Find a Financial Advisor in Plymouth County

Two years from retirement in Marshfield

Picture a couple, made up for this example. Carol is 62 and works in a school district office. Jim is 64 and is an electrician with a union pension. They own a house near the water in Marshfield that they bought decades ago, and they want to stop working in two years. Their home is worth far more than they paid, their children are grown, and their savings are spread across a 403(b), an annuity from the union and an old IRA.

Their questions are specific. When should each of them take Social Security? Does Carol’s state pension reduce her benefit? What does flood insurance cost if the maps change? Will the house be a source of income or a burden?

This page describes the kinds of advisor who help with such questions, what they charge, and how to choose one who serves the Plymouth County area by phone or video.

Plymouth County at a glance

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, Plymouth County has about 546,829 residents with a median age of 43.0, which is older than many counties.

Financial planners in Plymouth County

A planner builds the household map. For a pre retiree such as Carol and Jim, the map covers income needed at 66, how much comes from Social Security, the pension and savings, and what happens if one of them needs long term care. It also tests what happens in a market drop right after retirement.

Costs vary. A flat fee for a full plan might run from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Some planners charge annually for continuing advice. Others bill by the hour for a single question, such as how to claim Social Security. Look for someone who will show a sample plan before you pay. Our financial advisors guide covers how credentials differ.

Because the county is long and spread out, from Hull to Lakeville, the ability to meet by video saves driving on Route 3 and Route 24.

Investment advisors in Plymouth County

An investment advisor manages the portfolio or tells you what to buy. Close to retirement, the main task is protecting income without giving up all growth. A common approach is to hold several years of spending in cash and bonds and keep the rest invested for the long run, so a bad year does not force a sale at a low price.

Ask how the advisor handles taxes. Massachusetts taxes interest, dividends and short term gains at the state level, and long term gains at a lower rate than short term gains, so where a holding sits matters. Ask also what is paid in fees, which might be a percentage of assets, a flat fee or hourly. A $500,000 account at 1 percent costs $5,000 each year. Our investing guide explains cost, risk and diversification.

Financial advisors in Plymouth County: what the bill looks like

The title financial advisor can describe an adviser registered with a regulator, an insurance agent or a bank employee. Cost depends on which one you meet.

You might pay a flat fee for a plan, an hourly rate, a percentage of the assets managed, or commissions built into a product. The percentage model typically falls as balances grow. Commissions are not visible on a statement, so ask directly: do you receive anything if I buy this?

In Massachusetts, the Securities Division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth regulates many advisers and agents, and the Securities and Exchange Commission oversees larger firms. Look up an individual for free at Investor.gov or through the state. Ask for the firm’s disclosure document, which lists fees and conflicts of interest.

Wealth management in Plymouth County

Wealth management coordinates investments, tax planning, insurance and estate planning. In Plymouth County it fits owners of local businesses, South Shore executives who commute into Boston, and families who hold coastal property worth well over a million dollars.

Estate planning is a main reason. The Massachusetts estate tax applies at a far lower level than the federal one, so a household with a home near the water and a retirement account can owe state tax even if they owe no federal tax. A wealth manager can coordinate with an estate attorney on trusts, gifts and the titling of assets. They can also plan the sale of a business or the handoff of a family cottage to children.

Many firms ask for a minimum investment. Ask who is on the team and whether the manager works with your CPA. Our estate planning guide introduces wills, trusts and powers of attorney.

Retirement planning in Plymouth County

With 19.8 percent of residents age 65 or older, retirement planning is a large part of the local work. Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits. It exempts many public pensions from state tax, but taxes withdrawals from IRAs and private retirement plans as income. Confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue or a tax professional.

Most Massachusetts teachers and many municipal employees belong to a state or local retirement system and do not pay Social Security through that job. The Social Security Fairness Act, signed in January 2025, repealed two rules that cut some of those benefits, so affected retirees and spouses should request new estimates. The pension payout choice, such as a joint and survivor option, usually cannot be changed later.

Housing is the other half. Some retirees stay, some move to the Cape or out of state, and some downsize within the county. Seniors may qualify for the state Circuit Breaker credit for property taxes, and many towns run a senior tax work off program. Our retirement planning guide sets out the sequence.

Retiring in the next few years?

