Financial advisors for pension planning in California
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.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Mary Ann Sullivan 395 Financial Planning, Mammoth Lakes Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: subscription, one-time planning fee.
- 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 Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management, San Diego Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- Erik Helmstetter Oder Investment Management, Los Angeles Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- William Cuthbertson Fiscalis Advisory, Inc., Mission Viejo Holds the CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee, one-time planning fee.
- 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.
Plus 21 in other cities.
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.
- RICP5% in California
- The RICP focuses on retirement income choices.
- CFP60% in California
- 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.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for pension planning.
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.
All 42 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Eric Niergarth | Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Nate Nieri | Modern Money Management | San Diego | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| William Cuthbertson | Fiscalis Advisory, Inc. | Mission Viejo | CFP, EA, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Carol Somoano | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Patrick Whalen | Whalen Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP, CTFA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Steven Medland | TABR Capital Management, LLC | Orange | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Delia Fernandez | Fernandez Financial Advisory, LLC | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lauren Williams Guiding your family’s wealth | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Steven Evensen Gerber Kawasaki is a forward-thinking wealth and investment management firm based in Santa Monica that helps individuals and families build, grow, and protect their wealth through personalized financial planning, investment strategies, and equity-compensation expertise. | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gregory Syrios | Syrios Wealth Management Group | La Jolla | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Andrew Russell | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Chad Valchar | R.I.T. Wealth Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Derek Thomsen | RED Seven Wealth Management | La Palma | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Erik Helmstetter | Oder Investment Management | Los Angeles | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jerod Fenton | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| John Richardson | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Marc Roland | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, PFS | Percentage of assets |
| Riley Adams We offer tax, accounting, financial planning, and investment advisory services for small-to-midsize businesses, wealth advisory clients, and high-net worth individuals. | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christina Gamache | RADIANT Wealth Planning | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Kevin Apolinar Financial planner for Christians | Behavior Shift | Murrieta | Not listed | One-time planning fee, Subscription |
| Randa Hoffman | RADIANT Wealth Planning | Palo Alto | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Ryan Melnyk | Manzanita Wealth Management | West Sacramento | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Brandon Morton | Financial Designs | Claremont | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nino Pavan | Financial Designs | Claremont | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Vaughn Heydel | Financial Designs | Claremont | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Beverly Patton | Syrios Wealth Management Group | La Jolla | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Joshua Oder | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Juliana Guerra | Dean Roland Russell Family Wealth Management | San Diego | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Keith Gunther | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Lucas Franco | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Rosario Scappaticci | RED Seven Wealth Management | Escondido | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Steven Zorn | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Y Shih | Oder Investment Management | Woodland Hills | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Gabriel Uruburo | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gary Allen | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jeffrey Coontz | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Kenneth Haren | Prudent Investor Advisors | Folsom | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
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