Client Experiences & Case Studies
Client Experiences
& Case Studies
See how we help individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions with clarity, confidence, and a coordinated strategy.
Testimonials
“My family’s relationship with CFG has been a blessing. Besides the primary task of financial support and security, you’ve enabled me to achieve what was once dreams and now are planned and achieved goals. A heartfelt thank you.”
Ed & Wendy T.
Other
“My wife and I have been clients of CFG Wealth Management for nearly 20 years. We have been delighted with their service over that time. I have come to think of them as my financial partners and trusted advisors…”
Fred & Kelli K.
AT&T
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“My wife and I have been clients of CFG Wealth Management for nearly 20 years. We have been delighted with their service over that time. I have come to think of them as my financial partners and trusted advisors.
While still employed they helped me manage my 401K portfolio with advice on investment selections. When nearing retirement, they were there for me helping with the decisions regarding Pension and 401K dispositions. In retirement they have managed our withdrawal strategy in a way that minimized taxes while maintaining healthy returns.
I interact most often with Graydon and Josh in the San Diego office. It is refreshing to work with a team that is always there for me. When I call they almost always take my call right away or call back within an hour. They have always been calming voices that help me to stay the course, trust the process, and not make emotional decisions.
I would not hesitate to recommend CFG Wealth Management to anyone who is looking for a long-term relationship with a trusted financial advisor.”
“My experience with CFG Wealth Management has been deeply personal from the very beginning. I never once felt like I was just another account or number. Instead, I felt seen, valued, and genuinely cared for as a person…”
Tanya H.
Other
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“My experience with CFG Wealth Management has been deeply personal from the very beginning. I never once felt like I was just another account or number. Instead, I felt seen, valued, and genuinely cared for as a person, not for my money.
From the moment I walked through the door, I was met with professionalism, warmth, and a sense of trust that immediately put me at ease. Every interaction has reinforced that CFG truly prioritizes relationships and long-term well-being.
A special and heartfelt thank you to Josh Willard, Chief Financial Advisor. Although much of our communication initially took place through email, he always made me feel known and supported. When I finally met him in person at the recent financial update event CFG hosted this past January, it felt as though we had already built a real connection. His kindness, attentiveness, and genuine concern—especially when he simply asked how I was doing—meant more to me than words can express.
As a single mother raising a child on the autism spectrum, financial planning is not just about numbers; it’s about hope, stability, and the future I am working so hard to build for my child. Knowing that CFG understands this and is committed to doing everything in their power to help secure that future gives me a deep sense of peace and confidence.
I am truly grateful to Josh and the entire CFG team. Thank you for your care, your integrity, and your unwavering support. I look forward to another successful year together and many more to come.”
“Working with Graydon, Josh, Bryce, Parker and the entire office team at CFG Wealth Management has been a truly awesome experience for my financial retirement planning. Before connecting with them, I was concerned about my retirement timing and whether I had enough…”
Sylvia B.
Northrop Grumman
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“Working with Graydon, Josh, Bryce, Parker and the entire office team at CFG Wealth Management has been a truly awesome experience for my financial retirement planning. Before connecting with them, I was concerned about managing my retirement timing, do I have enough, how will my RMDs work, and path to retirement, navigating market instability and managing my investments effectively.
The team at CFG demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and genuine care from our very first meeting. Graydon took the time to explain complicated strategies in a way that was easy to understand, making sure I was comfortable with every decision. They proactively communicate without the pushy pressuring, and he worked a personalized approach to my specific goals. They have made a real difference, I now have a path and an understanding of my financial position.
CFG Wealth Management doesn’t treat me like a number. They are personable, trustworthy, knowledgeable and have helped me achieve my financial goals.”
“I started with CFG Wealth Management in the early days as a prospect, with little knowledge of how to manage my account. Over time, their guidance helped me transition my portfolio and prepare for retirement with confidence…”
Dave M.
United Technologies
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“I started with CFG Wealth Management in the early days as a prospect. At the time, my 401k was managed through the company’s designated institution, with little knowledge on my part to manage my account.
I had the great fortune of being contacted by Graydon and Josh, who put their trust in me by giving me guidance and basically managing my account as surrogates, with hopes of me converting my portfolio to them at retirement, which was still decades away. During that time, the rules changed. Graydon called to let me know I could transfer 50 percent of my portfolio to CFG Wealth Management to manage. This became the best of the best, therefore making me a client.
Now, after all the years and all the help, they continue to manage my portfolio and have made my retirement worry-free. The best part is they have me in a position where I don’t have to worry about finances. I’m just enjoying retirement as it should be.”
“I like CFG, you care about me. Always calling me to see how I’m doing. I appreciate you taking care of me with my money. I have all confidence in CFG.”
Jesus C.
SDG&E
Case Studies
Northrop Grumman Retirement Transition Case Study
Northrop Grumman Employee | Late Career (Pre-Retirement) | Goal: Coordinated Pension & Income Strategy
The Situation
A long-tenured Northrop Grumman employee approached retirement with multiple pension components, a sizable 401(k), and complex tax considerations.
