Pensions & Super Cost in Phoenix (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Phoenix, the cost of pension and superannuation-style advice usually comes through financial planning and retirement advisory fees rather than a product sold at a fixed local price. Verified US benchmark data shows a typical standalone financial plan costs about $2,422, while ongoing investment/advice fees often average around 1.02% of assets under management; for Phoenix, hourly retirement-planning advice is commonly estimated at roughly $200-$450 per hour and one-off retirement plans at about $1,500-$5,000.
Overview
In the United States, including Phoenix, "pensions & super" generally means retirement income planning, pension rollover advice, 401(k) and IRA advice, annuity analysis, and broader retirement financial planning. Unlike Australia or the UK, "super" is not a standard US retail product term, so local consumers are usually buying advice from a financial planner, registered investment adviser, accountant, or employee-benefits consultant rather than paying a standard pension fee. For Phoenix businesses, costs depend on whether the need is employer-side retirement plan support or individual retirement advice. A one-off retirement review is often charged as an hourly or flat planning fee. Ongoing help is more commonly priced as a percentage of assets under management (AUM), especially if the adviser manages retirement investments. National industry sources give solid benchmarks: CFP Board consumer guidance cites a typical standalone financial plan cost of $2,422, and AdvisoryHQ reports an average AUM fee around 1.02% annually. For company pension or 401(k)-type plans, the US Department of Labor explains that fees may include plan administration, investment management, and individual service fees, but actual totals vary widely by plan size and design. In Phoenix, expect higher fees for complex pension transfers, defined-benefit option analysis, tax planning, estate coordination, or small-business retirement plan design. Lower-cost options are more likely if you only need a one-off consultation or basic retirement cash-flow planning.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone financial plan(per plan) CFP Board states the average fee for a standalone financial plan is $2,422. | ~$2,422 | Estimated range |
| Assets-under-management advisory fee(percent per year) Industry benchmark for annual AUM fees; often used for retirement portfolio management. | ~$1.02 | Estimated range |
| Hourly retirement or pension advice(per hour) Estimated range based on typical US market rates for fee-only financial planners and retirement advisers serving metropolitan areas such as Phoenix. | ~$200 – $450 | Estimated range |
| One-off retirement planning package(per package) Estimated range based on national planning-fee benchmarks, with CFP Board's verified standalone plan average used as the midpoint reference. | ~$1,500 – $5,000 | Estimated range |
| Small-business retirement plan setup/advisory support(per project) Estimated range for employer-side consulting such as 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA plan selection and implementation support; actual costs vary greatly by headcount and provider model. | ~$1,000 – $7,500 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Retirement income projections
- 401(k), IRA, and pension rollover analysis
- Social Security timing discussion
- Tax-aware withdrawal planning
- Investment allocation review
- For employers, plan design and vendor comparison
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
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Regulator / licensing: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; Arizona Corporation Commission Securities Division; CFP Board
Variants & Configurations
Duration
A one-off consultation may last 60-120 minutes; a full retirement plan often takes several weeks from fact-find to recommendations.
How Fees Work
Common fee structures are hourly, fixed-fee per financial plan, monthly or quarterly retainer, or an annual percentage of assets under management. Employer retirement-plan work may also include setup, administration, and investment-related fees billed separately.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether you need one-off retirement advice or ongoing investment management
- Complexity of pension assets, rollovers, defined-benefit analysis, and tax planning
- Household or business asset size, which affects percentage-based fees
- Whether the adviser is fee-only, commission-based, or hybrid
- For employers, plan size, number of employees, and administration requirements
Local Context
Phoenix pricing for retirement advice generally tracks large US metro patterns rather than having a unique city fee schedule. Arizona has no separate state sales tax on professional financial advice in the same way retail services are taxed, but retirement-planning recommendations can interact with federal tax rules and Arizona state income tax considerations. Tipping is not expected for regulated financial or pension advice.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars; percentage-based fees are annual unless stated otherwise.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- U.S. Department of Labor · government
ERISA framework for private-sector retirement plans and fiduciary context.
- U.S. Department of Labor - A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees · government
Explains retirement plan fee categories including plan administration, investment fees, and individual service fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a standard price for pension or super advice in Phoenix?+
No. In Phoenix, retirement advice is usually priced as hourly planning, a flat-fee plan, or an annual percentage of assets rather than a standard citywide tariff.
What is the most common way advisers charge?+
For individuals, common models are a flat fee for a retirement plan or an annual AUM fee if the adviser manages investments. For employers, costs may be split between consulting, administration, and fund expenses.
Are pension fees regulated in the US?+
Investment advisers are regulated rather than price-capped. The SEC and state securities regulators oversee advisers, while employer retirement plan fee disclosure is governed under Department of Labor rules.
How much should I budget for one-off retirement planning?+
A realistic planning budget in Phoenix is often around $1,500-$5,000 for a comprehensive one-off engagement, with simpler reviews potentially costing less and complex pension analysis costing more.
Do employer retirement plans have additional hidden fees?+
They can have multiple layers of fees, including plan administration, investment management, recordkeeping, and individual service fees. The Department of Labor explains these categories in its participant fee guidance.
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Check current prices at the official source
U.S. Department of Labor
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