Top financial advisors working with clients approaching retirement in Santa Cruz, CA
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 retirement, you likely face decisions about when to start Social Security, how to draw down savings, and managing healthcare costs. A common mistake is underestimating how taxes and property tax limits like California's Proposition 13 affect your long-term income.
- Income tax planning. Confirm how the advisor accounts for California's high income taxes and strategies to minimize their impact on your retirement income.
- Withdrawal sequencing. Ask how they recommend drawing from different accounts to balance taxes and cash flow over time.
- Healthcare cost forecasting. Ensure they consider Medicare premiums and potential long-term care expenses in your retirement budget.
- Property tax implications. Discuss how Proposition 13's limits on property tax increases might influence your housing costs and overall plan.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Robert M
Series 66
Scotts Valley, CA
Cetera
Robert Mason Jr. specializes in assisting clients approaching retirement, with expertise in wealth management and retirement plans for business owners, making him well-suited for navigating income tax planning and withdrawal sequencing in Santa Cruz. His flat-fee structure and affiliation with Cetera, a large firm offering diverse advisory services, differentiate him by providing flexible fee options and access to a broad advisory platform.
Experience: 19 years
Avg account: $306,089
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Cynthia F
CFP®
Los Gatos, CA
MainStreet Financial Planning, Inc.
Cynthia Flannigan specializes in retirement income strategy and Social Security optimization, making her well-suited for clients approaching retirement in the Santa Cruz area. Her firm offers flat-fee, fee-only financial planning with a focus on long-term, low-cost, passive investing and tax efficiency, serving individuals, couples, and business owners with structured planning packages and ongoing support.
Experience: 8 years
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Gary C
Series 66
Campbell, CA
Equitable Advisors
Gary Cruff specializes in retirement income strategy and Social Security optimization, making him well-suited for clients approaching retirement in the Santa Cruz area. With 24 years of experience at a large firm, he serves high-net-worth baby boomers and offers fee structures ranging from asset-based to hourly, providing tailored, tax-efficient retirement planning.
Experience: 24 years
Avg account: $609,299
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Robert A
Series 63
San Mateo, CA
UBS Financial Services
Robert Anderson's extensive 47 years of experience and focus on clients approaching retirement make him well-equipped to address complex retirement decisions, including tax and withdrawal strategies. Based in Boulder Creek, CA, he works with high-net-worth individuals through UBS Financial Services, a large firm offering institutional trading and wealth management, which may provide more comprehensive resources compared to smaller practices.
Experience: 47 years
Avg account: $693,691
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Brett M
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Cruz, CA
Ameriprise
Brett Macauley specializes in retirement income strategy and Social Security optimization, making him well-suited for clients approaching retirement in Santa Cruz, CA. With 33 years of experience at Ameriprise, a large firm offering tax-efficient planning and algorithmic tools, he provides detailed recommendations and a 0.15% AUM fee, distinguishing him from advisors with less firm support or fewer specialized services.
Experience: 33 years
Avg account: $471,167
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