For many people, a retirement planner or financial advisor is worth the cost, though the answer depends on your situation. Research has repeatedly suggested that good advisors can add meaningful value, often estimated at a few percentage points of annual return, through better asset allocation, tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, disciplined rebalancing, and helping clients avoid emotional decisions during market swings. Some studies also find that people who work with advisors tend to save more and feel more confident about retirement. The value is usually greatest when your finances grow more complex, for example as you approach retirement, juggle multiple account types, plan for Social Security timing, or face decisions about taxes and estate planning. For someone with simple needs and a long time horizon, a low-cost index strategy or robo-advisor may be enough. The key is matching the service and fee structure to what you actually need, and choosing a fee-only fiduciary who is legally obligated to act in your interest. Weigh the fee against the value of the guidance, the peace of mind, and the mistakes avoided.