Retirement Planners


Overview

Introduction

Financial planners help people invest for the future. Retirement planners are financial planners who specialize in the financial needs and concerns of people planning for retirement. Some retirement planners work for corporations of all sizes; many others are self-employed. Retirement planners have diverse backgrounds in fields such as banking, accounting, law, and life insurance. There are approximately 263,000 personal financial advisers working in the United States.

Quick Facts


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Median Salary

$87,850

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Employment Prospects

Fair

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Minimum Education Level

Bachelors Degree


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Experience

Internship, co-op, or part-time job


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Skills

Business Management|Financial|Interpersonal


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Personality Traits

Helpful|Organized|Technical

Earnings

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that median annual earnings for personal financial advisers, which includes retirement planners, were $87,850 in May 2019, with the lowest 10 percent earning less than $42,950, and the highest 25 percent earning more than $208,000. Many retirement planners, especially those who are self-employed, charge their clients an hourly rate for their services or a fl...

Work Environment

Most retirement planners work 40 hours or more a week, depending on the number of clients and businesses they represent. The majority of their workday is spent in the office doing research or meeting with clients. However, financial planners may also travel to their clients business, home, or other designated places. 

Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts average employment growth of 4 percent for personal financial advisors, which includes retirement planners, through 2029. Demand for financial planners is growing in part because people are living longer due to advances in the medical and health care fields. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that in 2010 there were 35 million people in the United States w...