# Financial advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee

> For retirement planning in Tennessee, 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 Kevin Lao of Imagine Financial Security, Joshua Short of OptimalPath Advisors, LLC and Robert DeLucas of Afton Advisors, LLC.

Page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/tennessee/
160 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 retirement planning in Tennessee?

For retirement planning in Tennessee, 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 Kevin Lao of Imagine Financial Security, Joshua Short of OptimalPath Advisors, LLC and Robert DeLucas of Afton Advisors, LLC.

- [Kevin Lao](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kevin-lao/), Imagine Financial Security, Chattanooga. Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets.
- [Joshua Short](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-short/), OptimalPath Advisors, LLC, Church Hill. Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- [Robert DeLucas](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robert-delucas/), Afton Advisors, LLC, Nashville. Holds the RICP and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- [Michael Shea](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-shea/), True Equity Wealth Management LLC, Nashville. Holds the CFP and EA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, one-time planning fee.
- [Jaime Ruff](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jaime-ruff/), HB Wealth, Nashville. Holds the CFP and CPA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer.
- [Stacey Hyde](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stacey-hyde/), Envision Financial Planning, LLC, Memphis. Holds the CFP and CPA. Fees on file: percentage of assets, hourly.

## How many fee-only financial advisors in Tennessee work on retirement planning?

The Wellspent public graph lists 160 fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee, at 65 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026.

## Where are fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee located?

Of the 160 fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee, 45 are in Memphis, followed by 26 in Knoxville and 21 in Franklin.

## How do fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee charge?

The most common fee among fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee is a percentage of assets, used by 95% of the 160 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 57% charge by the hour and 57% charge fixed fees.

## How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in Tennessee?

Fee-only financial advisors in Tennessee charge a median of $4,200 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 13 Tennessee firms.

## How much does a one-time financial plan cost in Tennessee?

A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in Tennessee has a median price of $2,000. We found this across the published prices of 15 Tennessee firms.

## What credentials should a financial advisor for retirement planning have?

For retirement planning, look for the RICP, CFP and EA. In Tennessee, 48% of the 160 advisors listed hold the CFP.

- RICP (1% of advisors listed): The RICP is built around retirement income specifically.
- CFP (48% of advisors listed): The CFP covers income, tax, insurance, and estate decisions together.
- EA (1% of advisors listed): Enrolled agents help with Roth conversions and withdrawal order.
- CPA (3% of advisors listed): CPAs help with the tax side of withdrawals.

## How do Tennessee advisors for retirement planning compare with the rest of the US?

57% of fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee charge by the hour, compared with 45% of the 7,304 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.

## Does Tennessee tax retirement income?

No. Tennessee has no state income tax, so retirement account withdrawals and pensions aren't taxed at the state level.

## What should I ask a financial advisor about retirement planning in Tennessee?

- 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?
- Would you plan differently if I might move to another state in retirement?

