A Financial Advisor for Tampa Retirees Who Want More Than a Generic Plan

Retirement in Tampa looks different from retirement anywhere else — and your financial plan should reflect that. At Thomas Advisory Services, we work with pre-retirees and retirees across the greater Tampa area, from South Tampa and Carrollwood to Westchase, New Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview. Whether you'd prefer to meet in person at our Winter Haven office or work with us remotely by phone or video, we're ready to build a plan around your actual life.

Why Tampa Retirees Come to Us

Tampa draws retirees from across the country — transplants from the Northeast and Midwest, military families connected to MacDill Air Force Base, and longtime Floridians who've spent decades building toward this moment. What they share is a need for guidance that accounts for the full picture: income, healthcare, property, storm exposure, and the tax landscape that comes with Florida residency.

 

With more than 30 years in financial services, Allen Thomas has worked with clients navigating all of these realities. He's also the author of Wealth Beyond Work, a published guide to retirement income strategy that reflects the same plain-spoken, fundamentals-driven approach we bring to every client relationship.

Military Retirement Doesn't Have to Be a Planning Puzzle

Tampa's connection to MacDill AFB means a significant share of the local retiree population has military pension income, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) elections, VA healthcare, TRICARE, or TRICARE for Life in the mix. These benefits are valuable — but they interact with civilian retirement assets in ways that catch people off guard.

 

We help military retirees build one integrated picture. That means understanding how your pension and SBP fit alongside Social Security, what role TRICARE plays in your overall healthcare coverage, and how to structure any additional assets so they're working together rather than in parallel. Military retirement, civilian planning — one coordinated plan.

Hurricane-Aware Planning Is Part of the Job Here

For Tampa retirees, storm season isn't a background concern — it's a financial planning variable. Emergency liquidity, insurance coverage layers, evacuation costs, and the possibility of property damage are all real factors that belong inside a well-built retirement plan.

 

We build these realities into the plan from the start rather than treating them as separate issues to handle later. That includes reviewing how flood and hurricane insurance coverage interacts with your broader financial picture, making sure you have accessible reserves when you need them, and structuring your income so a difficult storm season doesn't force decisions you'd rather not make.

Still Own Property Up North? We Can Help You Think It Through

Many Tampa retirees made the move from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, or Michigan — but the move doesn't always fully end. A rental property, a family home waiting to sell, or a vacation place you're not ready to let go creates real complexity: multi-state taxes, residency documentation, estate considerations, and decisions that affect your overall financial position.

 

We coordinate with your CPA and attorney on the property and residency questions that come with a Florida relocation. Florida residency, out-of-state property, one coordinated plan — we've helped clients work through exactly this, and we know what questions to ask.

Retirement Planning Services for Tampa Residents

We offer the full range of retirement and financial planning services to clients in the Tampa area. Every engagement starts with understanding where you are and what you're trying to accomplish — not with a product recommendation.

 

  • Retirement Planning — income strategy, Social Security timing, and distribution planning built around your specific numbers
  • Wealth Management — active, fundamentals-based management of your investment assets, held at Charles Schwab as independent custodian
  • Insurance Planning — fixed index annuities, life insurance, long-term care strategies, and Medicare supplement planning
  • Estate Planning — coordinating beneficiary designations, titling, and legacy goals alongside your retirement income plan

Questions Tampa Residents Ask Us

  • Do you work with clients in Tampa, or only in Winter Haven?
    We work with clients across the greater Tampa area and throughout Florida. Many Tampa clients prefer to meet remotely by phone or video, though you're always welcome to visit our Winter Haven office in person. Distance has never been a barrier to getting a solid plan in place.
  • Can you help me understand how my military pension and TRICARE fit into my overall retirement plan?
    Yes — this is something we work through regularly with clients connected to MacDill and other military installations. We help you see how your pension, SBP, TRICARE or TRICARE for Life, and any civilian assets fit together, so you're making decisions with the full picture in front of you.
  • Should hurricane risk factor into my retirement financial plan?
    It should, and we build it in. That means reviewing your insurance layers, making sure you have accessible reserves for an emergency, and structuring your income in a way that gives you flexibility when storm-related disruptions happen. Florida retirement planning that ignores storm season isn't complete planning.
  • I still own a home in another state. Does that create tax or estate planning complications?
    It can, depending on the state and how the property is titled. We work with your CPA and attorney to make sure your Florida residency is properly established and that your out-of-state property is accounted for in your overall estate and financial plan. These situations are common among Tampa retirees, and they're manageable with the right coordination.
  • What does a first consultation with Thomas Advisory Services look like?
    It's a straightforward conversation — we ask about your current situation, your timeline, and what's keeping you up at night about retirement. There's no sales pressure and no obligation. Our goal is to give you clarity on where you stand and what options are worth considering.

Serving Tampa and the Surrounding Area

Thomas Advisory Services is based in Winter Haven, Florida, and serves clients across the greater Tampa metro — including South Tampa, Carrollwood, Westchase, New Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview. Allen Thomas has been in financial services since 1991 and brings that depth of experience to every client relationship, whether you're just beginning to plan your retirement or already living it.

 

Client assets are held at Charles Schwab, an independent custodian, and every plan is built around your goals — not a product lineup. If you're looking for a financial advisor in Tampa who will take the time to understand your full situation, we'd be glad to talk.