Your Retirement Capital.
Managed by Regime,
Not Opinion.
Zmierski Capital applies a documented, regime-based tactical framework to IRA retirement portfolios — rotating between growth and defensive postures as market conditions evolve, with one objective: protecting the compounding base that determines your retirement outcome.
Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investments involve risk of loss, including possible loss of principal.
Frustrated with Passive Investing.
Ready for a Structured Alternative.
Many clients arrived after experiencing significant drawdowns in accounts they were told to simply hold through. They sought a framework that actively manages risk rather than passively tolerates it.
Generic allocation models and quarterly call schedules left them uncertain about how decisions were made. Zmierski Capital offers a clearly defined, process-driven approach — not opinion-based portfolio management.
Serious retirement investors understand the compounding mathematics of drawdown avoidance. They want an advisor whose methodology reflects that understanding — not one who defaults to index exposure regardless of conditions.
Our application-only model signals something different. We are not seeking volume — we are seeking the right client. That selectivity is itself meaningful to those who choose to work with us.
A Framework Built by
Someone Who Manages It
Evan Zmierski
Founder & Chief Investment Officer · Series 65 Licensed
Zmierski Capital was founded on a simple observation: many retirement portfolios are managed using static allocation models that assume markets behave consistently over time. In practice, market environments change — sometimes dramatically — and portfolios must adapt accordingly.
Evan Zmierski developed the regime-based tactical framework used at Zmierski Capital after extensive study of how macroeconomic conditions, volatility regimes, and liquidity environments influence portfolio risk. The framework identifies shifts in market conditions and adjusts portfolio exposure systematically.
The approach is process-driven rather than forecast-driven. It does not attempt to predict market events. Instead, it responds to observable changes in market conditions using a documented and repeatable framework.
From inception, Zmierski Capital was structured as a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, rather than a product-distribution business.
The firm's structure reflects that commitment:
These structural decisions align the advisor's incentives directly with the long-term interests of the client.
"My legal and ethical obligation is to act in the client's best interest — not to sell products, meet quotas, or promote investment themes.
The framework used at Zmierski Capital exists for one reason: protecting the compounding base retirement investors depend on."
— Evan Zmierski, Founder & CIO
Markets Move in Regimes.
Portfolios Should Too.
Static allocation — held through every market cycle regardless of conditions — assumes risk is constant. We do not believe that. Risk rises and falls with macroeconomic environments, volatility conditions, and capital flow dynamics.
Our philosophy is grounded in a straightforward conviction: the primary obstacle to long-term compounding is not underperformance in bull markets — it is unmanaged drawdown in deteriorating ones. Protecting capital when environments turn adverse is mathematically essential to retirement wealth accumulation.
Tactical discipline is not market timing. It is risk management with a repeatable, documented process.
A 30% decline requires a 43% gain to break even. A 50% decline requires 100%. The compounding penalty of unmanaged drawdown is the primary obstacle to retirement wealth — not underperformance in bull markets.
Markets cycle through distinct risk environments. Our framework identifies these conditions and adjusts portfolio positioning as evidence evolves — rotating between growth exposure and defensive posture accordingly.
We structure portfolios to maintain drawdown discipline over full market cycles — reducing the recovery burden that unmanaged risk creates in retirement accounts and protecting the compounding base that drives long-term outcomes.
Investment decisions are systematic and advisor-reviewed. Client sentiment, media narratives, and short-term market noise do not drive portfolio adjustments. A defined analytical process does.
Working with a limited number of households is a structural decision — ensuring each portfolio receives attentive oversight and no relationship is deprioritized due to growth pressure.
Tactical Allocation Designed Around Risk Regimes
Our hybrid tactical framework combines quantitative analysis with advisor-level oversight. The objective is to position capital appropriately across the complete arc of a market cycle — responding to evidence rather than anticipating outcomes.
The portfolio framework monitors macroeconomic and volatility conditions to identify shifts between growth and risk-off environments. The process is structured, repeatable, and consistently applied across all client accounts.
During growth environments, the tactical sleeve allocates into momentum-driven equity sectors and factors. Sector concentration is managed dynamically, driven by relative strength and prevailing market conditions.
When conditions signal elevated risk, the portfolio is designed to rotate toward capital preservation allocations — with the objective of reducing drawdown severity while maintaining recovery positioning when risk environments normalize.
Interest rate cycles, inflation conditions, and credit environments inform portfolio positioning at the asset class level. We adapt to macroeconomic developments methodically as evidence evolves — not as commentary drives.
Retirement account structure creates opportunities in tax-deferred compounding and distribution efficiency. Our framework is built exclusively for the structural characteristics of IRA accounts. Tax treatment varies by individual circumstances.
Accounts above $500,000 may access an enhanced tactical strategy with additional sector-level positioning. This optional sleeve is available at an additional fee tier described in the Fee Structure section.
All investment strategies involve risk of loss. The framework described is designed to manage risk exposure across market cycles but does not guarantee any particular outcome. Tactical positioning decisions are based on a systematic analytical process and may not respond to market events in real time. Past portfolio behavior does not predict future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.
Built for the Disciplined
Retirement Investor
Zmierski Capital is for individuals who are serious about retirement outcomes and ready to move beyond passive portfolio management. We work with people across many backgrounds who share one thing in common: they want a structured, process-driven approach to managing their IRA — not a generic model handed off by a generalist advisor.
You want your retirement capital managed by a documented, repeatable framework — not by gut instinct or market sentiment. You expect an advisor to explain why decisions are made, not just what was done.
