Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Monticello, NY

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 unexpected tax consequences. A common mistake is claiming benefits too early or in the wrong sequence, which can reduce your lifetime income.

  • Benefit timing strategies. Ask how they determine the best age to start benefits based on your full financial picture, not just your current needs.
  • Tax impact awareness. Confirm they consider how Social Security income interacts with your other income sources and potential estate tax cliffs.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Inquire about strategies that optimize benefits for couples, including survivor protections.
  • Coordination with retirement income. Look for advisors who integrate Social Security decisions with your broader retirement withdrawal plan.

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

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Linda B

Series 63, Series 66

Monticello, NY

Prospera Financial Services, inc.

Linda Barriger is a financial advisor with Prospera Financial Services, Inc., holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 40 years of industry experience. She has been with Prospera since 2009. Outside of her advisory role, Barriger is active in community service as a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Monticello and is a member of Professional Women of Sullivan County. Prospera Financial Services, Inc. is an enterprise-scale adviser and dually registered broker-dealer serving a diverse client base including individuals, corporations, charitable entities, and retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $12.4 billion through about 207 advisors across 140 offices, offering investment advisory and financial planning services through multiple platforms and a combination of firm and third-party portfolio models.

Wealth management Active portfolio management Options & derivatives strategies Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Retired
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Michael H

Series 65, Series 63

Rock Hill, NY

LVZ, Inc.

Michael Hodgson is a financial advisor at LVZ, Inc. with 23 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and previously worked at Next Financial Group Inc for 12 years before joining LVZ in 2021. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of Safe Harbor Investments Inc, which offers fixed life and long-term care insurance. LVZ, Inc. provides investment management, financial planning, consulting, and third-party manager selection for a diverse client base including individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and qualified retirement plans. The firm manages approximately $1.125 billion across 2,400 client relationships and employs a team-based approach with 17 advisors.

Retirement income strategy ESG / Sustainable investing Christian Faith Based
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Craig C

Series 63, Series 65

Liberty, NY

Key Investment Services LLc

Craig Crump is a financial advisor with Key Investment Services LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Key Investment Services since 2005. He serves as a trustee and director on the board of the BPOE 550 Elks Lodge, overseeing the organization's financial health and maintenance. Key Investment Services LLC serves individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and corporate clients through a variety of wrap-fee advisory programs, model portfolios, separately managed accounts, and brokerage and insurance products. The firm emphasizes client-directed model selection combined with non-binding professional recommendations and ongoing oversight, and operates as part of the KeyCorp group with affiliations that provide additional resources and market access.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Passive / index investing Active portfolio management
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David S

Series 63, Series 65

Rock Hill, NY

Citigroup Global Markets

David Skurowitz is a financial advisor with Citigroup Global Markets, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Citigroup since 2015. Citigroup Global Markets serves individual and institutional clients across various wealth segments, offering investment advisory programs alongside broker-dealer execution and custody services. The firm employs multi-asset, multi-manager strategies and integrates in-house research and execution capabilities, supporting complex and large-scale client relationships.

Tax-loss harvesting ESG / Sustainable investing Executive Founder/Business Owner Attorney Consultant Technology Professional
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Lori S

Series 63

Rock Hill, NY

Morgan Stanley

Lori Simon is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 35 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley since 2014 and holds a Series 63 designation. Outside of her advisory role, she is a partner in DruttyHop, LLC, a business involved in rental property management. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers a broad range of advisory programs and financial planning services to both individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets. The firm utilizes structured planning tools and a variety of investment strategies to support its clients.

General estate planning guidance
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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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