What this article covers
XY Planning Network is a network of more than 2,200 fee-only financial advisors who sign a fiduciary oath, serve clients virtually, and offer financial planning without requiring a minimum account size. This guide explains what XYPN is, what its members agree to, what they charge, who they serve, and how to find and vet the right XYPN advisor for your situation, including advisors featured on Wealthtender with verified client reviews.
Key Takeaways
Every XY Planning Network advisor is a fee-only fiduciary with no required account minimum
XYPN members sign a fiduciary oath and are paid only by their clients, using the CFP Board’s definition of fee-only. Members must also offer financial planning without requiring a certain asset level, which is why XYPN advisors work with people who are still building wealth, not only those who already have it.
The network has grown past 2,200 advisors serving roughly 100,000 client households
XYPN reports more than 2,200 advisors today, up from 1,000 in 2019. Member firms served about 100,000 client households as of early 2025, and 456 advisors joined in 2024 alone, the network’s largest single year. That growth has been organic rather than driven by acquisitions or private equity.
Specialization, not geography, is the reason to shop the network
Every XYPN advisor can work with you virtually, so the right advisor is rarely the closest one. Members build practices around specific professions, life stages, family structures, and planning needs, which means you can look for someone who already understands your situation instead of explaining it from scratch.
Unlike many financial advisors, XYPN advisors do not set asset minimums, and the network grew up serving Generation X and Generation Y (Millennial) individuals and couples who were often turned away elsewhere.
Many XYPN advisors hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation, and XYPN requires it for any member who wants to be listed in its public Find an Advisor directory. Every XY Planning Network advisor can also work with you virtually, so you can choose the right professional for your circumstances rather than the one who happens to live nearby.
Table of contents
- Find XYPN Financial Advisors on Wealthtender
- What Is the XY Planning Network (XYPN)?
- Who Do XYPN Financial Advisors Serve?
- What Are the Requirements to Become an XYPN Financial Advisor?
- Should You Hire an XYPN Advisor with a Specialty Focus?
- What XYPN Advisors Say About Hiring an Advisor in the Network
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire an XY Planning Network Financial Advisor?
- Should I Hire an XY Planning Network Financial Advisor?
- How to Find the Best XYPN Financial Advisor for You
- FAQs About the XY Planning Network
Find XYPN Financial Advisors on Wealthtender
📍 Click a pin in the map view below to preview financial advisors affiliated with the XY Planning Network who can help you reach your money goals with a personalized plan. Or choose the grid view to search our directory with additional filtering options, including advisors with verified Certified Advisor Reviews™ from their clients.
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What Is the XY Planning Network (XYPN)?
The idea behind the XY Planning Network took shape in 2012. Alan Moore was 25 years old and could not keep a job at any financial planning firm. When he decided to start his own, he realized he did not know many wealthy 65-year-olds with million-dollar accounts who would pay him 1% of their portfolio.
He did know a lot of 30 and 40-year-olds, so he decided to serve them and charge a fee for advice rather than a percentage of assets he did not have to manage. Eventually he emailed industry researcher Michael Kitces to say he believed there was an opportunity to help advisors start and run firms built around younger clients.
Kitces replied with a multi-thousand-word email agreeing, and with plenty of ideas on how to make it work. Five months later, XY Planning Network was born. Today XYPN describes itself as the leading support platform for fee-only financial planners who want to build an independent firm with complete autonomy, and it is one of the largest communities of fee-only advisors in the country.
XYPN advisors go beyond investment advice and offer comprehensive financial planning. Members commonly help clients with estate planning, insurance planning, tax planning, retirement planning, equity compensation, student loans, and career decisions.
XYPN by the numbers
2,200+
fee-only advisors in the network
~100,000
client households served by member firms
$0
required account minimum to get financial planning
100%
of members sign a fiduciary oath
Sources: XY Planning Network (advisor count and membership standards, 2026) and XYPN’s March 2025 growth announcement (client households). Figures reflect XYPN’s own reporting and change over time.
