Discover why retirees with $1M+ saved choose flat-fee financial advice over the 1% AUM model. Learn how Ignite Financial’s transparent approach could help you cut costs, lower taxes, and retire with confidence.
Why Flat-Fee Planning Matters
You’ve worked hard. You’ve saved diligently. Now comes the most important part: turning your money into a retirement you can actually enjoy—without second-guessing if you’re overspending, under-spending, or overpaying your advisor.”
But here’s the truth: when it comes to financial advice, how you pay matters.
That’s why at Ignite Financial, we do things differently. We’re a flat-fee, fee-only fiduciary firm serving those in or near retirement aged 50+ in Cedar Falls and across the country. Our model is simple: one clear fee for everything—retirement income, investments, tax planning, insurance, and estate planning.
No hidden fees.
No commissions.
Just transparent advice designed to give you clarity and confidence in retirement.
We’re based in Cedar Falls, Iowa, serving families locally in the Cedar Valley as well as across the United States. Here are a few of our most-read retirement blogs:
Flat-Fee Financial Advisor vs. 1% AUM: Which Is Better for Retirees?
If you’ve saved $1 million or more for retirement, the difference between paying a flat fee and paying 1% of assets under management (AUM) can be dramatic.
With 1% AUM: A $1,000,000 portfolio means about $10,000 a year in fees. At $2.5M, that jumps to $25,000 annually—whether or not your financial situation has gotten more complex. Over a 20-year retirement, that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars quietly deducted from your accounts.
With Flat Fee: Your cost reflects the work required, not your account size. That means you pay a transparent, predictable fee whether your portfolio is $1M or $5M. And because the fee isn’t tied to gathering assets, you get advice that’s better aligned with your goals—whether that’s paying off a mortgage, gifting to family, or buying a vacation home.
If you’ve saved diligently, you deserve advice that rewards that discipline—not fees that quietly rise with every dollar you worked so hard to build.
Why Incentives Matter
How an advisor gets paid influences the advice you get—whether they mean for it to or not.
Commission example: Put $500,000 into an annuity and the advisor could earn an 8% commission—$40,000 upfront. The incentive is the sale, not your long-term plan.
AUM example: With $1.5M at 1%, you pay $15,000 a year. If you want to pull $500,000 for a vacation home, your advisor’s fee drops. They may (even unconsciously) try to talk you out of it.
Flat-fee planning reduces these conflicts. Your fee is tied to the complexity of your life, not the size of your portfolio.
Key Benefits of Flat-Fee Planning
There are many advantages for you, which is why we chose to render financial advice on a fixed fee basis.
A flat fee advisor is a fiduciary. Fiduciaries do not charge commissions. Always putting the client’s interest before their own.
In some, but not all, cases the flat fee can be considerably less than what an AUM fee or commission would amount to. Usually this is true in the case of larger portfolios (and it is generally not true for smaller portfolios). If you were paying 1% to an advisor managing $1,000,000 of your money, you’d pay $10,000 a year in AUM fees.
You always know what you’ll pay, making it easier to plan for retirement expenses.
How Ignite Financial Works with You
At Ignite, we go beyond spreadsheets. We help you:
Feel empowered to spend with confidence.
Understand the "why" behind every decision.
Align your money with your purpose, energy, and lifestyle.
Here’s what our client experience looks like:
This isn’t cookie-cutter. It’s personal, proactive, and designed to give you clarity for decades to come.
The Ignite Planning Framework: Built for Your Best Life
Here’s what’s included in our flat fee service—so you know what’s covered, without surprises. We help you make confident decisions across every aspect of your financial life:
Retirement Income & Withdrawal Planning
When can you retire
How much can you spend and give
Social Security optimization
Pension and IPERS analysis
Required Minimum Distribution (RMDs)
Inherited IRAs/Roths rules
Cash Flow Planning
Smart saving across Roth (after-tax), traditional (pre-tax), and brokerage
Cash Options (money markets, CDs, bonds etc.)
Goals and Expense Review
Multi-year cash-flow showing how withdrawals support your lifestyle
Investment Review
Investment Policy Statement (your roadmap)
Evidence-based, diversified low-cost ETF & mutual fund portfolios
Tax-efficient asset location
Risk aligned to your goals
Rebalancing
Helping you stay the course to achieve your goals
Tax Planning (Looking ahead)
Annual tax review for credits, deductions and opportunities
Roth conversions and bracket strategy
Charitable giving strategies (QCDs, DAFs)
Tax loss/gain harvesting
Withholding reviews (paystub, pension, Social Security)
Lifetime tax minimization
Insurance Planning (We don’t sell insurance or take commissions)
Healthcare planning before 65
Medicare Parts A–D + Medigap guidance
Long-term care strategy and funding options
Employee/retiree benefits review
Disability, life, auto/home/umbrella reviews
Estate & Legacy Planning
Legacy Binder organization
Will, trust, POAs, and healthcare directive coordination
Beneficiaries / flow of assets / estate calculations
Digital estate planning
Letter of last Instruction
Executor/trustee preparation and timelines
Family communication plan
Legacy and giving goals
All clients receive complimentary access to create or update a will, advance directive, power of attorney, and a revocable trust. We also provide a binder and help you organize everything in one place.
Life Planning & Retirement Transitions
Helping couples retire on the same page
Creating a purposeful, work-optional lifestyle
Planning for giving, travel, and time freedom
Navigating the identity shift from work to retirement
What Does It Cost?
As flat fee financial advisors, our comprehensive planning and investment management services typically range from $7,000 to $14,000 per year, with most clients between $8,000 and $12,000 depending on the complexity of their situation.
This includes both ongoing financial planning and investment management.
Short-term project planning is available separately starting at $4,900 and investment only review at $1,695.
No commissions. No percentages. Just one flat, transparent fee.
We believe good planning should be accessible. That’s why we don’t require a portfolio minimum.
Who Is Flat-Fee Planning Best For?
Our flat-fee approach is designed for people who want clarity, transparency, and comprehensive guidance in or near retirement. We’re the best fit if you:
Are age 50+, nearing retirement or already retired.
Have $1 million or more in savings (retirement accounts, brokerage, farmland, or other assets).
Want help with the full picture: investments, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and lifestyle.
Value objective, conflict-free advice without commissions or hidden costs.
Our goal: help you reduce lifetime taxes, improve your investments, and maximize your retirement income—with peace of mind.
We’re not the right fit if you’re looking for hot stock tips or short-term trading strategies.
While many of our clients have saved $1 million or more, we do not have a strict minimum. If you’re serious about building a plan for retirement—even if you’re earlier on the journey—we’re happy to help. We also offer project-based planning options for those who want a one-time deep dive without ongoing services.
Your Next Step: A Conversation That Changes Everything
If you’re age 50+ and want a clearer path, let’s talk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flat-Fee Financial Planning
How often will we meet or communicate throughout the year?
New clients usually 4-6 times in the first year and then 2x per year in the spring and fall.
We send out monthly client newsletters
Always available by phone, text, or if another meeting as necessary outside of the spring and fall.
Do you only work with clients in Iowa?
No. While we’re based in Cedar Falls and serve many families across the Cedar Valley, we also work virtually with clients across the United States.
What if my financial situation changes—inheritance, property sale, or retirement date?
We’ll adjust your financial plan proactively whenever life changes—whether it’s an inheritance, property sale, or unexpected transition. Your flat fee covers plan updates, and we revisit fees every two years (often only adjusting for inflation).
Can you coordinate with my CPA or estate attorney as part of my flat fee estate planning service?
Yes, we are happy to discuss strategies and planning items with them.
