Financial advisors for retirement planning in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to about retirement planning in California?
For retirement planning in California, talk to a fee-only planner who builds a withdrawal plan, not only an investment portfolio. Look for someone who works out where your income comes from each year, in what order, and what tax it triggers. Records to start with include John Pak of Otium Advisory Group, Joseph Alfonso of Aegis Financial Advisory and Susan Soesbe of Soesbe Financial, LLC.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- John Pak Otium Advisory Group, El Segundo Holds the RICP, CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- Joseph Alfonso Aegis Financial Advisory, Cupertino Holds the RICP, CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Susan Soesbe Soesbe Financial, LLC, Sacramento Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.
- Annette Di Bello Di Bello Financial, Mission Viejo Holds the CFP and CPA. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- Lorne Abramson Abramson Financial Planning, LLC, Burlingame Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, hourly.
- Nannette Belt Inspiration Financial Planning LLC, Carlsbad Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: ongoing planning fee, percentage of assets.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work on retirement planning?
The Wellspent public graph lists 926 fee-only advisors for retirement planning in California, at 439 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of November 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for retirement planning in California located?
Of the 926 fee-only advisors for retirement planning in California, 103 are in San Diego, followed by 45 in Walnut Creek and 39 in San Francisco.
Plus 677 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for retirement planning in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for retirement planning in California is a percentage of assets, used by 87% of the 926 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 44% charge by the hour and 43% charge fixed fees.
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 retirement planning have?
For retirement planning, look for the RICP, CFP and EA. In California, 50% of the 926 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- RICP1% in California
- The RICP is built around retirement income specifically.
- CFP50% in California
- The CFP covers income, tax, insurance, and estate decisions together.
- EA2% in California
- Enrolled agents help with Roth conversions and withdrawal order.
- CPA1% in California
- CPAs help with the tax side of withdrawals.
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 retirement planning in California?
- How do you decide which accounts I draw from first?
- When would you have me claim Social Security, and why?
- How do you handle a bad market in my first years of retirement?
- Will you run Roth conversion scenarios for me each year?
- How does California tax each source of my retirement income?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for retirement 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 926 advisors
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Michal Skowronski Comprehensive Wealth Planning for High-Income Professionals and Retirees | Skylark Wealth, LLC | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| 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 |
| Aaron Hatch | Woven Capital | Redding | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Austin Lee | Lee Financial Group LLC | Ladera Ranch | CFP, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Carmetta Joyner Practical, lecture-free planning that helps first-generation professionals organize their finances and put a custom plan into action. | Joyner Financial Planning LLC | San Francisco | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Charles Stermetz | Equity For The Win (EquityFTW) | San Jose | CEP, CFP | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Christina Empedocles | Insight Personal Finance | San Francisco | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher Stroup | Silicon Beach Financial | Santa Monica | CFP, MBA, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Lyon | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Glen Monroe | Monroe Wealth Management | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Greg Gorski | Owl & Ore Wealth Planning | Pleasant Hill | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| John Boyd | MDRN Wealth | Venice | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Kathleen Connors Dowdy | EP Wealth Advisors | Los Angeles | CFP, EA, CLU, MS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Showley | Creative Capital Management Investments LLC | San Diego | CFP, MBA, BFA, CeFT | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Patrick Dinan | Impact Fiduciary | Pasadena | CFP, Chartered SRI Counselor | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Patrick Yaghoobians | Noor Financial Services | Los Angeles | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Praveen Krishnamurthy Advice-only planning for tech professionals on equity compensation, taxes and diversification, from a former Google engineering leader. | Empower Financial | Fremont | CFP | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Ryan Miyamoto | Derive Wealth | Pasadena | CFP, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sheila McGinn | Brightview Financial Solutions, LLC | Redwood City | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Stephen Nelson | Birchwood Capital LLC | Carlsbad | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tommy Lopez | Coffeehouse Capital LLC | Financial Planning and Wealth Management | Fresno | CFP, CRPC | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| AJ Flores | Portfolio Advisors, Inc. | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Alan Nelson | Measured Money Maneuvers LLC | Solana Beach | CFP, ChFC, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Hourly |
| Angela Dorsey | Dorsey Wealth Management | Torrance | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ariadne Horstman | Tamarind Financial Planning | Palo Alto | CFP, RLP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Frank | Turning Point Planning LLC | Los Angeles | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Emilie Goldman | Tamarind Financial Planning | Palo Alto | CFA, CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Eric Niergarth | Retirement Roadmap Financial Planning | San Diego | CFP, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ethan Pepper | Orchard City Wealth Management, LLC | Los Gatos | CFP, EA, RLP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gabriel Anderson | Crafted Wealth Management, LLC | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Gustaf Rounick | Westlight Wealth | Venice | BA, CFP, MSC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Laryssa Freeman | Meritage Wealth Management LLC | Carlsbad | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Nate Nieri | Modern Money Management | San Diego | CFP, MSBA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Rosario Chacón | Wealth-Source Financial | Oakland | CFP, CSLP, CDFA, EA | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Said Israilov | Israilov Financial | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Shannon Grey | InvestEdge Planning | San Diego | CFP, CRPC | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Tina Mistry | Portfolio Advisors, Inc | Fresno | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Will Steinberger | Think Different Financial Planning | Menlo Park | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| William Cuthbertson | Fiscalis Advisory, Inc. | Mission Viejo | CFP, EA, MBA | Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| Aaron Brickley | Brickley Wealth Management | San Mateo | CFP, CPWA | Percentage of assets |
| Anandi Krishnamurthy | AKrish Financial Advisory | Cupertino | CFP | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| Arielle Bittoni | Good Balance Financial Planning | Los Angeles | BA, CFA, CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Carol Somoano | Asset Planning | Los Alamitos | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
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