Cetera and Advanced Time Segmentation Announce Joint Venture

Joint venture gives Cetera advisors exclusive access to AI-powered software designed to help solve the retirement income challenge for clients

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera today announced a joint venture with Advanced Time Segmentation (ATS) that combines Cetera's advisor-first approach with the innovative, artificial intelligence-driven technology from ATS to deliver a research-based income planning strategy that strengthens client trust and long-term financial success.

The joint venture provides Cetera-affiliated advisors with exclusive access to the proprietary ATS framework, an intuitive, goal-based investment planning system built on the principle of aligning client assets with their income needs while helping create plans designed to mitigate market volatility.

ATS' AI-powered QuickStart engine allows advisors to build resilient retirement income strategies with personalized time segments that clearly demonstrate how clients' assets can support their retirement goals, all in a matter of minutes. 

"Collaborating with ATS gives advisors a powerful tool to help protect retirement savings from market downturns while seeking to minimize risks for clients," said Christian Mitchell, President of Cetera Solutions. "This joint venture is about helping advisors lead with value and deliver greater peace of mind to clients."

The Cetera/ATS joint venture is designed to deliver benefits that help enhance client outcomes, strengthen advisor-client loyalty, improve planning efficiency, and help advisors gain share of wallet.

Built by advisors for advisors, ATS also includes coaching, eLearning modules, live training, and strategic consulting to support implementation and success.

"This collaboration brings our time-tested planning methodology to an even broader advisor community at a time when market volatility has made clarity and confidence a top priority for advisors' clients," said Paul Escudero,* CFP^®, CWS^®, Managing Director at Advanced Time Segmentation. "Cetera advisors now have a powerful solution that features the latest AI technology simplifying the income planning process and strengthening client relationships."

Under the new joint venture, Cetera-affiliated advisors can access:

• AI Voice Assistant: Advisors can now generate complete retirement income plans by simply describing their goals to the AI-driven system.
• QuickStart Planning: Use AI to define fees, customize segments, and calculate income in minutes – all without spreadsheets or manual data entry.
• Advanced Household Income Modeling: ATS adapts to complex scenarios like delayed Social Security or multi-income households, closing income gaps with precision.
• Real-Time Adjustments: ATS quickly updates plans to reflect evolving client needs.
• Compliance-Ready Outputs: Every plan is immediately downloadable, compliant, and client-ready.

To learn about how Advanced Time Segmentation is solving the retirement income challenge, visit: https://cetera.com/advanced-time-segmentation.

About Advanced Time Segmentation® (ATS)
Advanced Time Segmentation^® (ATS) is an immediate or future retirement income strategy. ATS uses a segmented approach that, at its core, matches a client's assets with their liabilities (i.e., income needs). The ATS strategy draws upon years of academic research and mathematic calculations to address three important retirement facets. The strategy addresses retirement income needs, future inflation concerns, and addresses the overall risk of each client's unique situation.

To generate these customized strategies, ATS utilizes a proprietary financial planning software exclusive to Cetera Financial Group advisors.

About Cetera
Cetera Financial Group is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms.

Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice – blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth.

As of March 31, 2025, Cetera manages more than $554 billion in assets under administration and $246 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score.

Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, YouTube, X, and Facebook.

"Cetera Financial Group" refers to the network of independent retail firms encompassing, among others, Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser, and the following FINRA/SIPC members: Cetera Advisors LLC, Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors), and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity.

*Paul Escudero is not affiliated or registered with Cetera. Any information provided by them is in no way related to Cetera or its registered representatives.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group