XYPN’s own reporting shows how quickly that community has grown. The network welcomed its 1,000th advisor in 2019. In 2024 it added 456 advisors, its largest single year, and registered 267 new RIA firms through its compliance service. XYPN also reported that member firms grew their client base by an average of 18% that year, against a 6.2% industry average, and its leadership has emphasized that the expansion has been organic rather than the result of acquisitions or private equity money.
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XYPN advisors are fee-only fiduciaries, so you do not have to question if the advisor has your best interests in mind. Most do not require a minimum asset level like some of the larger firms, and since they are fee-only, you do not have to worry about getting sold a life insurance policy you do not need like some of the insurance-based firms.
Erik Barnes, CFP®
Members connect with one another through private forums where they ask questions, trade feedback, and work through complicated client situations together. XYPN also gives members compliance support, business coaching, discounted access to planning and portfolio technology, and, for members who hold the CFP® designation, a listing in its public Find an Advisor directory.
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It is extremely important for Millennials and Gen Z individuals to start financial planning. In fact, it may be more important to start planning at a young age than any other time in your life, since you are setting a foundation for savings habits, budgeting, choosing workplace benefits, and more. Choosing the right accounts to begin saving into is extremely important when you consider the compounding effect of these investments.
Eric Simonson, CFP®, CRPC®, CLTC®
Who Do XYPN Financial Advisors Serve?
XYPN was built around advisors who wanted to serve Generation X and Generation Y clients, and that is still the network’s center of gravity. It is worth being precise about one thing, though: a client-age focus is no longer part of XYPN’s published membership standards. Today those standards center on the fiduciary oath, fee-only compensation, planning without an asset minimum, virtual service, and background screening. In practice, many XYPN advisors work happily with clients in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.
What most members do have is a specific area of specialization, or niche. An advisor’s niche usually reflects who they enjoy working with, the problems they like to solve, and how they want to engage with clients.
Some XYPN advisors work with clients in a particular profession, offering financial planning for business owners, energy industry professionals, nurses, military service members, doctors, and lawyers. Others build their practice around clients of a specific faith or culture, around young families, or around people who want to retire early.
If you want highly specialized service, there is a good chance you can find an XYPN advisor who works with people just like you. The benefit is real: an advisor who already understands your profession, your benefits package, or your family situation spends less time getting up to speed and more time giving you advice.
What Are the Requirements to Become an XYPN Financial Advisor?
To join and remain in the XY Planning Network, an advisor has to meet the network’s published membership standards. These are the commitments that sit behind the XYPN name:
One note for anyone comparing this article to an older version of it: XYPN once listed a Generation X and Generation Y client focus among its membership requirements. That is no longer a published standard. The network still skews heavily toward advisors serving younger and mid-career clients, but you should evaluate an individual advisor on who they actually serve, not on an assumption about the network.
Should You Hire an XYPN Advisor with a Specialty Focus?
Many XY Planning Network advisors have developed areas of specialization to serve clients who share a profession, a life stage, a set of values, or a specific planning problem. Common specialties across the network include:
What XYPN Advisors Say About Hiring an Advisor in the Network
We asked XY Planning Network advisors featured on Wealthtender why someone might want to hire an advisor in the network. Here is what they had to say:
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XYPN members are not just fee-only fiduciaries (required to provide advice in your best interest); they understand the importance of specialization and providing a personalized experience. The network truly embodies an abundance mindset where members work together to advance the financial planning profession. No matter your income or assets, there is an advisor in the network that is willing to help you with your specific needs.
TJ van Gerven, CFP®
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XYPN members must have a financial planning-centric approach, and working with an XYPN advisor is a great way for individuals and families to access financial planning without needing a certain portfolio size to invest. Many XY Planning Network advisors offer investment management as well, but flat-fee pricing that does not require managed investments is common. Another great thing about XYPN is that it is a network of advisors who are eager to share their knowledge and experience when other members have complex client-related questions, ultimately leading to better client advice and outcomes.
