Financial Advisors and Wealth Managers in Sebring, FL
Contact us today to learn more about what our award-winning team can do for you.
Our Sebring, FL Office
Contact
Phone: 863.417.4968
Location
145 W. Center Ave.
Sebring, FL 33870
Business Hours
Mon - Fri (8:00AM - 5:00PM)
Sat - Sun (Closed)
Our Team
Mark Burnam
Wealth Manager
Ryan Fitch
Client Service Manager
Mike Fitch
Wealth Manager, Partner
Christine Phillips
Client Service Associate
Sarah Fitch
Senior Client Service Manager
Wealth Management for Florida’s First Responders
Tailored financial plans that cater to your unique needs and goals
Professional guidance and strategies backed by years of industry experience
Wide range of services, including retirement planning, investment management, and tax planning
The Details
Financial Planning for First Responders and Their Families
At Merit Financial Advisors, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with a career in public safety. For over 20 years, we've worked closely with first responders, including firefighters, police officers, EMTs, and state troopers, helping them and their families navigate the complexities of financial planning.
From variable shift work and early retirement options to pension coordination and overtime-heavy income structures, we’ve built our planning process around the realities of first responder life. We begin by assessing your current financial position and then develop a customized strategy that accounts for your service benefits, retirement timeline, and long-term family goals.
Whether you're investing for retirement, planning for college, or preparing for life beyond the firehouse, our advisors provide ongoing support and fine-tune your plan as your career and life evolve. We help ensure that your financial strategy reflects the risks you face and the stability your family needs, just like every shift requires the right gear, every stage of life demands the right financial plan.
Specialized Financial Planning for Firefighters and First Responders
At Merit Financial Advisors, we provide financial guidance built on over 25 years of experience working with the firefighting and first responder community. We understand the intricacies of your benefits, the physical demands of the job, and the importance of protecting your family’s future. That’s why we offer a full suite of services tailored to the unique needs of fire service professionals, including seamless coordination of FRS, municipal pension plans, and DROP paperwork.
- Retirement Planning: From understanding your pension options and DROP timelines to estimating future expenses based on your shift schedule and career trajectory, we help first responders plan for a secure and confident retirement. Whether you're early in your career or approaching your final alarm, we guide you every step of the way.
- Financial Planning: We take a big-picture view of your financial health, including overtime-based income, shift differentials, and early retirement factors, while helping you budget, save, and manage debt. Our goal is to help you build lasting financial stability for yourself and your loved ones.
- Wealth Management: Your investment strategy should work as hard as you do. We create personalized portfolios that aim to grow and protect your wealth, adjusting as needed based on market conditions, your goals, and career milestones like promotions or service anniversaries.
- Estate Planning: We work with you to put the right legal documents in place, wills, trusts, healthcare proxies—so that your family is protected and your wishes are honored, especially in a profession where risk is part of the job.
- Insurance Planning (if needed): We help assess your exposure and make sure you have the right coverage in place. From life and disability insurance to long-term care solutions, we ensure you and your family are financially shielded from the unexpected.
Why First Responders Need a Specialized Financial Advisor
We’ve spent over 25 years working closely with firefighters and other first responders. We understand the unique demands of your career, long shifts, early retirement options, pension complexities, and the ever-present need to protect your family’s future. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of public safety professionals navigate the financial road ahead with confidence and clarity. Here's why working with a specialized advisor matters:
- Deep Experience in First Responder Finances: We know the ins and outs of public sector benefits, including pensions, DROP programs, 457(b) plans, and survivor benefits. Our experience means we’ve already solved many of the challenges you’re likely to face, and we’re ready with proven strategies.
- Customized Financial Strategies: No two first responder careers are the same, and neither are the financial plans that support them. We build personalized plans that reflect your specific goals, benefits, risks, and family dynamics.
- Access to the Right Tools: We bring access to a full range of financial solutions, from advanced investment strategies to estate planning resources, all tailored to the realities of first responder life and income structure.
- Consistent, Ongoing Guidance: Your life and career will evolve, your financial plan should, too. We provide continuous support and make proactive adjustments to keep you aligned with your goals through every promotion, move, or transition into retirement.
- A Commitment to Those Who Serve: You’ve dedicated your career to protecting others. We’re committed to helping protect your financial future with the same level of care and dedication. Our personalized service is built on relationships, trust, and a deep respect for the sacrifices you and your family make every day.
Overview of Merit Financial Advisors
Merit Financial Advisors seek to enrich clients' lives with personalized financial planning and wealth management. Our team includes CFP®s and CFA®s who excel in managing complex portfolios, optimizing taxes, and developing estate plans. We provide detailed, tailored plans addressing all aspects of your financial life, ensuring your success with confidence and clarity.
Merit’s Service Areas Outside of Sebring, FL
Our service areas include:
- Avon Park
- Lake Wales
- Bartow
- Winter Haven
- Haines City
- Lakeland Highlands
- Lakeland
- Winston
- Saint Cloud
- Port Charlotte
- Plant City
- Orlando
- Ocala
- Tampa
- Melbourne
- Sarasota
- Fort Myers
- Naples
- Coral Gables
- Miami
- Fort Lauderdale
- West Palm Beach
- Vero Beach
- Boca Raton
Pursue Financial Success with Merit—Built for First Responders
At Merit Financial Advisors, we’ve spent more than two decades helping first responders, especially Florida firefighters, police officers, and EMTs, build lasting financial security. We understand the demands of your profession, the structure of your benefits, and the importance of protecting your family’s future.
Our Sebring-based team specializes in advanced retirement planning for Florida first responders, including DROP coordination, FRS navigation, and pension maximization. We combine this with personalized investment management, tax-smart strategies, and thoughtful estate planning to help you make the most of every paycheck and every year of service.
When you partner with Merit, you’re not just getting financial advice, you’re gaining a trusted team with deep experience in the issues that matter most to those who serve. We deliver customized financial strategies, ongoing support, and the peace of mind that comes from having a plan built just for you and your family.
Our Financial Solutions
Financial Planning
We create personalized financial plans that adapt to your life’s twists and turns. By understanding your unique needs, we help you make smart decisions that support your goals now and in the future.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management strategies are all about growing and protecting your assets. We’ll work together to build a plan that makes sense for you, so you can confidently navigate the ups and downs of the market.
Life Transitions
Life is constantly changing, but that doesn't mean your financial goals have to. Whether it’s retirement, divorce, a career change, or widowhood, our team is here, ready to tackle whatever transition you are preparing for or already are experiencing.
Insurance Planning
Life happens—our insurance planning services help protect what matters most. We’ll find the right solutions to safeguard your assets and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
For Businesses
Running your business is both a joy and a challenge that deserves careful planning and guidance. We’ll work closely with you to understand your business’s unique challenges and opportunities and offer customized strategies to address them.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Merit Financial Advisors, we specialize in managing complex financial portfolios. Our team of experts uses a comprehensive approach to provide sophisticated solutions tailored to your diverse investment, business, and real estate holdings. We ensure every aspect of your wealth is strategically managed to meet your unique needs.
