What does Retirement Planners of America do?
Retirement Planners of America (RPOA) is an advisor-led retirement planning and discretionary portfolio management service. It is built mainly for people near or in retirement who want ongoing human advice, retirement-income planning, and a portfolio that can be managed defensively when markets look risky.
It is an SEC-registered investment advisor headquartered in Plano, Texas, established in 2011. As of December 31, 2025, it reported about $3.56 billion in discretionary assets and about $30.6 million in non-discretionary assets.
It primarily serves individuals, high net worth individuals, defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, and institutions.
RPOA's core service is discretionary portfolio management delivered through a wrap-fee program centered on the Invest and Protect Strategy™, a tactically defensive approach focused on capital preservation during periods of perceived market risk. RPOA identifies the total return needed to achieve a client's retirement goals, then invests assets in model portfolios composed of BNY Mellon-sponsored ETFs and cash or cash equivalents.
The firm also provides:
- Retirement-focused planning: The service is built around retirement cash flow, Social Security decisions, Medicare, estate-planning coordination, and income-tax planning discussions.
- Held-away account management in some cases: RPOA manages employer-sponsored retirement accounts through the Pontera platform.
Investment Philosophy:
Its investment philosophy is distinctly protection-first. The strategy was inherently defensive, built to preserve capital during periods of perceived market risk.
RPOA uses charting, fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, and it relies heavily on trend analysis, including a mathematically based signal tied to the S&P 500’s 200-day moving average.
RPOA uses several portfolio models, from more conservative income-focused options to more aggressive growth-focused ones, so clients are not all managed the same way, even though the firm follows one core risk-management approach.
What are the pros and cons of Retirement Planners of America?
This is a clearly defined retirement advisory service with a strong human-planner model and a distinctive market-defense approach. Its strengths are retirement specialization and ongoing advisor contact; its main trade-offs are price, a more tactical and less straightforward investment approach.
Here’s a summary of the key advantages and disadvantages to guide your choice.
Pros of Retirement Planners of America:
- Retirement specialization: The service goes beyond portfolio allocation and covers cash-flow planning, Social Security, Medicare, estate-planning coordination, and tax-planning discussions.
- Protection-first strategy: For retirement-focused clients, the main appeal is not chasing the highest return, but reducing the damage a major market drop could do to a retirement income plan.
- Advisor-led relationship: Core clients generally get a dedicated retirement planner with semi-annual planning meetings, while smaller clients still get a planner team.
Cons of Retirement Planners of America:
- High all-in fee for smaller accounts: Clients under $250,000 generally face a typical 2.25% wrap fee before underlying fund expenses.
- Fees on cash: RPOA continues charging fees on cash and cash equivalents.
- Cash exposure can drag on returns: RPOA may move part or all of a portfolio to cash for an indefinite period, which can leave clients underinvested during market rebounds.
Retirement Planners of America fees: How much does Retirement Planners of America cost?
RPOA charges an annual advisory fee plus a non-negotiable 0.40% platform fee. The combined rate depends on account size.
| Account level | Advisory fee | Platform fee | Total combined fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $250,000 (RPOA Direct) | 1.85% | 0.40% | 2.25% |
| $250,000 and above | 1.30% | 0.40% | 1.70% |
Certain legacy clients may pay a lower advisory fee of 1.25%. RPOA may negotiate its advisory fee at its discretion. Variable annuity accounts and held-away accounts accessed through Pontera are subject to a flat negotiable fee not to exceed 1.25%, while the held-away assets at 1.00%.
Clients also bear underlying fund expenses separately.
What is Retirement Planners of America’s minimum account size?
Retirement Planners of America does not impose a formal required minimum balance, but there are still important thresholds that affect how the service works.
| Minimum type | Amount/threshold |
|---|---|
| Operational minimum at Pershing | $1,000 |
| Service-tier threshold | $250,000 |
Clients with investable assets at or below $250,000 are automatically enrolled in the RPOA Direct program, which carries the higher 2.25% combined fee and team-based service.
Who should choose Retirement Planners of America?
This service makes the most sense for retirement-focused households that want a human advisor and are comfortable with a tactical, protection-first investment approach.
Retirement Planners of America works well for:
- Retirees and near-retirees seeking a defensive strategy: Clients who cannot absorb significant drawdowns and want an actively managed defensive approach may find the strategy's structure aligned with their needs.
- Pre-retirees and retirees: The service is built around retirement income, Social Security, Medicare, and broader retirement planning.
- Clients with $250,000 or more: At this level, clients access a dedicated advisor, semi-annual meetings, and the standard 1.30% advisory rate.
Who might not benefit as much:
- Growth-oriented investors: The strategy is defensive and can move part or all of a portfolio to cash, which may cause clients to miss rebounds and other upside.
- Clients with smaller accounts: Accounts at or below $250,000 are placed in RPOA Direct, where clients pay a higher standard combined fee.
- Fee-sensitive clients: The standard combined fee is 1.70% for larger accounts and 2.25% for RPOA Direct accounts, and clients also bear underlying fund expenses.
Retirement Planners of America: Is it secure?
RPOA is SEC-registered, and client assets are held by independent third-party custodians.
RPOA does not take physical custody of client funds or securities.
Clients receive account statements from Pershing at least quarterly, with advisory fees itemized on each. The firm maintains physical, electronic, and procedural security measures in compliance with federal regulations. No disciplinary events are reported.
Retirement Planners of America: Customer service
Client support follows an advisor-led model. Clients above $250,000 are assigned a dedicated Investment Advisory Representative and meet semi-annually, in person or virtually.
RPOA Direct clients work with a team of approximately three to four planners and meet virtually only annually.
The firm is reachable by phone, a contact form and email.
RPOA also offers free educational seminars on Social Security, Medicare, and estate planning.
Retirement Planners of America: Mobile app
RPOA offers a dedicated mobile app, RPOA NetX, confirming it as the official RPOA client app connected to accounts held at Pershing.
It provides 24/7 access to account balances, holdings, activity, order status, trade confirmations, tax statements, and account statements, and supports mobile check deposit into eligible Pershing accounts.
Is Retirement Planners of America worth it?
Retirement Planners of America can make sense for retirees and near-retirees who want ongoing human advice and are comfortable with a protection-first investment approach. Its main strengths are retirement-focused planning and a clearly defined defensive strategy, but the trade-offs are meaningful: fees are high, smaller accounts get the most expensive service tier, and the portfolio can be moved into cash for extended periods while fees continue.
Get expert financial advice
If you're seeking professional financial advice, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will help you manage your money and maximize your investments.