Every service we offer exists to answer one question: are you going to be okay?

CalSTRS and CalPERS Retirement Planning

Your pension is the foundation of your retirement. But knowing what you're actually entitled to, when it makes sense to retire, and how your benefit gets calculated takes someone who actually knows these systems, not someone learning them on your dime.

I work with certificated employees under CalSTRS and classified employees under CalPERS. I help you understand your pension formula, model out different retirement scenarios, and make sure you're not leaving money on the table when the time comes.

The decisions you make at retirement around final compensation, survivor benefits, and whatever you've built up beyond your base pension don't get a do-over. I make sure you understand every option before you choose.

For Teachers (CalSTRS) →    For Classified Employees (CalPERS) →

403(b) and 457(b) Review and Management

Most teachers are contributing to a 403(b) without really knowing what it's costing them. High fees and complicated products built more around the seller's commission than your outcome are the norm in this market, not the exception.

I pull up what you have, break down what it's really costing you, and tell you straight what better looks like. If a rollover or restructure makes sense, I handle that too.

Most people never realize you can max out a 403(b) and a 457(b) in the same year, on top of catch-up contributions at 50 and super catch-up between 60 and 63. That's one of the more overlooked opportunities in teacher retirement planning, and I make sure clients don't miss it.

Retirement Income Planning

Getting to retirement is one thing. Making your money work for the rest of your life is another.

I build retirement income plans that map out every source of income you've got, your pension, Social Security if it applies, your 403(b) and 457(b), and anything else. I show you what retirement looks like in actual dollars, stress test it against different scenarios, and make sure the plan holds up over a 20, 30, even 40 year retirement.

This is where the bucket strategy comes in. Every dollar has a job and a purpose so that no matter what the market does you are not forced to make bad decisions at the wrong time.

Understanding sequence of return risk →    The longevity problem →

Pension Maximization

One of the most consequential and least understood decisions you will make at retirement is how your pension gets paid out. The right structure can mean tens of thousands of additional dollars in lifetime income. The wrong one can cost you and your spouse significantly.

I run the numbers, walk through every option, and when it makes sense, build a pension maximization strategy using life insurance, and sometimes annuities, so you can take the highest benefit while still protecting your spouse.

Learn more about pension maximization →

Tax Planning and Roth Conversions

The window between retirement and when required minimum distributions kick in is one of the most valuable tax planning opportunities you'll ever get. I help clients build multi-year Roth conversion strategies that cut down lifetime tax burden and dodge things like IRMAA surcharges and unexpected Social Security taxation.

Learn more about tax planning →

Investment Management

Ongoing fiduciary investment management built around your timeline, your goals, and your risk tolerance. No proprietary products, no hidden agendas. Just a portfolio built to do its job inside a bigger retirement plan.

I'm not chasing the highest possible return. I'm managing drawdowns and protecting what you've built, while still giving your money room to grow over a long retirement.

Client assets are held at Fidelity, an independent third-party custodian. I manage the portfolio, but I never take custody of your money, and you always have direct access to your own accounts.

Learn more about our investment approach →

Annuity Review and Planning

Whether you already own an annuity and want a second opinion, or you're just wondering if one belongs in your income plan, I'll give you a straight, independent read on it. I only work with A-rated carriers, and I only recommend an annuity when it actually solves a specific problem in your plan, not because it pays well.

Plenty of people come to me knowing something's off without knowing exactly what. That's normal. The initial assessment is built to give you a clear picture of where you stand and what needs a second look.

The honest truth about annuities →