The invention relates to a transmission, in particular to a planetary automatic transmission. The planetary automatic transmission comprises the input end, a torque converter, a lockup clutch, a hydraulic retarder, four planetary rows, two clutches, four brakes and the output end, wherein the input end is connected with a torque converter pump impeller, a torque converter worm wheel and a rotor of the hydraulic retarder are connected with a first planetary frame, a first gear ring and a second solar gear are connected with a third solar gear, a second planetary frame and a third gear ring are connected with a fourth solar gear, a third planetary frame and a fourth planetary frame are connected with the output end, the two ends of the lockup clutch are connected with the torque converter worm wheel and the torque converter pump impeller respectively, the two ends of the first clutch are connected with the first planetary frame and a first solar gear respectively, the two ends of the second clutch are connected with the first gear ring and the second solar gear respectively, one ends of the brakes are fixed, and the other ends of the brakes are respectively connected with the first solar gear, the second gear ring, the third gear ring and the fourth gear ring. According to the planetary automatic transmission, six forward gears and two backward gears can be achieved, the structure is simple, and machining is conveniently carried out.