Simplicity Group has acquired RetireOne, a leading independent platform for fee-based insurance and annuity solutions, in a move designed to strengthen its position in the growing market for retirement income planning. The deal adds RetireOne’s advisory-focused capabilities to Simplicity’s existing distribution network and product suite, while bringing on industry veterans David Stone, Jeff Cusack, and Ed Mercier as new partners. The acquisition reflects Simplicity’s continuing strategy of combining technology, education, and product access to help advisers meet client demand for protected income options.

RetireOne operates one of the largest marketplaces for commission-free annuities and insurance designed specifically for registered investment advisers and their clients. By joining Simplicity, the firm gains additional scale and resources to expand the reach of its solutions across a broader adviser audience. The integration supports the industry’s ongoing shift toward fee-based business models and greater fiduciary alignment, positioning Simplicity to deliver both insurance innovation and operational efficiency for independent advisers.

The transaction directly aligns with the prepping for Peak 65 theme, as the number of Americans turning 65 reaches historic levels beginning in 2026. With more clients seeking reliable income streams and advisers looking for fiduciary-friendly annuity options, the combined capabilities of Simplicity and RetireOne are designed to address one of the most significant demographic and financial planning shifts of the decade.

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