Retirement Planning
Rate Cycles and Retirement Portfolios
How shifting interest-rate environments affect retirement portfolio construction and long-term sustainability.
Independent active portfolio management designed to adapt beyond static allocation models — focused on disciplined risk management, capital preservation, and long-term compounding through changing market conditions.
All investments involve risk of loss. Returns shown are representative of discretionary managed accounts and are net of advisory fees. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Our Differentiated Approach
Most portfolios are built for conditions that no longer exist. Today’s markets are shaped by shifting interest rates, elevated volatility, and rapid macroeconomic change.
Our framework adapts to those conditions — prioritizing risk discipline, drawdown awareness, and disciplined long-term compounding.
We evaluate market conditions — volatility, interest rates, and liquidity — to understand the current environment and respond accordingly, rather than remain anchored to static allocation assumptions.
Sustained long-term compounding depends on managing the magnitude of drawdowns. We continuously evaluate risk exposure — with disciplined emphasis on limiting downside during periods of elevated uncertainty.
Positions are monitored continuously through an active framework — adjusted as conditions change, not held passively or benchmarked to an index.
The Mathematics
Losses compound faster than gains.
Risk discipline. Long-term compounding.
Recovering from large drawdowns requires disproportionately higher returns — making risk discipline the foundation of long-term compounding.
Portfolio Value After Loss
Starting at $100
Recovery Required
| Loss | Gain to Break Even |
|---|---|
| −10% | +11.1% |
| −20% | +25.0% |
| −30% | +42.9% |
| −40% | +66.7% |
| −50% | +100.0% |
A 50% loss requires a full 100% gain to recover a mathematical reality most portfolios never overcome.
For illustrative purposes only. Does not represent investment performance.
Investment Framework
Zmierski Capital combines macro regime analysis, fundamental research, and technical market structure to guide portfolio decisions. The objective is not to predict every market move, but to evaluate the evidence across the economy, the company, and the chart before capital is allocated.
Macro Regime
Fundamental Analysis
Technical Analysis
Portfolio Risk Management
How We Manage Portfolios
We manage portfolios through a documented, repeatable process. Each decision is based on current market evidence — not fixed assumptions or passive benchmarks.
We evaluate macroeconomic conditions, volatility environments, liquidity trends, and portfolio risk exposure.
Portfolio allocations are adjusted according to the current market regime and evolving opportunity set.
Market conditions, portfolio behavior, and downside risk are continuously reviewed.
Risk discipline and drawdown awareness remain central throughout changing market cycles.
As conditions evolve, risk exposure and portfolio positioning are selectively refined.
We combine analytical discipline with structured oversight to support long-term capital growth.
Structure
A repeatable process designed for consistency and discipline.
Adaptability
Portfolio positioning evolves with changing conditions.
Long-Term Focus
Preservation and compounding remain central to decision-making.
Fee Structure
Two service tracks. One firm. No commissions, no product sales, no hidden charges — just direct, fee-only compensation fully aligned with your outcomes.
Track 01 — Portfolio Management
For clients with $50,000+ who want Zmierski Capital to manage their portfolio.
Full portfolio management begins at $50,000 in investable assets. Advisory-only services are available to clients at any asset level who want professional guidance without discretionary portfolio management.
$50,000 – $100,000
Full access to the regime-based investment process, quarterly performance reporting, and direct advisory relationship across all account types.
$100,000 – $250,000
Full strategy access, priority advisory communication, and quarterly attribution reporting across retirement, taxable, trust, and business account types.
$250,000 – $1,000,000
Comprehensive portfolio management with full strategy access, proactive market condition communication, and priority advisory support across all account structures.
$1,000,000 – $3,000,000
Reduced management rate for established households. Advisory subscription included. Supports complex family, trust, and multi-account structures.
$3,000,000+
Lowest management rate for larger consolidated portfolios. Full capability access with support for institutional structures, entities, and complex household arrangements.
Track 02 — Advisory-Only
For clients at any asset level who want guidance without discretionary portfolio management.
Advisory-only services are not limited to clients below the portfolio management minimum. They are available to any investor — at any asset level — who wants professional guidance, portfolio review, or planning support while retaining control of implementation in their own accounts. Advisory-only services do not include discretionary portfolio management or direct trading authority.
Setup: $250
Entry-level advisory guidance for investors who want professional input without full portfolio management. Includes basic portfolio review, general allocation guidance, quarterly check-ins, and planning support.
Setup: $500
Ongoing advisory support for investors who manage their own accounts but want structured portfolio review and professional guidance. Includes deeper holdings review, risk and allocation analysis, and recurring strategy conversations.
Setup: $750
High-touch advisory access for investors who want a more active relationship without discretionary portfolio management. Includes detailed portfolio analysis, monthly advisory conversations, priority communication, and ongoing guidance around market conditions and risk.
