Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Fayetteville, NC

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 spousal and survivor options, which can significantly lower your lifetime income.

  • Claiming strategy expertise. Look for advisors who explain how timing your claim affects monthly and total benefits.
  • Coordination with other income. Ask how they factor in pensions, part-time work, or retirement accounts when planning your Social Security.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Confirm they review options beyond your own work record to boost household income.
  • State tax implications. Since Fayetteville has a flat income tax, check how they incorporate local tax rules into your Social Security plan.

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

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Daniel G

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Fayetteville, NC

First Citizens Investor Services, Inc.

Daniel Griffin III is a CFP®-certified financial advisor with First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. in Fayetteville, NC, bringing 34 years of industry experience, including over three decades with his current firm. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with First Citizens Investor Services since 1995. Outside of his advisory role, he is a member and partner in family-owned real estate holding companies. First Citizens Investor Services, Inc. serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension plans, charitable organizations, and corporate entities. The firm provides a range of advisory and brokerage services, emphasizing IAR-led financial assessments and a mix of fundamental, quantitative, and technical analysis to manage portfolios across various asset classes.

Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Income planning Equity compensation tax strategy
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Steven C

Series 63, Series 65

Fayetteville, NC

OSAIC

Steven Canali is a financial advisor at OSAIC with 24 years of industry experience. He previously worked for FSC Securities Corporation for 17 years before joining OSAIC in 2023. In addition to his advisory role, he is involved in selling life, health, and disability insurance as well as annuities. OSAIC serves a diverse client base including individual investors, high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm provides integrated brokerage and investment advisory services, employing various tools and platforms to construct portfolios that include a wide range of asset classes and investment strategies.

Annuities Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Elisha F

Series 66

Fayetteville, NC

Merrill

Elisha Freeman is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 credential and three years of industry experience. Prior to Merrill, Elisha worked at First South Bank for three years. Outside of advisory work, Elisha serves as a committee member for the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corp, assisting with grant recommendations to support local small businesses. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients via the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Isaac A

CFP®

Fayetteville, NC

Stalwart Financial Planning

Isaac Allen is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Stalwart Financial Planning in Fayetteville, NC. He has been with the firm since its founding in 2011. Stalwart Financial Planning offers financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, estates, trusts, small businesses, foundations, and charitable organizations. The firm follows a fiduciary standard and employs a globally diversified, long-term investment approach that integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, with a particular focus on nonprofit and charitable clients.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General retirement planning Retirement withdrawal strategies Cash flow / budgeting General estate planning guidance
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Darrall M

Series 63, Series 65

Fayetteville, NC

Credit Union Investment Services

Darrall Murchison is a financial advisor at Credit Union Investment Services with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. He has held roles at Members Trust Company, SECU Life Insurance Company, SECU Brokerage Services, and State Employees' Credit Union. His activities include providing financial advisory services to credit union members and serving as an insurance agent. Credit Union Investment Services serves individual investors and trust clients in North Carolina, offering non-discretionary portfolio management, retirement and financial planning, and a wrap-fee program. The firm emphasizes low-cost, index-based mutual funds and ETFs, fixed-income products, and a goals-based, long-term planning approach.

General retirement planning Passive / index investing
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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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