Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Rochester, 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 seek 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 implications.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Inquire about their approach to coordinating benefits between you and your spouse to optimize household income.
  • Coordination with retirement income. Ensure they integrate Social Security decisions with your broader retirement withdrawal plan for smoother cash flow.

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

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Lawrence K

Series 63, Series 66

Rochester, NY

LPL Financial

Lawrence Kasinowski is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at firms including Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan Securities, Wells Fargo, and Mutual of America. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services with access to model portfolios, third-party asset managers, 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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Mark H

Series 63, Series 65

Rochester, NY

Stonex Advisors Inc.

Mark Heberger is a financial advisor with StoneX Advisors Inc. in Rochester, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 48 years of industry experience. He has been with StoneX Advisors Inc. since 2015 and concurrently with StoneX Securities Inc. since 2014. Outside of his advisory role, he operates as an insurance agent specializing in life and accident/health insurance on a limited basis. StoneX Advisors Inc. serves individuals, corporations, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering portfolio management, financial planning, ERISA consulting, and related services through a combination of independent advisors and an in-house Private Client Group. The firm utilizes a variety of platforms and investment solutions, including proprietary models and third-party managers, and supports diverse account structures with regular oversight and due diligence.

ESG / Sustainable investing
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Dominick S

Series 66

Rochester, NY

Equitable Advisors

Dominick Scro is a financial advisor at Equitable Advisors with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has worked at several companies including Amazon, Walmart, and Assured Partners. Equitable Advisors serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, charitable organizations, and institutional clients by providing financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and a variety of asset-management programs. The firm utilizes both proprietary and third-party advisory models and offers ERISA fiduciary services through credentialed representatives.

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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Michael K

Series 66

Rochester, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

Michael Kustigian is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. for six years. 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, combining quantitative asset-allocation modeling with centralized due diligence and an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Brian K

CFP®, Series 63

Rochester, NY

Vicus Capital, Inc.

Brian Kelly is a CFP® professional with 33 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently affiliated with Vicus Capital, Inc. and serves as the owner and financial professional at Kelly Wealth Services. His prior experience includes roles at Nationwide Securities, LLC and Corey Insurance Agency. Vicus Capital serves a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, trusts, charitable organizations, and retirement plan sponsors, offering investment management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm employs a variety of investment strategies and provides specialized fiduciary consulting and plan-sponsor services alongside standard advisory offerings.

ESG / Sustainable investing Passive / index investing Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Religious/faith focused
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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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