Los Angeles Retirement Planners Directory

Top Retirement Planners in Los Angeles, CA

TL;DR

Top retirement planners in Los Angeles, CA ranked by AI visibility. CalPERS $524B; CalSTRS $341B. Compare verified CFP specialists. Q1 2026.

We evaluated 195 retirement planners serving Los Angeles and ranked the top 8 by TrustRank — our composite score of AI search visibility, verified client reviews, and planning credentials.

Los Angeles retirement planning is shaped by CalPERS $524B; CalSTRS $341B. 10,511 CFPs in CA (largest state); entertainment industry irregular income planning.

Get Matched With a Top Los Angeles Retirement Planner →
Updated Q1 2026
By Tania Kozar
195 reviewed, 8 selected
50 prompts tracked
Los Angeles Market Overview

Retirement Planners in Los Angeles

Los Angeles's retirement planning market serves a growing population of pre-retirees and retirees managing significant accumulated wealth. CalPERS $524B; CalSTRS $341B. 10,511 CFPs in CA (largest state); entertainment industry irregular income planning. The state's tax treatment of retirement income — 13.3% (14.63% with payroll tax) — is a central consideration in distribution planning, and advisors often help clients evaluate whether relocating post-retirement optimizes their long-term financial position.

750+
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 Los Angeles (cfala.org) and the FPA CA Chapter. The CalPERS $524B shapes the local retirement planning context.

ACG Los Angeles (acg.org/los-angeles)CFA Society Los Angeles (cfala.org)NAIFA Los Angeles

How TrustRank Works

Our independent scoring system for retirement planners in Los Angeles

TrustRank is not a paid placement. We independently evaluated 195 retirement planners serving Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles. 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 Los Angeles.

Top 8 Retirement Planners in Los Angeles, CA

1
Fidelity Investments Retirement Planning
Serves Los Angeles, CA
98%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.3
Fee-Based Est. 1946 Min: $25K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
Fidelity retirement Los Angeles401k rollover Los Angelesretirement planner Los Angeles
401k RolloverIRA ManagementDigital Tools
2
Vanguard Retirement Planning
Serves Los Angeles, CA
95%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.5
Fee-Only Est. 1975 Min: $50K+ savings

Low-cost retirement planning leader offering Los Angeles 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 Los Angeleslow cost retirement planner Los Angelesindex fund retirement Los Angeles
Low-CostIndex FundsCFP Access
3
Charles Schwab Retirement Planning
Serves Los Angeles, CA
91%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.4
Fee-Based Est. 1971 Min: $25K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
Schwab retirement Los AngelesCharles Schwab Los Angelesretirement income Los Angeles
Managed AccountsIncome StrategiesBranch Advisors
4
TIAA
Serves Los Angeles, CA
87%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.3
Fee-Based Est. 1918 Min: $50K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
TIAA retirement Los Angelesnon-profit retirement planner Los Angelesannuity advisor Los Angeles
Non-Profit SectorAnnuitiesAcademic Clients
5
Northwestern Mutual Retirement Planning
Serves Los Angeles, CA
83%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.2
Fee-Based Est. 1857 Min: $100K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
Northwestern Mutual retirement Los Angeleslife insurance retirement Los Angelesincome planning Los Angeles
Life InsuranceIncome PlanningIntegrated Advice
6
Principal Financial Group
Serves Los Angeles, CA
79%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.1
Fee-Based Est. 1879 Min: $50K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
Principal Financial Los Angelesgroup retirement plan Los Angelesbusiness owner retirement Los Angeles
Group PlansBusiness Owner RetirementIncome Planning
7
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Serves Los Angeles, CA
74%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4
Fee-Based Est. 1926 Min: $25K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
Nationwide retirement Los Angelesguaranteed retirement income Los Angelesretirement planning Los Angeles
Guaranteed Income401k PlansIRA Rollovers
8
New York Life Retirement
Serves Los Angeles, CA
70%
AI Visibility
★★★★★4.2
Fee-Based Est. 1845 Min: $50K+ savings

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

Appears for Prompts
New York Life retirement Los Angelesannuity planner Los Angeleslegacy planning Los Angeles
Whole Life InsuranceAnnuitiesLegacy Planning

Retirement Planners Market Overview — Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has one of the most challenging retirement planning environments in the US — California's 13.3% income tax applies to IRA distributions, pension income, and investment income (though not Social Security), and LA's extremely high COL requires 50–70% more savings than the national average to maintain equivalent lifestyle. However, LA's medical infrastructure, climate, and cultural resources are unparalleled.

