Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Kings Mountain, 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 too late, which can significantly lower your lifetime income.

  • Benefit timing strategies. Ask how they determine the best age for you to start claiming Social Security to balance immediate needs and long-term gains.
  • Earnings record review. Confirm they thoroughly analyze your work history to ensure all eligible earnings are counted toward your benefit calculation.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Check if they consider options that maximize benefits for couples, including survivor benefits and coordination between spouses.
  • Tax impact awareness. Social Security benefits can be taxable; ask how they plan to minimize taxes on your benefits in retirement.

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

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Keith M

Series 63, Series 65

Kings Mountain, NC

Vestech Asset Management Inc.

Keith Miller is a financial representative at Vestech Asset Management Inc. with 35 years of industry experience. He previously worked at First Allied Advisory Services, Inc. and First Allied Securities, Inc. Miller serves on several local boards, including the Kings Mountain Housing Authority and the Cleveland County Board of Equalization & Review. Vestech Asset Management provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, trusts, estates, and corporate clients. The firm employs a combination of technical, fundamental, and cyclical analysis to manage diversified portfolios and offers both ongoing investment management and project-based planning.

Annuities Life insurance needs analysis Tax-loss harvesting Attorney

Joshua S

Series 66

Kings Mountain, NC

Edward Jones

Joshua Shelton is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Kings Mountain, NC, holding a Series 66 designation with eight years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2018, he worked for Broad River Retail dba Ashley HomeStore from 2016 to 2018. Outside of his advisory role, he is vice president of C J Farms Inc in Shelby, NC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, supported by a large network of financial advisors and branch offices across the country.

Retirement income strategy Wealth management General estate planning guidance Sales Professional
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Jay C

Series 63, Series 66

Bessemer City, NC

Fidelity

Jay Collins is a financial advisor with Fidelity Investments based in Bessemer City, NC. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has four years of industry experience, including prior roles at Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC and Digital Intelligence Systems. Outside of finance, he has worked in the hospitality sector, including time with Banner Elk Winery. He is affiliated with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm uses a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage model portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Charitable giving & philanthropy Active portfolio management
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Jon H

Series 63, Series 65

Kings Mountain, NC

Gradient Advisors, LLC

Jon Hoyle is a financial advisor at Gradient Advisors, LLC with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has previously worked with firms including Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Securities America, and VOYA Financial Advisors. Outside of his advisory role, he has operated as an independent Medicare agent. Gradient Advisors, LLC provides investment management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm operates primarily through a network of Investment Advisor Representatives and third-party money managers, managing approximately $289 million in regulatory assets and administering about $1.10 billion in assets.

Retirement income strategy General tax planning
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Michele M

Series 63, Series 65

Kings Mountain, NC

LPL Financial

Michele Mcduffie is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. Her career includes roles at Waddell & Reed, American Express Financial Advisors, and various insurance carriers. Outside of advising, she has been involved with Alfred And Charlie's BBQ House for nearly two decades. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of financial planning and investment services, including access to model portfolios, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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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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