The Foundational Planning Coordination is the first step of the ongoing retirement planning relationship. It’s designed for households in the early years of retirement who want clarity on how spending, income, investments, and taxes fit together—before long-term patterns are established.

This initial phase establishes the framework that guides everything that follows. Rather than approaching decisions in isolation, we focus on how spending, income architecture, investment positioning, and tax sequencing interact over time.

The Foundational Coordination Phase is a structured onboarding process that establishes the foundation for our ongoing work together.

During this phase, we develop a clear understanding of your current retirement structure, identify planning priorities, and establish a framework for future decision-making.

Phase 1: Information Gathering & Discovery

We begin by gathering information about your financial life, retirement priorities, and decision-making preferences.

This includes completing a series of profiles and assessments, reviewing relevant financial documents, and meeting to discuss your goals, concerns, and priorities.

The purpose of this phase is to establish a shared understanding of your current situation and the questions that matter most moving forward.

Phase 2: Analysis & Initial Coordination

Next, we review the information gathered during onboarding and evaluate how spending, income, taxes, and investments currently work together.

We identify opportunities, constraints, trade-offs, and areas requiring attention while considering both immediate needs and longer-term implications.

Where appropriate, we may also address time-sensitive planning decisions that arise during the onboarding process.

Phase 3: Foundational Coordination Summary

The onboarding process concludes with a Foundational Coordination Summary Meeting.

During this meeting, we review key observations, establish planning priorities, identify action items, and discuss the most important areas for ongoing attention.

This meeting serves as the bridge between onboarding and the ongoing advisory relationship.

Following the Foundational Coordination Phase, clients transition into the annual coordination rhythm, including the Tax & Income Alignment Review, Spring Planning Meeting, and Fall Strategy Review.

Why This Phase Matters

Retirement decisions are interconnected. Spending influences income needs. Income decisions affect taxes. Tax choices shape future flexibility. And investment structure supports how income is delivered over time.

This initial phase helps bring clarity to those relationships before important decisions are made. By developing a clear understanding of your current retirement structure, identifying priorities, and addressing key opportunities and constraints early, future planning discussions become more focused, coordinated, and easier to navigate as circumstances evolve.

The Foundational Coordination Phase is designed to transition directly into an ongoing advisory relationship.

Once the onboarding process is complete, we move into a structured annual coordination rhythm focused on spending, income, taxes, and investments. Priorities are revisited, decisions are evaluated, and adjustments are made as circumstances evolve.

There is no separate handoff or re-planning process. The Foundational Coordination Phase establishes the context, priorities, and direction that support our ongoing work together.

Ongoing Advisory Relationship

All clients begin with a Foundational Coordination Phase designed to establish a clear understanding of their current retirement structure, identify planning priorities, and create a foundation for our ongoing work together.

Following this phase, the relationship continues as an ongoing advisory engagement focused on coordinating spending, income, taxes, and investments as circumstances evolve over time.

Annual Fee

Fees are based on overall complexity and asset level.

• Typical starting fee: $7,500 annually
• Fees generally increase as asset size and coordination complexity increase
• As a general guideline, fees often increase by approximately $2,500 for each additional $2 million in investable assets

The scope of service remains consistent across all clients. Fee differences primarily reflect variations in asset structure, planning complexity, and the level of ongoing coordination required.

Investment management is integrated into the ongoing relationship and is implemented in support of spending, income, and tax decisions—not as a standalone service.