Define Financial
Define Financial is a fee-only RIA serving high-net-worth retirees and near-retirees (50+, $2M+ portfolios) across 40+ US states through its proprietary Total Retirement System™, an integrated retirement, tax, income, and legacy planning methodology delivered by a six-person CFP® team.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Define Financial does
Define Financial is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) founded in 2014 by Taylor Schulte, CFP®, headquartered in San Diego, California, and operating as Define Financial, LLC in Delaware. The firm specializes exclusively in retirement planning and tax planning for individuals aged 50 and older with $2 million or more in investable assets, managing over $300 million for hundreds of families across 40+ states (licensed in all 50). Its flagship offering is the Total Retirement System™, a proprietary integrated methodology that coordinates four pillars—taxes, income, investments, and legacy—into a single unified plan, with six service components under it: Investment Management, Tax Planning, Income Planning, Social Security Timing, Legacy Planning, and Insurance Optimization. The underlying technology stack is largely third-party: investment accounts are custodied at Fidelity Investments with clearing and brokerage services through National Financial Services LLC and Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, while clients access a client portal built on the eMoney/Advisor platform. There is no proprietary trading, portfolio construction, or planning engine disclosed.
Define Financial firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Define Financial
- Legal name
- Define Financial, LLC
- Website
- https://definefinancial.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Define Financial is a fee-only RIA serving high-net-worth retirees and near-retirees (50+, $2M+ portfolios) across 40+ US states through its proprietary Total Retirement System™, an integrated retirement, tax, income, and legacy planning methodology delivered by a six-person CFP® team.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Define Financial industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retirement Financial Planning
- NAICS
- Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940)
- SIC
- Investment Advice (6282)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Comprehensive Financial Planning (FSAEAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fee-Only Advisory (FSAEAAAL)
Keywords
Where Define Financial is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Define Financial business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Annual Advisory Fee (Comprehensive Planning & Investment Management): Define Financial charges a transparent annual fee for comprehensive retirement planning and investment management services, including proactive tax planning, retirement income design, estate and insurance coordination, and ongoing investment management. Minimum annual fee is $20,000. Fees are billed quarterly and deducted proportionally from managed investment accounts. The firm does not earn commissions, sell financial products, or receive incentives from third parties.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Comprehensive Annual Advisory (ongoing relationship) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | One-Time / Limited-Scope Project (via Domain Money partnership) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Define Financial product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Define Financial is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor that provides comprehensive retirement planning and investment management for individuals aged 50 and older with $2M+ portfolios. The core offering is the Total Retirement System™, an integrated methodology that coordinates tax planning, retirement income design, investment management, Social Security timing, legacy/estate planning, and insurance optimization into a single, ongoing advisory relationship. Engagement begins with a complimentary 45-minute retirement strategy session and is supported by a $20,000 minimum annual fee billed quarterly, with no commissions or product sales.
Product overview
Define Financial is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that offers a single, unified financial planning platform centered on retirement planning for individuals aged 50+ with $2M+ portfolios. The core offering is the Total Retirement System™, which integrates six distinct but coordinated service pillars: Investment Management, Tax Planning, Income Planning, Social Security Timing, Legacy Planning, and Insurance Optimization. Clients access these services through a structured 3-step process: a complimentary Strategy Session, onboarding to the Total Retirement System™, and ongoing monitoring and optimization with regular Spring and Fall reviews. Additional offerings include a Client Portal for account access, an educational blog with articles on topics like IRMAA and California capital gains tax, the Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast, and downloadable resources like the 2026 Tax Cheat Sheet. The firm operates on a transparent annual fee model with a $20,000 minimum and also offers limited one-time custom plans starting at $3,200 through a Domain Money partnership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Total Retirement System™: The company's proprietary integrated retirement planning methodology that coordinates taxes, income, investments, and legacy planning into one cohesive strategy.
