Denver Retirement Planners Directory

Top Retirement Planners in Denver, CO

TL;DR

Top retirement planners in Denver, CO ranked by AI visibility. ASRS for AZ crossover; CO PERA $63B+ for state employees. Compare verified CFP specialists.

We evaluated 116 retirement planners serving Denver and ranked the top 8 by TrustRank — our composite score of AI search visibility, verified client reviews, and planning credentials.

Denver retirement planning is shaped by ASRS for AZ crossover; CO PERA $63B+ for state employees. Aerospace/defense workers (Lockheed, Raytheon) drive pension rollover demand.

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Updated Q1 2026
By Tania Kozar
116 reviewed, 8 selected
50 prompts tracked
Denver Market Overview

Retirement Planners in Denver

Denver's retirement planning market serves a growing population of pre-retirees and retirees managing significant accumulated wealth. ASRS for AZ crossover; CO PERA $63B+ for state employees. Aerospace/defense workers (Lockheed, Raytheon) drive pension rollover demand. The state's tax treatment of retirement income — 4.40% flat (was 4.25% via TABOR in 2024) — is a central consideration in distribution planning, and advisors often help clients evaluate whether relocating post-retirement optimizes their long-term financial position.

375+
CFPs registered in the metro area
$1.2M
Average retirement savings target
67
Average retirement age locally
78%
Pre-retirees with planning gaps

Retirement professionals connect through CFA Society Colorado — 1,700+ members (est. 1955) and the FPA CO Chapter. The ASRS for AZ crossover shapes the local retirement planning context.

ACG Denver — 400 members (est. 1998); Rocky Mountain Growth ConferenceCFA Society Colorado — 1,700+ members (est. 1955)NAIFA Colorado

How TrustRank Works

Our independent scoring system for retirement planners in Denver

TrustRank is not a paid placement. We independently evaluated 116 retirement planners serving Denver across three measurable dimensions. No firm can pay to appear or improve its rank.

Component 1 — 55%

AI Visibility Score

We tracked 50 prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude asking about retirement planners in Denver. The % of prompts where each firm appears.

Component 2 — 25%

Review Score

Aggregate ratings across Google, Clutch, and the ProCloser.ai verified review system. Weighted by volume and recency of verified client reviews.

Component 3 — 20%

Content Authority

Depth, accuracy, and credibility of published content, case studies, and thought leadership demonstrating sector expertise in Denver.

Top 8 Retirement Planners in Denver, CO

1
Fidelity Investments Retirement Planning
Serves Denver, CO
93%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.3
Fee-Based Est. 1946 Min: $25K+ savings

America's leading retirement planning provider with Denver offices and advisors, offering 401(k) rollovers, IRA management, and retirement income planning supported by industry-leading digital tools.

Appears for Prompts
Fidelity retirement Denver401k rollover Denverretirement planner Denver
401k RolloverIRA ManagementDigital Tools
2
Vanguard Retirement Planning
Serves Denver, CO
90%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.5
Fee-Only Est. 1975 Min: $50K+ savings

Low-cost retirement planning leader offering Denver clients CFP-guided planning paired with Vanguard's renowned index fund portfolios and an industry-low 0.3% advisory fee.

Appears for Prompts
Vanguard retirement Denverlow cost retirement planner Denverindex fund retirement Denver
Low-CostIndex FundsCFP Access
3
Charles Schwab Retirement Planning
Serves Denver, CO
86%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.4
Fee-Based Est. 1971 Min: $25K+ savings

Comprehensive retirement advisory from Schwab with Denver branch advisors offering personalized planning, managed accounts, and retirement income strategies.

Appears for Prompts
Schwab retirement DenverCharles Schwab Denverretirement income Denver
Managed AccountsIncome StrategiesBranch Advisors
4
TIAA
Serves Denver, CO
82%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.3
Fee-Based Est. 1918 Min: $50K+ savings

Retirement specialist for academics, non-profits, and healthcare workers with Denver advisors focusing on TIAA-CREF accounts, annuities, and retirement income planning.

Appears for Prompts
TIAA retirement Denvernon-profit retirement planner Denverannuity advisor Denver
Non-Profit SectorAnnuitiesAcademic Clients
5
Northwestern Mutual Retirement Planning
Serves Denver, CO
78%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.2
Fee-Based Est. 1857 Min: $100K+ savings

Integrated retirement planning from Northwestern Mutual's Denver advisors, combining permanent life insurance, investment management, and comprehensive income planning.

Appears for Prompts
Northwestern Mutual retirement Denverlife insurance retirement Denverincome planning Denver
Life InsuranceIncome PlanningIntegrated Advice
6
Principal Financial Group
Serves Denver, CO
74%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.1
Fee-Based Est. 1879 Min: $50K+ savings

Full-service financial services company with Denver retirement advisors specializing in group retirement plans, business owner retirement, and individual retirement income.

Appears for Prompts
Principal Financial Denvergroup retirement plan Denverbusiness owner retirement Denver
Group PlansBusiness Owner RetirementIncome Planning
7
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Serves Denver, CO
69%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4
Fee-Based Est. 1926 Min: $25K+ savings

Insurance-backed retirement planning provider with Denver advisors offering 401(k) plan design, IRA rollovers, and retirement income planning with guaranteed income options.