One-time project fee
A one-time portfolio and risk review for investors seeking an independent second opinion. Includes review of holdings, allocation, concentration, account structure, and risk exposure with a written summary of key observations. No ongoing commitment required.
Clients with less than $50,000 in investable assets may still be a strong fit for advisory-only guidance or a one-time portfolio review. Advisory-only services are available at any asset level.
These components apply to all advisory relationships and are disclosed in writing before engagement begins.
Charged at relationship onboarding — waived for Private Client & Institutional tiers
Covers application review, Investment Policy Statement drafting, initial portfolio construction, and Altruist account setup and verification.
Charged monthly — included for Private Client & Institutional tiers
Covers two scheduled planning check-ins per year, quarterly performance and attribution reporting, secure document access, and direct advisory communication with a target response time of two business days.
Drag to estimate your annual cost based on portfolio size.
Estimates are illustrative only and may not reflect the final advisory fee charged. Final fees depend on the client agreement, assets under management, selected service tier, and applicable expenses. Advisory fees do not include underlying fund expense ratios, ETF expenses, brokerage charges, custodial fees, trading costs, taxes, or other third-party expenses.
Accounts We Manage
Zmierski Capital manages taxable, retirement, trust, family, and business accounts through an active oversight framework designed to evolve alongside changing market conditions and long-term financial priorities.
Taxable Investment Accounts
Individual Brokerage • Joint Brokerage • TOD Accounts • Cash Accounts
Active portfolio oversight designed for long-term capital growth, liquidity management, and evolving market conditions.
Retirement Accounts
Traditional IRA • Roth IRA • Rollover IRA • SEP IRA • SIMPLE IRA • Solo 401(k) • Beneficiary IRA
Retirement-focused portfolio management structured around preservation, tax-aware positioning, and long-term financial sustainability.
Trust & Estate Accounts
Revocable Trusts • Irrevocable Trusts • Estate Accounts
Structured investment oversight designed for continuity, preservation, and multi-generational wealth planning.
Joint & Family Accounts
Joint Brokerage • Family Investment Accounts • UGMA/UTMA Accounts
Coordinated portfolio management structured around shared financial objectives, long-term planning, and household oversight.
Business & Entity Accounts
LLCs • Corporations • Partnerships • Business Investment Accounts
Portfolio oversight for operating reserves, excess liquidity, and long-term corporate capital management.
Average intra-year S&P 500 decline since 1980.
A disciplined portfolio process helps investors stay aligned with their objectives through volatility.
Source
J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Who We Work With
We work with individuals, families, and business owners who want more than a passive index fund. Our clients want active oversight, transparent fees, and a clear process for protecting and growing their wealth.
Our approach is built around disciplined oversight, adaptability, and long-term financial alignment.
Our relationships are typically long-term and built around active ongoing portfolio oversight.
Focused on preserving and compounding capital across full market cycles rather than pursuing short-term speculation.
Investors seeking structured portfolio oversight while balancing demanding careers and evolving financial priorities.
Portfolio management centered around preservation, disciplined risk management, and long-term financial sustainability.
Active oversight for personal and business capital requiring adaptability, liquidity awareness, and disciplined allocation.
Portfolio oversight structured around generational planning, shared financial objectives, and long-term continuity.
Your Life. Our Focus.
Portfolio management demands continuous attention monitoring conditions, evaluating risk, and making disciplined decisions through every market environment. That responsibility belongs to us, so you can remain focused on what matters most in your life.
Your goals. Our management. Your time, reclaimed.
Operational Infrastructure
Client portfolios are managed through secure custodial infrastructure designed around transparency, operational separation, streamlined reporting, and long-term oversight.
Structured to provide clarity, visibility, and operational confidence across every advisory relationship.
Client Relationship
The advisory relationship begins with direct engagement, investment policy drafting, and ongoing portfolio oversight.
Zmierski Capital
Portfolio Oversight & Active Management
Active portfolio management, regime-based positioning, and continuous oversight are applied directly to each client relationship.
Altruist Custody
Secure Account Infrastructure
Client assets are held in custody at Altruist an independent, institutionally structured custodial platform maintaining full operational separation from the advisor.
Reporting & Visibility
Performance Reporting · Account Access · Secure Documentation
Clients maintain direct visibility into portfolio performance, account holdings, and advisory documentation through secure reporting infrastructure.
SIPC Protection
Securities held through Altruist Financial LLC are protected by SIPC up to applicable limits, including up to $250,000 for cash claims.
FDIC Cash Coverage
Eligible cash balances swept to participating program banks may receive FDIC insurance coverage subject to applicable limits and conditions.
Account Structure
Coverage may apply separately across different account ownership structures, including individual, joint, and retirement accounts.
Client assets are custodied through institutional infrastructure designed around transparency, operational separation, and long-term oversight. SIPC and FDIC protection do not protect against investment losses. Coverage is subject to applicable limits and conditions.
