How to Find the Right Retirement Planner on RiaFin - Checklist and Questions

Planning for retirement in India can feel overwhelming. Between rising healthcare costs, longer lifespans, inflation, and ever-changing tax rules, it’s tough to know if you’re saving enough or investing wisely. While it’s tempting to search for quick answers online, the truth is that retirement planning is rarely “one-size-fits-all.”

That’s where working with a qualified retirement planner makes a difference. The challenge? Not all financial advisors are the same. Some focus on selling products, while others take a fiduciary approach—meaning they’re legally and ethically bound to put your interests first.

At RiaFin, we don’t give financial advice ourselves. Instead, we act as a trusted marketplace that connects you with vetted fiduciary advisors who specialize in retirement planning. And to make the process even easier, our 2-minute questionnaire helps you quickly find the right professionals for your needs.

Here’s how to identify the right retirement planner—plus 7 questions to ask once you’ve been matched.

Why Work With a Retirement Planner Instead of Going Solo?

Many people try to plan retirement on their own, only to hit roadblocks:

• Underestimating inflation: What feels like enough today may not stretch 20 years from now.
  
• Ignoring healthcare costs: Medical expenses can eat up a large portion of retirement savings.
  
• Tax surprises: Withdrawal rules and exemptions can change how much you actually take home.
  
• Over-reliance on products: A single investment type (like mutual funds or NPS) rarely covers all risks.
  

A fiduciary retirement planner helps you build a strategy that balances income, growth, and protection. Unlike commission-based sellers, fiduciary advisors work only for you.

And the good news: You don’t need to spend weeks searching on your own. RiaFin does the heavy lifting—vetting advisors, checking credentials, and connecting you with professionals who specialize in retirement planning.

👉 Take the 2-minute questionnaire and see your personalized matches.

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The RiaFin Advantage

Finding a financial professional in India isn’t just about availability—it’s about trust. That’s why RiaFin only lists advisors who meet strict standards:

• Recognized credentials (CFP®, CFA, SEBI RIA license, etc.)
  
• Proven experience in retirement planning
  
• Commitment to fiduciary duty
  
• Transparent fees with no hidden commissions
  
• Track record of working ethically and transparently
  

When you fill out RiaFin’s questionnaire, you’re instantly matched with advisors who fit these standards—tailored to your retirement needs.

👉 Start the questionnaire now and get matched in minutes.

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The Retirement Planner Checklist

When evaluating a retirement planner, use this quick checklist:

1. Credentials: Look for advisors with professional designations like CFP®, CFA, or SEBI-registered RIA.
   
2. Experience: Check if they have specific expertise in retirement planning, not just general financial advice.
   
3. Fiduciary Commitment: Confirm they’re legally bound to act in your best interest.
   
4. Transparent Fees: Understand exactly how they’re paid. Avoid conflicts of interest.
   
5. Structured Process: A good advisor will follow a clear process—goal setting, income projections, risk management, and plan updates.
   
6. Local Knowledge: Retirement planning in India is unique. Ensure your advisor understands EPF, PPF, NPS, senior citizen tax breaks, and healthcare costs.
   
7. Compatibility: Beyond credentials, choose someone whose communication style and approach feel right for you.
   

You could try to evaluate all these factors manually—but RiaFin’s matching algorithm uses these exact criteria to match you with the best-fit advisors automatically.

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7 Smart Questions to Ask During Your First Call

Once you’ve been matched with advisors, your first call is the chance to see if it’s a good fit. Use these 7 questions to guide the conversation:

1. What credentials and licenses do you hold?
   
   (This confirms their qualifications and regulatory status.)

2. Do you act as a fiduciary 100% of the time?
   
   (The answer should be yes—your interests must come first.)

3. How do you charge fees?
   
   (Flat fee, hourly, or percentage of assets—transparency is key.)

4. Can you share examples of how you’ve helped clients with retirement goals like mine?
   
   (Look for relevant experience, not generic answers.)

5. How do you factor inflation, healthcare costs, and taxes into retirement planning?
   
   (These are uniquely important in the Indian context.)

6. How will we work together?
   
   (Is it a one-time plan or an ongoing relationship with regular reviews?)

7. How do you measure success in retirement planning?
   
   (Good advisors focus on progress toward your goals, not just investment returns.)

👉 Pro tip: Talk to 2–3 advisors you’re matched with on RiaFin and compare their answers. You’ll quickly see who’s the best fit.

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Next Steps With RiaFin

Here’s how to move forward:

1. Fill out RiaFin’s 2-minute questionnaire → share your retirement goals and concerns.
   
2. Get matched with vetted fiduciary advisors who specialize in retirement planning.
   
3. Use the checklist and 7 questions during your first calls to evaluate fit.
   
4. Choose your retirement planner with confidence, knowing they’ve been pre-vetted by RiaFin.
   

👉 Start now: Fill the 2-minute questionnaire and discover your matches today.

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Conclusion

Retirement planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right fiduciary advisor, you can move from uncertainty to clarity, knowing your future lifestyle is well protected.

RiaFin makes it easy to find that advisor—by pre-vetting professionals, filtering based on your goals, and saving you weeks of research.

If you’re ready to take control of your retirement, don’t wait. Fill the 2-minute questionnaire and get matched with trusted retirement planners today.