Retirement Planning & Financial Advisor in Laguna Hills, CA
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser based in neighboring Laguna Niguel, serving Laguna Hills and South Orange County. Patrick Thompson, AWMA®, helps couples and individuals coordinate retirement dates, Social Security, taxes, and Medicare. Every strategy involves trade-offs, which are described in Form ADV Part 2A.
Information on this page reflects information as of October 2026 and is educational only.
Retirement planning in Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills borders Laguna Niguel, so our office is close by for many residents. About one in five Laguna Hills residents is 65 or older, so questions about retirement timing, Social Security, and health coverage come up often, and for couples they are shared decisions.
Laguna Hills at a glance
- Estimated population: 30,020 (July 1, 2025)
- Residents age 65 or older: 20.1% (United States: 18.9%)
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 70.0%
- Median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,012,300
- Median household income: $128,851
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Laguna Hills city. Population is the July 1, 2025 estimate; other figures are 2020-2024 estimates. These figures describe the whole city. They are not statements about Sentient Financial's clients or about your own situation.
Coordinating two retirement dates and two Social Security claims
When two people approach retirement, the order matters. One spouse may keep working while the other retires, which can delay withdrawals from savings but also changes health coverage, taxes, and the household's shared schedule.
Social Security adds another layer. Claiming ages affect each monthly benefit, and the higher earner's choice may also affect the survivor benefit. Claiming later may increase a monthly benefit, but it also means drawing on savings or income sooner. Planning can show these trade-offs side by side, though no projection guarantees results.
20 minutes. No pressure. Just a conversation.
How Sentient Financial helps
Sentient Financial brings retirement income planning, tax planning, and investment management together in one plan, using The Sentient System™. Each service involves trade-offs and costs, and investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Read how we work and the current IRMAA brackets.
Nearby communities we serve
We also serve Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Aliso Viejo.
Office location
Sentient Financial, LLC
28202 Cabot Road, Suite 300
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone: 949.305.5836
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Frequently asked questions
Couples may compare retiring together or at different times, since each choice changes income, health coverage, and Social Security timing. A spouse who keeps working may delay withdrawals, but the couple also delays time together. Planning can illustrate trade-offs, including survivor benefits, though no projection guarantees results.
Sentient Financial's office is at 28202 Cabot Road in neighboring Laguna Niguel, so Laguna Hills residents may meet in person there or by video. Virtual meetings add convenience, but they can replace in-person visits. Patrick Thompson also works with clients across South Orange County. A 20-minute Fit Call is the first step.
Many people start five to ten years before retirement, while choices about savings, Roth conversions, and Social Security timing still have room to change. Starting earlier may create more options, but it does not guarantee a better outcome. A 20-minute Fit Call can help you see where you stand.
A Roth conversion adds taxable income in the year it happens. Medicare IRMAA surcharges use income from two years earlier, so a conversion could raise Part B and Part D premiums later. Spreading conversions over several years may soften that effect, though it may also change your tax bracket.
Ongoing clients pay an annual asset-based advisory fee that declines in tiers, as described in Form ADV Part 2A. Planning-only clients pay a one-time project fee, estimated in advance at $300 per hour and billed in 15-minute increments, with no asset minimum. Each fee model has trade-offs, so compare both.
A no-pressure conversation to see whether working together makes sense.
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This page is for educational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and no strategy guarantees a profit or protects against loss. Review Form ADV Part 2A for services, fees, and conflicts, and see our disclosures.
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