Retirement brings enough decisions. Your plan should make them easier.
Fortress helps Rochester families connect retirement income, investments, taxes, benefits, and estate priorities—so the next decision is made with the whole picture in view.
30 minutesNo cost or obligationNo documents required
Firm data and Google review count as of July 2026. Google is not affiliated with Fortress Financial Group. Reviews reflect individual experiences, may not be representative of every client’s experience, and do not guarantee future results.
Usually, it starts with one question.
You do not need to organize every statement or know the right financial vocabulary. Bring the decision that keeps resurfacing. We will help place it in context.
“Can I retire when I want to?”
Bring spending, Social Security, pensions, healthcare, taxes, and investment risk into the same set of assumptions.
“How do I turn savings into income?”
Evaluate where cash flow may come from, how withdrawals could be sequenced, and what changing markets or expenses could mean for the plan.
“Are my investments, taxes, and estate plan working together?”
Coordinate recommendations around shared goals, timelines, beneficiaries, and the decisions your CPA or attorney may need to help implement.
“Who is keeping the whole plan moving?”
Establish owners, next steps, and a regular review rhythm so important decisions are not left in separate silos.
What does fee-only mean?
It means Fortress does not receive commissions for selling investment or insurance products. Our compensation comes from clients, and fees and services are explained in writing before an engagement begins.
Why an ongoing advisory fee?
Many clients hire Fortress for ongoing financial planning and investment management, not a one-time report. The advisory fee is generally based on assets we manage and covers a continuing relationship: planning, portfolio management, implementation within our scope, review meetings, and adjustments as life changes.
Where flat-fee planning can fit
A flat-fee project can make sense when the question and scope are clearly defined or when someone wants one-time advice. Fortress is structured for households that want one team coordinating decisions over time. That is a different service model—not a claim that one fee structure is right for everyone.
What should you compare?
Ask what is included, who implements recommendations, how investment management is handled, how often the plan is revisited, and what the total fee may be in dollars. We will walk through those points during the introductory process.
The exact fee and scope depend on the services agreed to and are provided in Fortress’s written advisory agreement and disclosure documents.
CFP® professionals, here in Rochester.
A lead advisor guides the relationship, backed by colleagues who share planning work, prepare decisions, and help carry follow-through between meetings.
Cody Schaefer
Advisory Services Manager · Senior Advisor
Luke Kroeplin
Strategy & Planning Manager
Jack Zinser
Advisor
Aidan Ryan
Advisor
The four professionals shown above hold the CFP® certification. Your service team may also include additional advisory, client-service, compliance, and operations colleagues based on the work involved.
Meet the full teamA useful introduction. Clear expectations. No homework.
The introductory call helps both sides decide whether it makes sense to continue. It is not a retirement income analysis, and no recommendations are prepared for the call.
Choose a time.
Book 30 minutes by phone or video. You do not need to upload statements, complete a questionnaire, or prepare a perfect summary.
Tell us what changed.
We will ask about the decision in front of you, explain our service model, and answer initial questions about fit and fees.
Decide whether to continue.
If the fit appears mutual, we will explain the next conversation, what information would be useful, and what you can expect from us.
Questions worth asking.
Clear answers now make it easier to decide whether the relationship is worth exploring.
Is the introductory call a free retirement income analysis?
No. The no-cost introductory call is a 30-minute conversation about what brought you to Fortress, how our services work, and whether the relationship appears to fit. We do not prepare an analysis or individualized recommendations for that call.
How does Fortress charge for advice?
Fortress is fee-only and does not receive commissions for product sales. For households receiving ongoing planning and investment management, the advisory fee is generally based on assets we manage. The exact services and fee are explained in writing before you decide whether to engage Fortress.
Why does Fortress use an asset-based fee instead of a flat fee?
Our service model combines ongoing financial planning and investment management, including implementation and regular review as circumstances change. An asset-based fee supports that continuing scope. Flat-fee project planning can be appropriate for a defined, one-time question; it is simply a different engagement model.
When does Fortress act as a fiduciary?
Fortress acts as a fiduciary when providing investment advisory services. That duty includes acting in a client’s best interest and disclosing material conflicts. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a particular level of skill or training.
Do you work with Mayo Clinic employees?
Yes. Fortress works with current and former Mayo Clinic employees on questions involving retirement timing, pension choices, employer benefits, and the broader financial plan. Fortress is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mayo Clinic.
Do you coordinate with my CPA or attorney?
With your permission, Fortress can coordinate planning questions and implementation steps with your tax and legal professionals. Fortress does not provide legal advice, and tax-related planning is not a substitute for advice from a qualified tax professional.
Can we meet virtually?
Yes. Meetings are available by video as well as in person at our Rochester office.
Bring us the decision that keeps resurfacing.
We will listen, ask a few useful questions, and tell you plainly whether Fortress appears suited to help.
Fortress Financial Group, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a particular level of skill or training. Advisory services are offered only where Fortress and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. This page is for educational purposes and is not individualized investment, tax, legal, Medicare, or insurance advice. CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.