Products and services
- Total Retirement System™
- Investment Management
- Tax Planning
- Income Planning
- Social Security Timing
- Legacy Planning
- Insurance Optimization
- Retirement Strategy Session
- Limited-Scope Project Planning (via Domain Money partnership)
Quantifiable outcome
- IRMAA surcharges can total $10,000+ per year for a married couple if income crosses Medicare thresholds; strategic planning can help avoid or reduce these surcharges.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Define Financial
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Define Financial technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature1 record
Define Financial partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Domain MoneyminorDefine Financial partnered with a team of CFP® professionals at Domain Money to create a limited-scope planning experience for retirement savers who want comprehensive planning without ongoing investment management. Domain Money serves as a referral or co-delivery partner for clients needing one-time project plans starting at $3,200, distinct from Define Financial's core ongoing advisory relationship.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Define Financial competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Facet Wealth: A tech-enabled, flat-fee RIA delivering comprehensive financial planning with CFP®-led advice via a hybrid digital-plus-human model. Comparable to Define Financial on fee-only fiduciary planning for HNW clients but differentiated by a heavier tech/lower-touch delivery model.
- Rebalance IRA / 401(k): A fee-only retirement-focused RIA managing portfolios for IRA and 401(k) rollover clients with evidence-based, globally diversified investing. Comparable to Define Financial on retirement specialization and evidence-based portfolio construction, though less integrated on the tax/legacy pillars.
Direct peers
- Domain Money: A fee-only financial planning firm offering comprehensive retirement and tax planning for clients typically with $500K+, with both ongoing and one-time engagement options. Define Financial's Domain Money partnership reference confirms a directly comparable offering and target audience.
- Sensible Money: A fee-only RIA specializing exclusively in retirement income planning for near-retirees and retirees. Directly comparable to Define Financial on the niche focus on retirement-age clients with integrated income, tax, and Social Security planning.
- Carson Group: A large RIA platform supporting advisors serving retirement-age and HNW households with integrated investment, tax, and legacy planning. Comparable to Define Financial on retirement-specialized wealth services and team-based advisory delivery.
- Buckingham Strategic Wealth: A nationally focused, fee-only RIA specializing in evidence-based investment management and retirement/tax planning for households, often with $1M+ portfolios. Directly comparable to Define Financial on fee-only fiduciary model, evidence-based investing, and tax-aware retirement focus.
- Edelman Financial Engines: A large national RIA providing integrated investment management, retirement income planning, and tax strategies for mass-affluent and HNW households. Comparable to Define Financial on retirement income planning, tax coordination, and evidence-based portfolio construction at scale.
- Stepp Planning Partners: A boutique, fee-only retirement planning firm focused on retirees and near-retirees with integrated tax, Social Security, and estate planning. Closely comparable to Define Financial's Total Retirement System™ approach and $2M+ retiree focus.
Broad incumbents
- Mariner Wealth Advisors: A large national RIA offering integrated retirement, tax, estate, and investment planning for HNW households. Comparable to Define Financial on integrated retirement planning for affluent clients but operates at much larger scale across multiple specialties.
Others
- Fi360 / Fiduciary Focus: A fiduciary training, analytics, and due-diligence provider serving retirement-focused advisors and RIAs. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler supporting fee-only fiduciary practices like Define Financial rather than as a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Define Financial social profiles
Digital presenceDefine Financial financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Define Financial leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Define Financial funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Define Financial M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Define Financial
What does Define Financial do?
Define Financial is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor that provides comprehensive retirement planning and investment management for individuals aged 50 and older with $2M+ portfolios. The core offering is the Total Retirement System™, an integrated methodology that coordinates tax planning, retirement income design, investment management, Social Security timing, legacy/estate planning, and insurance optimization into a single, ongoing advisory relationship. Engagement begins with a complimentary 45-minute retirement strategy session and is supported by a $20,000 minimum annual fee billed quarterly, with no commissions or product sales.
Is Define Financial a public or private company?
Define Financial is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Define Financial founded?
Define Financial was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Define Financial based?
Define Financial is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Define Financial make money?
One revenue line is on record: annual Advisory Fee (Comprehensive Planning & Investment Management).
Who are Define Financial's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Facet Wealth and Rebalance IRA / 401(k). Direct peers are Domain Money, Sensible Money, Carson Group, Buckingham Strategic Wealth, Edelman Financial Engines and Stepp Planning Partners. Mariner Wealth Advisors is listed as a broad incumbent. Fi360 / Fiduciary Focus is listed as an others.
Does Define Financial have an API?
No public API is recorded for Define Financial.
What industry is Define Financial in?
Define Financial's product category is Retirement Financial Planning. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAEAAAA, Comprehensive Financial Planning, with a secondary code of FSAEAAAL, Fee-Only Advisory. Its NAICS code is 523940 and its SIC code is 6282.