Retirement Capital Strategies provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and tax planning. Financial planning was provided to 51–100 clients last fiscal year.
Retirement Capital Strategies reports 263 clients. They include 197 individual clients, 64 high-net-worth individuals and 1 charitable organization. Of its assets, 100.0% ($305M across 627 accounts) are managed with discretion. Of its clients, 1% are outside the U.S.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 75% | 26% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 24% | 72% |
| Charitable organizations | <1% | <1% |
| Corporations and other businesses | <1% | 2% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 197 | $79.7M | 26.1% | $405K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 64 | $219M | 71.7% | $3.42M |
| Charitable organizations | Fewer than 5 | $601K | 0.2% | $601K |
| Corporations and other businesses | Fewer than 5 | $5.92M | 1.9% | $5.92M |
| Total | 263 | $305M | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 197
- Regulatory AUM
- $79.7M
- AUM share
- 26.1%
- Avg. per client
- $405K
- Clients
- 64
- Regulatory AUM
- $219M
- AUM share
- 71.7%
- Avg. per client
- $3.42M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $601K
- AUM share
- 0.2%
- Avg. per client
- $601K
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $5.92M
- AUM share
- 1.9%
- Avg. per client
- $5.92M
Total
- Clients
- 263
- Regulatory AUM
- $305M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 1%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 51–100
Retirement Capital Strategies charges 0.55%–1.75% a year for its Investment Management Services. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable. The brochure also prices one other service, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Financial and Retirement Planning
- Stand-alone financial and retirement planning is generally $1,495 for a comprehensive plan, which could go higher, or $250 to $2,500 fixed or $125 to $325 hourly.
Thomas Vaughan owns 75% or more of Retirement Capital Strategies. The leadership team of Retirement Capital Strategies includes President Thomas Vaughan and Chief Compliance Officer Theresa Vasquez. It has 6 employees, 2 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- Thomas VaughanCEO/President
- Theresa VasquezChief Compliance Officer
- Camilla NeriDirector
Investment adviser representatives
2 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- Easan Sean Arulanantham
- Thomas Earl Vaughan
Staff
- 6 employees
- 2 in advisory functions
- 2 state-registered reps
- 2 insurance agents
- Owns 75% or more of Retirement Capital Strategies, Inc.
Thomas Vaughan
Control person · since October 2017
Retirement Capital Strategies’ regulatory assets grew from $273M (March 2021) to $305M (April 2026); clients fell from 285 to 263 and employees from 9 to 6.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | $305M | 263 | 6 | 1 |
| March 2025 | $296M | 275 | 6 | 1 |
| March 2024 | $265M | 282 | 6 | 1 |
| August 2023 | $236M | 309 | 6 | 1 |
| March 2022 | $296M | 297 | 7 | 1 |
| March 2021 | $273M | 285 | 9 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Retirement Capital Strategies has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in California.
California · 1 listed address
- 1190 Saratoga Ave., Suite 140, San JoseHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Retirement Capital Strategies, Inc.
- Headquarters
- 1190 Saratoga Ave., Suite 140, San Jose, CA 95129
- Phone
- 408-551-6100
- @retirement-capital-strategies
- SEC file
- 801-70918
- Founded
- 2002
- Structure
- California corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Retirement Capital Strategies uses Charles Schwab ($282M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. Retirement Capital Strategies does not have custody of client assets.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · El Paso, TX · $282M100%
At year end, Retirement Capital Strategies’ separately managed accounts were mostly in stocks (89%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $288M across 68 positions; the largest are Vanguard Intl Equity Index F (11.9%), Vanguard Index Fds (11.2%) and Vanguard BD Index Fds (6.9%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks89%
- Exchange-traded equities78%
- Non-exchange-traded equities11%
- Funds5%
- Bonds1%
- Cash5%
Reported 13F holdings
- $288M
- Reported 13F value
- 68
- Positions
- 61.1%
- In the 10 largest
- +8.8%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- Vanguard Intl Equity Index F · TT Wrld ST ETF11.9%
- Vanguard Index Fds · Total Stk Mkt11.2%
- Vanguard BD Index Fds · Intermed Term6.9%
- iShares TR · Core US Aggbd ET6.8%
- Vanguard Index Fds · S&P 500 ETF Shs5.7%
- SPDR Series Trust · ST Str PR Sp15004.2%
- J P Morgan Exchange Traded F · Ultra Shrt ETF4.0%
- SPDR Series Trust · SPDR S&P 500 Esg4.0%
- iShares TR · Core Univrsl Usd3.5%
- Vanguard BD Index Fds · Total Bnd Mrkt3.2%
Together, the ten largest are 61.1% of reported value.
How many clients does Retirement Capital Strategies have?
Retirement Capital Strategies has 263 clients and manages $305 million for them, as of April 2026. They include 197 individual clients, 64 high-net-worth individuals and 1 charitable organization.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 21 April 2026
What services does Retirement Capital Strategies offer?
Retirement Capital Strategies provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, pension consulting, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and tax planning.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file; Part 2A brochure, Item 4
How much does Retirement Capital Strategies charge?
Retirement Capital Strategies charges 0.55%–1.75% a year for its Investment Management Services. The fee is billed in advance and is negotiable.
Source: RETIREMENT CAPITAL STRATEGIES FORM ADV PART 2A, filed 21 April 2026
Which custodians does Retirement Capital Strategies use?
Retirement Capital Strategies’ separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (El Paso, TX), with $282M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 21 April 2026
How many financial advisors does Retirement Capital Strategies have?
Retirement Capital Strategies has 2 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 6 employees, and 2 perform investment advisory functions. 0 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 2 employees are licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Retirement Capital Strategies invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Retirement Capital Strategies’ separately managed accounts held 78% exchange-traded equities, 11% non-exchange-traded equities, 5% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 5% cash and equivalents and 1% investment grade corporate bonds.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Retirement Capital Strategies?
Retirement Capital Strategies’ direct owner is Thomas Vaughan (75% or more).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 21 April 2026
How does Retirement Capital Strategies get paid?
Retirement Capital Strategies is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Retirement Capital Strategies?
Retirement Capital Strategies’ main office is at 1190 Saratoga Ave., Suite 140, San Jose, CA 95129. Its phone number is 408-551-6100. Its website is retirementcapitalstrategies.com.