What Is the XY Planning Network (XYPN)?

What XYPN is

XY Planning Network was founded in 2014 by Michael Kitces and Alan Moore to support the growing population of independent fee-only advisors using subscription and retainer pricing. The original positioning emphasized Gen X and Gen Y (millennial) clients — households that had been largely ignored by AUM-focused advisory firms because their primary wealth was in careers, equity comp, and home equity rather than in liquid investment accounts.

Today XYPN has 1,500+ advisor members across the U.S. and serves clients of all ages, though the original Gen X / Gen Y focus remains visible in the network's branding and member-firm positioning.

What XYPN membership requires

• Fee-only compensation. No commissions, no third-party compensation tied to product sales.
• Fiduciary standard. Members operate under a fiduciary duty on all financial planning advice.
• No asset minimums. XYPN explicitly prohibits member firms from imposing investment-asset minimums for ongoing planning. This is what makes the network distinctive — ongoing planning is available to households whose wealth is in real estate, business equity, or career income rather than traditional accounts.
• The CFP certification (or progress toward it) is required for member advisors.

How XYPN advisors typically charge

The most common XYPN pricing models are subscription and retainer:

• Monthly subscription. Often $200–$500 per month for ongoing planning, sometimes with a separate one-time onboarding fee.
• Quarterly or annual retainer. A larger advance payment that covers a defined scope of services for the period.
• Flat fee for one-time planning. A project-based model for households that need a specific plan rather than ongoing advice.

Some XYPN members also offer asset-management services, but the management fee is typically separate from the planning subscription, and there's no asset-minimum gatekeeper.

Why XYPN matters for consumers

For households whose wealth isn't in a traditional brokerage or 401(k) yet — younger professionals, business owners, equity-comp-heavy tech workers, dual-income families with home equity but limited liquid assets — XYPN's subscription model often makes ongoing planning economically possible for the first time. The network also tends to attract advisors who are comfortable with cash-flow planning, equity compensation, student loan strategy, and other questions that commission-based or AUM-focused firms historically didn't serve well.

How to verify XYPN membership

XYPN publishes a public "Find an Advisor" search at xyplanningnetwork.com. Verify membership directly there.

Compare with other fee-only networks

• NAPFA — the largest fee-only association; members typically use AUM, retainer, or flat-fee pricing.
• Garrett Planning Network — fee-only with an hourly-billing focus.
• Alliance of Comprehensive Planners — fee-only, retainer-based, tax-focused.

Frequently asked questions