Stanley Himeno-Okamoto, CFA, CFP®
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XYPN is a network of fee-only, fiduciary advisors geared toward serving Gen X and Gen Y. Breaking that down: the network was founded keeping in mind that finding a trusted advisor is tough, so expect any advisor you find through XYPN to have your best interest in mind, which is surprisingly uncommon in the financial industry. They are also compensated only by the client, so they do not make money peddling you substandard funds or insurance for a kickback. Lastly, a lot of advisors cater to the younger generation, so even if you do not have a million dollars to manage, they are able to serve you effectively.
Vrishin Subramaniam
Advisor comments reflect their own opinions about the XY Planning Network and are not client testimonials. They are not an endorsement of any individual advisor by Wealthtender, and they are not a guarantee of any outcome. Please conduct your own due diligence before hiring any financial advisor.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an XY Planning Network Financial Advisor?
XYPN advisors are paid only by their clients. They do not earn commissions, and they are not compensated by a mutual fund company, brokerage firm, or insurance company. Because members must be able to deliver planning without an asset minimum, many price their services in ways that traditional firms do not. You can expect one of these four structures, or a combination of them:
Flat fee
One agreed price for a defined set of services, set in advance. Useful when you want a plan, a second opinion, or help with a specific decision without an ongoing commitment.
Hourly rate
You pay for the time your advisor spends with you. Straightforward, and often the least expensive way to get professional advice on a narrow question.
Monthly or quarterly retainer
A recurring fee, similar to an ongoing subscription. A good fit if you want your advisor to build a plan, help you carry it out, and stay with you as your situation changes.
Percentage of assets under management
Your advisor charges a percentage of the assets they manage for you, typically deducted quarterly. Common when investment management is a meaningful part of the engagement.
XY Planning Network advisors are required to be transparent about how they charge. Before you agree to work with anyone, you should know exactly what you will pay, how it is calculated, and when it is due. Most advisors publish this on a pricing or services page of their own website, and every advisor featured on Wealthtender displays their fee structure on their profile.
Should I Hire an XY Planning Network Financial Advisor?
If you want advice from someone who is paid only by you, who has agreed in writing to act in your best interest, and who will work with you whether or not you have a large portfolio, an XY Planning Network advisor belongs on your shortlist.
The network is not the only place to find a fee-only fiduciary, and XYPN membership is not a substitute for your own due diligence. But it does screen for things that matter: compensation, disclosure history, and a commitment to planning rather than product sales. Combine that with an advisor whose specialty matches your situation and whose fee structure fits how you want to work, and you have a strong short list.
How to Find the Best XYPN Financial Advisor for You
With more than 2,200 XY Planning Network advisors across the country, you have a wide range of professionals to consider, nearly all of whom can work with you no matter where you or they live. You may find an XYPN advisor nearby, or you may find one several states away whose specialization is a much better fit for your circumstances.
You will find a growing number of XY Planning Network advisors on Wealthtender, where you can compare profiles, read verified Certified Advisor Reviews™ from their clients, and reach out directly. You can also search XYPN’s own Find an Advisor directory, or browse other financial advisor directories to widen your search.
FAQs About the XY Planning Network
Do XY Planning Network advisors have account minimums?
No. XYPN’s membership standards require members to offer financial planning without requiring a client to bring a certain level of assets. Individual advisors still set their own fees, and some have a minimum fee rather than a minimum account size, so ask about pricing early in your first conversation.
How much does an XY Planning Network financial advisor charge?
It depends on the advisor and on what you need. XYPN members are fee-only, so all of their compensation comes directly from clients, typically as a flat project fee, an hourly rate, a monthly or quarterly retainer, a percentage of assets they manage, or a combination. Advisors are required to be transparent about pricing, and you can compare fee structures on advisor profiles here on Wealthtender.
