Top social Security optimization financial advisors 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.

You might need a Social Security optimization advisor if you're approaching retirement and want to maximize your benefits without triggering penalties or reducing future payouts. A common mistake is claiming benefits too early or without considering spousal and survivor options, which can significantly lower your lifetime income.

  • Claiming strategy expertise. Ask how they tailor claiming ages and benefit types to your unique work history and family situation.
  • Coordination with retirement income. Confirm they integrate Social Security timing with your other income sources to avoid unnecessary taxes or cash flow gaps.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Ensure they understand how to optimize benefits for couples, including divorced or widowed scenarios.
  • Local tax considerations. Since Illinois doesn't tax retirement income, ask how they factor in property taxes and other local costs when planning your benefits.

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

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Edgar G

Series 63, Series 66

Chicago, IL

J.P. Morgan Securities

Edgar Giron Ramos is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations. His career includes roles at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. since 2018 and J.P. Morgan Securities since 2012. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm combines quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and applies an ESG eligibility framework when recommending investment strategies.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Charisma L

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Transamerica Financial Advisors

Charisma Lariosa is a financial advisor at Transamerica Financial Advisors with five years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with World Financial Group, INC. and Evolve Healthcare LLC. Outside her advisory role, she provides physical therapy services through Select Rehabilitation. Transamerica Financial Advisors serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, trusts, and corporations. The firm offers both advisory and broker-dealer services, utilizing proprietary and third-party model portfolios with discretionary and non-discretionary program options.

ESG / Sustainable investing Concentrated stock management Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Johnel M

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Primerica Advisors

Johnel Mayberry is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and having two years of industry experience. His career includes roles at PFS Investments Inc. and self-employment, as well as prior positions in healthcare and academic settings. He is also involved in selling loan products and home-related services through affiliated companies. Primerica Advisors is a large-scale firm managing a wrap-fee asset management program primarily for individual investors, including both non-HNW and high-net-worth clients, as well as corporate and charitable entities. The firm utilizes model-delivery strategies developed by third-party asset managers and offers custody and trade execution through Pershing, focusing on advisory services rather than institutional portfolio management.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Income planning
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Mario B

Series 63, Series 66

Chicago, IL

LPL Enterprise

Mario Bear is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and over 11 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at firms such as The Prudential Insurance Company of America, PNC Bank, Fifth Third Securities, JPMorgan Chase, and BMO Harris Bank. Outside of advisory work, he is involved with FinBe USA, promoting relationships with automotive dealerships, and serves as a real estate agent for non-investment residential transactions. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, banks, and charitable entities. The firm emphasizes model-driven investment implementation and offers access to third-party asset managers alongside affiliated insurance and trust services.

Tax-loss harvesting
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Nahal S

Series 63, Series 66

Chicago, IL

Apollon Wealth Management, LLC

Nahal Sabbagh Kermani is a financial advisor at Apollon Wealth Management, LLC with 11 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase Bank. Apollon Wealth Management is a multi-team SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, trusts, businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans. The firm combines centrally managed model strategies with locally managed portfolios and offers a range of services including financial planning, portfolio management, sub-advisory, and consulting across various asset classes and investment vehicles.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Business exit / sale strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner
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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, previously serving at Axa Advisors and MSI Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for Alpha Light Fund Inc., a nonprofit focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives and third-party managers. The firm offers various investment vehicles and ERISA fiduciary services, relying on third-party program sponsors and an affiliation with a publicly traded parent company.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
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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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