Business Details
26 Years
experience
Trusted Financial Advisers for Retirement Planning in Chicago
Retirement Plan Advisors (RPA) was established in 2000 with a mission to provide specialized retirement plan consulting and fiduciary services to public sector employers. As an independent registered investment adviser, we prioritize client interests without ties to product providers, offering tailored solutions for retirement programs. Our team brings 25 years of experience managing $6 billion in assets, serving over 570 plan sponsor clients with a 99% retention rate. We specialize in plan design, participant education, and investment oversight, combining personalized advice with comprehensive fiduciary responsibility. Our services include fee benchmarking, recordkeeper evaluation, and customized investment strategies designed to improve employee retirement outcomes. With regional offices across the U.S., we deliver nationwide support while maintaining localized service delivery.Our fiduciary framework ensures all recommendations align with clients' best interests, documented through formal Investment Policy Statements and regular reporting. We differentiate ourselves through proactive employee engagement programs, including workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions. Our compliance-focused approach includes ongoing plan health monitoring and regulatory adherence support. Backed by a team of CFPs, CFAs, and industry-certified professionals, we combine technical expertise with practical implementation support.
Services
Plan Design
Participant Services
Investment Consulting
Fiduciary Oversight
Recordkeeper Evaluation
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of experience in retirement plan consulting.
- Our team oversees $6 billion in assets under advisement.
- We operate as a fiduciary, prioritizing client interests above all.
- We offer customized investment solutions for public sector employers.
- Our 99% client retention rate reflects our commitment to excellence.
Associations and certifications
- FINRA
- SIPC
- Federally Registered Investment Adviser
Services
Plan Design & Implementation
We help employers create customized retirement plans that meet organizational goals and participant needs. Our process includes market analysis, objective assessment, and implementation of best-practice solutions. Services cover fee benchmarking, provider selection, and Investment Policy Statement development.
Onsite Participant Services
Our team delivers in-person financial guidance through workshops, enrollment sessions, and individual counseling. We focus on improving retirement readiness through personalized investment advice and behavioral coaching. Services include shift-specific outreach and comprehensive financial wellness programs.
Fiduciary Oversight
We provide 3(21) and 3(38) fiduciary services that reduce client liability while ensuring regulatory compliance. Our oversight includes investment monitoring, documentation management, and trustee education programs to maintain plan integrity and legal adherence.
Investment Solutions
Our investment team constructs diversified portfolios using best-in-class managers across global asset classes. We offer target-date funds, managed accounts, and customized solutions backed by rigorous market analysis and risk-adjusted return strategies for both institutional and individual investors.
Recordkeeper Services
We evaluate and negotiate with retirement plan recordkeepers to ensure competitive pricing and service quality. Our services include RFP management, fee negotiation, and ongoing performance monitoring to maintain optimal plan operations and participant experience.
People
Josh Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer
Josh Schwartz leads Retirement Plan Advisors as CEO, bringing strategic vision and industry expertise to our fiduciary services. With deep knowledge of retirement plan regulations, he ensures our clients receive compliant, innovative solutions that meet evolving market demands.
T.J. Kistner
Chief Investment Officer
T.J. Kistner, CFA, CAIA, serves as Chief Investment Officer, overseeing portfolio strategy and manager selection. With decades of financial markets experience, he leads our investment team in constructing diversified solutions that deliver risk-adjusted returns for institutional and individual clients.
Rob Mangano
Vice President of Plan Consulting
Rob Mangano, CFP, CPFA, specializes in retirement plan consulting, helping employers design effective benefit programs. His expertise in fiduciary responsibilities and investment strategies supports clients in creating competitive retirement solutions that meet organizational and participant needs.
Christopher DeGrassi
Chief Operating Officer
Christopher DeGrassi manages daily operations at Retirement Plan Advisors, ensuring efficient service delivery across our regional offices. His leadership focuses on process optimization and client service excellence while maintaining our fiduciary commitment to retirement plan sponsors.
Caitlin Cunningham
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Caitlin Cunningham leads our marketing and communications initiatives, ensuring clear client engagement and educational outreach. Her strategic approach enhances our ability to deliver retirement planning resources and fiduciary expertise to public sector employers nationwide.
Questions
What retirement plan services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive retirement plan services including design, fiduciary oversight, investment consulting, participant education, and recordkeeper evaluation for public sector employers.
How do you help employees prepare for retirement?
We offer onsite financial education, personalized investment advice, and behavioral coaching through workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions to improve retirement readiness.
Are you a fiduciary advisor?
Yes, we operate as an independent fiduciary, providing 3(21) and 3(38) services that prioritize client interests with full legal responsibility for our recommendations.
What investment solutions do you provide?
We offer diversified investment solutions including target-date funds, managed accounts, and customized portfolios using best-in-class managers across global asset classes.
How do you handle plan compliance?
We ensure compliance through formal Investment Policy Statements, regular reporting, trustee education programs, and ongoing monitoring of regulatory requirements and plan operations.
What geographic areas do you serve?
We serve clients nationwide with regional offices in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Louisiana, providing localized support while maintaining national expertise.
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