Question 1

Do you specialize in working with career military officers transitioning out of service?

Accepted Answer

Yes. While we work with a range of Clients, we work with many career military officers retiring after 20-plus years of service, as well as their families. These are Clients facing a specific set of one-time decisions, like a pension election, a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) choice, and what to do with a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) balance, and can benefit from planning built around a military-to-civilian transition rather than a general financial plan.

Question 2

What services do you offer for retiring military officers?

Accepted Answer

We provide financial planning and investment management built around income strategy, tax planning, Social Security planning, and estate and risk planning. For military Clients, that often includes comparing pension and SBP election options, deciding whether to keep or roll a TSP balance, and planning around a civilian paycheck when that's part of the picture. We coordinate income, taxes, and investments so they work together rather than being handled separately.

Question 3

What is a fiduciary, and is Occidental Asset Management one?

Accepted Answer

A fiduciary is legally required to act in a Client's best interest, rather than recommend products that pay the advisor more. Occidental Asset Management is a fiduciary, fee-only registered investment advisor (RIA), meaning we do not receive commissions or outside compensation. This applies throughout our planning, including pension, SBP, and TSP decisions, where the recommendation should reflect your situation, not a product's payout.

Question 4

How is Occidental Asset Management compensated?

Accepted Answer

Occidental Asset Management is fee-only. We are paid directly by our Clients and do not earn commissions or accept compensation from outside institutions for the recommendations we make. That structure is designed to keep advice focused on your transition and your goals rather than any product sale.

Question 5

What minimum asset level is required to become a client?

Accepted Answer

Occidental Asset Management generally works with Clients who have at least $500,000 in investable assets. For many officers, this level is reached through a combination of TSP balances, other savings, a civilian employer's retirement plan, and sometimes a spouse's retirement accounts, so it can be worth having a conversation even if your assets are spread across several accounts.

Question 6

What is a Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), and how does it affect my spouse?

Accepted Answer

The Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) is an optional military pension election that continues a portion of your retired pay to your spouse after your death, in exchange for a reduction to your pension while you are alive. The decision is generally irreversible once made, so it deserves a close look at your other assets and income sources before you elect it. We help retiring officers weigh the SBP alongside other survivor income options, like TSP balances and life insurance, so the choice fits the bigger picture.

Question 7

Should I keep my Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) or roll it over when I retire?

Accepted Answer

Whether to keep your TSP in place or roll it into an IRA depends on factors such as investment options, fees, and how the balance fits with your broader retirement income plan. Neither option is automatically better, and the right choice depends on your financial picture and the timeline for your next paycheck. We walk through the trade-offs of each option as part of transition planning.

Question 8

How will my taxes change once a civilian salary is added to my pension?

Accepted Answer

Adding a civilian or defense-contractor salary on top of a military pension can push retiring officers into a higher tax bracket than they expect, especially in the first year of dual income. Planning ahead, through withholding adjustments, retirement account contributions, or timing decisions, can help manage that impact before it shows up at tax time. This is a common issue we help retiring officers plan for during their transition year.

Question 9

Do you help decide whether to return to work after leaving the military?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many retiring officers consider a return to aviation, a defense-contractor role, or a slower-paced position, and each option affects income, taxes, and how long a portfolio needs to last. We model these different paths against your pension, TSP, and savings so you can see the trade-offs before committing to one.

Question 10

Where is Occidental Asset Management located?

Accepted Answer

Occidental Asset Management has locations in Burlingame and San Francisco, California; Boulder, Colorado; Altamonte Springs (Orlando), Florida; Bellevue (Seattle), Washington; and Lihue, Hawaii. Because military officers often relocate during and after their transition, we also serve Clients nationwide through virtual meetings.

Question 11

Do you offer an initial consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer an introductory call to discuss your situation, concerns, upcoming decisions, and whether our approach is a good match before any commitment is made. This is a chance to ask questions about the pension election, SBP, TSP, or anything else on your mind.

Trusted Guidance for the Road Ahead

Meet Your SmartVestor Pros

James Griffin, MBA, CFP®
Managing Principal

Andrew Hicks, J.D.
Financial Planner

What It Means to Be a SmartVestor Pro

Manuel Ortiz, MBA, CFP®
Managing Principal

Geovanni James, CFP®
Financial Planner

What to Expect

1

2

3

Who We Typically Serve

Memberships & Associations