Fee-only fiduciary retirement advisor nearby
Since Jul 6Updated Oct 25, 2026Based on 45 AI responses
Reviewed by Dimitry Apollonsky
Which brands AI mentions
| Mentioned in | ChatGPTChatGPT | Google AI ModeGoogle AI Mode |
|---|---|---|
| National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) | 83% | 95% |
| Garrett Planning Network | 22% | 77% |
| XY Planning Network | 17% | 82% |
| Fee-Only Network | 35% | 55% |
| Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) | 4% | 68% |
Questions and answers
Google AI ModeOct 25, 2026
To find a fee-only fiduciary retirement advisor , use specialized online directories that vet members to ensure they never accept commissions and are legally bound to act in your best interest, such as the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), FeeOnlyNetwork.com , or the XY Planning Network.
These platforms filter out brokers, insurance agents, and dual-registered advisors who can earn hidden kickbacks or product commissions.
Top Directories to Find Fee-Only Fiduciaries
- NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors): The largest professional organization dedicated exclusively to fee-only financial planners. Every advisor listed must sign a fiduciary oath and work strictly on a fee-only basis. Use the NAPFA Find an Advisor tool to search by ZIP code or virtual availability.
- FeeOnlyNetwork.com: Features thousands of independent, verified fee-only fiduciary firms across the United States. You can search by location or specific retirement planning specialties.
- XY Planning Network: Best if you want a modern, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) who offers monthly subscription models, hourly advice, or project-based planning rather than traditional assets-under-management (AUM) minimums.
- Flat Fee Advisors: A directory specifically for advisors who charge a transparent, fixed flat fee for a comprehensive retirement plan rather than a percentage of your portfolio.
How to Verify Your Advisor
Never take an advisor's word alone. Always double-check their credentials and regulatory history:
- Check Form ADV: Visit the SEC Investment Advisor Public Disclosure website. Look up the advisor or firm's Form ADV Part 1 and Part 2A (the "Brochure"). Under Item 5, read carefully about how they are compensated to confirm they do not receive commissions or third-party compensation.
- Confirm the Fiduciary Standard: Ask them directly: "Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time, for all accounts and all recommendations, and will you put that in writing?" A true fee-only fiduciary will say yes without hesitation.
- Ask About Conflicts of Interest: Inquire how they make money. A true fee-only advisor is paid exclusively by you (via hourly rate, flat fee, or a direct percentage of assets they manage) and has zero financial incentive to recommend one mutual fund, annuity, or insurance product over another.
If you share your city or ZIP code (or let me know if you prefer a virtual advisor ), I can point you toward specific local directories or help you figure out what questions to ask during your first consultation.
ChatGPTOct 25, 2026
If you're hiring someone to help you plan for retirement, I'd look for a fee-only financial advisor who is a fiduciary 100% of the time. That combination can help you get advice aligned with your interests without paying commissions for selling financial products.
The key is to verify how the advisor is paid, what they're legally obligated to do, and whether they have real experience with retirement income planning—not just investment management.
1. Where to find a fee-only fiduciary
These are good places to start your search. You can search by ZIP code and compare advisors before scheduling an introductory meeting.
NAPFA
(Best starting point)
A professional association focused on fee-only financial advisors. A strong first stop for finding advisors who offer comprehensive financial planning.
Garrett Planning Network
Useful if you want retirement advice on an hourly, as-needed, or project basis instead of ongoing investment management.
CFP Board
Search for CFP® professionals with retirement planning expertise, then independently confirm that each advisor is fee-only.
These directories are starting points, not endorsements. Check each candidate's compensation, disciplinary history, credentials, and services before hiring.
2. Local advisors to investigate
Your search is using the Dallas, Texas area as an approximate location. These are some local firms worth screening for retirement planning and fee-only service. I would verify their current disclosures before treating any of them as a confirmed match.
Apeiron Planning Partners
10000 N Central Expy Ste 700, Dallas, TX 75231, United States
Worth investigating for comprehensive retirement income planning, Social Security decisions, and coordination of tax and estate considerations.
Phone:
Keener Financial Planning
2626 Cole Ave 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75201, United States
Worth considering if you want transparent planning fees and the option of receiving a financial plan without handing over investment management.
Phone:
Joe Dowdall - Worth Asset Management
17855 Dallas Pkwy #150, Dallas, TX 75287, United States
Worth investigating for retirement cash-flow planning, sustainable withdrawals, and advice that combines investment and tax considerations.
