In today’s scenario where retirement planning can often feel like navigating a maze of unclear promises and shifting rules, The Retirement Solution (TRS) stands out for its clarity, integrity, and unabashed focus on what matters most: helping clients retire confidently and enjoyably. Founded in 2007, TRS operates with a simple credo: doing right by clients is always the right thing. With that guiding spirit, the firm has built a suite of retirement-planning services that combine long-term thinking, fiduciary care, and an emphasis on living life—not constantly worrying about money.

At its core, TRS has one unwavering mission: to ensure clients can enjoy life more and worry less about their financial futures. Led by CEO Jim Black, whose own journey from a farming community to financial planner shaped the company’s client-first DNA, TRS has embedded the values of transparency and trust into every facet of its work. “We act in the client’s best interest in all situations,” the firm declares. It’s not just marketing talk. From its fee structure to its guidance philosophy, TRS places the client’s retirement well-being ahead of product sales or short-term gains.

One of the most compelling elements of TRS’s offering is its holistic view of retirement. The firm recognizes that for many people the most difficult question isn’t “How much do I need to save?” but “Will I run out of money?” To address that anxiety, TRS asks what it calls, “What’s Your Number?™” Together with clients, advisors review all assets, forecast inflation and taxes, and build a long-term income plan stretching through age 100. With that number in hand, clients gain the peace of mind to make informed choices—travel, gifting, volunteer work—rather than wondering if their savings will last.

Their core strategy is built on a “bucket planning” philosophy: funds needed in years 1-5 of retirement are placed in low-risk, liquid accounts; years 6-10 and 11-20 hold moderate-risk assets; while amounts projected for 21 years and beyond are positioned for growth with a higher risk tolerance. Over time dividends from growth-oriented buckets feed into safer holdings, preserving stability even after market turbulence. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective—and it reflects TRS’s belief that retirement is not simply a destination, but a long arc of evolving financial needs.

Customization is key at TRS. Rather than offer one-size-fits-all portfolios, the firm engages deeply with each client’s life goals—be it legacy gifting, tax-efficient transitions, or simply the freedom to wake up without checking an account balance. TRS supports a broad set of services: retirement income planning, tax-minimization strategies, RMD (required minimum distribution) management, Social Security optimization, estate planning and retirement-stage insurance. Crucially, their advisors do more than sell products—they educate and guide clients through each decision point.

Education isn’t an afterthought—it’s central. TRS provides a “Retirement University” with virtual courses on when to claim Social Security, how to minimize taxes, how to manage RMDs, and how to avoid probate. Workshops for pre-retirees and retirees foster hands-on learning in small-group settings. TRS offers free resources to anyone, client or not, because it believes that informed clients make better decisions—and decision-making is fundamental to a secure retirement. Technology and transparency reinforce this philosophy. TRS’s client portal gives on-demand access to accounts, plan assumptions and long-range projections, while the firm’s digital tools extend the same insights to younger pre-retirees. Unlike many firms where you wait for annual reviews and hope nothing is changing behind the scenes, TRS commits to regular check-ins. They treat each retirement plan as a living document—subject to updates as tax law, markets or personal goals shift.

Integrity is further underscored by a 100 % Money-Back Guarantee on service fees for the first year. If a client isn’t completely satisfied, TRS will refund the fees paid—no questions asked. (Of course this excludes third-party custodial or investment fees.) That guarantee reflects the firm’s self-confidence and reinforces that it views relationships as long-term, not transactional. TRS also holds itself to high standards of trust: the firm is fully fiduciary, meaning it must always act in the client’s best interest—a distinction the firm highlights when comparing itself to many traditional brokers. Clients can expect clear explanations of compensation, transparent pricing and an emphasis on what’s best for the individual, not the firm.

With the retirement landscape becoming more complex—longevity increasing, tax laws shifting, markets unsteady—TRS stands out as a smart choice for those seeking clarity. Rather than simply saving as much as possible, the firm helps members craft a meaningful retirement story. It helps them define what they want it to feel like, then backs that vision with the structure to make it happen.

TRS continues to invest in digital tools, advisor education and workshops while holding firm to its mission. Trustees face a future of higher longevity risk, more complex tax rules and an increasing need for bespoke solutions, yet TRS remains anchored in its founding belief: retire well so you can live well. The message is simple but powerful: retirement isn’t just about having enough—it’s about knowing how long enough is, what you’ll do with it, and having a trusted team beside you. For those preparing for tomorrow, The Retirement Solution offers more than financial plans—it offers peace of mind.