Retirement Planning & Financial Advisor in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser based in Laguna Niguel, serving San Juan Capistrano and South Orange County. Patrick Thompson, AWMA®, helps homeowners near retirement coordinate housing decisions, income, 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 San Juan Capistrano
In San Juan Capistrano, the Census Bureau reports that 81.0% of housing units are owner-occupied, so a housing decision often sits at the center of a retirement plan. Whether you stay, move within the city, or relocate elsewhere in California, the choice may affect your income needs, taxes, and property tax bill.
San Juan Capistrano at a glance
- Estimated population: 35,119 (July 1, 2025)
- Residents age 65 or older: 21.5% (United States: 18.9%)
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 81.0%
- Median value of owner-occupied homes: $993,800
- Median household income: $129,457
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, San Juan Capistrano 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.
Moving after age 55: Proposition 19 and your property tax
In California, Proposition 19 allows homeowners who are 55 or older, or severely and permanently disabled, to transfer the taxable value of a principal residence to a replacement home anywhere in the state, up to three times. The replacement home must be purchased or built within two years of selling, and value limits apply (California Board of Equalization).
For a longtime owner, keeping a lower taxable value may reduce a property tax bill after a move, but it does not remove the other costs of selling and buying. Moving may also create a taxable gain and raise income used to set Medicare premiums two years later. Confirm eligibility with your county assessor before relying on the transfer.
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, 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
Proposition 19 lets homeowners age 55 or older, or severely disabled, transfer the taxable value of a primary residence to a replacement home anywhere in California, up to three times. The replacement must be bought or built within two years, and value rules apply. Confirm details with your county assessor.
A move may change your housing costs, taxable gain, and the savings you draw on. Planning may compare keeping, selling, or downsizing against your income needs and taxes. Each choice has trade-offs, including transaction costs and possible property tax changes. A planner can model options, but no model guarantees an outcome.
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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