The Value of Independent Financial Advice for Retirees

by | Dec 3, 2025 | Our Blogs

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Is Independent Financial Advice Valuable for Retirees?

Retirement isn’t about stopping. It’s about starting something new.

It marks the beginning of a chapter filled with possibilities: time freedom, travel, family, and purpose-driven living.

But these rewards don’t come automatically.

While around 60% of Americans invest in a retirement plan like a 401(k), IRA, or 403(b), many still worry whether they’ve saved enough.

And for the 20%-46% of those people who have no retirement savings at all, the future feels even more uncertain.

That’s why objective, independent financial advice matters, especially during retirement when your financial plan shifts from growing wealth to sustaining it.

Let’s explore why independent retirement guidance is so critical, who needs it most, and how to find the right advisor for your unique journey.

Table of Contents

What Is Independent Financial Advice?

Independent financial advisors aren’t tied to any specific product, company, or sales quota.

Instead, they offer objective advice based solely on your financial situation and goals.

At Concenture Wealth Management, our independence allows us to focus on what matters most…you.

We’re not influenced by commissions or constrained by limited offerings. We build customized strategies around your needs, not our bottom line.

And we do it through our Dynamic A.G.E. Approach to retirement planning:

  • Adaptable: Your plan grows and shifts as your life evolves.

  • Growth-Focused: Your investments aim to outpace inflation and market risk.

  • Ensured: Your strategy is designed to protect what you’ve worked for and sustain your lifestyle in the years ahead.

Is Retirement Planning Through an Independent Advisor Different?

Most retirement plans offered by big firms or employers tend to follow a one-size-fits-all playbook. But no two retirements look the same.

An independent advisor takes time to understand:

  • Your income needs and how they’ll change

  • Your vision for retirement and what matters most

  • Your tax situation and how to mitigate liabilities

  • Your healthcare concerns and estate planning goals

Instead of shoehorning your life into a templated model, we build a plan that reflects your specific values, risks, and ambitions.

Do I Need Personalized Retirement Advice?

Certain groups face especially steep retirement challenges that make the need for custom guidance even greater.

  • Pre-retirees in their 50s and 60s who are behind on savings or unsure how to convert assets into income.

  • Gen X professionals who feel the pressure of college costs, aging parents, and unclear retirement timelines.

  • Low and middle-income households where competing expenses make saving a struggle.

  • Women, who often retire with smaller savings due to wage gaps, caregiving roles, and fewer years in the workforce.

Each of these situations calls for more than just advice.

It requires a tailored strategy that bridges the gap between what’s saved and what’s needed.

What Are The Benefits Of Working With a Fiduciary Advisor?

Independent, fiduciary advisors are legally required to put your best interests first.

That translates into retirement strategies that help you:

  • Turn your assets into consistent, long-term income

  • Build a tax-efficient withdrawal plan

  • Protect your investments from downside risk

  • Coordinate Social Security, pensions, and other income streams

  • Navigate healthcare costs, legacy plans, and lifestyle goals

At Concenture, we don’t just give advice.

We become a partner in your retirement who listens to your goals, watches for risks, and adjusts your plan when life changes.

How Do I Build a Flexible Retirement Plan?

Retirement isn’t a straight line.

Markets fluctuate. Family needs change. Health events can arise.

That’s why your plan can’t be static. It needs to be flexible:

  • Account for early or delayed retirement options

  • Adjust withdrawal rates based on market conditions

  • Balance growth with protection against inflation

  • Reevaluate goals as your purpose and lifestyle evolve

Independent planning means you aren’t locked into a rigid structure.

Your advisor adapts the plan with you, so you stay confident no matter what the future brings.

How Do I Get Personalized Retirement Planning?

Retirement is a chapter you’ve earned.

But to live it fully, you need more than just savings. You need a strategy that connects your money to the life you want.

At Concenture Wealth Management, we specialize in helping people retire with clarity, confidence, and control.

We offer retirement planning that’s independent, fiduciary-aligned, and built around you.

Schedule a meeting today and discover how we can help design a plan that supports your next chapter with financial confidence and personal peace of mind.

About The Author

Robert G. Gilliland, CRPC®Managing Director and Senior Wealth Advisor

Robert’s professional journey seamlessly blends individual excellence with exceptional team-building skills. While earning his Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Stephen F. Austin State University, he financed his education by managing a restaurant franchise — a role that honed his abilities in time management, leadership, and financial oversight. At Merrill Lynch, Robert quickly distinguished himself through […]

Learn more about Robert
Legal Stuff

The information contained herein is intended to be used for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Diversification and/or any strategy that may be discussed does not guarantee against investment losses but are intended to help manage risk and return. If applicable, historical discussions and/or opinions are not predictive of future events. The content is presented in good faith and has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The content is not intended to be legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a legal, tax or financial professional for information specific to your individual situation. Material provided by Concenture Wealth Management.