CFP®-certified financial advisors working with retirees in California
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 be retired and facing decisions about how to manage your income and assets to last through your retirement years. A common mistake is not accounting for California's high income taxes and the unique property tax limits under Proposition 13, which can affect your long-term expenses.
- Income tax planning. Confirm how they factor California's high income tax rates into your retirement income strategy.
- Property tax considerations. Ask how they incorporate Proposition 13's limits on property tax increases into your financial plan.
- Withdrawal sequencing. Understand their approach to drawing down different accounts to minimize taxes and preserve assets.
- Longevity risk management. Check how they plan for the possibility of living longer than expected and the impact on your finances.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Charles P
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
San Rafael, CA
WealthSpire Advisors
Charles Pyfer III is well-equipped to assist retirees in California with retirement income strategies, Social Security optimization, and Roth conversion tactics, all crucial for managing income and taxes in retirement. Based in San Rafael and affiliated with Wealthspire Advisors, a large firm offering flat-fee and tiered AUM pricing, he brings 19 years of experience and serves high-net-worth clients, providing a customized, institutional-style investment approach that differentiates him from others.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $3,410,246
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Scott S
CFP®, ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65
San Diego, CA
Eagle Strategies (NY Life)
Scott Schechter specializes in retirement income strategy and annuities, making him well-suited to address the financial complexities faced by retirees in California, including tax considerations and withdrawal sequencing. With 24 years of experience at Eagle Strategies, a large firm managing over $25 billion in assets, he offers flexible fee structures such as hourly and subscription agreements, providing tailored planning options compared to other advisors in the region.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $235,446
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Mark J
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Palo Alto, CA
Wells Fargo Clearing
Mark James is well-equipped to assist retirees in California with his CFP® certification and 11 years of experience, including a focus on retired clients and founders/business owners. Operating from Wells Fargo Clearing, a large firm known for retirement plan consulting and an IPS-driven investment approach, he offers flat-fee and AUM-based fee structures, catering to high-net-worth individuals. His background at major financial institutions adds depth to his advisory capabilities.
Experience: 11 years
Avg account: $475,575
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Melissa S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
San Diego, CA
Creative Planning
Melissa Saxton is well-equipped to assist retirees in California with retirement income strategies, leveraging her 17 years of experience and CFP® certification. Based in San Diego at Creative Planning, she offers flat-fee financial planning and serves high-net-worth clients, benefiting from a large firm's resources and a disciplined investment approach focused on low-cost indexing and buy-and-hold strategies.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $2,113,277
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Bailey B
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Los Angeles, CA
Schwab Wealth Advisory
Bailey Burke is well-equipped to assist retirees in California by integrating tax-loss harvesting and active portfolio management strategies that consider the state's high income taxes and Proposition 13 property tax limits. With seven years of experience at Schwab Wealth Advisory and prior tenure at Vanguard, Bailey offers a large-firm resource advantage and a disciplined approach to wealth management, distinguishing them from advisors with smaller firm backgrounds or less focus on tax-efficient investing.
Experience: 8 years
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