Equity Planning Inc.

Equity Planning Inc. We offer a comprehensive package of wealth management solutions and financial planning services. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

As your trusted advisor, we are wholly dedicated to helping you reach a higher purpose for your wealth and design a lasting legacy for your family. Over 50 Years of Independent Financial Planning

Equity Planning opened its doors in 1963 and since then, we have provided independent and comprehensive financial planning services to individuals, families, and business owners nationwide. We serve a di

verse client base spanning a multitude of industries, investment knowledge, passions, and priorities from our firm outside of Washington, DC in Bethesda, MD. Our wide range of clients includes medical professionals, contractors, business owners, corporate executives, government employees, and many other backgrounds. Our firm works with clients in over 40 states nationwide, with a high concentration in the tri-state area of Washington, DC, Maryland and northern Virginia. We work successfully both in person and remotely with clients to plan their financial futures. To ensure the highest level of service to our clients, we continually seek professional development. Our office credentials include the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, MBA, and registrations including FINRA Series 4, 7, 24, 53, 63, 65 securities registrations, and life and health insurance licenses. Additionally, our planners are members of the Financial Planning Association (FPA®), the nation’s largest membership organization for personal financial planning experts, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). We take a comprehensive approach to wealth management and create a customized plan that shows where the gaps are and how to help fix them. We first listen to our clients to understand their unique goals and get a snapshot of their current financial picture. We then analyze this snapshot from 27 perspectives along the Protection, Savings, and Growth continuum, which allows us not only to spot deficiencies, but to prioritize any recommendations as well. We are backed by the full resources of Cetera Wealth Services LLC and CWM, LLC in Technology, Research and Operational support. For more information on Equity Planning Inc., please visit www.equityplanning.com. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC (www.finra.org and www.sipc.org). Investment advisory services offered through CWM, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Third party posts found on this profile do not reflect the views of Cetera Wealth Services LLC or CWM, LLC and have not been reviewed by Cetera Wealth Services LLC or CWM, LLC as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am/we are registered to do business please visit: www.equityplanning.com

Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor: Awarded to Marc Schliefer for 2022-2026. The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative data, rating thousands of wealth advisors with a minimum of seven years’ experience and weighing factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience, and best practices learned through telephone and in-person interviews. Selections are made based on pre-determined thresholds and acceptable compliance records. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. 2026 research summary as of as of Janurary 2026: 51,065 nominations received, 25,302 telephone interviews – 6,702 in-person interviews at Advisor’s location, and 1,553 web-based interviews. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using this award. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client.

August is usually considered a weak month for stocks. This year, the S&P 500 is up about 3% with one trading day left. T...
08/31/2026

August is usually considered a weak month for stocks. This year, the S&P 500 is up about 3% with one trading day left.

That matters, because when August was positive and stocks were already up 10% to 17.5% for the year, the final four months gained in 10 of 11 past instances.

It’s a small historical sample, not a forecast. But it’s one reason September’s bad reputation may not tell the whole story this year.

See what the seasonal data is showing heading into fall: https://equityplanning.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-a-strong-august-sets-stocks-up-for-a-better-september-than-feared/

You probably have a good idea of how much you’ve saved for retirement. But that number is only part of the story. Your i...
08/29/2026

You probably have a good idea of how much you’ve saved for retirement.

But that number is only part of the story.

Your income, how much you’re still saving, what you expect to spend, and how you invest can all affect the picture.

Answer six quick questions to get a better sense of your retirement readiness: https://www.equityplanning.com/retirement-planning-quiz/

Retirement might be your main goal, but it’s probably not the only one. You may also be planning for healthcare costs, c...
08/28/2026

Retirement might be your main goal, but it’s probably not the only one.

You may also be planning for healthcare costs, college for a child or grandchild, or other long-term needs.

That’s where tax-advantaged accounts come in. A 401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, or 529 can each offer different tax benefits depending on the account and how it’s used.

See how these accounts work across different parts of your financial plan: https://www.equityplanning.com/insights/blog/how-to-leverage-tax-advantaged-accounts/

Ten years from retirement, you still have time to save, adjust, and think seriously about the life you want to fund. Fiv...
08/26/2026

Ten years from retirement, you still have time to save, adjust, and think seriously about the life you want to fund.

Five years out, the conversation gets more practical. What will you spend? Where will your income come from? Are you on track?

With one year to go, it’s time to start putting more of the plan into motion and even “test drive” what retirement might feel like.

See what may deserve your attention at each stage: https://www.equityplanning.com/insights/blog/what-you-need-to-do-10-5-and-1-year-before-retirement/

A lot of the headlines around the markets right now are focused on stocks, but there’s another part of the market worth ...
08/24/2026

A lot of the headlines around the markets right now are focused on stocks, but there’s another part of the market worth watching: debt.

Debt is becoming a bigger part of the market story—from $40 trillion in U.S. government debt to the growing use of debt to fund the AI boom.

While we believe the summery rally looks likely to continue, it’s a reminder to keep the bigger picture in view.

Get our full analysis on recent market moves: https://www.equityplanning.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-debt-takes-center-stage-from-washington-to-the-ai-buildout/

Most of us have a picture in our minds of what we want our investments to do for us over time.But have you ever stopped ...
08/22/2026

Most of us have a picture in our minds of what we want our investments to do for us over time.

But have you ever stopped to think about what those expectations say about how much risk you’re comfortable taking?

Try the Investment Risk Tolerance Quiz to get a better sense of how you think about risk and long-term growth: https://equityplanning.com/risk-tolerance-quiz/

Before you figure out how much you’ll need for retirement, it helps to know what you’re actually planning for.Travel? Mo...
08/21/2026

Before you figure out how much you’ll need for retirement, it helps to know what you’re actually planning for.

Travel? More time with family? New hobbies? Maybe a move somewhere warmer?

And that picture may change as retirement goes on. The active early years can look very different from the years when health, support, and a slower pace become more important.

See how thinking through each phase of retirement can help you plan for the life you want: https://equityplanning.com/insights/blog/getting-ready-to-retire-how-to-be-fully-prepared/

At first glance, Social Security sounds simple: claim early or wait.But that one choice can affect your monthly income f...
08/19/2026

At first glance, Social Security sounds simple: claim early or wait.

But that one choice can affect your monthly income for the rest of your life. And if you’re married, your decision could affect your spouse’s benefits, too.

Then add taxes, Medicare, longevity, and other sources of retirement income, and there’s a lot more to consider than just picking an age.

See how Social Security may fit into your bigger retirement picture: https://equityplanning.com/insights/blog/social-security-benefits-whats-your-game-plan/

Stocks reached new highs last week.You might not guess that from how investors are feeling.Bears have outnumbered bulls ...
08/17/2026

Stocks reached new highs last week.

You might not guess that from how investors are feeling.

Bears have outnumbered bulls for four straight weeks, and retail investors recently sold at one of the fastest clips on record.

Historically, bull markets have tended to end amid euphoria, not when investors are still this nervous.

See why all that caution may be worth paying attention to: https://equityplanning.com/insights/blog/market-commentary-uncertainty-on-wall-street-resilience-on-main-street/

Address

7910 Woodmont Avenue, Ste 900
Bethesda, MD
20814

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+13016528702

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