Retirement planning membership · fee-only RIA · full-time fiduciary
You did everything right.
Retirement requires a different skill set.
We work exclusively with retirees and people preparing to retire. The advice that built your savings was correct, for building. Drawing it down is a different discipline, and it starts about five years before you stop working. Planning is a $400-a-month membership, and members who want help managing assets pay a 0.48% asset management fee.
You don’t have to move your money to work with us.
- 30+
- Years advisingAs of 2026
- $300M+
- Assets managedAs of August 2026
- 0.48%
- Member asset management fee
- $400
- Monthly planning membership
- 2007
- Fee-only since
The idea the firm is built on
The Retirement Transition Trap™
It is the five years before your retirement date and the five years after it. Ten years in which the rules quietly convert, from adding to a portfolio to drawing from one.
Accumulation ends
−5 yrs
Roth conversion window · tax sequencing
Retirement date
Distribution begins
+5 yrs
Sequence-of-returns risk · withdrawal order
Accumulation ends
−5 yrs
Roth conversion window · tax sequencing
Distribution begins
+5 yrs
Sequence-of-returns risk · withdrawal order
−5 yrs
Retirement date
+5 yrs
Why a specialist
Retirement demands a different playbook.
During the wealth accumulation phase, saving more, staying invested and letting time do the work was the winning formula. That phase got you here. Retirement distribution requires a different playbook.
Distribution: the years ahead
Withdraw in the right order, from the right accounts, at the right time.
- Money comes out on a schedule, regardless of market conditions
- Market weakness in the first few years can do lasting damage
- Sequence of withdrawals changes the tax bill
- Several account types, each taxed differently
As of 2026, Ed Mahaffy has spent 30+ years advising through 1987, 2000–2002, and 2008, and built the firm to specialize in people nearing retirement or already retired.
The proof of process
Our standard practice is to meet with clients approximately every ninety days.
Our quarterly planning system is designed so clients are generally no more than ninety days away from a review of each critical area.
You also have the flexibility to choose the order. Whether you want to start with tax planning or with investments and risk management, the order of the quarterly meetings is at your discretion.
Fee transparency
You don’t have to move your money to work with us.
$400 a month covers continuous financial planning and the quarterly meeting system. If you want help managing assets, members pay an asset management fee of just 0.48%.
Industry fee comparison based on Bob Veres’ Inside Information advisor fee survey, as analyzed by Michael Kitces in “Financial Advisor Fees Comparison – All-In Costs For The Typical Financial Advisor?”, Kitces.com, July 31, 2017. The 1.00% is the median advisory fee that research reported for accounts up to $1 million. Read the source
What we don’t do
- No products. No commissions.
- No requirement to transfer assets.
- No hidden charges or tiered surprises.
Ed Mahaffy surrendered six securities licenses in 2007 to launch ClientFirst as a fee-only fiduciary practice, and has not held a commission-bearing license since.
Clients
What clients say
Video · 3:03
Brett Pharis, client
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“We have had the pleasure of working with Ed as one of our financial advisors for several decades. Actually, it doesn't resemble 'work'... it's more like having pleasant conversations with a friend. We have found him to be very accessible, helpful, transparent, and genuinely interested in us and our well-being, not only as clients but truly as friends. Ed communicates with us in a timely and professional manner. He initiates the majority of these communications, but they are always on appropriate issues, questions, or concerns. Likewise, he always responds immediately or in a timely manner to our communication requests of him. Ed has our complete trust and confidence in all matters relating to our funds under his management.”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“My husband chose ClientFirst Wealth Management on the recommendation from a family member. We have been very pleased with Ed and his fast response to any questions or needs that we have. He takes his time with you and explains everything that you will need to know. We would definitely recommend to our friends and family!”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“I have been client with ClientFirst for more than a decade and have found that as a financial advisor, Ed Mahaffy is unsurpassed in his knowledge of both fixed income and equity markets. More importantly, his integrity and honesty leave me sleeping well at night knowing that he is more than just a fiduciary in name--he have proven that he truly has my best interests at the center of every decision he makes for my account. I know that Ed personally manages my portfolio specifically for my needs-no cookie-cutter portfolios here. If you are saving for retirement or are currently retired, you should set up a free consultation with ClientFirst and see how Ed Mahaffy can help you reach your financial goals.”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“Our family has worked with Ed Mahaffy and ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning for over thirty years. Ed and his firm continuously operate with the highest ethical and fiduciary standards. I have, and will, recommend friends and clients use Ed and ClientFirst. I have worked with multiple good financial advisors. You will not find anyone better than ClientFirst.”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“Second Generation client of ClientFirst Wealth Management. The name actually fits the company's business model. Characteristics that do justice to Ed's work and business ethics are, integrity, honesty, promptness, responding to questions or concerns, a knowledgeable professional, an excellent communicator, and attentive listener, and above all he treats his clients as he would his own family, always putting the client first, with compassion and kindness. All these qualities are increasingly hard to find in today's world. If you want an advisor who puts you first and takes your worry out of your investments, look no further.”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
“ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning with Ed Mahaffy provides a sense of comfort that he is constantly reviewing your portfolio and market opportunities. He has a deep level of commitment to his clients. As we prepared for and now enjoy our retirement, we wanted a strong partner to ensure we reach our ever-changing goals. Ed has provided and exceeded our expectations. We are able to concentrate on family, friends, and travel, knowing Ed Mahaffy is our financial partner, ever listening and communicating.”
These statements are from current clients and may not be representative of the experience of other clients and do not guarantee future performance or success; no compensation was exchanged for these recognitions. ClientFirst Wealth, Legacy & Estate Planning is not aware of any material conflicts of interest between these clients and the firm.
Retire With Confidence
Ed, on the record
The firm’s positions are argued in public, not just asserted in meetings.
The Long Journey to Retirement: Avoiding the Hidden 5-Year Transition Trap
The Smartest Retirement Withdrawal Strategy Most People Get Wrong
Is Your Advisor a Full Time Fiduciary?
How it starts
Four steps. The first one takes fifteen minutes.
- STEP 1
A 15-minute discovery phone call
We identify your concerns and goals so we can determine whether we are a good fit.
- STEP 2
Your free financial overview
We identify potential risks and opportunities based on the information you provide. The overview is yours to keep whether or not you become a client.
- STEP 3
We create and present the plan
Should you decide to work with us, we create and present your comprehensive financial plan.
- STEP 4
Your first quarterly review
The quarterly system begins, and you are generally no more than ninety days from the next review.
As seen in
Ed has had numerous articles in Barron’s as well as Retirement Daily, and “Are Municipal Bond Investors Sitting on a Ticking Tax Bomb?” in Today’s CPA, the magazine of the Texas Society of CPAs. He is also quoted on retirement, tax and income. Dozens of pieces, every one on another publication’s site.
Every piece, by year- Barron’s
- The Wall Street Journal
- MarketWatch
- Forbes
- CBS News
- U.S. News & World Report
- Business Insider
- Yahoo Finance
- CNN Underscored
Fee-only · full-time fiduciary · no commissions
Fifteen minutes, and nothing has to move.
Step one is a 15-minute discovery phone call about your situation: your concerns, your goals, and whether our firm is a good fit. No cost, no obligation, and no requirement to transfer assets.
We are a fee-only RIA and a full-time fiduciary. We do not sell products or earn commissions. Our sole source of income is the fees our clients pay us. We only work for you.