Phone:
Sammons Wealth Management
12720 Hillcrest Rd Ste 600, Dallas, TX 75230, United States
Worth investigating if you are approaching retirement or already retired and want an ongoing retirement-income and investment-management relationship. Confirm any account minimums before booking.
Phone:
GA Bishop & Associates, LLC
1101 S Broadway St #200, Carrollton, TX 75006, United States
Worth investigating if you prefer a planning-focused firm that may offer individual consultations or project-based planning rather than only ongoing asset management.
Phone:
These are research leads, not personalized endorsements. Start with the NAPFA advisor directory and compare the firms above against its listings.
3. How to verify an advisor before hiring
Use the SEC's free Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database to look up each firm and advisor. It provides registration information, disclosures, and the firm's Form ADV.
Check these five things:
- Fee-only, not fee-based. Fee-only means the advisor receives client-paid compensation rather than commissions for selling financial products.
- Fiduciary duty. Ask whether they act as a fiduciary throughout your entire relationship and in every capacity in which they advise you.
- Retirement expertise. Look for experience with Social Security timing, pension elections, required minimum distributions, tax-efficient withdrawals, Medicare costs, and longevity risk.
- Transparent costs. Request the annual dollar cost, any account minimum, and whether fees include planning, investment management, or both.
- Disciplinary history. Review registration records and any disclosures or complaints, and ask the advisor to explain anything you find.
NAPFA explains its fee-only and fiduciary standards here: NAPFA Fiduciary Standard.
4. Questions to ask during your first meeting
I'd interview at least three advisors before making a decision. You can use these questions as a checklist:
- “Are you fee-only, and do you ever receive commissions, referral fees, or other compensation from financial products?”
- “Will you act as a fiduciary at all times when advising me?”
- “How do you help clients determine how much they can safely spend each year in retirement?”
- “Can you help coordinate Social Security, pensions, taxes, Medicare, and required minimum distributions?”
- “What would I pay you annually in dollars, including any investment-management fees?”
- “Can I pay for a retirement plan without having you manage my investments?”
- “What types of clients are you best suited to serve, and what is your minimum portfolio size?”
A good advisor should answer these clearly, provide written disclosures, and give you time to decide without pressuring you to transfer your money.
5. Let’s narrow this down to the right advisor for you
I can help narrow the search to a shortlist that better fits your circumstances. The most important thing to know first is:
Are you already retired, or are you planning to retire within the next few years?
That will help me prioritize advisors who specialize in your stage of retirement rather than general investment management.
Sources cited in this answer9
- napfa.orgThe National Association of Personal Financial Advisors | NAPFA
- garrettplanningnetwork.comGarrett Planning Network | Fee-Only Hourly Financial Advisors
- letsmakeaplan.orgFinancial Advisors & Planning Professionals | CFP - Let's Make a Plan
- napfa.orgNAPFA advisor directory
- adviserinfo.sec.govIAPD - Investment Adviser Public Disclosure - Homepage
- investor.govInvestment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) | Investor.gov
Google AI ModeOct 16, 2026
Finding a local, fee-only fiduciary who specializes in retirement is one of the best steps you can take to protect your financial future. A "fee-only" planner is paid directly by you (via hourly rates, flat fees, or a percentage of assets managed) and does not earn commissions on financial products , which drastically reduces conflicts of interest. A "fiduciary" is legally bound to put your best interests ahead of their own.
Several reputable professional directories specialize exclusively in fee-only, fiduciary advisors:
- NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)
- What it is: The country's leading professional organization of fee-only comprehensive financial planners.
- Why use it: Every single member of NAPFA must sign a fiduciary oath and operate strictly on a fee-only basis, meaning no hidden product commissions. You can search their directory by zip code and filter by retirement specialties.
- XY Planning Network (XYPN)
- What it is: A network of fee-only fiduciary advisors who often specialize in helping clients at various life stages, including pre-retirement and retirement planning.
- Why use it: Many advisors in this network do not require high investment minimums and offer flexible payment structures like monthly subscriptions or flat project fees. You can filter by your location for local or hybrid/virtual meetings.
- Garrett Planning Network
- What it is: A network of fee-only fiduciary advisors who specifically provide advice on an hourly, as-needed, or project basis.
- Why use it: Ideal if you want specific retirement guidance (like a second opinion on your pension, Social Security timing, or withdrawal strategy) without committing to a long-term asset-management contract. Many have no asset minimums.
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) or
- What it is: Official regulatory databases.
