Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Bay City, MI

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

You might need a Social Security optimization advisor if you're approaching retirement and want to maximize your benefits without risking penalties or reduced payments. A common mistake is claiming benefits too early or without considering your full financial picture, which can lead to leaving money on the table.

  • Pension integration knowledge. Many Bay City families have pensions; ask how the advisor coordinates Social Security with pension income to avoid benefit reductions.
  • Claiming strategy variety. Confirm they discuss different claiming ages and spousal benefits, not just the earliest possible claim.
  • Longevity planning. Social Security decisions affect income decades ahead; check how they factor in your health and family history.
  • Coordination with other income. Ask how they incorporate your retirement accounts and other income sources into the timing of your Social Security claims.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Lynn G

Series 63, Series 65

Bay City, MI

Raymond James & Associates

Lynn Gehoski is a financial advisor with Raymond James & Associates, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 38 years of industry experience. She has worked at Raymond James since 2018, with prior experience at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Raymond James & Associates is a large broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and public entities, and offers financial planning and consulting services with a nondiscretionary approach supported by firm research and a variety of portfolio management strategies.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Business succession planning Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Gregory J

Series 63, Series 65

Bay City, MI

Ameriprise

Gregory Johnson is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 22 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ameriprise in 2025, he worked at Hantz Financial for over two decades. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials. Outside of his advisory work, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Highland Woods Association in Bay City, MI. Ameriprise offers retirement-income planning services primarily for clients approaching or in retirement with significant investable assets, combining research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to provide tailored, written recommendation reports. The firm also provides a broad range of advisory, brokerage, and insurance solutions through affiliated entities.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Mark R

Series 66

Bay City, MI

Recker Financial LLC

Mark Recker is the principal of Recker Financial LLC and holds a Series 66 designation with 15 years of industry experience. Prior to founding his firm in 2018, he worked at Hantz Financial Services from 2010 to 2018. He is also a minority owner of Maurer Meat Processors in Ubly, Michigan, where he assists with financial management. Recker Financial serves individual clients, including high-net-worth households, offering discretionary portfolio management and a range of financial planning services. The firm employs a Modern Portfolio Theory-based investment approach focused on passive, asset-allocation portfolios using index funds and ETFs, and provides ongoing comprehensive and hourly planning options.

General retirement planning Cash flow / budgeting Debt management College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance
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Taylor H

Series 65

Bay City, MI

Vertis Wealth, LLC

Taylor Hemphill is a financial advisor at Vertis Wealth, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Vertis Wealth and its predecessor firm since 2019. Outside of advisory work, he is an insurance agent, offering health and life insurance products. Vertis Wealth, LLC provides asset management and financial consulting services to individuals, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm uses a long-term, value-oriented investment approach combined with strategic asset allocation, option strategies, and individualized portfolio management.

Options & derivatives strategies
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Nathan B

CFP®, Series 65

Bay City, MI

Brown Financial Planning LLC

Nathan Brown is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license with 12 years of industry experience. He is the principal of Brown Comprehensive Financial LLC and currently works at Brown Financial Planning LLC. Brown has worked in the financial services industry since 2003 and has been involved with multiple firms, including Alphanso, Inc. and Origin Financial. Brown Financial Planning is a fee-only advisory firm that primarily serves individual clients, including both high-net-worth and non-HNW households, along with some small business and nonprofit accounts. The firm provides portfolio management on a non-discretionary basis and comprehensive financial planning, utilizing both fundamental and technical investment analysis.

Income planning Equity compensation tax strategy Tax-loss harvesting Cash flow / budgeting
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Willie M

Series 63, Series 66

Cary, NC

Equitable Advisors

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016 and previously at AXA Advisors, LLC. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for the nonprofit Alpha Light Fund Inc., focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual, high-net-worth, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients, offering financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs. The firm operates as both an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer, leveraging LPL-sponsored programs and endorsed TAMPs to deliver advisory and brokerage solutions.

Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)
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Stavroula K

Series 63, Series 65

Linwood, NJ

Ameriprise

Stavroula Koutsfetsoulis is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 25 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Ameriprise and its affiliated entities since 2011. In addition to her advisory role, she is involved in fiduciary activities as an attorney-in-fact (power of attorney). Ameriprise is a large institutional firm that provides retirement-income planning services primarily to individuals with substantial investable assets. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver written recommendation reports through a centralized consulting team, focusing on tailored retirement income strategies.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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Cassandra S

Series 63, Series 65

Plano, TX

Financial & Tax Architects, LLC

Cassandra Sanchez is a financial advisor at Financial & Tax Architects, LLC with seven years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked at Fisher Investments, TIAA, US Health Advisors, and various other firms. Sanchez also had involvement with Drunken Donkey, reflecting experience outside the financial sector. Financial & Tax Architects provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning primarily for individual and high-net-worth clients, focusing on those nearing or in retirement. The firm offers proprietary “Private Wealth Strategies” that use ETFs, individual securities, and trend-aware rebalancing, with accounts reviewed monthly and customizable strategies to meet client needs.

Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Annuities Income planning General tax planning Retired
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Keith E

CFP®

Pittsburgh, PA

Keith L. Eliou, CFP

Keith Eliou is the principal of Keith L. Eliou, CFP, an investment management firm based in Pittsburgh, PA. He holds the CFP® designation and has one year of experience as a financial advisor. In addition to his advisory role, he practices law focusing on elder law and real estate and is involved in insurance, mortgage lending, and real estate brokerage businesses. The firm primarily serves pooled vehicles and institutional accounts, offering portfolio management, retirement plan services, and financial planning. It utilizes an open-architecture investment approach with third-party money managers and employs multiple analytical methods and strategies, conducting annual account reviews.

Social Security optimization Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Charitable giving tax strategies Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner
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Charles P

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

San Rafael, CA

WealthSpire Advisors

Charles Pyfer III is a CFP® professional with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at Wealthspire Advisors since 2024. Prior to this, he spent 15 years at Private Ocean. Wealthspire Advisors provides wealth management, investment advisory, financial planning, and family office support to a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and nonprofit organizations. The firm employs a relationship-driven, customized investment approach that emphasizes diversified, institutional-style asset allocation and utilizes a range of investment vehicles and third-party platforms for comprehensive portfolio management.

Retirement income strategy Social Security optimization Roth conversion strategy Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Founder/Business Owner Retired Mid-Career Professionals Established Professionals

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