The Planning Project provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, business succession planning, education planning, estate planning, insurance, and tax planning. Financial planning was provided to 101–250 clients last fiscal year.
The Planning Project reports 209 clients. They include 159 high-net-worth individuals and 50 individual clients. Of its assets, 100.0% ($551M across 949 accounts) are managed with discretion. It advised 34 clients without assets under management last fiscal year.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 24% | 6% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 76% | 94% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 50 | $31.7M | 5.8% | $634K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 159 | $520M | 94.2% | $3.27M |
| Total | 209 | $551M | 100% | $2.64M |
- Clients
- 50
- Regulatory AUM
- $31.7M
- AUM share
- 5.8%
- Avg. per client
- $634K
- Clients
- 159
- Regulatory AUM
- $520M
- AUM share
- 94.2%
- Avg. per client
- $3.27M
Total
- Clients
- 209
- Regulatory AUM
- $551M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $2.64M
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 34
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 101–250
The Planning Project is paid through hourly charges and fixed fees (other than subscription fees). The reviewed brochures do not disclose an asset-based fee rate. Read the SEC-filed brochure. The brochure also prices 3 other services, listed under fee details.
Fee details and sources
Other fees
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Ongoing fee by net worth: $6,000 up to $1,000,000, rising to $21,000 plus $3,000 per additional million over $5,000,000; paid monthly or quarterly in arrears.
- Financial Planning Hourly Fee
- Hourly financial planning at $500 per hour, which may be negotiable.
- Investment Management
- Flat fee of $2,000 per household annually, paid monthly in arrears; not offered without Comprehensive Financial Planning.
Paul Rahn owns 75% or more of The Planning Project. It has 12 employees, 10 of them in advisory roles.
Staff
- 12 employees
- 10 in advisory functions
- 10 state-registered reps
- Owns 75% or more of The Planning Project LLC
Paul Rahn
Control person · since June 2018
- Owns 10% to 25% of The Planning Project LLC
Robert Bard
since December 2022
- Owns 5% to 10% of The Planning Project LLC
Christopher Melber
since December 2022
The Planning Project’s regulatory assets grew 4.3× from $128M (January 2022) to $551M (July 2026); clients rose from 54 to 209 and employees from 4 to 12.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | StaffEmployees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026July 2026 | $551M | 209 | 12 | 2 |
| Mar 2025March 2025 | $409M | 234 | 8 | 1 |
| Mar 2024March 2024 | $306M | 123 | 8 | 1 |
| Mar 2023March 2023 | $140M | 83 | 4 | 1 |
| Jan 2022January 2022 | $128M | 54 | 4 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, The Planning Project has 1 office, with 2 listed addresses in 1 state.
Texas · 2 listed addresses
- 4526 Research Forest DR., Suite 240, The WoodlandsHQ
- 2600 South Shore BLVD,, League City
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- The Planning Project LLC
- Headquarters
- 4526 Research Forest DR., Suite 240, The Woodlands, TX 77381
- Website
- thesumplanning.com
- Phone
- 281-940-4859
- SEC file
- 801-122376
- Founded
- 2018
- Structure
- Texas LLC
- Fiscal year end
- December
The Planning Project’s named custodian for separately managed accounts is Charles Schwab ($551M). The Planning Project has custody of $179M for 123 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $551M100%
At year end, The Planning Project’s separately managed accounts were mostly in funds (80%) and cash (11%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks9%
- Funds80%
- Cash11%
How many clients does The Planning Project have?
The Planning Project has 209 clients and manages $551 million for them, as of July 2026. They include 159 high-net-worth individuals and 50 individual clients.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 31 July 2026
What services does The Planning Project offer?
The Planning Project provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, business succession planning, 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
Which custodians does The Planning Project use?
The Planning Project’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $551M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 31 July 2026
How many financial advisors does The Planning Project have?
The Planning Project has 10 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 12 employees, and 10 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or 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 The Planning Project invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, The Planning Project’s separately managed accounts held 80% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 11% cash and equivalents and 9% exchange-traded equities.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns The Planning Project?
The Planning Project’s direct owners are Paul Rahn (75% or more), Christopher Melber (5% to 10%) and Robert Bard (10% to 25%).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 31 July 2026
How does The Planning Project get paid?
The Planning Project is paid through 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 The Planning Project?
The Planning Project’s main office is at 4526 Research Forest DR., Suite 240, The Woodlands, TX 77381. Its phone number is 281-940-4859. Its website is thesumplanning.com.