Retirement Capital Strategies, Inc.

Retirement Capital Strategies, Inc. provides financial and retirement planning and discretionary investment management principally to individual and high‑net‑worth clients; the firm manages roughly $305 million of client assets with two advisors and offers specialized services including management of variable annuity sub‑accounts, 529 college‑savings plans, and employer‑sponsored retirement plans. Clients typically receive an initial planning analysis (complimentary when paired with investment management) and ongoing portfolio oversight under written advisory agreements.

The firm favors a passive, ETF‑based approach and maintains ten model portfolios spanning 10% to 100% equity, with base models for globally diversified, ESG, high‑dividend, and taxable or tax‑free bond strategies that are customized using tools such as MoneyGuide Pro, RightCapital, and Riskalyze. RCS also uses derivatives in client accounts — primarily covered calls and purchased calls and puts — as well as private funds and tactical cash positions when appropriate to manage risk and generate income.

Several disclosures in the brochure are atypical for peers: the firm uses client testimonials in its advertising, it reported an SEC enforcement action in 2018 related to advisory fee discounts (it refunded affected clients, engaged a compliance consultant, revised policies, and paid a civil penalty), and it employs derivatives in separately managed accounts, a practice relatively uncommon among supported firms. RCS also notes a soft $750,000 minimum with discretionary waivers, householding of accounts, and occasional “zero fee” managed accounts, indicating flexible account and fee arrangements.