## How current is this list of fee-only advisors for retirement planning in Tennessee?

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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Jaime Ruff](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jaime-ruff.md) | HB Wealth | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, CPA/PFS, MBA, CFDS | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| [Matthew Hale](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/matthew-hale.md) | Make the Memory Financial Planning | Johnson City, Tennessee | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| [Mitchell Anderson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/mitchell-anderson.md) | EFinancial Alliance | Franklin, Tennessee | CFP, MBA | One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| [Jay Zigmont](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jay-zigmont.md) | Childfree Wealth | Mount Juliet, Tennessee | CFP, PhD, MBA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| [Joshua Short](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/joshua-short.md) | OptimalPath Advisors, LLC | Church Hill, Tennessee | CFP, EA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| [Roland McIntyre](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/roland-mcintyre.md) | Mountaintop Wealth LLC | Chattanooga, Tennessee | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Timothy Kirch](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/timothy-kirch.md) | Nashville Financial Planning | Franklin, Tennessee | CFP | One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Betsy Hutchins](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/betsy-hutchins.md) | Forward Financial Planning | Germantown, Tennessee | CFP, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Celia Brugge](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/celia-brugge.md) | Dogwood Financial Planning | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, MBA | Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| [John Anderson](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-anderson.md) | Cypress Wealth Management, LLC | Germantown, Tennessee | AIF, CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| [Kevin Lao](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kevin-lao.md) | Imagine Financial Security | Chattanooga, Tennessee | CFP, RICP | Percentage of assets |
| [Philip Rutterer](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/philip-rutterer.md) | Rutterer Planning, LLC | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| [Robert DeLucas](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/robert-delucas.md) | Afton Advisors, LLC | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, ChFC, MBA, RICP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, One-time planning fee |
| [Christopher Hodges](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christopher-hodges.md) | Hodges Financial Group | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, CPFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Justin Porter](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/justin-porter.md) | Porter Wealth Management, LLC | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, CPA/PFS, JD, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Michael Shea](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/michael-shea.md) | True Equity Wealth Management LLC | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Tripp Yates](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/tripp-yates.md) | Eaglestrong Financial | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CPA/PFS, CPA, PFS | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| [Stacey Hyde](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/stacey-hyde.md) | Envision Financial Planning, LLC | Memphis, Tennessee | CFA, CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [Troy Von Haefen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/troy-von-haefen.md) | Von Haefen Financial Management | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| [Carl von dem Bussche](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/carl-von-dem-bussche.md) | Financial Guidance Group, Inc. | Franklin, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Christopher Flis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christopher-flis.md) | Resilient Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee, Hourly, One-time planning fee |
| [Kyle Kuyat](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kyle-kuyat.md) | Defining Wealth | Franklin, Tennessee | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee, Percentage of assets, Hourly, Subscription |
| [Sreeni Meka](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/sreeni-meka.md) | Lakeland Wealth Management, LLC | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CFA, MBA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| [Austin McLaughlin](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/austin-mclaughlin.md) | Retirement Planning Services | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Celeste Pryor](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/celeste-pryor.md) | Red Door Wealth Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees |
| [Connor Cox](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/connor-cox.md) | ProffittGoodson Private Wealth | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [John Phillips](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/john-phillips.md) | Red Door Wealth Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees |
| [Jonathon Jordan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jonathon-jordan.md) | Stone Pillars Wealth Management | Franklin, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [Peyton Klawinski](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/peyton-klawinski.md) | Red Door Wealth Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees |
| [Spencer Hall](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/spencer-hall.md) | Retirement Planning Services | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [William Allen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-allen.md) | Red Door Wealth Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees |
| [William McDonald](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-mcdonald.md) | Retirement Planning Solutions | Nolensville, Tennessee | BS, CPA/PFS | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [April Lowery](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/april-lowery.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Christopher Purcell](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/christopher-purcell.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [David Hodges](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-hodges.md) | Integra Wealth | Chattanooga, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [David Scully](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/david-scully.md) | Duncan Williams Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Erich von Geis](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/erich-von-geis.md) | Aspire Private Wealth Counsel | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| [Jacob Eason](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jacob-eason.md) | Duncan Williams Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Jacob Samuels](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/jacob-samuels.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [James Chaney](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-chaney.md) | Duncan Williams Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [James Copper](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/james-copper.md) | Skinner Copper & Ehmen | Monroe, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| [Kyle Gowen](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/kyle-gowen.md) | Duncan Williams Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Lukas McCalla](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/lukas-mccalla.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Martin Kelman](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/martin-kelman.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Patrick O'Hearn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/patrick-o-hearn.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Peyton Wade](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/peyton-wade.md) | Duncan Williams Asset Management | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [Philip Dortch](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/philip-dortch.md) | Aspire Private Wealth Counsel | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| [William Steinberg](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-steinberg.md) | Kelman-Lazarov | Memphis, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees |
| [William Welborn](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/william-welborn.md) | Hoskins Financial | Nashville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| [Aaron Nolan](https://find.wellspent.co/advisors/aaron-nolan.md) | PYA Waltman Capital | Knoxville, Tennessee | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly, Fixed fees, Performance-based fees |

Showing the first 50 of 160. The full list, page by page: https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/retirement-planning/tennessee/?page=2

## Related

- [Estate planning in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/estate-planning/tennessee.md)
- [Tax planning in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/tax-planning/tennessee.md)
- [Family wealth transfer in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/family-wealth-transfer/tennessee.md)
- [Retirees in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/audiences/retirees/tennessee.md)
- [Founders in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/founders-pre-exit/tennessee.md)
- [Small business owners in Tennessee](https://find.wellspent.co/specialties/small-business-owners/tennessee.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).
