Specialty
Retirement planning
Retirement planning covers the transition from accumulation to distribution: income strategy, withdrawal order, Social Security timing, bridge income before Medicare, Roth conversion runway, sequence-of-returns risk, long-term-care planning, and the tax coordination that determines whether a retirement plan actually survives 30+ years of drawdown.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 7,304 fee-only financial advisors focused on retirement planning at 3,218 firms, most in Houston, San Diego and Austin. 46% hold the CFP certification. Of the 7281 with fees on file, 87% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 7,304
- Firms
- 3,218
- Cities
- 1,467
- Hold the CFP
- 46%
- Other credentials: CFA 8% · CPA 2% · EA 2%
- How they charge (of 7281 with fees on file): percentage of assets 87% · fixed fees 47% · hourly 45% · ongoing planning fee 15%
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 retirement planning
| 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 |
| Amy Rosenow Advice-only planning and financial education for women, families and entrepreneurs, from a former investment firm COO and angel investor. | Bold Vision Financial | Chicago | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Anthony Syracuse Dynamic Financial Planning is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm in Scottsdale, AZ specializing in equity compensation and financial planning for tech professionals and high earners in their 30s and 40s. | Dynamic Financial Planning, LLC | Scottsdale | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Avanti Shetye Fee-only, advice-only planning for high-net-worth retirees, pre-retirees and high earners facing retirement income, tax and equity compensation decisions. | Wealthwyzr, LLC | Ellicott City | CFP, CFA, MBA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Brian Clarke Hourly, fee-only comprehensive planning for individuals and couples nearing retirement who are weighing what comes next. | Clarke Financial Counsel, LLC | Whitefish Bay | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Chris Musick Personal CFO for faith-driven founders earning $300k+, helping you steward income, taxes, and wealth beyond the business. | Purpose Financial Planning | Fayetteville | CFP, CKA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| 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 |
| David Barfield Hourly, fee-only advice for individuals, families and small businesses who want to pay only for the time they need. | Datapoint Financial Planning, LLC | Canton | CFP | Hourly |
| Didi Chen Fiduciary planning for immigrants, Asian Americans and their families working through money, career and life transitions. | Everleap Financial Planning | Newcastle | CFP, CFA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Emily Nilsson Hourly, project or ongoing planning that centers the person, helping clients build a healthier, more personal relationship with money. | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| 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 |
| Evon Mendrin We help optometrists nationwide build thriving practices and lasting wealth through tailored financial planning and investment management. | Optometry Wealth Advisors LLC | Madera | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Garrett Chmiola Valeo is an independent, fee-only financial advisory firm offering objective, independent guidance for one transparent fee | Valeo Financial Advisors | Chicago | CFP, CPA | Flat fee or retainer, Percentage of assets |
| Igor Aronov Flat-fee and hourly planning that helps professionals, business owners and families sort through overlapping decisions during busy career and family years. | FAR Financial | Brooklyn | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Jane Mepham Financial Planning For Foreign-Born Families & US Expats | Elgon Financial Advisors | Austin | CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Jenn Steliga Coaching-centered planning and accountability for people who feel late in pursuing their own version of financial independence. | Find Your FI | Omaha | CFP | Subscription |
| Jorge Soriano Financial and tax planning for young families and professionals focused on early retirement, with no age or asset minimums. | Financial Optimist LLC | Saint Petersburg | CFP, EA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Joshua Gallogly Advice-only, tax-focused retirement planning for DIY investors and retirees who want to keep managing their own accounts. | Milestones Financial, LLC | Columbus | CFP, EA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| 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 |
| Kevin Feig Rewrite Your Money Story. Build Real Wealth. | Walk You To Wealth | Dover | CFP, CPA, PFS | Subscription |
| 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 |
