# Financial advisors for pension planning in California > For pension planning in California, talk to a fee-only planner who has compared pension elections before, ideally with your type of plan. Many of these choices, like a lump sum against an annuity or a survivor benefit, can't be undone. Records to start with include Mary Ann Sullivan of 395 Financial Planning, Eric Niergarth of Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning and Marc Roland of Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management. Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/pension-planning/california/ 42 fee-only advisors listed; data last updated October 30, 2026. Fee-only means paid only by clients, never by commissions. ## Which financial advisor should I talk to about a pension in California? For pension planning in California, talk to a fee-only planner who has compared pension elections before, ideally with your type of plan. Many of these choices, like a lump sum against an annuity or a survivor benefit, can't be undone. Records to start with include Mary Ann Sullivan of 395 Financial Planning, Eric Niergarth of Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning and Marc Roland of Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management. - [Mary Ann Sullivan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-ann-sullivan/), 395 Financial Planning, Mammoth Lakes. Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: subscription, one-time planning fee. - [Eric Niergarth](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/eric-niergarth/), Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning, San Diego. Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee. - [Marc Roland](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/marc-roland/), Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management, San Diego. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [Erik Helmstetter](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/erik-helmstetter/), Oder Investment Management, Los Angeles. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets. - [William Cuthbertson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-cuthbertson/), Fiscalis Advisory, Inc., Mission Viejo. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee, one-time planning fee. - [Patrick Whalen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/patrick-whalen/), Whalen Financial Planning, Los Angeles. Holds the CFP. Fees on file: hourly, one-time planning fee. ## How many fee-only financial advisors in California work on pension planning? The Wellspent public graph lists 42 fee-only advisors for pension planning in California, at 25 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026. ## Where are fee-only advisors for pension planning in California located? Of the 42 fee-only advisors for pension planning in California, 6 are in San Diego, followed by 4 in Escondido and 4 in Woodland Hills. ## How do fee-only advisors for pension planning in California charge? The most common fee among fee-only advisors for pension planning in California is a percentage of assets, used by 83% of the 42 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 43% charge fixed fees and 33% charge by the hour. ## 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 pension planning have? For pension planning, look for the RICP and CFP. In California, 60% of the 42 advisors listed hold the CFP. - RICP (5% of advisors listed): The RICP focuses on retirement income choices. - CFP (60% of advisors listed): The CFP weighs the pension against the rest of your income. ## How do California advisors for pension planning compare with the rest of the US? 43% of fee-only advisors for pension planning in California charge fixed fees, compared with 35% of the 391 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups. ## 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 about a pension in California? - Have you worked with my employer's plan or its type? - How would you compare the lump sum with monthly payments? - How do you weigh survivor benefit options? - Do you earn anything if I roll over or buy an annuity? - How does California tax each source of my retirement income? ## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for pension planning 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. ## Advisors | Advisor | Firm | Location | Credentials | Fees | |---|---|---|---|---| | [Mary Ann Sullivan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mary-ann-sullivan.md) | 395 Financial Planning | Mammoth Lakes, California | CFP, RICP | Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [Michal Skowronski](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michal-skowronski.md) | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Eric Niergarth](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/eric-niergarth.md) | Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning | San Diego, California | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee | | [Nate Nieri](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nate-nieri.md) | Modern Money Management | San Diego, California | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, Hourly | | [William Cuthbertson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-cuthbertson.md) | Fiscalis Advisory, Inc. | Mission Viejo, California | CFP, EA, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee | | [Carol Somoano](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/carol-somoano.md) | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee, Hourly | | [Patrick Whalen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/patrick-whalen.md) | Whalen Financial Planning | Los Angeles, California | CFP, CTFA | Hourly, One-time planning fee | | [Steven Medland](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-medland.md) | TABR Capital Management, LLC | Orange, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee | | [Delia Fernandez](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/delia-fernandez.md) | Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC | Los Alamitos, California | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Andy Moran](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andy-moran.md) | Ad Astra Financial Planning | Santa Rosa, California | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Subscription | | [Matthew Etzler](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-etzler.md) | Etzler Financial Advisors, LLC | Red Bluff, California | CFP | Hourly, Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [Taylor Schulte](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/taylor-schulte.md) | Define Financial | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer | | [Lauren Williams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lauren-williams.md) | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee | | [Steven Evensen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-evensen.md) | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly | | [Gregory Syrios](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gregory-syrios.md) | Syrios Wealth Management Group | La Jolla, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Andrew Russell](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/andrew-russell.md) | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Chad Valchar](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/chad-valchar.md) | R.I.T. Wealth Advisors | Santa Barbara , California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Derek Thomsen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/derek-thomsen.md) | RED Seven Wealth Management | La Palma, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Erik Helmstetter](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/erik-helmstetter.md) | Oder Investment Management | Los Angeles, California | CFP | Percentage of assets | | [Jerod Fenton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jerod-fenton.md) | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [John Richardson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-richardson.md) | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Marc Roland](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/marc-roland.md) | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego, California | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets | | [Riley Adams](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/riley-adams.md) | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton, California | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Subscription, One-time planning fee | | [Christina Gamache](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christina-gamache.md) | RADIANT Wealth Planning | Palo Alto, California | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Kevin Apolinar](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kevin-apolinar.md) | Behavior Shift | Murrieta, California | | One-time planning fee, Subscription, Hourly | | [Randa Hoffman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/randa-hoffman.md) | RADIANT Wealth Planning | Palo Alto, California | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Ryan Melnyk](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/ryan-melnyk.md) | Manzanita Wealth Management | West Sacramento, California | | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee | | [Brandon Morton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/brandon-morton.md) | Financial Designs | Claremont, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Nino Pavan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/nino-pavan.md) | Financial Designs | Claremont, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Vaughn Heydel](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/vaughn-heydel.md) | Financial Designs | Claremont, California | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Beverly Patton](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/beverly-patton.md) | Syrios Wealth Management Group | La Jolla, California | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Joshua Oder](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-oder.md) | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Juliana Guerra](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/juliana-guerra.md) | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Keith Gunther](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/keith-gunther.md) | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido, California | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Lucas Franco](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lucas-franco.md) | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Rosario Scappaticci](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/rosario-scappaticci.md) | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido, California | | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees | | [Steven Zorn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/steven-zorn.md) | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Y Shih](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/y-shih.md) | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills, California | | Percentage of assets | | [Gabriel Uruburo](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gabriel-uruburo.md) | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Gary Allen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/gary-allen.md) | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Jeffrey Coontz](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jeffrey-coontz.md) | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | | [Kenneth Haren](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kenneth-haren.md) | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom, California | | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees | ## Related - [Retirement planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/california.md) - [Estate planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/california.md) - [Tax planning in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/california.md) - [Founders in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/california.md) - [Family wealth transfer in California](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/california.md) - [Retirees in California](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/california.md) ## About this data Sources and verification: https://find.wellspent.co/methodology/ Query the directory programmatically: https://api.wellspent.co/mcp (MCP, read-only, no auth).