Key Concerns
- Understanding multiple pension components
- Managing 401(k) risk nearing retirement
- Identifying Roth conversion opportunities
- Stress-testing retirement sustainability
- Coordinating Social Security, taxes, and income
Our Planning Approach
- Reviewed pension structure (legacy + cash balance)
- Evaluated 401(k) allocation vs goals
- Ran projections and stress-tested scenarios
- Identified Roth conversion opportunities
- Coordinated income, tax, and retirement timing
The Outcome
The client gained clarity across pensions, investments, and tax strategy, allowing them to move forward with confidence and flexibility in retirement.
SDG&E Retirement Planning Case Study
SDG&E Employee | Age: Early 60s | Goal: Retirement Income Planning
Goal: Retirement Income Planning
The Situation
Maria, a Senior Project Manager at SDG&E, was preparing to retire in her early 60s and needed help evaluating pension options, organizing retirement accounts, planning for healthcare before Medicare, and creating a reliable income strategy.
Key Planning Questions
- Should she take her pension as a lump sum or monthly income?
- How should her 401(k), IRA, and other savings work together?
- How can she cover healthcare before Medicare begins?
- How can she generate income while managing taxes efficiently?
Our Planning Approach
- Evaluated pension options within her full financial picture
- Coordinated accounts into a unified investment and income plan
- Created a healthcare strategy for the pre-Medicare gap
- Reviewed Social Security timing
- Designed a tax-aware withdrawal strategy
The Outcome
Maria now has a clear and coordinated path to retirement. Instead of making isolated decisions, she has a strategy that integrates income, healthcare, taxes, and investments.
RTX (Raytheon) Retirement Transition Case Study
RTX Employee | Late Career (Pre-Retirement) | Goal: Retirement Feasibility & Income Coordination
RTX Employee | Late Career (Pre-Retirement) Goal: Retirement Feasibility & Income Coordination
The Situation
A long-tenured defense industry professional, including years at Rohr (later acquired by Raytheon), faced an unexpected Reduction in Force that accelerated his retirement timeline. Unsure whether retirement was still achievable, he needed clarity around a complex mix of pensions, retirement accounts, and tax considerations that had built up over decades.
Key Concerns
- Determining whether retirement was feasible after an unplanned layoff
- Understanding a grandfathered pension from Rohr with unique terms
- Identifying a high-fee 401(k) allocation (Lifetime Income Strategy) he was unknowingly enrolled in
- Evaluating whether to shift to lower-cost investment options
- Coordinating multiple pensions, Social Security, and withdrawals into a tax-efficient strategy
- Exploring Roth conversion opportunities during a potential low-income gap year
Our Planning Approach
- Reviewed legacy Rohr pension and its interaction with Raytheon’s plan structure
- Audited the 401(k), identified high-fee allocations, and modeled lower-cost alternatives
- Rebuilt the 401(k) allocation to align with retirement income needs
- Ran projections and stress-tested retirement sustainability using multiple scenarios
- Identified a Roth conversion window between layoff and income start
- Coordinated pension timing, Social Security strategy, and withdrawal sequencing for tax efficiency
The Outcome
The client came in uncertain whether retirement was still possible following an unexpected layoff. Through a structured and coordinated approach, we confirmed that retirement was achievable and built a clear path forward. By uncovering hidden inefficiencies, clarifying pension benefits, and aligning income strategies, what initially felt like a setback became a confident transition into retirement.
AT&T Retirement Planning Case Study
AT&T Employee | Late Career (Pre-Retirement) | Goal: Retirement Readiness & Income Coordination
AT&T Employee | Late Career (Pre-Retirement) | Goal: Retirement Readiness & Income Coordination
The Situation
Our client had spent more than three decades with AT&T, building a substantial mix of retirement benefits over the years. But as retirement approached, the pieces didn’t feel clear or connected. He wasn’t sure whether he could retire confidently — or whether waiting was the safer choice.
What looked like a straightforward transition turned out to be a moment to untangle a complex benefits picture shaped by long tenure, multiple plan changes, and decisions made years earlier that no longer aligned with his goals.
Key Concerns
- Determining whether retirement was financially feasible within the next 1–2 years
- Understanding how the AT&T pension worked, including lump-sum vs. annuity options and interest-rate sensitivity
- Reviewing a 401(k) that had gone through plan changes and default investment shifts over time
- Identifying whether the current investment allocation still made sense or whether lower-cost, more efficient options could improve long-term outcomes
- Coordinating pension income, Social Security timing, and 401(k) withdrawals into a tax-efficient retirement income plan
- Evaluating healthcare options before Medicare and determining how to bridge the coverage gap
- Exploring whether Roth conversions made sense during lower-income years before pension and Social Security benefits began
Our Planning Approach
- Reviewed the AT&T pension structure, including payout options, survivor benefits, and interest-rate sensitivity
- Analyzed the 401(k) allocation, including legacy investment choices and plan default shifts
- Modeled the impact of transitioning to a more efficient, retirement-aligned investment strategy
- Ran retirement projections and stress-tested outcomes using multiple scenarios, including Monte Carlo analysis
- Identified potential Roth conversion opportunities during lower-income years
- Coordinated pension timing, Social Security strategy, and withdrawal sequencing to improve tax efficiency
- Evaluated retiree healthcare options, private insurance alternatives, and Medicare transition planning
The Outcome
The client came in uncertain about whether retirement was truly within reach. He left with clarity — and a plan.
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