Choosing a retirement plan advisor can feel overwhelming, especially if you want the right blend of fiduciary protection, plan design expertise, and personalized investment guidance. You might also have five quick questions about a retirement plan advisor in mind: how to choose the best one, when to hire them, whether their fees are fair, how they handle SECURE 2.0 compliance, and if they guide you on catch-up contributions. Below, we walk you through seven key factors so you can select the advisor who truly meets your needs and helps safeguard your future.

Know Your Fiduciary Options

Before anything else, it is wise to confirm your advisor’s fiduciary status. Some experts, such as Retirement Plan Advisors (RPA), explicitly offer 3(21) and 3(38) Fiduciary Services (Retirement Plan Advisors), which means they put your interests first by law. In a fiduciary arrangement, you can expect unbiased investment choices, transparent fees, and a focus on your long-term success.

We believe fiduciary service is especially critical for high-net-worth individuals who want an advisor acting solely for their benefit. Fiduciaries also help you evaluate potential conflicts of interest, so your retirement plan is built around your preferences, not third-party kickbacks.

Check Professional Credentials

Advisors often carry credentials like the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or specialized designations such as the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) or Retirement Management Advisor (RMA). For instance, the RMA® certification is offered through the Investments & Wealth Institute (Investmentsandwealth.org), while the RICP® comes from The American College of Financial Services (The American College of Financial Services).

Experienced advisors stay up to date on retirement regulations and employ prudent risk management strategies. Look for someone with a relevant track record, especially if you have a sizable portfolio or complex estate considerations. Credentials signal a serious commitment to professional excellence.

Evaluate Their Fee Structure

Transparent fee disclosure is huge. You’ll want to know whether your advisor is fee-only, fee-based, or commission-based (World Investment Advisors). Fee-only advisors, for example, do not earn commissions on the products they recommend, so they tend to be more objective.

Ask about the scope of each service. Are they helping you choose a diverse range of funds, offering in-depth plan design, or overseeing payroll complexities? Make sure the price fairly reflects the services you’ll receive.

Review Their Investment Philosophy

Your advisor’s philosophy often decides how your retirement assets are allocated, safeguarded, and grown. A reputable professional will keep up with market conditions, rebalance when needed, and diversify your portfolio to mitigate risk (First Western Trust Bank).

Look for someone who offers both capital-preservation strategies and growth-oriented options. If you’re nearing retirement age, you might appreciate conservative moves that protect your nest egg. If you expect to work longer, a growth strategy may be more appealing.

Look At Client Feedback

Hearing from others who use the same advisor can be revealing. Ask for testimonials, or look for case studies that highlight how the advisor helped design, implement, and monitor plans (World Investment Advisors). Feedback typically uncovers real-world issues like communication style, responsiveness, and any unexpected conflicts of interest.

Speaking to at least one or two past clients can help clarify whether an advisor’s claims match their results. This step is especially important if you’re researching advanced strategies, like tax optimization or specialized retirement income planning.

Stay Aware Of Regulatory Changes

The retirement landscape keeps shifting. Secure 2.0 introduced significant changes to catch-up contributions, particularly for individuals with higher incomes (Jackson Walker LLP). If you earn over a certain threshold, you’ll need to make those contributions as Roth (post-tax) funds starting January 1, 2026.

We suggest confirming the advisor’s familiarity with such laws. They should help you stay compliant, adapt payroll systems, and communicate updates to employees if you’re a plan sponsor. If your plan has also in-plan Roth rollover features, you’ll want guidance on self-correcting mistakes before they turn into costly hiccups.

Blend In Your Personal Goals

Finally, the best plans address your lifestyle and retirement aspirations. For instance, we often talk to clients about the best way to get income in retirement, how many years they expect to work, or whether they’re curious about how much money does a couple need to retire.

Ask yourself if you want to travel frequently, start a passion project, or fund educational plans for grandkids. A retirement plan advisor who truly knows you will shape your investments, contributions, and distribution schedules around these personal milestones. This approach helps ensure you’re not just saving blindly but investing with a clear endgame in mind.

We recommend diving deeper into a few key areas if you have time: setting up a best retirement budget spreadsheet, exploring various retirement withdrawal strategies, and tackling questions like do i have to pay taxes on retirement income.

In the end, no matter when you start, the key is to find a retirement plan advisor who appreciates your personal goals, understands evolving regulations, and keeps fees transparent. It might take a bit of effort to sort through credentials and philosophies, but a trusted advisor can make all the difference in helping you retire on your own terms.