Taylor Schulte, CFP®
Retirement and tax planning for people over age 50.
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Define Financial
Taylor Schulte, CFP®
San Diego, CA
Serving Clients Nationwide
Retirement and tax planning for people over age 50.
5 out of 5 Stars
Jump to Reviews
Areas of Focus
- Estate Planning
- High Net Worth
- Inherited Wealth
- Investing
- Investment Management
- Retirement Planning
- Retiring Early (F.I.R.E)
- Social Security
- Tax-Smart Distribution Planning
- Taxes
About Taylor Schulte, CFP®
Hi, I'm Taylor Schulte. 👋I founded Define Financial in 2014 because it was time for a change. Not just for me, but in how our profession defines excellent client care.
At Define Financial, we don’t chase industry targets. Instead, we strictly focus on helping people over age 50 lower taxes and retire on their terms. That’s it.
Everything else—our people, our services, our operations, and our outreach—is shaped by this goal.
Every day, I’m inspired by the experience we’ve created for our clients. While I don’t mind using my business degree to get down into the operational weeds, my first love is spending time with clients, helping them chart their future.
I’m also grateful for opportunities to lead by example alongside my team as well as among a nationwide community of independent advisors. Growing together, we can all become better providers to our clients.
We help our clients:
⮕ Reduce Taxes
⮕ Invest Smarter
⮕ Make Work Optional
I’m a regular contributor to media outlets like WSJ, Kiplinger, and Forbes, and was recognized as the #2 Independent Financial Advisor in 2022 by Investopedia.
I’m also:
🎙️ Host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Podcast (Forbes Top 10)
💥 Founder of the Retirement Podcast Network
📝 Regular Contributor to the Media
When I’m not perfecting retirement plans, you can find me traveling with my wife and kids, searching for the next best carne asada burrito, or trying to master Adam Scott’s golf swing.
Professional Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Affiliations
-
CFP Board
- Fee Only Network
- Financial Planning Association
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
- The AGC
- XY Planning Network
- Fee Only Network
Primary Location
12526 High Bluff Dr Suite 270 San Diego, CA 92130
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Based
- Fee Only
- Flat Fee
- Percentage of Assets Managed
- Subscription
What to expect in the first meeting
📞 Complimentary Retirement Strategy Session (45-min): We'll use this meeting to learn what matters most to you, answer your big questions, and ensure we have the right expertise to help. We'll also share more about our process and show you how we can improve your retirement plan, optimize investments, and lower taxes.Offers Investment Management
Yes
About Define Financial
Define Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisory firm dedicated to helping individuals aged 50+ achieve a secure, tax-efficient retirement.We specialize in retirement planning and investment management, combining tax planning, retirement income optimization, Social Security timing, and insurance optimization to deliver deeply personalized advice.
As CFP® Professionals, our goal is to empower retirees and near‐retirees—especially those navigating career transitions or seeking to preserve lifestyle—by minimizing tax burdens, managing investment risk through volatile markets, and generating sustainable income in retirement.
While we are based in San Diego, CA, we are licensed in all 50 states and currently serve hundreds of families nationwide.
Education
University of Arizona
Hobbies and Interests
- Exercising
- Golf
- Music
- Photography
- Reading
- Working Out
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Airline Pilots
- Baby Boomers
- Corporate Executives
- Couples
- Data Scientists
- Divorce
- DIY Investors
- Dual Income Family
- Engineers
- Families
- Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE)
- Individuals
- Living in Retirement
- Physicians
- Scientists
- Veterans
- Widow
To make Wealthtender free for readers, we earn a nominal monthly fee from financial advisors and firms in exchange for marketing services (including being featured on this profile page), subject to terms of use. This compensation creates a natural conflict of interest when we favor their promotion over others. Wealthtender is not a client of these advisors or firms. Testimonials may not be representative of other clients’ experiences and do not guarantee future performance or success.
