Retirement Planning & Financial Advisor in Mission Viejo, CA
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser based in Laguna Niguel, serving Mission Viejo and South Orange County. Patrick Thompson, AWMA®, helps people near retirement coordinate Medicare timing, taxes, income, and investments. 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 Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo is one of the larger cities in South Orange County, with an estimated 90,484 residents. More than one in five residents is 65 or older, so questions about Medicare, income, and taxes tend to arrive together rather than one at a time.
Mission Viejo at a glance
- Estimated population: 90,484 (July 1, 2025)
- Residents age 65 or older: 22.7% (United States: 18.9%)
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 76.9%
- Median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,009,600
- Median household income: $136,123
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Mission Viejo 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.
Medicare timing and the two-year income look-back
Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after (Medicare.gov). Missing it may lead to a late enrollment penalty, though rules differ if you or a spouse still has employer coverage.
Once you are enrolled, higher-income households may pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) that is based on tax returns from two years earlier. A home sale, a Roth conversion, or large capital gains could raise that income. Smoothing income across years may help, though it can also mean paying tax sooner than you otherwise would.
- How the IRMAA two-year look-back rule works
- IRMAA brackets for Medicare Part B and Part D
- Guide to IRMAA planning
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, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills, 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
Medicare's Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months, starting three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after it. Missing it may lead to a late enrollment penalty. If you or a spouse still has employer coverage, timing can differ, so review your situation before deciding.
Yes. The office is at 28202 Cabot Road in Laguna Niguel, and meetings may be held there or by video. Virtual meetings add convenience, but they can replace in-person visits. Patrick Thompson also works with clients in other South Orange County cities, and the first step is a 20-minute Fit Call.
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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