The Advisor
Founder & Chief Investment Officer
Zmierski Capital was built on a single conviction: investors deserve a manager who acts in their interest alone — free from product sales, institutional conflicts, and passive assumptions that ignore market conditions.
Every client relationship is governed by a written Investment Policy Statement. Every decision is made in the client's interest. There are no product commissions, no revenue-sharing arrangements, and no passive index strategies dressed up as active management.
What you receive is direct, founder-led portfolio management — with full transparency, a documented process, and a manager whose interests are fully aligned with yours.
“My obligation is to act in the client’s interest. Not to sell products, hit quotas, or chase themes.”
Evan Zmierski · Founder & CIO
Insights
Explore market commentary, portfolio strategy, and risk-focused perspectives designed to help investors think clearly through changing conditions.
Retirement Planning
How shifting interest-rate environments affect retirement portfolio construction and long-term sustainability.
Investment Strategy
Understanding the difference between disciplined tactical positioning and speculative market timing.
Risk Management
Why large portfolio losses require disproportionately larger gains to recover — and what that means for long-term compounding.
Portfolio Construction
How structural discipline in portfolio construction creates resilience across unpredictable market conditions.
Behavioral Finance
The behavioral gap between fund returns and investor returns — and what a structured process does to close it.
Fee Transparency
Embedded costs, undisclosed compensation, and why independent, fee-based advice is structurally different.
FAQ
We believe informed investors make better long-term partners. These answers reflect how we think, how we operate, and how we approach every client relationship.
Zmierski Capital is an independent investment advisory firm offering active portfolio management and advisory services. We combine macro regime analysis, fundamental research, and technical market structure to guide portfolio decisions — providing disciplined, evidence-based investment oversight for individuals, families, and business owners focused on long-term outcomes. Advisory services are offered only where properly registered or exempt from registration.
We work with accumulation-focused investors, professionals and executives, retirees and pre-retirees, business owners, and families seeking long-term portfolio continuity. Our relationships are typically long-term and built around active ongoing oversight. New client relationships begin through an application process — we review each inquiry to confirm long-term fit before moving forward.
We are an independent, fee-based advisory firm — not a product-driven brokerage or commission-based advisor. Our investment process combines macro regime analysis, fundamental research, and technical structure to evaluate where capital should be allocated and when. We do not sell products, manage proprietary funds, or earn referral fees. Our fee structure is transparent, tiered, and disclosed in writing before engagement. Active management does not guarantee outperformance or protection against loss.
We offer two primary service tracks. For clients who want active portfolio management, we provide discretionary oversight across taxable accounts, retirement accounts (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Rollover IRA, Solo 401(k), Beneficiary IRA), trust and estate accounts, joint and family accounts, and business and entity accounts. For clients who want advisory guidance without discretionary management, we offer standalone advisory subscriptions. All accounts managed under our discretion are custodied through Altruist, an institutional-grade independent custodial platform.
Risk management is integrated into every layer of the investment process. Our framework evaluates macro conditions, company-level fundamentals, valuation, and technical structure before allocating capital. Portfolio positioning is adjusted based on the current market environment — not held passively or anchored to static assumptions. The goal is disciplined participation in long-term opportunity, not the elimination of risk.
We offer two service tracks. Portfolio management clients pay a tiered AUM fee plus a monthly advisory subscription — Foundation Portfolio ($50k–$100k) at 0.50% AUM + $125/month; Growth Portfolio ($100k–$250k) at 0.65% AUM + $100/month; Core Wealth ($250k–$1M) at 0.85% AUM + $75/month; Private Client ($1M–$3M) at 0.75% AUM with subscription included; and Institutional ($3M+) at 0.55% AUM with subscription included. Portfolio management begins at $50,000 in investable assets. Advisory-only clients — at any asset level — can subscribe starting at $149/month, or engage for a one-time portfolio review at $750–$1,500. All fees are disclosed in writing before any engagement begins.
New client relationships begin with an application. We review each submission to assess long-term fit before scheduling a conversation. If there is strong alignment, we will reach out to schedule a focused introductory call to discuss your situation, objectives, and how our framework applies. The onboarding process is structured and moves at a pace that works for you.
Begin the Conversation
Zmierski Capital accepts new clients by application. Before we begin, we take time to understand your financial situation, goals, and what you expect from an advisory relationship.
Partnership Application
After You Submit
A straightforward four-step process. Every application is reviewed for fit before we move forward.
Application Review
We review your application within five business days.
Consultation Invitation
If there is a strong fit, we invite you to schedule a consultation call.
Discovery Conversation
A focused 45-minute call to discuss your situation and how we work. No sales pitch.
Onboarding Decision
If both sides are aligned, we begin account setup and formal documentation.
Zmierski Capital is an independent investment advisory firm. All fees are disclosed in writing before engagement. Client assets are custodied through Altruist. Advisory services are offered only where properly registered or exempt from registration.