Top social Security optimization financial advisors in State College, PA

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 monthly 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 other income. Confirm they consider how Social Security interacts with your other retirement income sources to avoid unexpected tax consequences.
  • State tax implications. Since retirement income is generally exempt from state income tax in Pennsylvania, check how they factor this into your overall plan.
  • Spousal and survivor benefits. Ensure they evaluate these options thoroughly to enhance your household's total Social Security income.

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

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Donald C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

State College, PA

Mercer Global Advisors Inc.

Donald Calcagni is a CFP® professional with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving at Mercer Global Advisors Inc. since 2015. He is a member of the Advisory Council for CAIS Capital LLC, providing guidance on product design and development, and chairs the Finance Committee for the Lock Haven University Foundation, advising on its finances and investment portfolio. Mercer Global Advisors offers investment advisory and planning services to individuals, families, business owners, and nonprofit organizations, employing a globally diversified, risk-appropriate investment approach grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory. The firm provides a range of portfolio management and planning services, supported by various implementation options and a public content program including podcasts and market commentary.

Private / alternative investments Options & derivatives strategies ESG / Sustainable investing Concentrated stock management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive Retired Women Professionals Established Professionals
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Matthew G

CFP®, ChFC®, Series 63, Series 66

State College, PA

Edward Jones

Matthew Gaul is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in State College, PA, holding CFP® and ChFC® designations. He has 21 years of industry experience, including prior roles at MML Investors Services Inc and Mass Mutual. Outside of his advisory career, he co-owns and operates two gyms, CrossFit Lionheart and Blue/White Strength, in State College. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients with a range of advisory programs, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds. The firm manages over $1 trillion in assets and maintains a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Alexander F

CFA®, Series 63, Series 65

State College, PA

Fratti Investment Management

Alexander Fratti is a CFA charterholder and principal of Fratti Investment Management in State College, PA, with four years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at RKL, Boyer & Ritter, Alvarez & Marsal, VRC, and Wells Fargo. Outside of investment advisory, he manages a management consulting business serving private companies. Fratti Investment Management provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, banks, and small businesses. The firm employs a bottom-up, fundamentals-driven investment process focused on U.S. exchange-listed equities, emphasizing a contrarian, concentrated core strategy primarily targeting small- and micro-cap securities.

Active portfolio management
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Douglas G

Series 63, Series 65

State College, PA

SPC

Douglas Garban is a financial advisor with SPC in State College, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Bank of America, Merrill, and Regulus Advisors. He operates Garban Wealth Management, offering financial services in addition to his advisory role. SPC serves a diverse client base including high-net-worth individuals, charitable organizations, corporations, and retirement plans, managing approximately $5.66 billion in assets. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and ERISA-related retirement plan services through a network of over 460 advisors.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retirement income strategy Income planning General estate planning guidance Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive
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Lisa W

State College, PA

World Capital Advisors, LLC

Lisa Weaver is the sole advisor at World Capital Advisors, LLC, an independent firm based in State College, PA. She holds 14 years of industry experience and has been affiliated with Fleck & Associates since 2001. In addition to her advisory role, she is co-owner of Lifestyle Retirement Company, which provides third-party administration services to qualified employer retirement benefit plans. World Capital Advisors offers investment advice, asset management, and fee-based financial planning to individuals, trusts, estates, retirement accounts, qualified pension and profit plans, and business entities. The firm utilizes third-party managers and advisory programs, conducting annual reviews and employing a combination of fundamental, technical, and charting analyses.

Business succession planning General estate planning guidance
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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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