Preferred Wealth Management LLC

Financial Advisor for Lansing, MI Families and Retirees

Independent. Fiduciary. CFP® professional. About 20 minutes from downtown Lansing, with virtual meetings that make distance a non-issue.

If you live or work in the Lansing area and you’re starting to ask, “Am I on track to retire?”, you’re who we built our practice for. Preferred Wealth Management is an independent financial planning firm led by Joe Wilson, CFP®, and Neal Rohrs. We help Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Grand Ledge, DeWitt, Holt, and Delta Township residents turn a lifetime of savings into a clear, tax-efficient retirement plan.

Where traditional service meets modern financial planning

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Retirement Planning Built Around Lansing Careers

Many Lansing-area families have built their savings through a handful of large employers and public systems. Each comes with its own benefit rules and decision points. We regularly help people work through questions like:

  • State of Michigan employees and retirees: coordinating your pension or your 401(k) and 457 plans, and deciding when and how to draw from each
  • Public school employees (MPSERS): understanding your pension options, survivor elections, and how they fit with personal savings
  • Michigan State University faculty and staff: managing 403(b) accounts and planning around retirement dates
  • Auto and manufacturing retirees: evaluating pension lump-sum versus monthly income offers, and rolling over 401(k) accounts
  • Healthcare and insurance professionals: coordinating employer plans, HSAs, and deferred compensation

Joe’s spent over 15 years at a Fortune 150 company, which means he understands employer benefit systems from the inside.

Michigan Tax Planning Matters More Than Ever

Michigan’s retirement tax rules changed significantly under the Lowering MI Costs Plan (Public Act 4 of 2023). With the 2026 tax year, the retirement income deduction is fully phased in, and Social Security remains exempt from Michigan income tax.

That’s good news, but it also creates planning opportunities many retirees miss:

  • Roth conversions: timing them before required minimum distributions begin
  • Withdrawal sequencing: deciding which accounts to draw from first, to reduce lifetime taxes
  • Social Security timing: coordinating your claiming age with the rest of your income plan
  • Required minimum distributions: planning for them and for charitable giving strategies

We don’t just manage investments. We coordinate your whole plan so federal and Michigan taxes work in your favor, year after year.

What Working With Us Looks Like

Every client relationship includes comprehensive financial planning at no extra cost:

See our process and pricing for how our fees work.

Easy to Work With From Anywhere in Lansing

Our office is in historic downtown Charlotte, a short 20-minute drive down I-69 from Lansing. But you don’t have to come to us. We also offer the ability to meet and virtually over secure video to save you the drive.

  • Virtual meetings from your home or office
  • In person at our Charlotte office, with free parking downtown
  • Ongoing check-ins by phone and email between meetings

Documents are signed electronically, so you can complete the whole process without making a trip.

Why Lansing Families Choose an Independent Fiduciary

  • Fiduciary advice: we’re legally required to act in your best interest
  • CFP® professional: held to the CFP Board’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct
  • Independent: no proprietary products and no sales quotas
  • Proactive: we reach out throughout the year, not just once
  • Education-first: you’ll understand every recommendation. Joe also teaches personal finance through his Joe Knows Dough blog and YouTube channel, and hosts retirement classes in the community.

Lansing-Area Questions We Hear Often

Do you work with clients in Lansing even though your office is in Charlotte?
Yes. Many of our clients live in the Lansing area. Most of them make the short drive to Charlotte while others choose to meet virtually.

I’m a State of Michigan employee. When should I start planning for retirement?
Ideally 5 to 10 years before you plan to retire. That window gives you time to optimize savings, plan Roth conversions, and make informed pension and Social Security decisions.

Does Michigan tax my pension or IRA withdrawals?
For the 2026 tax year, most retirees can deduct qualifying retirement income up to an inflation-adjusted limit, and Social Security is fully exempt. How much of your income qualifies depends on your situation. It’s one of the first things we review together.

What does the first meeting involve?
A relaxed conversation about your goals and where things stand today. There’s no cost and no pressure. If we’re a good fit, we’ll explain how we’d approach your plan and what it would cost.

Start With a Conversation

Whether retirement is 10 years away or next spring, a clear plan makes the decisions easier.

Preferred Wealth Management · 114 E Lawrence Ave, Suite A, Charlotte, MI 48813 · Serving Lansing, East Lansing, Okemos, Grand Ledge, DeWitt, Holt, and mid-Michigan

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