| Megan Kiesel Flexible, as-needed planning for early- and mid-career people who want a meaningful life and long-term financial stability. | Livelihood LLC | Philadelphia | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Michael Halper Flat-fee fiduciary planning for individuals and families, covering retirement, taxes, investments, stock options and digital assets. | Strateon Intelligent Wealth | Simi Valley | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Rodriguez Flat-fee, advice-only planning for first-generation wealth builders and young families buying homes, merging finances and raising kids. | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Staman Ongoing or project-based planning for mid- to late-career corporate and nonprofit professionals, with flat pricing and simple, low-cost investing. | Delaware Financial Planning | Newark | AWMA, CAP, CFP, MPAS | 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 |
| Paulo Lopes Hourly or flat-fee, tax-aware planning for DIY investors, high earners and business owners who want a second set of eyes. | Woodmont Financial Partners LLC | Mesa | CFP, JD | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Robert Jeter Modern Tax & Retirement Expertise | Back Bay Financial Planning & Investments | Bethany Beach | CFP, CRPC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Rupa Pereira Tax-focused hourly and comprehensive planning for young families, women-led households and clients with cross-border ties. | FWJ Planning | Raleigh Durham Triangle | CFP, EA | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Sarah Gerber Project and ongoing planning for newlyweds, young families and early-career professionals building a financial foundation, including couples merging finances. | Momentum Financial Planning LLC | Longmont | CFP, AFC | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Shannon Fleener Bilingual, values-based planning for first-generation wealth builders and progressive clients who want their money to do good too. | Sage Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Tim Melia Hourly, advice-only planning for young professionals, families and retirees, from first-time guidance to second opinions for DIY investors. | Embolden Financial Planning LLC | Seattle | CFP, MBA | Hourly |
| Aaron Hatch | Woven Capital | Redding | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Adam Bornn | Parallel Wealth Financial Group | Langley | CFP, CLU | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Adam Koos | Libertas Wealth Management Group Inc | Columbus | CEPA, CFP, CMT | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Aditi Kapadia | Wealth IQ | Springfield | CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Alan Rhode | Modern Wealth | Blue Bell | CFP, RLP, CPWA | Percentage of assets |
| Alejandro Haas | Copper Square Private Wealth, LLC | Phoenix | CFP, CIMA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alex Ammar Advice-only planning for people aiming to become financially independent and retire early within 10 years, with education built in. | Paradox Financial LLC | Montverde | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Allison Donaldson | HTG Investment Advisors Inc. | New Canaan | CFP, MBA, JD | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alvin Carlos | District Capital Management | Washington | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Amber FitzRysler | Rising Financial | Minneapolis | BA, CFP, EA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Amir Noor | N Financial Plans | Huntington | CFP, CRPS, EA | Hourly, Ongoing planning fee |
| Andrea Thompson | Modern Cents | Toronto | CFP, CRPC, CLU, CHS | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Andrew Altfest | Altfest Personal Wealth Management | New York | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee |
| Andrew Dobson | Objective Financial Partners Inc. | Markham | CFP, CIM | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
Guides
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Downsizing in retirement: the tax and money decisions
Up to $250,000 of gain on your main home is tax-free, or $500,000 for a married couple filing jointly, if you've owned and lived in it for two of the last five years. The bigger questions are how much the move really frees up, and what the sale does to your taxes and Medicare premiums.
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Planning an early retirement (FIRE)
The hard part of retiring early is the gap before 59½ and 65: reaching your savings without the 10% additional tax, paying for health insurance, and spending in low tax brackets. A one-time plan from a fee-only planner has a median of $2,000.
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Financial advisor for retirement: what to look for
A retirement advisor's real job is the income plan: when to claim Social Security, which accounts to draw first, and how to keep the tax bill down for 30 years. Fee-only planners charge a median $4,500 a year.
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How much can I withdraw in retirement?
About 4% of your starting balance, raised each year for inflation, is the historical baseline for a 30-year retirement: $40,000 on $1 million. Fees, taxes, a longer horizon and a rigid spending rule all push it lower; a willingness to cut back after bad years pushes it higher.
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HSA investing strategy: your HSA as a retirement account
For 2026 you can put $4,400 (self-only) or $8,750 (family) into an HSA, plus $1,000 at 55. Invested and left alone, it's the only account that's tax-free going in, growing and coming out for medical costs.
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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.