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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heather Townsend | Townsend Financial, LLC | Scottsdale | CFP, CPA, BBA, RLP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Helen Stephens | Aspen Wealth Management | Fort Worth | CEPA, CFP, EA, ChSNC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Hunter Kelly | Palm Valley Wealth Management | Saint Augustine | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| J Brett Martinson | Parallel Wealth Financial Group | Langley | CFP, CLU, B.Eng Mgt | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Jaime Ruff | HB Wealth | Nashville | CFP, CPA/PFS, MBA, CFDS | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Jake Northrup | Experience Your Wealth, LLC | Providence | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jared Andreoli | Simplicity Financial, LLC | Milwaukee | Certified Student Loan Professional, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jared Paul | Capable Wealth | Albany | CFP, CIMA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jason Branning | Branning Wealth Management | Jackson | CFP, RICP, ChFC, CDFA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Jason Heath | Objective Financial Partners Inc. | Markham | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Jeff McCartney | Objective Financial Partners Inc. | Markham | CFP, CFDS, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Joanne David | Keybase Financial Group | Edmonton | CFP, FCSI | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Joe Ward | Refined Wealth | Houston | CFP, RICP, TPCP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Bell Comprehensive and hourly advice-only planning for DIY investors and families who want help with retirement, taxes, estates and giving. | Free State Financial Planning | Clarksville | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| John Boyd | MDRN Wealth | Venice | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| John Gugle | Gugle Wealth Advisory LLC | Indian Land | CFP, CDFA, CRPC, TPCP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| John McGowan | Mandala Financial Advisors | Salida | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John O'Callaghan | Impact Financial Life Planning LLC | Baltimore | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Johnson Rhett | Branning Wealth Management, LLC | Jackson | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Jonathan Wride | Crafted Finance, LLC | Seattle | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Jordan Banning | Crafted Financial Planning | Glendale | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jordan DeBoer | Calibration Financial | Milaca | AWMA, CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jordan Vlastuin Vlastuin | Make the Memory Financial Planning LLC | Clemmons | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Julia Chung | Spring Financial Planning | Surrey | CFP, CLU, FEA | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kathleen Connors Dowdy | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP, EA, CLU, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Keith Hensley Clear, actionable plans for pre-retirees and retirees, offered through an ongoing flat-fee relationship or a one-time project. | Florida Financial Planning | Winter Garden | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Kenneth Doll | Alberta Financial Planner | Calgary | CFP, CLU, TEP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kevin Rademacher | Lifetime Financial Planners LLC | San Antonio | CFP, CRPC, MSFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
| Kyle Martins | Parallel Wealth Financial Group | Langley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Lance Elrod | Next Step Financial Transitions | Cypress | CFP, CDFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Lauren Way | Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group, LLC | Atlanta | CFP, CFA, PhD, CRC | Percentage of assets |
| Linda Rogers | Planning Within Reach | Virginia Beach | CFP, EA, MSBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Lindsay Elwood | Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group | Athens | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Lindsey Young | Quiet Wealth LLC | Baltimore | CFP, MBA, TPCP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Liz Plot | Primas Financial Planning | Columbia | CFP, ChFC, AFC, EA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Lucas Wennersten | 49th Parallel Wealth Management, LLC | Scottsdale | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mai Yang | Heartworth Financial | Saint Louis Park | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| Malissa Marshall | Soaring Wealth LLC | Bristol | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Marcus Miller | Mainstay Capital LLC | Lakeland | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Mark Stancato | VIP Wealth Advisors | Decatur | CFP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| MaryAnne Gucciardi | Wealthmind Financial Planning LLC | Cambridge | CFP, RICP, BA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matt Cooley | Inspire Wealth Partners | Boise | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Dennis | Parallel Wealth Financial Group | Langley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Matthew Hale | Make the Memory Financial Planning | Johnson City | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Pogirski | Unburdened Financial Planning | Wasilla | AAMS, CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Melissa Leonard Fiduciary, advice-only planning that helps young professionals and families live intentionally and enjoy experiences now, not only in retirement. | Cairn Financial Planning | Seattle | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Meri-Li Forrest | Be Wealthy Financial Coaching Inc. | Oakville | CFP, CIM | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Michael Barichello | Parallel Wealth Financial Group | Kitchener | CFP, CLU, FMA, CHS | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
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.