Retirement Planning Education, with Andy Panko #195 - Retirement planner chat with Bradley Hilton from Sonas Financial Planning
10 snips
Mar 12, 2026 Bradley Hilton, CFP and founder of Sonas Financial Planning in Atlanta, offers flat‑fee retirement and pre‑retirement planning. He discusses overlooked retirement blind spots, healthcare and long‑term care cost risks, tax‑aware distribution strategies, annuities and insurance tradeoffs, investment philosophy, wellness (purpose, passion, people), and how to pick and price the right advisor.
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Define Why Before Hiring An Advisor
- Before hiring an advisor define your why and three-year outcome so you can evaluate fit and measure results.
- Bradley asks prospective clients to imagine meeting three years later and describe what success looks like to guide selection.
Set Clear Fees And Behavioral Rules
- Use pricing and client rules to self-select fit; set clear minimums and behavioral expectations up front.
- Hilton charges flat fees ($12k married, $10k single) and requires responsiveness and civility or he ends relationships.
Paid Try Before You Buy Engagement
- Hilton offers a paid "try before you buy" four-meeting engagement to build trust before committing to ongoing fees.
- The one-time full financial review costs $8,000 and the fee is credited if the client becomes ongoing.
