Top general retirement planning financial advisors in Carlsbad, CA

Edward Creed is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 37 years of industry experience. He has held roles within Ameriprise and Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. since 2005. He holds a Series 63 designation. Ameriprise Financial Services is a large, diversified advisory firm serving individual and institutional clients, offering a specialized Premier Retirement Income service focused on retirement income planning through written recommendations and ongoing advice. The firm integrates proprietary research and algorithmic tools with a selective investment approach influenced by its affiliated product ecosystem.

Andrew Sontag is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group, Inc. since 2008. He holds a Series 66 designation and works out of Carlsbad, CA. Carlsbad Wealth Advisory Group offers discretionary portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning to a range of clients including individuals, high-net-worth households, trusts, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm’s investment approach centers on asset allocation using primarily exchange-traded funds (ETFs), focusing on low expense ratios, internal diversification, and liquidity, while managing all client assets in-house.

John Steccato is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has prior work experience with Axa and in education, including San Diego State University and Carlsbad High School. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in a fixed business activity unrelated to investments. Equitable Advisors serves a diverse clientele including individuals, high-net-worth clients, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional entities. The firm offers financial planning, broker-dealer services, insurance distribution, and access to third-party asset management programs, operating through a dual registration as an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer.

Michael Sorenson is a financial advisor with LPL Financial in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 37 years of industry experience. He previously worked at The Wealth Advisors from 2013 to 2020. Outside of financial advising, he sponsors an educational website dedicated to the art of his late brother, Don Sorenson, whose paintings are sold through an independent gallery. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations nationwide. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting services, utilizing model portfolios, research, and various investment strategies to meet diverse client needs.

Todd Blackburn is a financial advisor with Integrated Advisors Network LLC in Carlsbad, CA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and possessing 26 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Madison Avenue Securities, Vintage West Capital Management, and Mutual Securities. Blackburn also manages The Burns-Blackburn Group, an insurance agency providing various life insurance and annuity products. Integrated Advisors Network is an SEC-registered multi-team investment adviser offering portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and corporate entities. The firm employs a range of investment approaches and frequently uses third-party sub-advisers while providing ongoing portfolio oversight and rebalancing.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

Amanda Scheele is a financial advisor at Raymond James & Associates with 15 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Wells Fargo Clearing and Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Lucky Duck, a venture she has been part of since 2025. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is a large registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $501 billion in assets. The firm serves a diverse client base, including individuals, institutions, and municipal entities, offering financial planning, non-discretionary investment consulting, and municipal advisory services.

Lori Fell is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in East Lansing, MI, holding a Series 66 designation and 16 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, she owns a business focused on property management. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, with over $1 trillion in assets under management and a nationwide network of more than 23,000 financial advisors. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee options, tax-efficient services, and affiliated mutual funds.

Kenneth Blaschke is a financial advisor at HeadInvest in Portland, ME, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 16 years of industry experience. He has been with HeadInvest since 2009. HeadInvest serves a diverse range of clients, including individuals, trusts, endowments, and government entities, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning. The firm employs a holistic, asset-allocation driven approach, combining fixed-income selection with low-cost ETFs and emphasizing tax efficiency.

Michael Ipp is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors since 2010 and serves as an independent contractor for 1792 Wealth Advisors. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making, while also maintaining specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.