Houston Retirement Planning - Totus WM

Customized Houston Retirement Planning and Strategies

Totus Wealth Management is a leading Houston retirement planning firm. Led by James Starnes, an experienced financial planner with more than a decade of financial and retirement planning experience, Totus offers comprehensive, collaborative, and independent advising services. As an independent firm, we have the freedom to create customized retirement strategies that meet your unique needs and goals. Our personalized approach helps to ensure you can reach a comfortable retirement based on your individual circumstances.

Why Work with a Prominent Houston Retirement Planning Firm?

Conveniently located in Houston at 701 North Post Oak Rd, Suite 320, we understand the local market, its specific challenges and opportunities and how they might impact the totality of your financial portfolio, especially as they apply to retirement planning. We are accessible and ready to provide professional retirement guidance to individuals in Houston and the surrounding areas.

As a focused and growing brand network for Cetera, we have the connections, resources and total network to provide personalized recommendations to every client. We are backed by partnerships with premier broker-dealer, Cetera Advisors, and securities services provider, Pershing LLC, giving us access to cutting-edge technology, industry insights, and a robust network of resources. These partnerships enhance our knowledge and the overall retirement planning experience.

Your Houston Retirement Planning Firm

Our team and affiliated advisors are proud to possess a wide variety of credentials that set Totus apart from other Houston retirement planning firms. These credentials and certifications include:

Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®)
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)
Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF)
Life and Annuity Certified Professional (LACP)
Certified Long-Term Care (CLTC)
Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS)
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA)
Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor (APMA)

Our Houston Retirement Planning Services

All clients want to make smart decisions and are concerned with planning for retirement and ensuring their wealth will last. Totus Wealth Management offers comprehensive strategies to help clients live the life they can imagine, both today and tomorrow.

Financial Planning

We work with you for years through planning and goal development to develop a plan you are confident in and that allows you to stay the course to financial independence. We give people more confidence knowing we are pursuing the best course of action for their lives.

Estate & Legacy Planning

Everyone has an estate of some kind and we encourage our clients to discuss building a plan to minimize taxes and ensure your wealth transfers in a way you would like. We want to help you plan for the transition of your assets and ensure minimal impact from taxes and fees.

Insurance & Protection

Insurance can be important to protect your loved ones in the event of your death, illness or disability. We offer an array of insurance products, including term life, whole life, universal life, variable life, survivorship, single premium, long-term care and disability income insurance.

Tax Strategies

Our team works with you to develop strategies that minimize your tax liabilities while aligning with your overall financial goals. We help you navigate tax regulations, optimize your returns, and implement proactive plans that keep more of your hard-earned money working for you.

Investment Management

We employ a disciplined, research-driven strategy to build and manage a diversified portfolio that seeks to maximize returns while minimizing risk. We continuously monitor and adjust your investments, ensuring they remain aligned with your objectives and market conditions.

Family Financial Planning

From family circumstance changes, like a new child or a divorce, to college planning, we help you determine the life you want to live today and tomorrow. We help determine why you want to invest, how to manage your wealth, and how to plan and save for the future you want to live.

Frequently Asked Questions

Clients come to us with a lot of questions, and they often sound different depending on how close they are to retirement. Here are some common questions we get asked by clients nearing or living in retirement:

Planning for Retirement

How do I manage paying down my other debt while also saving for retirement?
What should my goals be for retirement savings?
Should I max out my employer matching contributions to my workplace retirement plan?
What’s an appropriate investment strategy for my current life stage?
How should I save for college education?
How can I work the care of my aging parents into my financial plans?

Nearing Retirement

How should I change my investment strategy for my upcoming retirement?
Will my current savings be able to support the lifestyle I desire?
What are my retirement income streams?
How can I plan to live the lifestyle I want while supporting my loved ones?
When should I start using my Social Security benefits?

Living in Retirement

What should my monthly budget be, now that I’m retired?
Do I have enough money saved to maintain my lifestyle and still leave a legacy for my loved ones?
How should I make changes to my investment portfolio, and when should I make them?
What should I do with the funds in my workplace retirement accounts?
How should I take my pension distribution? How can I maximize my Social Security benefits?

Prepare to Live and Thrive in Retirement with Totus Wealth Management

If you are interested in professional retirement planning and guidance built around the totality of your financial portfolio and your personal retirement goals, call the Totus Wealth Management Houston office at 832.220.3602, or request a consultation online today!

Contact Us

Frequently Asked Questions About Retirement Planning In Houston

When should I start planning for retirement in Houston?

Quick Answer: It’s best to start planning as early as possible to give yourself more options and flexibility.  The sooner you begin, the more flexibility you will have.

Whether you are early in your career or approaching retirement, Houston’s job market and relatively affordable cost of living make it possible to build a strong retirement foundation at any stage. Totus Wealth Management can help you create a plan that fits your income, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

How much money do I need to retire comfortably in Houston?

Quick Answer: The amount you need depends on your lifestyle, housing, and healthcare plans.

Houston generally offers a lower cost of living than many large cities, but the amount you need will depend on your lifestyle, housing choices, and healthcare needs. Our team analyzes your personal spending, investment goals, and expected inflation to help you identify a realistic number for a confident retirement in Houston.

How can I make sure my retirement income lasts throughout my lifetime?

Quick Answer: Create a coordinated income strategy that aligns all your retirement resources.

We design income strategies that coordinate your Social Security, pensions, investments, and other assets. For Houston retirees, this includes considering local property taxes, healthcare expenses, and future housing or relocation plans. Our goal is to help you maintain financial stability and flexibility throughout retirement.

What is the benefit of working with a local Houston retirement planner?

Quick Answer: A local advisor understands Houston’s economy, taxes, and cost-of-living factors.

A Houston-based advisor understands the city’s economy, housing market, and state tax advantages. Totus Wealth Management’s office on North Post Oak Rd allows you to meet with us locally and receive advice that reflects the realities of living and retiring in the Houston area.

How do Texas taxes impact my retirement plan?

Quick Answer: Texas has no state income tax, but you should still plan for property and sales taxes.

Texas does not have a state income tax, which can be a major advantage during retirement. However, Houston residents still need to plan for property taxes, sales taxes, and taxes on investment income. Our advisors help you structure withdrawals and allocate assets so you can make the most of Texas’s tax-friendly environment.

When should I claim Social Security benefits?

Quick Answer: The best time to claim depends on your age, income needs, and marital status.

The best time to claim benefits depends on your age, marital status, and income needs. We work with Houston-area retirees to evaluate your options and determine whether claiming early, at full retirement age, or later will best support your lifestyle and long-term financial plan.