Item 1
Who We Are
Cognis Retirement Group ('CRG') is backed by a team of Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA), Certified Financial Planners (CFP), Plan Consultants, and maintains strategic relationships with industry renowned Asset Managers and Recordkeepers.
Our vision is a world where everyone has the tools and knowledge to achieve their dream retirement. Our firm brings together deep market knowledge, a wide range of investment solutions, and as fiduciaries, a commitment to acting in your best interest.
Item 2
Who We Serve
CRG is a boutique advisory firm that specializes in hyper-personalized advice and investment solutions for healthcare practitioners. We work with:
- Individuals and Families — total household wealth management, retirement planning, debt management, education, and wealth transfer.
- Business Owners and Entrepreneurs — strategies for growth, succession, and personal financial security.
- Institutions and Organizations — private practices, clinics, private hospitals, behavioral health centers, and retirement plans requiring disciplined investment management.
No matter your stage of life or financial situation, we tailor our services to your needs.
Item 3
How We Serve You
We believe financial success comes from clarity, discipline, and partnership. Here's how we serve you:
- Personalized Guidance: We take the time to understand your goals, values, and risk tolerance.
- Comprehensive Solutions: From advisory services to brokerage capabilities, we provide access to a full spectrum of investment products and strategies.
- Trusted Partnerships: We collaborate with leading third-party providers to expand your choices and deliver specialized expertise.
- Transparency and Integrity: We are committed to clear communication about fees, risks, and potential conflicts of interest.
Item 4
Understanding Investment Approaches
We offer two primary ways to work with us: investment advisory services and brokerage services. While both are designed to help you pursue your financial goals, they differ in how we work with you, the type of relationship we establish, and how we are compensated.
1.1 Investment Advisory Services
- Ongoing Relationship: We provide continuous advice tailored to your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance.
- Account Management: We may manage your portfolio on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.
- Compensation: Typically, you pay an advisory fee based on the assets we manage for you.
- Fiduciary Duty: As your investment adviser, we are held to a fiduciary standard — we must act in your best interests at all times.
1.2 Brokerage Services
- Transaction-Based: You may seek our help to buy or sell securities without an ongoing advisory relationship.
- Compensation: You generally pay a commission or transaction fee when you trade.
- Best Interest Obligation: When making recommendations, we are required to act in your best interest, but we do not provide ongoing portfolio management.
Item 5
Our Products & Services
We offer a broad range of investment products and services to help you build a diversified portfolio aligned with your financial objectives.
2.1 Investment Products
- Stocks and Bonds
- Mutual Funds & Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)
- Managed Accounts
- Alternative Investments (for eligible investors)
- Cash & Short-Term Investments
2.2 Advisory Services
- Financial Planning
- Portfolio Management
- Goal-Based Strategies
2.3 Brokerage Services
- Self-Directed Trading
- Guided Transactions
- Market Research Tools & Insights
2.4 Third-Party Providers
We partner with Altruist Financial LLC and Charles Schwab, registered broker-dealers with the SEC, to provide our clients with a zero-commission, hands-on digital investing & custodial platform.
| Custodian/Broker | Mailing Address | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| ALTRUIST | 3030 S La Cienega Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232 | (888) 510-4660 Support@altruist.com |
| CHARLES SCHWAB | 3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, TX 76262 | (817) 859-500 AccessibilityHelp@Schwab.com |
We also partner with carefully selected asset managers including BlackRock, Vanguard, PIMCO, JP Morgan, and Invesco to expand the range of solutions available to you.
Item 6
Fees & Costs
Understanding how you pay for services is an important part of making informed decisions.
Advisory Accounts
Fees based on a percentage of assets under management, charged monthly or quarterly.
Brokerage Accounts
Zero commission.
Product-Level Costs
Some investments (mutual funds, annuities) have internal transaction expenses charged by the product provider.
Other Fees
Custody, account maintenance, or transaction fees may apply depending on the services you use.
Sample Fee Schedule — Investment Advisory Services
Assets Under Management (AUM) Fees
| First $500,000 | 1.00% annually |
| Next $500,000 | 0.75% annually |
| Over $1,000,000 | 0.50% annually |
Financial Planning Fees
| Hourly Rate | $150–$250 per hour |
| Flat Fee Plans | $1,500–$3,000 depending on complexity |
Other Account Fees
| Annual Account Maintenance | $0 |
| Wire Transfer Fee | $25 per domestic transfer |
Item 7
Choosing the Right Approach for You
The right relationship depends on your needs, preferences, and level of involvement you want in managing your investments.
Choose Advisory Services
You want ongoing guidance, portfolio management, and a fiduciary relationship.
Choose Brokerage Services
You prefer to make your own investment decisions and seek advice only when needed.
Combine Both
Many clients use both types of accounts to meet different goals.
Item 8
Conflicts of Interest
As with all financial firms, certain conflicts of interest may arise, such as compensation differences between products or relationships with third-party providers. We are committed to disclosing these conflicts and managing them in your best interest.
Item 9
Getting Started
When you're ready to begin:
- 1Discuss Your Goals with one of our professionals.
- 2Select Your Services — advisory, brokerage, or both.
- 3Choose Investments that align with your objectives.
- 4Stay Engaged with regular reviews and adjustments.
Item 12
Important Disclosures & Disclaimers
The fees and charges shown in this summary are illustrative examples and may not reflect the actual fees you will pay. Your specific fees will depend on the type of account you open, the services you select, and any negotiated arrangements with your financial professional.
Certain investments, such as mutual funds, ETFs, annuities, and alternative investments, carry additional internal expenses (e.g., management fees, operating expenses, insurance charges) that are not reflected in this summary. Please review the prospectus or offering documents for full details.
Advisory fees are generally calculated as a percentage of assets under management and are typically charged quarterly in arrears, unless otherwise agreed. Brokerage commissions and transaction-based fees are charged at the time of trade.
Fees and costs are subject to change. We will provide you with advance notice of any changes as required by law.
This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation, offer, or solicitation to buy or sell any security or investment product.
Please refer to our Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS), Advisory Program Brochures (Form ADV Part 2A), and other account disclosures for complete information about our services, fees, and conflicts of interest.