- Why use it: Once you find a candidate on an advisory network, you can look them up here to review their Form ADV (Part 1A and 2A), verify their registration status as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), and check if they have any regulatory infractions or customer complaints in their history.
If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:
- Your general location (city/state)
- Whether you prefer in-person meetings or are open to virtual advice
- If you want ongoing management or just an hourly/one-time retirement check-up
I can help tailor what specific questions you should ask during your introductory calls.
Sources cited in this answer5
- connect.xyplanningnetwork.comHome | Find an Advisor
- connect.xyplanningnetwork.comFind Financial Advisors by State, City, or Niche | XYPN
- napfa.orgThe National Association of Personal Financial Advisors | NAPFA
- napfa.orgHow to Find a Financial Advisor | NAPFA
- napfa.orgFee-Only Financial Planning Networks | NAPFA
ChatGPTOct 16, 2026
If you're looking for a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor who specializes in retirement, I'd start with firms in the Metairie and New Orleans, Louisiana area, along with two independent directories that let you verify advisors and compare their services.
A fee-only advisor is paid directly by clients rather than earning commissions from selling financial products. A fiduciary is obligated to act in your best interests. For retirement, look for someone who can help with retirement income, Social Security timing, taxes, investment withdrawals, and making your savings last.
Where to find a local advisor
Regatta Research & Money Management
6620 Riverside Dr., Suite 207, Metairie
A particularly relevant option for people approaching retirement or already retired. The firm describes itself as fee-only and fiduciary, with an emphasis on retirement income and managing investment risk as retirement approaches.
Phone: (504) 831-4636
Hassell Wealth Management
2121 N. Causeway Blvd., Suite 158, Metairie
A fee-only fiduciary firm offering comprehensive financial planning and investment management. Worth considering if you want retirement planning coordinated with taxes and your investment portfolio.
Phone: (985) 868-9881
Bienvenue Wealth LLC
1100 Poydras St., Suite 1502, New Orleans
A fee-only fiduciary practice with a focus on tax-aware financial decisions, retirement readiness, and tax-efficient withdrawals from retirement accounts.
Phone: (504) 355-0890
Equilibrium Financial Planning
Kenner, Louisiana
Another local fee-only fiduciary option. Its reported services include comprehensive financial planning, with flat-fee, hourly, and asset-based arrangements listed in a third-party directory.
Phone: (504) 229-2494
These are promising starting points based on their reported fee-only and fiduciary models, not a guarantee of suitability or an independent audit of their credentials. Contact them to confirm their current services, fees, and retirement-planning experience.
Two directories I'd use to compare advisors
NAPFA
Its directory focuses on fee-only financial planners who meet professional and fiduciary standards. You can filter for retirement planning, retirement-account withdrawals, and investment advice.
Search NAPFA's advisor directory
Source: NAPFA's advisor selection guidance.
Garrett Planning Network
Especially useful if you prefer to pay by the hour or for a one-time retirement plan instead of paying an ongoing percentage of your investments. Its planners offer time-based services without minimum asset requirements for those engagements.
Find a Garrett planner by location or ZIP code
Source: Garrett's fee-only service and fee information.
Before hiring anyone
Ask each advisor these four questions:
- “Are you fee-only, with no commissions or referral compensation from financial products?”
- “Will you act as a fiduciary throughout our entire relationship, including when providing financial planning?”
- “Do you specialize in retirement income, Social Security, Medicare-related costs, and tax-efficient withdrawals?”
- “How do you charge: hourly, flat fee, annual retainer, or a percentage of assets under management?”
You can also check an advisor's registration and disclosures through the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database and verify CFP® credentials through the CFP Board.
Let me narrow the list for you
One question that would help me recommend the best fit: Are you already retired, or are you planning to retire in the next few years?
That makes a difference because some advisors focus on building wealth before retirement, while others specialize in turning retirement savings into reliable income.
Sources cited in this answer7
- napfa.orgFind an Advisor | NAPFA
- napfa.orgHow to Find a Financial Advisor | NAPFA
- napfa-prod-deploy.azurewebsites.netFind an Advisor
- directory.garrettplanningnetwork.comGarrett Planning Network - Making competent, objective financial advice accessible
- garrettplanningnetwork.comFee-Only Financial Planning Services | Garrett Planning Network
- adviserinfo.sec.govIAPD - Investment Adviser Public Disclosure - Homepage
- NAPFA (National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)
Also asked as
- I am looking for a retirement advisor who is a fiduciary and charges only fees. Where can I find one nearby?