A Lakeland Financial Advisor Who Knows This Community
Lakeland is one of Central Florida's most established retirement destinations — and the financial decisions you're facing here deserve an advisor who understands the area, not just a zip code. Thomas Advisory Services is based in Winter Haven, roughly 20 minutes from most Lakeland neighborhoods, and we serve clients across Polk County and beyond.
Close Enough to Meet In Person, Flexible Enough for Remote
Our office at 141 W Central Ave in Winter Haven is an easy drive from Lake Hollingsworth, Carillon Lakes, Lake Gibson, and the Lakeland historic downtown. If you'd rather meet over the phone or video, we handle that too. What we don't do is make you feel like a distant client — whether you're sitting across the table from us or connecting from home, you get the same level of attention.
Retirement Planning Built Around Lakeland's Retiree Community
Lakeland has long attracted retirees — from the quiet streets near Florida Southern College to the active adult communities around Lake Gibson and Carillon Lakes. Many of our Lakeland clients are making the transition from a career to a fixed income and need a plan that holds up when markets get rough. Retirement planning means building an income strategy that covers your costs, accounts for inflation, and doesn't leave you dependent on market performance in years when you can't afford a loss.
We work with pre-retirees planning their exit from work and retirees already drawing income who want to make sure their money lasts. If you're in that window — roughly 5 years out from retirement or already there — we'd like to talk.
Medicare Planning That Works With Your Doctors
Lakeland Regional Health is one of the most important institutions in Polk County, and for many of our clients, staying in network with their existing care team is a non-negotiable. Medicare supplement planning isn't just about premiums — it's about making sure the plan you choose covers the providers, hospitals, and prescriptions you're already using.
We evaluate Medicare options based on your specific situation: your doctors, your medications, and your proximity to facilities like Lakeland Regional. The goal is a plan that fits your life, not one that looks good on paper until you actually need it.
What We Help Lakeland Clients With
We work with clients across four core areas:
- Retirement Planning — Income strategies for pre-retirees and retirees, including Social Security timing, withdrawal sequencing, and inflation planning. Learn more about retirement planning.
- Wealth Management — Active portfolio management based on economic fundamentals, not static allocations that ignore what's happening in the market.
- Insurance Planning — Fixed index annuities, life insurance, long-term care strategies, and Medicare supplement coverage evaluated together, not in isolation.
- Estate Planning — Organizing your assets so they transfer the way you intend, with less friction and fewer surprises for the people you leave them to.
One Advisor, Anywhere in Florida
Some Lakeland residents split time between Central Florida and another part of the state, or plan to relocate down the road. Because we serve clients remotely across all of Florida, a move within the state doesn't mean starting over with a new advisor. Your financial plan, your account history, and your relationship with us travels with you. That continuity matters more than most people realize until they need it.
Why Clients in Lakeland Choose Thomas Advisory Services
How far is your office from Lakeland?
Our Winter Haven office is approximately 20 minutes from most Lakeland neighborhoods, including Carillon Lakes, Lake Gibson, and the downtown area. In-person meetings are easy to arrange, and we also meet with clients by phone or video when that's more convenient.Can you help me choose a Medicare plan that covers Lakeland Regional Health?
Yes. We evaluate Medicare supplement options based on your specific providers, including Lakeland Regional and other Polk County facilities. The goal is to match you with a plan that fits your existing care team and prescription needs, not just a plan with a low premium.What's the difference between a financial advisor and a retirement planner?
A financial advisor is a broad term that covers investment management, tax strategy, insurance, and more. A retirement planner focuses specifically on the income, healthcare, and estate decisions that matter most in the years before and after you stop working. We do both, with a focus on clients in or near retirement.What if I move to another part of Florida later — will I need a new advisor?
No. We serve clients across the entire state of Florida, so if you relocate within Florida, your relationship with us continues without interruption. Your plan and your history stay intact.Do you work with surviving spouses who've inherited accounts or annuities?
We do. Inheriting a spouse's financial accounts can be overwhelming, especially when decisions need to be made quickly. We help surviving spouses understand what they've inherited, what their options are, and how to build a plan that fits their situation going forward.
Ready to Talk With a Financial Advisor Near Lakeland?
- 30+ years in financial services, practicing since 1991
- Author of Wealth Beyond Work, a published guide to retirement income strategy
- Client assets held at Charles Schwab — an independent custodian with no proprietary products to push
- Hybrid long-term care strategies that don't lapse the way standalone LTC policies can
- Available 24/7 for clients with urgent financial or insurance questions
- Serving Lakeland, Winter Haven, and clients across Central Florida and the state
Thomas Advisory Services has worked with families across Central Florida for more than three decades. If you're approaching retirement or already there, and you want a financial advisor who's close enough to meet in person and experienced enough to handle what comes next, we're ready to help. Call us at (863) 207-0883 or use the form below to schedule a consultation at your convenience.