, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Eric Ross Modern wealth management integrating financial planning, tax planning, and investment management to help you live your best life. | F2 Wealth | Cincinnati | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Jane Mepham Financial Planning For Foreign-Born Families & US Expats | Elgon Financial Advisors | Austin | CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Justin May Tax-focused wealth management for executives & founders | Old Peak Finance | Chapel Hill | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Kevin Estes Kevin Estes, CFP®, CCFC, MBA is an hourly financial planner who helps tech professionals and their families live great lives. | Scaled Finance, LLC | Bellevue | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| 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 |
| Robert Jeter Modern Tax & Retirement Expertise | Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments | Bethany Beach | CFP, CRPC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Andrew Ish | Prepared Financial Planning LLC | Milwaukee | CFP, CFA, CPA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Angela Furubotten-LaRosee | Avea Financial Planning, LLC | Pasco | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ben Earls | Earls Financial LLC | Fort Worth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Bobby Cremins | Metanoia Financial | Philadelphia | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ed Smith | Valor Wealth Partners | Washington | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Emily Rassam | Archer Investment Management | Austin | AIFA, CDAA, CFP, CRPS | Percentage of assets |
| Garrett Dresen | Harbor Horizon Financial | Wilsonville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Hazel Secco | Align Financial Solutions | Hoboken | CDFA, CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Joe Ward | Refined Wealth | Houston | CFP, RICP, TPCP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Kirk Reagan Advice-only planning for military members and veterans, especially pre-retirees and those pursuing early financial independence. | High Flight Financial LLC | Dallas | CFP, ChFC | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| MaryAnne Gucciardi | Wealthmind Financial Planning LLC | Cambridge | CFP, RICP, BA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Robert Costello | Costello Financial Planning | Bend | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Zubin Kapur | Valor Wealth Partners | Washington | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Andrew Mitchell I'm a wealth advisor who helps entrepreneurs and business owners make smart financial decisions; whether it's managing a windfall, funding a business venture, or building generational wealth so they can invest in themselves, their communities, and their passions. | Fiduciary Financial Advisors | Grand Rapids | CFP | Percentage of assets, Subscription |
| Brian Seymour Guiding First-Generation Wealth Builders | Prosperitage Wealth | Mcdonough | CFP, ChFC, RICP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christopher Lazzaro Plan For It Financial delivers personalized, actionable financial advice and education empowering you to make informed decisions about your future with confidence. | Plan For It Financial, LLC | Salem | ChFC, RICP | One-time planning fee, Subscription |
| Dan Reiter | Prosperity Planning, Inc. | North Kansas City | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets |
| Eric Jochimsen | JBY Financial Planning | Sun Prairie | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Niergarth | Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Erik Nero | First Step Wealth Planning, LLC | Wilton | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Garrett Bybee | Bybee Wealth Management | Roy | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jacob Molina | Styra Wealth Management | Phoenix | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jeffrey Schlotterbeck Water Street Wealth Management is an independent financial advisory firm providing personalized financial planning, investment management, tax strategies, and estate planning for individuals, families, and businesses. | Water Street Wealth Management | Tampa | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Joel Cundick I am part of a team that transforms personal and financial dreams into goals, and goals into reality, working to build one million ideal futures for our clients, our team, and the communities we serve. | Savant Wealth Management | Phoenix | AIF, CFP, CPA/PFS, CFA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Kevin Burkle Flat-fee, one-time early retirement plans for people who want to keep control of their investments, with ongoing software access. | HCP Wealth Planning, LLC | Jacksonville | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Kevin Jacobs | Step By Step Financial LLC | Tulsa | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Kyle Newell | Newell Wealth Management | Winter Garden | CFP, CRPC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Spivak | Not listed | Toronto | CFP, CPA, CMA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Nate Nieri | Modern Money Management | San Diego | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Roland McIntyre | Mountaintop Wealth LLC | Chattanooga | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Ryan Bennett | Kelda Wealth Management | Cuyahoga Falls | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Tom Poltersdorf Jr | GT Wealth | Lebanon | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Travis Allen Fiduciary Financial Planning & Investment Management. | Custom Wealth Planners | Ankeny | CFA, CFP, RICP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| William Cuthbertson | Fiscalis Advisory, Inc. | Mission Viejo | CFP, EA, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Ann Minnium | Concierge Financial Planning, LLC | Margate City | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Ayana Forward | Retirement in View | Ottawa | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ben Raikes | Mason & Associates, LLC | Newport News | CFP, CPA, CPA/PFS, Master of Science Accounting | Ongoing planning fee |
| Brittany Ringo | Autumn Financial Advisors, LLC | Plymouth | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Carol Somoano | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Caroline Nalbantoglu | CNal Financial Planning Inc. | Montreal | C.Adm.F.P., CFP, RFP | Not listed |
Guides
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Pension commuted value: take the lump sum or keep the pension?
Leaving a defined benefit pension in Canada usually means choosing between a monthly pension for life and a lump sum you invest yourself. Only part of the lump sum can move tax-free, and the choice can't be undone. Here's how to decide, and what a fee-only planner charges to check it.
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Pension income splitting: how it works and what it saves
Couples can move up to half of eligible pension income to the lower-income spouse on their tax returns each year. For a retired couple with C$110,000 and C$30,000 of income, splitting C$40,000 saves about C$4,180 in federal tax and OAS repayment in 2026.
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Pension lump sum or monthly payments: how to decide
A pension lump sum is the plan's price for your monthly payments, set with IRS interest rates. The test is what that money would have to earn to pay you as much, for as long, and who carries the risk.
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Divorce and money in Canada: property, pensions and CPP
Divorce is federal law, but how property is divided depends on your province, and whether you were married. A fee-only planner can show what a settlement is worth after tax, at a median C$250 an hour or C$1,900 for a one-time plan.
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Financial advisors for teachers, federal employees and tech workers
Each of these jobs comes with its own rulebook: 403(b), 457(b) and a pension for teachers, FERS and the TSP for federal workers, RSUs for tech. The right advisor knows yours. Fee-only planners charge a median $300 an hour or $2,000 for a one-time plan.
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Military retirement and transition planning
The choices with the most money in them come in your last year of service: the Survivor Benefit Plan, the Blended Retirement System lump sum, your TSP and your VA claim. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner has a median of $2,000.