Drawdown protection matters as much to you as growth. You understand that a significant loss sets you back years — and you want an advisor who builds around that mathematical reality.
You are not looking to co-manage your portfolio. You are looking for a structure you can believe in, an advisor you can trust, and the discipline to stay in it through market cycles.
Our application-only model exists because the advisory relationship only works when both parties are the right fit. If you are here, you likely already understand why that matters.
Is This a Good Fit?
This may be a good fit if you:- Have $50,000 or more in IRA assets (preferred profile: $250,000+)
- Have an investment horizon of 10 or more years
- Are interested in tactical, active risk management rather than purely passive investing
- Prefer a structured, process-driven investment framework over discretionary advice
- Understand that managing risk is as important as seeking returns
- Are comfortable delegating portfolio management decisions to a disciplined strategy
- Prefer directing or overriding individual investment decisions
- Require frequent reassurance after normal market fluctuations
- Primarily invest through taxable brokerage accounts rather than IRAs
- Are looking for guaranteed returns or capital protection
A Structured Path to
Partnership
Our onboarding process begins with a qualification review — not a sales call. We evaluate each applicant carefully before extending a consultation invitation. Not all applicants are accepted.
Complete a brief qualification form covering IRA assets, investment horizon, and objectives. No phone call or advisor meeting required at this stage.
We review your application against our firm criteria. Qualified applicants receive a consultation invitation within five business days.
A structured 45-minute conversation covering your IRA situation, objectives, and our approach. A mutual evaluation — not a sales presentation.
Upon mutual agreement, we complete custodial setup through Altruist Financial LLC, account transfers, and initial portfolio construction within a structured timeline.
Transparent. Tiered.
Fully Aligned.
Our advisory pricing combines a flat monthly subscription with tiered asset-based management fees. All fees are disclosed in full in our Form ADV and Investment Advisory Agreement prior to engagement. There are no hidden fees, no commissions, and no third-party compensation of any kind.
Full access to the tactical regime-based framework, quarterly reporting, and the advisory relationship. Inclusive of all standard portfolio management services.
Reduced rate for established portfolios. Full tactical strategy access and priority advisory communication during significant market events.
Our lowest management rate for larger portfolios. All premium capabilities and strategy access included by default at this tier.
Annual AUM fee (1.25% × $250,000) = $3,125 + Advisory subscription ($160/mo × 12) = $1,920
Total estimated annual cost ≈ $5,045 · Effective rate ≈ 2.0%
Fee-only RIA. We receive no commissions, referral payments, 12b-1 fees, or third-party compensation of any kind. Revenue derives solely from client fees — ensuring our incentives are fully aligned with your outcomes. All fees are disclosed in detail in our Form ADV, available upon request. Actual fees may vary. This example is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a fee quote.
Built on Institutional
Foundations
Serious capital management requires serious infrastructure. Zmierski Capital operates within an established regulatory and custodial framework — designed to protect client assets and ensure accountability at every level of the advisory relationship.
Zmierski Capital LLC is registered as an investment advisor operating under a fiduciary standard — legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times. Our Form ADV is available upon request.
CRD Number: [Update with IARD CRD]
Advisory services offered only where properly licensed or exempt.
All client assets are held independently at Altruist Financial LLC — an independent, regulated custodian and SIPC member. Zmierski Capital holds no client funds or securities. We carry only limited trading authorization as defined in your signed advisory agreement.
We receive no commissions, referral payments, 12b-1 fees, or third-party compensation. Revenue derives solely from client fees, ensuring our incentives are fully aligned with client outcomes.
Portfolio decisions are driven by a documented analytical framework reviewed against current regime conditions before implementation — eliminating ad-hoc discretionary decision-making across all accounts.
We intentionally work with a limited number of client households. This structure ensures every portfolio receives focused attention and that no relationship is deprioritized as the firm grows.
We accept Traditional, Roth, SEP, and SIMPLE IRAs only. Our framework is designed for the structural and tax characteristics of retirement accounts — not adapted from taxable portfolio models.
Market Commentary &
Investment Thinking
An analysis of how Federal Reserve rate cycles have historically affected balanced retirement portfolios — and what allocation postures have demonstrated resilience across prior environments.
The distinction between tactical risk management and speculative market prediction is frequently misunderstood. A framework for thinking about the difference — and why it matters for retirement investors.
A 30% decline requires a 43% gain to recover. A 50% decline requires 100%. Understanding the asymmetry of loss and recovery is foundational to disciplined retirement portfolio management.
Serious About Your Retirement.
Ready for a Structured Approach.
We manage a select number of IRA portfolios. If you qualify and capacity is available, we would like to hear from you. Capacity is not a marketing claim — it is a structural commitment to ensuring every portfolio receives the oversight it deserves.
Apply for Consideration
The application process is simple and takes approximately five minutes. There is no sales call required, no commitment, and no obligation on either side. We review every submission against our firm criteria — including IRA balance, investment horizon, and alignment with our process-driven approach. Qualified applicants are contacted within five business days to schedule an introductory call. If capacity is unavailable at the time of your application, we will let you know directly.
Application Received
Thank you for applying. We have received your submission and will review it against our firm criteria. Qualified applicants are contacted within five business days. We appreciate your interest in Zmierski Capital.
What Happens After You Apply
Our onboarding process is structured to ensure genuine alignment before any advisory relationship begins. We evaluate every application carefully — for both client fit and available capacity.