Amid market volatility, persistent inflation, and an aging population that increasingly must shoulder retirement security, the work of the best financial planners in the US has never been more consequential.
Against that backdrop, InvestmentNews' 2026 5-Star Financial Planners report recognizes 80 financial professionals who, over the past 12 months, have demonstrated not only strong performance but also integrity, client-centric innovation, and a clear commitment to helping individuals and families reach their financial goals. Collectively, this year's honorees manage a total AUM of $37.2 billion, serving 26,844 clients with an average AUM of $470.9 million per advisor.
The best financial planners of 2026 go well beyond portfolio management – united by deep personal relationships with clients, behavioral finance coaching, and proactive communication that keeps clients grounded when markets run wild.
For Matthew Cuplin, CEO and president of Midwest Financial Group, the value his firm delivers is fundamentally not just about performance.
"We believe that the product that we deliver is service," he says, asserting that high-touch, responsive client experience is the exception rather than the rule in a market where technology increasingly commoditizes advice.
RJ Cunningham, financial advisor and senior partner at Summit Global Private Wealth, takes a planning-first tack – no product talk, no annuities, no option strategies, and no alternatives until a comprehensive financial plan is firmly in place. And when market turbulence enters the scene, he sees it not as a headwind but as an opportunity.
"Anytime volatility enters, I tell other advisors on our team, this is 'go time,'" he says.
Tax integration and a disciplined, client-centered strategy also distinguish this year's honorees. Faiza Kedir, managing director and partner at Steward Partners, frames her work simply: "Successful financial planning is not about predicting markets – it's about building a thoughtful strategy that helps people live the life they want with confidence and clarity."
Trevor Scotto, partner at Fiduciary Financial Group, echoes that focus on simplicity and alignment, building practices designed to strip complexity out of the planning process so clients can focus on living their lives.
Among this year's honorees, InvestmentNews is proud to spotlight several distinguished luminaries, including:
To read InvestmentNews' full report on the 5-Star Financial Planners in the US for 2026, click here.
Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.
Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.
It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.
Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.
Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.
Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains
Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income