Appears for Prompts
Nationwide retirement Denverguaranteed retirement income Denverretirement planning Denver
Guaranteed Income401k PlansIRA Rollovers
8
New York Life Retirement
Serves Denver, CO
65%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.2
Fee-Based Est. 1845 Min: $50K+ savings

Legacy insurance and retirement planning firm with a strong Denver network of agents offering whole life insurance, annuities, and retirement income products.

Appears for Prompts
New York Life retirement Denverannuity planner Denverlegacy planning Denver
Whole Life InsuranceAnnuitiesLegacy Planning

Retirement Planners Market Overview — Denver, CO

Denver's retirement planning market is shaped by Colorado PERA — the state's massive public pension fund serving 600,000+ active and retired members — and Colorado's unique 4.4% flat income tax with a partial pension exclusion. Outdoor lifestyle and proximity to ski resorts make Denver a premium retirement destination, but its COL is 30% above the national average.

Market Indicator Data Point
State Income Tax on Retirement4.4% (with exclusion)
Colorado PERA Retirees300,000+ statewide
Altitude-Adjusted Healthcarehigher utilization
COL Index130

Regulatory & Licensing Environment

Colorado excludes up to $20,000/year per person in pension income from state income tax ($24,000/year if age 65+), including PERA pension. Social Security is partially exempt (up to 50% exclusion for AGI under $75K individual / $95K joint). Colorado's 4.4% flat rate applies to most other retirement income. Colorado has no state estate or inheritance tax.

Retirement Planners Fees in Denver, CO

Fee Type Typical Range
Comprehensive Retirement Plan$3,500–$7,500
PERA Election Analysis$1,500–$3,500
AUM Fee (retirement portfolio)0.70–1.20%
Hourly (retirement advice)$250–$400/hr

PERA election analysis — choosing between the defined benefit plan, the hybrid plan, and the defined contribution plan, along with survivor benefit decisions — commands project fees from Denver retirement planners who specialize in state and local government retirees.

How to Choose a Retirement Planners in Denver, CO

  • PERA specialization: Colorado PERA serves state workers, teachers, local government employees, and university staff. The PERA pension election is one of the most impactful irreversible financial decisions a Colorado retiree makes. Ask advisors specifically about PERA cases.
  • Colorado Social Security partial exemption: Colorado provides a partial Social Security exemption for lower-income retirees. Advisors should model the exemption threshold against retirement income levels to optimize the Social Security benefit amount.
  • Altitude and healthcare: Denver's altitude increases cardiovascular and respiratory healthcare utilization for retirees. Advisors should model higher-than-average healthcare cost inflation for Denver retirement projections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing retirement planners in Denver, CO.

How does Colorado PERA pension work for Denver retirees?+−
Colorado PERA provides a defined benefit pension calculated as 2.5% per year of service × highest average salary (highest 3 consecutive years). A 30-year PERA teacher who averaged $70,000 would receive $52,500/year ($4,375/month) for life. PERA also offers survivor benefit elections (reduced pension for life-only vs. joint-and-survivor benefit) — a permanent decision with major financial implications.
What is Colorado's pension income exclusion for Denver retirees?+−
Colorado excludes up to $20,000/year per person in pension income from state income tax (age 55–64) and up to $24,000/year per person (age 65+). This covers PERA pensions, private pensions, IRA distributions, and 401(k) withdrawals. For a married couple aged 65+ both drawing pensions, the combined exclusion is $48,000/year — effectively free of Colorado income tax.
Is Denver a financially viable retirement destination?+−
Denver's COL is approximately 30% above the national average, driven by housing (median home $600K+), high healthcare costs, and restaurant/services pricing. However, Colorado's 4.4% income tax and partial pension exclusion are competitive with many high-tax coastal states. Advisors typically model the Denver retirement lifestyle cost against less-expensive Colorado markets (Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Pueblo) as alternatives.
What is the best Social Security claiming strategy for Denver retirees with PERA pensions?+−
PERA retirees may or may not have Social Security credits — teachers and some state workers were not Social Security-covered. For those who are Social Security-eligible, the Government Pension Offset (GPO) reduces Social Security spousal benefits by $0.67 for every $1.00 of PERA pension. Advisors model the GPO impact before advising on Social Security claiming strategies for PERA retirees.
What long-term care planning is recommended for Denver retirees?+−
Colorado's memory care and skilled nursing facility costs average $6,500–$9,500/month in metro Denver — among the highest in the Mountain West. Denver advisors commonly recommend purchasing LTC insurance or hybrid life/LTC policies before age 60, when premiums are substantially lower and health qualification is easier. Colorado Medicaid (PEAK) long-term care has a 5-year look-back period.

Reviewed by: Tania Kozar, CFP® — ProCloser.ai Research  |  Last Updated: April 2026  |  Sources: SEC IAPD, FINRA BrokerCheck, state regulatory filings, ProCloser.ai primary research.

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