Top financial advisors working with high-net-worth individuals and retirees 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.
You might seek a retired-focused advisor if you're managing wealth after leaving the workforce, especially when balancing income needs with preserving assets. A common pitfall is overlooking how state-specific tax rules, like California's Proposition 13, affect your long-term property tax and overall retirement income.
- Income and asset balance. Ask how they help maintain your lifestyle while protecting your savings from market swings.
- Tax-aware planning. Confirm their approach to managing California's high income taxes alongside property tax limits.
- Legacy considerations. Discuss how they incorporate estate planning to align with your goals for passing wealth on.
- Retirement income sequencing. Understand their strategy for drawing down accounts to optimize tax efficiency and cash flow.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Benjamin S
CFP®, Series 65
Bellevue, WA
Threadline Wealth
Benjamin Shively is experienced in wealth management and tax-loss harvesting, making him well-suited for high-net-worth retirees balancing income and asset preservation in Santa Cruz. His firm manages $4.75 billion with a strategic, long-term approach, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, and employs a flat-fee structure that may appeal to clients seeking transparent financial planning costs.
Experience: 15 years
Avg account: $4,420,558
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Philip D
Series 63, Series 66
San Jose, CA
Wells Fargo Clearing
Philip Drews offers expertise in retirement planning for high-net-worth individuals near Santa Cruz, leveraging 14 years of experience and credentials including Series 63 and 66 licenses. Affiliated with Wells Fargo Clearing, a large firm known for IPS-driven strategies and diverse investment options, he provides flat-fee and AUM-based fee structures, distinguishing him from advisors with different pricing or firm sizes.
Experience: 14 years
Avg account: $475,575
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Daniel M
Series 63, Series 66
Morgan Hill, CA
Focus Partners Wealth, LLC
Daniel May offers expertise in retirement planning for business owners and high-net-worth individuals, making him well-suited for managing wealth in retirement. With 33 years of experience and a firm that emphasizes tax- and fee-sensitive investment strategies, he provides a blend of active and passive portfolio management, differentiating him from others by integrating alternative investments and business exit strategies.
Experience: 34 years
Avg account: $2,557,933
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Leigh S
CFP®, Series 66
Los Gatos, CA
Mercer Global Advisors Inc.
Leigh Shimamoto is well-equipped to assist high-net-worth retirees in Santa Cruz with balancing income needs and asset preservation, leveraging 16 years of experience and CFP® certification. Working at Mercer Global Advisors, a large firm known for Modern Portfolio Theory-based, globally diversified portfolios, she also offers tax support and estate-planning coordination, differentiating her through comprehensive services and a flat-fee structure.
Experience: 16 years
Avg account: $2,214,259
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William H
Series 66
Campbell, CA
Equitable Advisors
William Hansen specializes in retirement income strategy and Social Security optimization, making him well-suited for high-net-worth retirees in Santa Cruz balancing income and asset preservation. Operating from Equitable Advisors, a large firm serving diverse clients, he offers flexible fee structures and access to multiple asset management programs, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower service models or smaller firm resources.
Experience: 0 years
Avg account: $609,299
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