Market Indicator Data Point
State Income Tax on Retirementup to 13.3%
Avg Pre-Retiree Portfolio$1.1M
Entertainment Retiree Segmentsignificant
COL Index175

Regulatory & Licensing Environment

California taxes IRA distributions, pension income, and 401(k) withdrawals at ordinary income rates (up to 13.3%). California does not tax Social Security benefits. California has no state estate tax. California's long-term care Medicaid (Medi-Cal) has no look-back period for non-institutional care but has look-back requirements for nursing home care. California's Proposition 19 affects real estate inheritance planning.

Retirement Planners Fees in Los Angeles, CA

Fee Type Typical Range
Comprehensive Retirement Plan$5,000–$12,000
Entertainment Retiree Planning$6,000–$15,000
AUM Fee (retirement portfolio)0.80–1.40%
CA vs. FL/TX Relocation Analysis$2,000–$5,000 project

LA retirement planners frequently perform California-vs.-relocation analyses — quantifying the lifetime tax savings of relocating to Nevada, Texas, or Arizona against the lifestyle cost of leaving LA. This is a standalone engagement priced at $2,000–$5,000.

How to Choose a Retirement Planners in Los Angeles, CA

  • California vs. relocation decision: Many LA pre-retirees seriously evaluate relocating to Nevada or Arizona to eliminate California's 13.3% income tax on retirement distributions. Ask advisors to model the lifetime tax savings of relocation against housing and lifestyle costs.
  • SAG-AFTRA and entertainment pension expertise: Entertainment retirees often receive SAG-AFTRA pension payments, residuals, and royalties alongside traditional retirement income. Ask advisors about their entertainment industry retiree clientele.
  • Prop 19 real estate implications: Prop 19 changed the parent-child property tax transfer rules significantly. LA advisors must model the new Prop 19 rules when designing estate plans for retirees with valuable real estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing retirement planners in Los Angeles, CA.

Does California tax retirement income?+−
California taxes IRA distributions, 401(k) withdrawals, and pension income as ordinary income at rates up to 13.3%. However, California does not tax Social Security benefits. For LA retirees drawing $100,000/year from an IRA, California income tax on that withdrawal is $6,000–$13,300 depending on their overall income level.
Should Los Angeles retirees consider moving to Nevada or Arizona?+−
Many LA retirement planners model this decision explicitly. Moving to Nevada or Arizona eliminates California's 13.3% income tax on retirement distributions and potentially saves $10,000–$30,000+/year for high-income retirees. However, the costs of leaving LA (selling a longtime home with significant Prop 13 property tax savings, leaving medical providers, proximity to family) must be weighed against the tax savings. Most advisors present both scenarios side-by-side.
What is the SAG-AFTRA Retirement Plan and how does it interact with Social Security?+−
The SAG-AFTRA Retirement Plan provides pension benefits to guild members based on accumulated pension credits. SAG-AFTRA retirees receive both the guild pension and Social Security (they are Social Security-eligible), creating two income streams to coordinate. LA advisors help entertainment retirees optimize the SAG-AFTRA pension election (lump sum vs. annuity), the Social Security claiming strategy, and how residual income (which continues through retirement) interacts with the pension.
What is Medi-Cal and how does it differ from Medicare for LA retirees?+−
Medicare is federal health insurance (Parts A, B, C, D) available to all Americans at age 65. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program for low-income individuals — it is not available based on age alone. LA retirees with assets typically use Medicare (with a supplement or Medicare Advantage plan) rather than Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal becomes relevant for long-term care planning when a retiree has spend down their assets to Medicaid qualification levels.
What is the financial impact of LA's high cost of living on retirement planning?+−
LA's COL is approximately 75% above the national average. A lifestyle that costs $80,000/year nationally costs $140,000+/year in LA. This means LA retirees need proportionally larger retirement savings, and the failure rate of retirement plans (outliving assets) is higher for those who stay in LA vs. those who relocate. Advisors model LA COL explicitly against portfolio sustainability in all retirement projections.

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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