Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Greensboro, 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.

If you're approaching Social Security age or planning your retirement income, you need an advisor who understands how to maximize your benefits without costly mistakes. A common error is claiming benefits too early or in the wrong sequence, which can permanently reduce your lifetime income.

  • Benefit timing strategies. Look for advisors who explain how delaying or coordinating benefits affects your monthly and total payouts.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Confirm they consider your family situation to optimize combined household income.
  • Tax impact awareness. Social Security benefits can be taxable; ask how they integrate this into your overall retirement tax plan.
  • Coordination with other income. Effective advisors model how Social Security fits with pensions, investments, and part-time work to avoid unexpected shortfalls.

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

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Joel F

Series 63, Series 65

Greensboro, NC

Wedbush Securities Inc.

Joel Funderburk is a financial advisor at Wedbush Securities Inc. with 34 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at UBS Financial Services for 27 years. Wedbush Securities serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, foundations, and institutions. The firm offers a range of brokerage and advisory services, combining broker-dealer and capital markets functions with custody, clearing, and prime services across multiple asset classes.

Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner
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Garrett M

Series 66

Greensboro, NC

OSAIC

Garrett Mullins is a financial advisor at Osaic with 22 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services, Wells Fargo Clearing, and Wells Fargo Advisors. Mullins serves as secretary of Dignity Healthcare Inc., a home health care company with which he has little involvement. Osaic Wealth, Inc. serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm offers integrated brokerage and advisory services, financial planning, retirement consulting, and access to third-party money managers and wrap programs.

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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Kyle B

CFP®

Greensboro, NC

Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC

Kyle Brown is a CFP® professional at Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC with experience beginning in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for BlueCross NC for ten years. Beacon Pointe Advisors provides wealth advisory, financial planning, retirement-plan platform services, and outsourced chief investment officer services to a diverse client base including individual investors, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm combines asset-allocation modeling with third-party independent managers and uses both active and passive strategies across multiple asset classes.

Wealth management Private / alternative investments ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting
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Tracy C

Series 65, Series 66

Greensboro, NC

Raymond James Financial

Tracy Cottingham IV is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial in Greensboro, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 27 years of industry experience. His career includes positions at Wells Fargo Advisors and Wells Fargo Clearing before joining Raymond James and Pinnacle Financial Partners in 2020. Outside of advisory work, he is involved as an associate with Capstone Investment Company and Pinnacle Asset Management. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers non-discretionary, tailored planning and utilizes analytical tools and modeling to support client goals, with specialized services such as municipal advisory and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory programs.

Wealth management Tax strategies for small businesses Business succession planning General estate planning guidance Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Sherry M

Series 66

Greensboro, NC

Wedbush Securities Inc.

Sherry Malone is a financial advisor at Wedbush Securities Inc. with 24 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and previously worked at UBS Financial Services for 15 years. Wedbush Securities serves a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth investors, foundations, and institutions, offering brokerage and SEC-registered investment advisory services across multiple asset classes and account types. The firm combines broker-dealer and capital markets functions with clearing, custodial, and prime services, supporting a range of managed and commission-based accounts.

Wealth management 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 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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