SAN DIEGO, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial LLC the nation's largest independent broker-dealer, a leading RIA custodian, institutional service provider and a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (LPLA) today announced the launch of the Retirement Partners Group (RPG), an exclusive network of highly experienced LPL Financial-affiliated advisors who focus primarily on advising retirement plans for small to large companies. Only a small percentage of LPL Financial advisors are qualified for membership in this elite group.

RPG was conceived and launched by LPL Financial Retirement Partners, the retirement plan-focused division of LPL Financial. Membership in RPG identifies advisors who have demonstrated significant achievement within the retirement plan arena and will provide them and their clients with resources and strategies for the ever more complex field of retirement plans.

RPG members will benefit from a comprehensive branding and marketing effort to differentiate them from the majority of financial advisors. The program will convey a unifying, prestigious national identity while allowing RPG advisors to continue to enjoy the distinction of their association with LPL Financial. Membership in RPG will also provide networking access to other top LPL Financial retirement plan advisors, enabling group members to share expertise and referrals and to strengthen their industry relationships.

Bill Chetney, Executive Vice President of LPL Financial Retirement Partners, said, "Through its considerable investments in this arena, LPL Financial has demonstrated a firm commitment to be a leader in the growing and increasingly important retirement plan segment of the independent financial advisory industry. The establishment of the Retirement Partners Group will help broaden familiarity with LPL Financial as a major participant in this industry and as the home of many of its most accomplished practitioners.

"The Retirement Partners Group sets a lofty standard for retirement advisory expertise and service excellence. We believe it will be an inspiration for all our advisors, both within the retirement plan sector and for all LPL Financial advisors in general," he said.

Kathleen A. Kelly, Managing Partner of Compass Financial Partners, LLC, of Greensboro, NC, said, "I am thrilled to be a member of the Retirement Partners Group and with the marketplace recognition such membership will bring. LPL Financial has done a tremendous job of providing my firm with excellent resources and support, and I anticipate that the Retirement Partners Group will take this support to an exciting new level."

To gain entry into RPG, among their qualifications financial advisors must be recognized leaders in the retirement plan industry, with at least 10 years of experience and hold approved industry professional designations. In total, the inaugural class of RPG's 87 members currently represents approximately 4,000 total plans with nearly $40 billion in plan assets.

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), is the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2012), a top RIA custodian, and a leading independent consultant to retirement plans. LPL Financial offers proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to over 13,300 financial advisors and approximately 700 financial institutions. In addition, LPL Financial supports over 4,500 financial advisors licensed with insurance companies by providing customized clearing, advisory platforms and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have approximately 2,900 employees with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. For more information, please visit http://www.lpl.com.

Securities and Advisory Services offered through LPL Financial. A Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. RPG is a network associated with LPL Financial.

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LPL Financial Launches Retirement Partners Group, An Elite Membership Network Of Its Top Retirement Plan Financial ...