Retirement Planning in Columbia, Missouri

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Planning for Your Future

Planning for retirement is one of the most important financial decisions you will make in your lifetime.

At Wilkerson Advisory Group, based in Columbia, Missouri and serving clients throughout the U.S., we help individuals, families, and business owners create a path toward the future they envision, helping guide clients through uncertainty during turbulent times. 

Whether you are nearing retirement, evaluating your current advisor’s strategy, or managing a complex portfolio independently, our retirement planning process can help provide clarity, structure, and confidence.

Comprehensive Retirement Strategies Tailored to You

Every client’s retirement story is different — and so are the challenges.

We develop customized strategies that balance your lifestyle goals with portfolio management, tax efficiency, and risk management.

Our retirement planning services include:

  • 401(k) Rollovers & IRA Consolidation – Simplify and optimize your retirement accounts to align with your income needs and investment goals.

  • Pension Maximization – Make informed decisions about lump-sum vs. monthly pension options, from advisors with experience guiding University of Missouri and Boone Hospital employees.

  • Social Security Optimization – Coordinate Social Security timing with your overall retirement plan to optimize lifetime benefits.

  • Medicare Coordination – Integrate Medicare decisions with healthcare and long-term care planning to help preserve wealth and reduce surprises.

  • Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Planning – Plan income distributions across taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free accounts to help minimize your lifetime tax burden.

Serving Columbia — and Beyond

While our office is located in the heart of Columbia, Missouri, our clients span the entire state — from Kansas City to St. Louis, as well as across the nation. 

We routinely work with:

  • University of Missouri employees planning for pension and 403(b) transitions

  • Boone Hospital System professionals navigating complex retirement benefits

  • Small business owners and entrepreneurs across Missouri integrating business exit and personal retirement plans

No matter where you live, our process remains the same: thoughtful, data-driven, and built around your life goals — not just your assets.

The Wilkerson Advisory Process

Our structured approach helps to provide both peace of mind and a clear plan of action:

  1. Discovery & Visioning – We start with understanding your lifestyle goals, priorities, and concerns.

  2. Assessment & Strategy – We review all retirement assets, income streams, and tax factors to build a personalized plan.

  3. Implementation – We help coordinate investment management, rollover logistics, and insurance integration.

  4. Ongoing Monitoring – Your plan evolves as life changes — we review progress regularly to ensure your strategy stays aligned.

“We help you turn decades of hard work into peace of mind.”

 — Wilkerson Advisory Group

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start planning for retirement?

It is best to begin retirement planning 10 to 20 years before you plan to retire — but it’s never too late to start.

Even if you are already near retirement, developing or refining your plan can make a meaningful difference.

At Wilkerson Advisory Group, we guide clients at every stage — from early preparation to retirement income management — to help ensure your hard work pays off in the way you’ve envisioned.

Do you only work with clients in Columbia, Missouri?

No. While our office is located in Columbia, Missouri, we proudly serve clients throughout the state and across the country.

Many of our clients work with us through secure video meetings and digital planning tools. Whether you live in Missouri or are out of state, you will receive the same personalized, hands-on attention

Can you help me roll over my 401(k) or pension?

Yes. Our advisors frequently assist clients with 401(k) and IRA rollovers as well as retirement account consolidation. In addition, we guide clients to make informed decisions when selecting pension plan options. 

We will walk you through your options, help avoid unnecessary taxes or penalties, and ensure each decision fits into your larger retirement income strategy.

Can you assist me with  Social Security and Medicare decisions?
What is included in a Retirement Readiness Assessment?

Our Retirement Readiness Assessment provides a clear picture of where you stand today — and what steps to take next.

We will review your current savings, projected income sources, tax exposure, and healthcare considerations to identify gaps and opportunities.

You will leave with a personalized action plan designed to help you retire on your terms.

Do you require a minimum investment amount?

While our typical clients have built substantial retirement assets, we welcome anyone who is serious about long-term financial planning.

We also enjoy working with younger professionals and entrepreneurs who are building toward their  next stage of wealth.

Our focus is on helping clients who value proactive, comprehensive financial guidance — regardless of where they are starting from.

Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Wilkerson Advisory Group’s website and its associated links offer news, commentary, and generalized research, not personalized investment advice. Nothing on this website should be interpreted to state or imply that past performance is an indication of future performance. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed.  401(k) rollovers and IRA consolidations are subject to marketing volatility and may involve additional fees and potential tax consequences. Medicare surcharges may apply. Be sure to consult with a tax professional before implementing any investment strategy.  Investment Advisory Services offered through Wilkerson Advisory Group, a Registered Investment Advisor with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.

Absolutely. We integrate Social Security claiming strategies and Medicare planning into every retirement plan we create.

By aligning these benefits with your income sources and tax plan, we help you minimize costs, , and simplify your transition into retirement.

Client Testimonials

Our clients trust us to bring clarity and confidence to their financial journey. Here’s what they have to say about working with Wilkerson Advisory Group.

  • I have been with Wilkerson Advisory Group around 30 years. It has been a great experience with them over the years. They are very trustworthy, knowledgeable and have had a lot of success growing my portfolio.

    Jeff

  • I have been a client of Wilkerson Advisory Group for at least 10 years. I now live an hour and 20 minutes away from the office, but Ben and Carroll focus on client first satisfaction as they are willing to meet at my house or office

    Joseph

  • My wife and I have been clients of Carroll Wilkerson for nearly thirty years. When introduced to Carroll, we were complete newcomers to investing.

    Ray & Margaret

  • Carroll and Ben have been amazing. They have made my financial journey safe and easy. Both are great communicators and are able to explain things so I understand. I recommend Wilkerson Advisory Group 100%. Having experts in the field and a group that actually cares for me is remarkable.

    Jen

  • Everyone at Wilkerson Advisory group is fantastic to work with. I've been working with Ben Dierkes and Carroll Wilkerson for a while now and they have consistently provided excellent service. Their whole team is knowledgeable, responsive and genuinely cares about helping their clients meet their financial needs. I highly recommend!

    Kari

  • Couldn’t be more pleased with my choice of Wilkerson Advisory Group as my financial advisors. Carroll Wilkerson and Ben Dierkes are top notch individuals who are experts in their field and who demonstrate the utmost care and concern.

    Marty

  • Our experience working with Ben Dierkes has been exceptional. Ben is very knowledgeable, professional and trustworthy. We have been very happy with the return on our investments.

    Joel

  • I have been very impressed with the level of service that I have received from Ben Dierkes and the entire staff at this firm. Ben is very knowledgeable, and explains things in a way that is very easy to understand. I would highly recommend Ben Dierkes and this firm to anyone looking for a financial advisor.

    Adam

  • The professionalism, communication, and integrity I have experienced with Wilkerson Advisory Group has been unparalleled. They have exceeded my expectations every step of the way!

    Mike

  • Great and friendly staff who helped me get my financial affairs in order. I really enjoy working with them and using their expertise in helping me as a young professional!

    Robyn

  • This is a very professional office. Excellent service! Very happy with this firm.

    Susan

Testimonials appearing on this website are based on the unique experiences of current clients and are not representative of all client experiences. Testimonials are unsolicited, and no cash or non-cash compensation has been provided. Clients did not receive any material benefit or incentive for providing a testimonial.

Ready to start your Retirement Plan?

Don’t wait until retirement feels “too close” to plan — the earlier you start, the more confident you will feel about your financial future.

Schedule your Retirement Readiness Assessment today and see how our experienced advisors can help you align your savings, tax strategies, and lifestyle goals.