Top social Security optimization financial advisors in South Bend, IN

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. Ask how they tailor claiming ages and benefit types to your unique work history and family situation.
  • Coordination with retirement income. Confirm they integrate Social Security timing with your other income sources to avoid unexpected tax hits.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Ensure they understand the nuances of these benefits and how to optimize them for your household.
  • State tax considerations. Since Indiana has a flat income tax and lower living costs, check how they factor this into your overall Social Security plan.

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

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Joseph C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

South Bend, IN

Harbour Investments, Inc.

Joseph Catanzarite is a CFP® with 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Harbour Investments, Inc. since 2012 and previously worked at Lincoln Investment and Capital Analysts Inc. He also operates an independent insurance agency focused on equity indexed annuities. Harbour Investments serves a diverse client base including individuals, trusts, pension and 401(k) plans, and institutions. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services, utilizing varied investment approaches tailored by individual advisers and approved third-party managers.

Annuities Options & derivatives strategies
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Richard M

Series 63

South Bend, IN

Pennfield Capital Corp

Richard Mock is a financial advisor at Pennfield Capital Corp with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Pennfield Capital Corp since 1990. Pennfield Capital Corp is a small firm with two advisors, providing supported firm services.

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Marlin S

CFP®, Series 63

South Bend, IN

Creative Financial Planning Advisors, Inc.

Marlin Schmidt is a CFP® professional with 50 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Creative Financial Planning Advisors, Inc., where he has worked since 2018. Prior to that, he spent over 17 years at Questar Capital Corporation and 13 years at Questar Asset Management. Outside of his advisory role, Schmidt teaches jogging and fitness classes at Indiana University South Bend, donating his salary to the university foundation. Creative Financial Planning Advisors, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management primarily to medium- to high-net-worth individuals and family groups, as well as trusts, IRAs, corporations, and not-for-profit organizations. The firm uses fundamental analysis and third-party research to build individualized portfolios and offers a range of financial planning services including retirement, tax, and estate planning.

General retirement planning General tax planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Widow/Widower
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Eric K

Series 63, Series 65

South Bend, IN

Kestrel Wealth Management, LLC

Eric Koselak is a financial advisor with Kestrel Wealth Management, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 15 years of industry experience. He has been with Kestrel Wealth Management since 2010. Kestrel Wealth Management serves individual clients, trusts, estates, small businesses, and charities, providing discretionary asset management and financial planning. The firm combines fundamental and cyclical analysis in an active management approach, including strategies such as rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and the use of derivatives, while maintaining policies to mitigate conflicts of interest.

Active portfolio management
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Shirley M

Series 63

South Bend, IN

Ameriprise

Shirley Myers is a financial advisor at Ameriprise with 37 years of industry experience. She holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Ameriprise since 2005. Ameriprise offers a retirement-income planning service designed for individuals approaching or in retirement who meet specific eligibility criteria, providing written Recommendation Reports that address income sources, Social Security options, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies. The firm combines research, modeling, and tax-efficiency analysis to deliver tailored retirement planning through a centralized consulting team.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Social Security optimization Retirement withdrawal strategies Approaching retirement
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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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