Top financial advisors working with educators, teachers, and academics in Chicago, IL
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.
If you work in education or academia, your financial planning needs often include managing irregular income cycles and preparing for retirement without state income tax on retirement income. A common mistake is overlooking how property taxes and fluctuating school schedules impact your cash flow and long-term savings.
- Income timing awareness. Confirm how the advisor plans for your pay schedule, including summer breaks and potential sabbaticals.
- Retirement income planning. Ask how they factor in Illinois’ lack of state tax on retirement income but high property taxes.
- Benefit optimization. Check if they understand educator-specific benefits like pensions and loan forgiveness programs.
- Cash flow management. See how they handle budgeting around school-year expenses and irregular bonuses.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Gilberto A
Series 66
Skokie, IL
Lincoln Investment
Gilberto Arias Jr. specializes in serving educators and academics, leveraging 23 years of experience and expertise in retirement plans and business succession, which suits the unique financial cycles of education professionals in the Chicago area. His affiliation with Lincoln Investment, a large firm offering flat-fee options and supported by an in-house research team, distinguishes him from others by combining seasoned insight with comprehensive resources.
Experience: 23 years
Avg account: $157,266
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Scott S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Des Plaines, IL
Edward Jones
Scott Seifert specializes in retirement income strategy and understands the unique financial challenges faced by educators and academics, including managing irregular income and benefit optimization. Based in Des Plaines, IL, he brings 31 years of experience with Edward Jones, a large firm serving millions, and offers a fee structure up to 1.35% annually, distinguishing him with seasoned expertise and comprehensive wealth management resources.
Experience: 31 years
Avg account: $246,728
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Nicky A
VerifiedCFP®, Series 66, CPWA®, CFT-I™
Wood Dale, IL
Parallel Advisors, LLC
Nicky Amore specializes in serving educators and academics, offering expertise in tax strategies and planning for clients with special needs, which aligns well with managing irregular income and benefit optimization common in education careers. Based in Wood Dale, IL, she provides flat-fee financial planning through Parallel Advisors, employing a diversified investment approach and bringing 10 years of experience alongside her CFP® and CPWA® credentials.
Experience: 10 years
Avg account: $2,223,505
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Thomas F
CFA®, Series 63, Series 65
Chicago, IL
TIAA-CREF
Thomas Fahey specializes in serving educators, teachers, and academics in Chicago, leveraging his six years of experience and CFA® designation to address retirement planning and estate guidance. Working at TIAA-CREF, a large firm known for managing high-net-worth clients, he offers a 0.30% annual wrap fee and integrates financial planning with ongoing portfolio management, distinguishing him from advisors with smaller client bases or less comprehensive services.
Experience: 6 years
Avg account: $523,144
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