Are all XY Planning Network advisors CFP® professionals?
Not every member holds the designation, but XYPN requires the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification for any member who wants to be listed in its public Find an Advisor directory, so the advisors most consumers encounter through XYPN are CFP® professionals.
CFP® professionals hold a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited college or university, complete a CFP Board-registered education program, pass the CFP® exam, and complete either 6,000 hours of professional financial planning experience or 4,000 hours through an apprenticeship. They also complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years and commit to CFP Board’s fiduciary standard.
Do XYPN advisors only work with Gen X and Millennial clients?
No. XYPN was founded to help advisors serve Generation X and Generation Y clients profitably, and that remains the network’s heritage and much of its membership. A client-age focus is no longer part of XYPN’s published membership standards, though, and plenty of members work with retirees, pre-retirees, and clients of every age. Check an individual advisor’s profile to see who they actually serve.
How do I check an XYPN advisor’s background and disciplinary history?
XYPN screens every applicant through BrokerCheck and does not approve advisors with a regulatory fine, arbitration, or settlement in excess of $10,000. You can and should verify independently: search the advisor and their firm on FINRA’s BrokerCheck and on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site, and read the firm’s Form ADV Part 2 brochure.
If you have a concern about a specific advisor, the firm itself is the first place to raise it, followed by the state securities regulator or the SEC, depending on where the firm is registered. XYPN retired the standalone consumer complaint form that was previously published on its website.
How do I learn more about a specific XYPN financial advisor?
Most XYPN members who hold the CFP® designation have a profile in XYPN’s Find an Advisor directory, searchable by niche, specialty, keyword, and location. Each profile includes a photo, a description of the advisor’s services and specialties, a website link, and a way to get in touch.
Advisors featured on Wealthtender go a step further. Their profiles include their fee structure, their areas of specialization, links to their published articles, and verified Certified Advisor Reviews™ from clients who have actually worked with them.
Is the XY Planning Network the same as NAPFA or the CFP Board?
No. They do different things. The CFP Board is the certifying body for the CFP® designation. NAPFA is a professional association of fee-only advisors. XYPN is a support platform and business ecosystem for independent fee-only firms, providing compliance support, technology, community, and back-office services, along with a consumer-facing advisor directory. Many advisors belong to all three.
Are you a financial advisor thinking about joining the XY Planning Network?
We invite XY Planning Network advisors featured on Wealthtender to share their perspective with other advisors considering membership. Here is what they have to say:
Vrishin Subramaniam (CapitalWe): “If you are a new advisor or career changer looking to serve Gen X and Millennial clients, I would highly recommend it. As a career changer, I wanted to stay away from the traditional sales-heavy model. The cost of membership included a ton of advantages, including software and pricing discounts along with support for compliance and other aspects of running your firm. They also have a community forum where I was able to get a lot of support from other advisors. If you are starting out or want to pivot toward a fee-only model and serve younger clients, and your intent aligns with the network’s mission, I would urge you to consider joining.”
TJ van Gerven (Memento Financial Planning): “I would not have been able to launch my firm when I did without the help of XYPN. For advisors looking to go independent or build a firm from scratch, joining XYPN is a no-brainer. Even beyond launching a firm, the network provides crucial fintech, compliance support, and community.”
Are you an XYPN financial advisor interested in joining Wealthtender?
Please check your XYPN membership benefits portal to learn more.
Next step
Compare XYPN advisors, then talk to two or three
Most first conversations are free and last about 30 minutes. Head back up to the XYPN advisor directory on this page, compare profiles and verified client reviews, and reach out to the advisors whose specialty and fee structure fit your situation.
About the author
Anna Baluch
Anna Baluch is a freelance personal finance writer from Cleveland, Ohio. Her work has appeared on sites including The Balance, Freedom Debt Relief, LendingTree, and RateGenius. Anna holds an MBA in marketing from Roosevelt University. You can reach her on LinkedIn.