Seasoned, general retirement planning financial advisors in Santa Monica, 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 general retirement planning advisor when you're approaching retirement and need to coordinate income, taxes, and spending to make your savings last. A common mistake is underestimating how state-specific factors like California's high income taxes and property tax limits affect your long-term plan.
- Experience with California tax nuances. Confirm how they incorporate state income tax and Proposition 13 property tax limits into your retirement income strategy.
- Income and spending balance. Ask how they help manage withdrawals to avoid running out of money while maintaining your lifestyle.
- Social Security timing. Inquire about their approach to deciding when to claim benefits for maximum impact.
- Legacy and estate considerations. See if they discuss how your retirement plan fits with your goals for passing assets to heirs.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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George G
CFP®, Series 66
Santa Monica, CA
Guttman Financial Planning
George Guttman offers seasoned expertise in general retirement planning with over 20 years of experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to address California-specific tax nuances and retirement income strategies. His firm serves primarily individual clients, focusing on comprehensive planning including tax, estate, and college funding, with a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach and a fee of 1.25% AUM or $320 hourly, distinguishing him from advisors with different fee structures or investment styles.
Experience: 21 years
Avg account: $153,127
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Daniel S
CFP®
Santa Monica, CA
Daniel M.. Stern, LLC
Daniel Stern specializes in general retirement planning with 23 years of experience in Santa Monica, CA, adept at integrating California's tax nuances and managing income and spending balance. His independent firm offers flat-fee, hourly financial planning with a long-term, passive investment approach using low-cost index funds, distinguishing him from advisors with larger client loads or different fee structures.
Experience: 23 years
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Thalia M
Series 63
Santa Monica, CA
Planmember Securities Corporation
Thalia Montiel offers seasoned expertise in general retirement planning with 36 years of experience in Santa Monica, CA, focusing on retirement income strategy and plans for business owners. Affiliated with PlanMember Securities Corporation, a large firm providing ERISA fiduciary services and risk-based portfolio management, she combines deep industry knowledge with a structured asset allocation approach, differentiating her from advisors at smaller firms or with less comprehensive plan support.
Experience: 36 years
Avg account: $132,363
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Michael C
Series 63, Series 65
Santa Monica, CA
Merrill
Michael Cooper offers seasoned expertise in general retirement planning with 38 years of experience at Merrill in Santa Monica, CA, focusing on income planning and tax-loss harvesting. He serves mid-career and established professionals, including educators and entertainment industry clients, applying a team-based approach and charging a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies under $2 million, which may differ from other local advisors.
Experience: 39 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Nigel T
Series 63
Santa Monica, CA
Taylor & Associates
Nigel Taylor's 21 years of experience and focus on general retirement planning in Santa Monica make him well-equipped to address California-specific tax considerations and retirement income strategies. His independent practice offers flexible hourly planning fees and a long-term, buy-and-hold investment approach, distinguishing him from advisors with discretionary accounts or different fee structures.
Experience: 22 years
Avg account: $1,301,469
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