Write a Review
By clicking submit, you acknowledge this review is based on your own experience and reflects your genuine opinion. You also agree to our review policy, privacy policy, and terms and conditions, and give this financial advisor permission to publicly display your review on their website.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Sep 17, 2025
Since August 2023, we have worked with the Define Financial team regarding our financial situation post-retirement. I listened to Taylor’s podcasts for over (6) months prior to our engagement to understand their approach and investment philosophy -- should have reached out earlier. A strong fiduciary approach and working with clients like us were (2) key deciding factors. Their expertise, recommendations and implemented plans have provided us with peace of mind and a clear path forward.
A special thanks to Karen, whose work regarding portfolio administration has been exceptional. High marks for attention to detail, responsiveness, and the ability to simplify the processes for our numerous requests.
We believe the Define Financial team has a genuine commitment to our financial well-being. We highly recommend their services to anyone seeking expert financial advice and guidance in retirement planning.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Sep 17, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 14, 2025
As my wife and I transitioned from earning and working to retirement and with all the financial changes that go along with switching gears, Define Financial is the perfect fit for us. Their knowledge of this phase in our financial life and their responsiveness to our questions really allows us to enjoy our retirement knowing that we are in very capable hands.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 14, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 10, 2025
We are very happy with the service we receive from the team at Define Financial.
Knowing that we have a knowledgeable team guiding us through our retirement brings us great peace of mind.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 10, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 10, 2025
The Define team is wonderful. They take the stress and anxiety out of finances for us. They have earned our utmost trust and respect.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 10, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 10, 2025
We have had Define Finance as our Financial Advisor for over 2 years. I am very impressed with their attention to detail and overall approach to ensuring our finances are managed appropriately. They are insuring I am paying the least taxes, as well as keeping my nest egg appropriately invested. I can ask any question about all aspects of my wealth management and they will find the answer. I have full confidence in their team.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 10, 2025
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
May 16, 2024
The team at Define Financial is excellent across the board. Their advice and portfolio management greatly exceeds the cost. I don't have to worry about the markets--my advisor is doing that for me while I get to enjoy improving my golf game.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of May 16, 2024
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
May 2, 2024
Always provide excellent financial advice in a warm, friendly and personal manner- the team prepares for my individual needs and is
easy to work with!! Highly recommend their services.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of May 2, 2024
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 29, 2024
I found Taylor Schulte through his Live Wealthy podcast which I can highly recommend! When we learned their team was accepting new clients, we quickly got in touch to see if they may be a good fit for us. We had just recently retired and we felt that our "traditional financial planner" was not meeting our needs. We met with Taylor and Tyler, and to say we were BLOWN AWAY is not strong enough! These guys have Retirement Planning dialed in!! They were very thorough, asked the right questions and came through with a complete financial plan that was easy to understand and covered many things we had yet to think about. They showed us how Roth conversions could make a huge difference in our lifetime tax bill. They uncovered the (often mysterious ) fees we were paying within our various accounts and helped us simplify the assets to make them more manageable. For MANY years we paid our advisor but did not feel we were receiving what we needed. We couldn't articulate what we were missing because you don't know what you don't know!! Taylor and Tyler turned the lights on for us and we are very grateful. I also must mention that their office manager, Karen, is WONDERFUL too! She is professional, kind, proactive, and wonderful at detail and follow-up - she plays a critical part! These are ALL-STARS, and if you are seeking a team for your financial planning needs - look no further!!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Apr 29, 2024
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 7, 2020
At 70 years of age I have invested a lot of time and money with different advisors and none of them can compare with the quality of care as well as the success of my portfolio! Taylor Schulte and his team of experts shine head and shoulders above the rest. Nobody could be more professional.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Client as of Jul 7, 2020
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: Steve is an immediate family member.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Nov 29, 2018
Working with Taylor, Jon and the Define Financial team has been amazing and we couldn't have asked for a better partner for our finances. We love the fact that they're a fee-only fiduciary and are always looking out for what's best for us. They truly go above and beyond to make sure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to minimizing investment costs/taxes, reducing stress + complexity and maximizing returns.
