Retirement Planning Services for California Individuals, Educators, and Business Owners
Retirement planning isn't just picking an account type and contributing until you stop working. It's a sequence of decisions, which account fits your situation, how much to contribute, when to convert, how CalSTRS or CalSavers factors into the picture, that compound over decades. AIM Group's retirement planning services bring an independent, non-captive approach to that sequence, comparing options instead of defaulting to whichever product a captive advisor happens to sell.
What a Retirement Planning Advisor Actually Does
A good retirement planning advisor does more than open an account. The role includes comparing contribution limits and tax treatment across account types, coordinating retirement accounts with any life insurance or advanced planning strategies you already have in place, and adjusting the plan as your income, employer situation, or California-specific obligations like CalSTRS change over time.
That coordination matters more for some people than others. A teacher balancing CalSTRS with a supplemental 403(b) needs a different conversation than a business owner deciding between a SEP IRA and a Fixed 401(k) for their team. We tailor the conversation to which situation you're actually in.
Working With a Financial Advisor for Retirement Planning Services
Many people start this process alone, comparing account types online, before realizing how many variables actually interact. Working with a financial advisor for retirement planning services means someone is checking your contribution strategy against contribution limits that change annually, your tax bracket now versus in retirement, and whether a Roth conversion at some point makes sense given your specific income trajectory.
As a non-captive advisory team, we're not limited to recommending accounts through a single custodian or platform, which means the comparison we walk you through reflects the actual market rather than one company's shelf.
Retirement Planning Services in California: What's Different Here
Retirement planning services in California carry a few state-specific layers that a generic national planning conversation misses. California has no state-sponsored public pension equivalent for private sector workers the way CalSTRS covers public educators, which is part of why CalSavers exists for employers who don't offer a retirement plan. State income tax also affects the traditional-versus-Roth decision differently than it does in a no-income-tax state, since California taxes retirement account withdrawals as ordinary income.
We're headquartered in the City of Industry and work with individuals, educators, and business owners throughout Southern California, so these state-specific factors are part of the plan from the start rather than an adjustment made later. If you're an employer navigating compliance requirements, our CalSavers Compliance guidance covers that separately from individual retirement planning.
Retirement Accounts We Help You Compare
Each account type serves a different situation, and part of our job is helping you see which one, or which combination, actually fits yours
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?
Traditional IRA contributions are often tax-deductible now with taxable withdrawals later. Roth IRA contributions are made after-tax with tax-free withdrawals in retirement. The better fit depends on your current tax bracket versus your expected bracket in retirement.
Do I need a retirement planning advisor if I already have a 403(b) through work?
A workplace 403(b) is a strong start, but most people benefit from a broader review, especially California educators balancing CalSTRS, a 403(b), and personal savings, to make sure the pieces work together rather than overlapping or leaving gaps.
What retirement plan makes sense for a small business with employees?
It depends on business size and budget. A Simple IRA suits smaller teams wanting lower administrative cost, while a SEP IRA or Fixed 401(k) may fit better depending on owner contribution goals and employee census.
Is California retirement planning different from other states?
Yes, primarily due to state income tax on withdrawals and California-specific programs like CalSTRS for educators and CalSavers for employers without a retirement plan. Both affect account strategy in ways a generic national plan wouldn't account for.
Why Plan with AIM Group
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Personalized strategies based on your goals and income
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Access to multiple retirement plan options and investment tools
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Guidance from experienced professionals who understand your needs
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Commitment to building lifelong financial confidence