Share your date and your pensions, and we will connect you with a retirement planner who serves Plymouth County. The first call is free.

Talk to a retirement planner →

Life insurance in Plymouth County

Housing costs here are high, so families with a mortgage are among the most exposed if an earner dies. Term insurance is the first tool. A 20 or 30 year term policy lines up with the mortgage and the college years and is much cheaper than permanent coverage.

Older households ask a different question. Do we still need coverage? If the mortgage is paid and savings are large, maybe not. If a spouse relies on a pension that stops at death, or the estate may face state estate tax, a permanent policy can pay taxes or equalize an inheritance. Some people use a policy for a special needs child.

Check group coverage from a job, since it often ends at retirement. Compare quotes from several companies before buying, and read about the types in our life insurance guide.

The South Shore economy and where people work

Plymouth County’s economy has several parts. Brockton is the largest city, with health care, retail and services. Bridgewater is home to Bridgewater State University. The town of Plymouth draws visitors to its historic sites and waterfront, and the Pilgrim nuclear plant there closed in 2019 and is being decommissioned. Cranberry growing continues in the southern towns such as Carver and Wareham. Marinas, fishing, construction and the trades support the coastal towns.

A large share of working residents commute to Boston and Cambridge on the commuter rail lines, the Hingham ferry or Route 3. That mix means many people have employer benefits from large firms, while others are self employed contractors, charter operators and shop owners who need their own retirement and disability coverage.

Housing, heating and the cost of living

A median home value of $556,000 and an owner cost of $2,799 a month with a mortgage make housing the central budget line. Many houses are older and use oil or gas heat, so winter bills and repairs such as roofs and septic systems affect the plan. Property taxes are limited by Proposition 2 and one half, which caps annual growth in total levies unless voters approve an override, so a town vote can change your bill.

Beach towns have seasonal housing, short term rentals and second homes. Owners who rent a cottage should plan for income tax, insurance and local rules. Renters at $1,747 a month often save for years for a down payment. A planner can compare buying, renting and staying put in a clear table.

Massachusetts taxes that matter here

Massachusetts uses a flat rate on most income, with a surtax on very high income and a higher rate on short term gains. Social Security is not taxed by the state. The state offers a modest deduction for contributions to its 529 plans, and our college savings guide compares the options.

The estate tax is the unusual feature. Because its threshold is much lower than the federal one, many middle class homeowners with retirement accounts and life insurance owned in their name can be affected. Trusts, beneficiary designations and gifts can reduce the exposure. The long term care rules also matter, because MassHealth looks back several years at transfers before it will pay for nursing home care. Confirm current rules with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue or a tax professional.

Storms, flooding and insurance gaps

The coast is both the asset and the risk. Hull, Scituate, Cohasset, Marshfield, Duxbury, Kingston, Plymouth and the Buzzards Bay towns face nor’easters, storm surge and erosion. A standard homeowners policy does not cover flood, so check the flood zone and price a National Flood Insurance Program or private policy. Mortgage lenders require it in high risk zones, and flood maps can change.

Wind driven damage may carry a separate deductible in coastal areas. Ice dams and heavy snow cause roof leaks in winter. Septic systems and wells in inland towns are common repair costs. Review an umbrella policy for liability, especially if you own a pool, a boat or rental property, and consider long term care coverage, because nursing home costs in Massachusetts are high.

Areas we serve in Plymouth County

Advisors who serve the Plymouth County area work with clients by phone or video across the county, including Brockton and Bridgewater. They also serve South Shore towns such as Plymouth, Marshfield, Duxbury, Scituate, Hingham, Kingston and Middleborough. Each town has its own tax rate, flood exposure and commute, so a good advisor starts with where you live.

How to choose a financial advisor in Plymouth County

Work through this list as you talk with two or three people.

1. Ask them to state, in writing, how they are paid in your case.
2. Ask whether they must act in your interest and when.
3. Search the individual and firm at Investor.gov and with the Massachusetts Securities Division.
4. Confirm that your assets sit with an independent custodian in your name.
5. Ask what credentials they hold and what those require.
6. Ask to see a sample plan or client report.
7. Learn who your day to day contact is and how often you meet.
8. Ask how they handle estate tax and pension questions with your lawyer and CPA.

Frequently asked questions