Before we ever decided to work together, Taylor and Jon met with us on multiple occasions to educate us on their philosophy and make sure we were aligned on a long-term, low-cost, diversified investment approach. We found it incredibly helpful to understand the "why" before getting caught up in the specifics of any individual investment decisions. Taylor and Jon are tech-savvy, data-driven and very well researched when it comes to modern advances in portfolio theory. Their investment philosophy is grounded in timeless fundamentals and is a no-nonsense approach that avoids so many of the common pitfalls with investing.
They provide each client with a custom portal to manage all of your finances and also regularly provide action items to work on. Over the past 6 months of working together, we've made huge strides on so many big projects from investments to insurance and so much more.
They've also helped introduce us to a wonderful new accountant, a great estate planning attorney, and have made multiple connections within their network of highly qualified experts.
Above all, they're just really good people who are a joy to work with. It's clear from every interaction that they care deeply about each and every one of their clients. We're looking forward to working with Taylor & Jon for many years to come and are grateful to have them as part of our team.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Former Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
May 29, 2018
Taylor and John were great! They gave easy to follow recommendations and explained everything in a very clear and understandable manner. They did not make me feel pressured at all, and their suggestions showed that they were looking out for my best interests.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Former Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 25, 2018
Relationship to Financial Advisor: This reviewer has never been a client.
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: Lara is the spouse of Taylor Schulte, an owner of the firm.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Apr 24, 2018
My wife and I have been working with Taylor and Jon to get our first retirement account setup through our business. It is something I've wanted to do for a while but have put off because I always got a strange vibe from advisors. I work very hard for every dollar and want to watch it grow over time in a way that I can trust. When Taylor spoke about his philosophy and strategy it made perfect sense. We came in for a meeting where they laid out the ratio and potential funds we were going to invest in and we could see everything perfectly on their screen. Everything I was concerned with, they had an answer for. And now everything is setup to run automatically.
The biggest takeaway - how comfortable they made us feel and how trustworthy they have been.
Relationship to Financial Advisor: Former Client
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Jul 23, 2017
I love the Stay Wealthy San Diego Podcast!
Relationship to Financial Advisor: This reviewer has never been a client.
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
5 Stars
✅ Wealthtender Certified Advisor Review™
Sep 11, 2016
Relationship to Financial Advisor: This reviewer has never been a client.
Compensation: This reviewer received no compensation for this review.
Conflicts of Interest: There are no material conflicts of interest.
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Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the services offered by Taylor Schulte, CFP®
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FAQs
What type of clients does Define Financial specialize in helping with retirement and tax planning?
Define Financial specializes in working with individuals and families over age 50 who are nearing or already in retirement. Our clients are diligent savers with a nest egg of $2 million or more who want expert guidance on tax-efficient retirement planning, income strategies, and wealth management.
How does Define Financial help high-net-worth families create a retirement income plan they won’t outlive?
At Define Financial, we help retirees avoid the fear of running out of money by creating customized income plans that balance growth, protection, and tax efficiency. Using strategies like the Retirement Guardrails framework, we stress-test portfolios and integrate tax-saving tools such as Roth conversions and charitable giving to reduce lifetime taxes. The result is a flexible plan that adapts to markets and goals, giving you clarity and peace of mind in retirement.
What is the process of working with a fiduciary, flat-fee financial advisor at Define Financial?
Working with Define Financial begins with a FREE Retirement Strategy Session to understand your goals, assets, and concerns. From there, we follow our proprietary Total Retirement System™, a four-step process that includes tax planning, retirement income design, legacy planning, and investment management. As fiduciary, fee-only advisors, our process is transparent, objective, and focused entirely on your best interests.
Does Define Financial work with clients outside of San Diego?
Although we are based in San Diego, we are licensed in every state and currently serve hundreds of families nationwide. Using secure video conferencing and digital tools, we make it simple for retirees and pre-retirees across the country to access our specialized retirement and tax planning services, no matter where they live.
Why do retirees and pre-retirees choose Define Financial for wealth management?
Retirees and pre-retirees choose Define Financial because we provide specialized expertise, fiduciary flat-fee advice, and a team-based approach. Our focus on retirement and tax planning helps clients reduce unnecessary taxes, create dependable retirement income, and manage their wealth with confidence. After all, you wouldn't see a Neurosurgeon if you needed foot surgery.
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