2025 Top Retirement Plan Adviser: Robert Vaughan

Robert Vaughn

This year, PLANADVISER followed up with advisers on the 2025 Top Retirement Plan Advisers listing to get to know them better. These are the responses from Robert Vaughan of UBS – South Central Group, UBS Financial Services Inc. in The Woodlands, Texas.

PLANADVISER: What does it take to be a successful retirement plan adviser in 2025?

Vaughan: Success as a retirement plan adviser in 2025 requires a blend of technical knowledge, interpersonal skill and proactive problem-solving. While the fundamentals of the role remain rooted in fiduciary responsibility and plan design, the expectations of plan sponsors and participants have evolved. Advisers must now be strategic partners who not only manage the complexity of retirement plans. but also provide clarity, innovation and hands-on support. It’s no longer enough to simply understand the products—you have to bring value that lightens the client’s workload, enhances the plan’s impact and strengthens the retirement outcomes for participants.

One of the core traits of a successful adviser is the ability to listen—truly listen—to clients. Every employer has unique goals, challenges and employee demographics. By listening first, advisers can better understand the pressures HR and finance teams face, whether it’s compliance burdens, administrative inefficiencies or participant engagement issues. Successful advisers don’t offer generic solutions; they tailor their approach to each plan sponsor’s reality, delivering targeted recommendations that solve real problems and anticipate future needs.

In 2025, plan sponsors are looking for more than just investment advice or fee benchmarking. They’re looking for someone who can take work off their plate. Advisers who excel are those who come to meetings not just with reports, but with new ideas—ways to automate contributions, improve employee education, streamline audits or make plan transitions seamless. Whether it’s coordinating a plan merger, navigating a termination or helping gather documents for an audit, top-tier advisers roll up their sleeves and get involved. They don’t just point the way—they help carry the load.

Equally important is the adviser’s ability to translate complexity into clarity. Retirement products have become more sophisticated, especially with the rise of guaranteed income options and decumulation strategies. Yet the average plan participant—and even many plan sponsors—struggle to understand how these products work. A successful adviser in 2025 must be a skilled communicator, breaking down complicated concepts like retirement income solutions into simple, relatable terms. It’s about ensuring that both sponsors and participants understand not just what the option is, but why it matters, how it works and how it can benefit them. The ability to demystify these products builds trust and boosts engagement.

Moreover, today’s retirement adviser must operate with a technology-forward mindset. Tools for plan analytics, participant behavior tracking and automated fiduciary oversight are now essential parts of the advisory toolkit. Advisers who harness technology can deliver insights faster, identify problems sooner and provide a level of responsiveness that differentiates them in the marketplace. However, technology alone isn’t enough—it’s the human interpretation of the data and the personal follow-up that brings real value. The successful adviser uses data to guide conversations, personalize strategies and strengthen the client relationship.

Another hallmark of a successful adviser in 2025 is follow-through. It’s one thing to make recommendations; it’s another to stay with the client through implementation. Whether a client is undergoing a plan merger, terminating a plan or simply trying to improve employee participation, they need a partner who is accessible, accountable and solutions-oriented. Advisers who make themselves available during critical processes—who offer hands-on support, liaise with vendors and ensure deadlines are met—earn long-term loyalty.

Finally, success comes from a mindset of continuous learning. The retirement landscape continues to evolve, with legislative changes, evolving fiduciary standards and increasing demand for financial wellness. Advisers must stay ahead of trends, educate themselves on emerging products and regulations, and be ready to guide their clients through an ever-changing environment. The most successful advisers are those who can anticipate needs before they become problems and who are always ready with the next idea or improvement.

In summary, the successful retirement plan adviser in 2025 is more than just a plan expert—they are a listener, an explainer, a partner and a problem-solver. They bring strategic thinking, clear communication and hands-on support to every client relationship. They simplify the complex, implement the necessary and help clients focus on what matters most. Success in this role is earned by consistently showing up, delivering value and making each client feel understood, supported and empowered.

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