Top social Security optimization financial advisors in Sanford, 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 your monthly and total benefits.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Confirm they consider all available Social Security options beyond your own earnings record.
  • Tax impact awareness. Ask how they factor in your overall income to minimize taxes on your Social Security benefits.
  • Coordination with retirement income. Ensure they integrate Social Security decisions with your broader retirement cash flow plan.

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

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Dargan M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 66

Sanford, NC

Edward Jones

Dargan Moore is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Sanford, NC, holding the CFP® designation with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2002. Outside of his advisory role, Moore owns a sole proprietorship focused on designing and building wooden furniture and serves as a board member on the Finance Committee for the St. James Santee Brick Church Restoration Committee in McClellanville, SC. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm operates a nationwide network of over 23,700 advisors and offers a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds.

Retirement income strategy General retirement planning Multi-generational wealth transfer General estate planning guidance Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive Women Professionals Widow/Widower

Bobby P

Series 66

Wilmington, NC

Wells Fargo Clearing

Bobby Pulgarin is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management based in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He serves families and business owners throughout Central and Coastal North Carolina, providing personalized financial strategies aimed at growing and protecting wealth. His client focus areas include liquidity management, managing new wealth, and personal retirement planning, with expertise in retirement planning, investment management, and 401(k) and business retirement plans. Bobby holds professional designations as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He earned a High School Diploma from Lee Christian School and an Associate's Degree from Central Carolina Community College. Bobby’s approach centers on building long-term relationships grounded in integrity and clarity by understanding clients’ priorities and delivering strategies that align with their goals. Outside of his professional work, Bobby enjoys antiquing, chess, fishing, hunting, spending time with family, traveling, and watching movies. His philosophy emphasizes helping families and business owners uncover what matters most and create personalized financial plans to pursue their objectives.

General retirement planning Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
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Timothy W

Series 63, Series 65

Sanford, NC

Truist Advisory Services

Timothy Wilson is a financial advisor at Truist Advisory Services with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked with Truist Advisory Services and its affiliated entities since 2018, formerly with BB&T Investments. Truist Advisory Services provides investment consulting and advisory services to individuals, corporate clients, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, employing a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary strategies supported by third-party platforms and AI-enabled research tools.

Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Johnathan S

Series 63, Series 66

Sanford, NC

Cetera

Johnathan Stephens is a financial advisor with Cetera in Sanford, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 designations and 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cetera since 2025 and previously spent nine years with Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. Stephens also operates Legacy Asset Strategies, through which he provides financial and investment services, including advice on annuity, disability, and long-term care insurance products. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm serving individual, employer-sponsored retirement, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services through a large network of independent advisors, utilizing both affiliated and third-party investment managers across diverse program structures.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Carter M

Series 66

Sanford, NC

Davenport & Company LLc

Carter Mathis is a financial advisor at Davenport & Company LLC with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Fidelity Investments and Edward Jones. Outside of finance, Mathis was involved with Pole Vault Carolina from 2019 to 2021. Davenport & Company serves individual and institutional clients, providing asset management, retail brokerage, fixed income, public finance, and investment banking services. The firm offers a range of advisory programs including separately managed accounts and manages six mutual funds along with various fixed-income strategies.

Options & derivatives strategies Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management Founder/Business Owner Retired
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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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