Ray Lucia Sr

Ray Lucia Sr. is an American retired Certified Financial Planner, author, and media figure best known for creating the Buckets of Money® retirement strategy, a time-segmented framework for managing income throughout retirement. Over more than three decades in financial services, he served as President and CEO of Raymond J. Lucia Companies, Inc., gaining national attention for his ability to simplify retirement planning and deliver practical guidance to investors navigating long-term financial security.

Born on April 3, 1950, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Ray moved with his family to Poway, California, at the age of ten. Growing up in San Diego County, he balanced academics with athletics and emerged as a talented quarterback. He played football at Palomar Junior College before earning a scholarship to Western Illinois University, then transferring to San Diego State University, where knee injuries brought his playing career to an early close.

Ray earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from United States International University and began his professional life as a high school teacher and football coach. With a growing family and an increasing interest in economics and investing, he transitioned into the financial services industry. He founded Raymond J. Lucia Companies, Inc., and quickly built the firm by emphasizing retirement income planning, client education, and disciplined investment strategies focused on long-term sustainability.

During his advisory career, Ray developed the Buckets of Money® strategy to address market volatility and the challenges of multi-decade retirements. The approach organizes assets into short-, intermediate-, and long-term time horizons, allowing retirees to draw income from safer assets first while growth-oriented investments remain invested longer. This model challenged traditional withdrawal rules and became widely discussed within the financial planning community.

Ray Lucia Sr. also established a prominent media career with the launch of The Ray Lucia Show in 1991, which later achieved national radio and television syndication. Known for blending financial education with humor, music, and audience interaction, he became a familiar commentator on major networks and a sought-after speaker nationwide. He retired from daily broadcasting in 2019 to focus on writing, research, and mentoring advisors.