Skip West

Skip West is a seasoned financial advisor with over two decades of experience in the field. He is the founder and primary financial advisor at the West Financial Group, a boutique-sized independent financial planning firm in Wildwood, FL. The firm specializes in helping retirees and pre-retirees develop long-term financial strategies. It offers various services, including retirement income planning, tax strategies, life insurance and annuities, and legacy and estate planning.

As the president, CEO, and chief financial advisor at West Financial Group, Skip is known for providing personalized services to his clients. He works closely with them to develop individual programs based on their desired retirement lifestyle, whether they want to travel, volunteer, work a "retirement job," or relax. He also helps retirees or soon-to-be retirees mitigate tax liabilities during their retirement and what they leave to their heirs.

Skip has always been passionate about financial planning and discovered his calling as a financial advisor after owning several businesses. He has recently developed a speciality in helping retirees enjoy the life of their dreams and is also an author.

In addition to his work with clients, Skip frequently gives seminars and teleconferences on various financial planning topics, including protecting oneself from stock market risk, retirement strategies for women, and how to have a guaranteed income for life. These seminars are often free and testament to Skip's commitment to educating his clients and the wider community on financial planning issues.

Skip's professional success is rooted in his values, which he learned from his father early. His father taught him the importance of doing more for others than they do for you, no matter what it takes. This mantra is evident in Skip's empathetic and personal approach to working with his clients, particularly during the emotional time of estate planning.

Skip also believes in having a sound mind and body, which comes with responsibility. He strives to keep his mind and body fit and sharp through faith and discipline to fulfil these responsibilities.

Although Skip lives in a retirement community, he remains up-to-date on current events and attends continuing education events. For example, during the pandemic, he studied and offered resources on the CARES Act and its updates and annuities.