I formed JSFA because I found it nearly impossible to do the right thing for clients when there is a complex corporate structure (and sales pressure) telling me what to do/not to do for clients. Let me be your guide to establishing a financial life plan that allows you to live life looking forward without fear. I do my best work with: • Recent (or soon to be) widow or widower. • Couples within 5 years (before or after) of retirement. • Total assets (excluding primary residence) of at least $1,000,000. • Your spouse handled all the money decisions; and now you need a guide to help you evaluate & prioritize financial decisions. • You need/want a thinking partner to help you clarify & organize your financial life. I do not work for an insurance company or investment firm. It’s just me and you. In fact, I will put in writing that I am a fiduciary and will put your interests first. I charge a fixed, flat fee for financial planning and investment management which is very different from most others in the financial business. Although I’m normally near the beach in Eastern Monmouth County, New Jersey or on a ski slope in Vermont, I can work remotely with clients regardless of geographic location.

We focus on helping you make the most of your retirement resources in a tax-efficient way. Our specialty is retirement income planning, aka decumulation planning…how to best live off your nest egg and other sources of retirement income. We take a comprehensive approach to optimizing all of your available resources to help you most effectively achieve your retirement goals. Our holistic process integrates cohesive consideration of Social Security benefits, pensions, investments, real estate, annuities, insurance, work wages, etc. to maximize your retirement income. Furthermore, we carefully consider tax-minimization throughout each step of our process. We provide ongoing tax-efficient retirement planning and investment management. Unlike most advisors, our fee is not a percentage of your investable assets. We feel that method often overcharges clients who have been diligent savers but who do not have complex financial lives. Instead, our fee is a fair and transparent fixed annual amount.

Joseph Vecchio is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and has dedicated his professional life to the finance and accounting professions. Joe started his career in public accounting where he established a solid accounting foundation. As a full-time professional trader, he has cemented his belief in the efficient market theory and the futility behind stock-picking strategies. He has strategically forecasted and adapted to tremendous regulatory, technological and competitive pressures on a pro-active level to achieve a competitive advantage for over two decades. Joe was introduced to fee-only, tax-focused comprehensive financial planning in 2000 when he retained a fee-only financial planner for his personal finances. Joseph was enlightened by the value that it brought to his financial and personal well-being. His experience as a tax professional, financial market expert and small businessman has inspired him to serve as your personal financial bodyguard against threats, debts and the IRS. Joseph holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Montclair State University. Joseph graduated Magna Cum Laude, Omicron Delta Epsilon-The International Honor Society for Economics, and Beta Gamma Sigma-The International Business Honor Society honors. On the football field, Joseph was a two-year captain for the Muhlenberg College Football Team, as well as a two year All-American football player. Joe resides in Monmouth Beach, NJ with his wonderful wife Colleen, three beautiful girls Grace, Morgan, and Riley, and three loving dogs. He enjoys striper fishing, Texas Hold-Em, college football, and caring for his saltwater reef aquarium and koi pond.

Scott Pinheiro is a Senior Consultant with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience to his role since joining the firm in 2015. He has been involved in the financial services industry since 1979. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University and professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) from the American College of Financial Services. Scott specializes in working with executives and retirees from major banks and insurance companies, managing client accounts typically ranging from $500,000 to $5,000,000. His expertise encompasses a disciplined financial process tailored to clients’ unique situations, including college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor, he also builds and manages customized investment strategies utilizing Merrill model portfolios and third-party investments. In addition to his professional work, Scott is committed to community involvement through his participation with the local Optimist Club. He resides near Princeton, New Jersey with his wife of 40 years and their Yorkshire terrier. Personal interests include cooking, fishing, golfing, reading, and traveling.

Amira Ibrahim is a Financial Solutions Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In this role, she focuses on understanding clients’ priorities and developing strategies to help them pursue their short-, mid-, and long-term financial goals. Her services include assistance with general investing, retirement planning, and preparing for unforeseen financial needs. Amira also provides clients access to Bank of America specialists for banking, credit, home financing, and small business solutions. Amira holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois System and has earned professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She is fluent in English and Arabic. Outside of her professional work, Amira is involved with the community organization Feed My Starving Children.

Christopher Marzella is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has been in the financial services industry since 1998 and joined Merrill Lynch in 2012. He focuses on developing strategies and providing advice for individuals, their families, and their businesses by understanding their short- and long-term financial objectives. Chris has experience in helping clients manage concentrated stock positions and addressing challenges related to significant transition events such as retirement, inheritance, or the sale of a business. He also provides access to Bank of America for clients' commercial banking and financing needs and collaborates with clients' attorneys, accountants, and other advisors on estate planning services. Chris holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a High School Diploma/GED from Baruch College. Chris resides in East Brunswick with his wife, Lisa, and their two daughters, Nicolette and Alexandra.

Roger Cortina Hernandez is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2024. In this capacity, he focuses on understanding clients' financial situations and aspirations to develop clear and effective financial plans. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, Roger worked for ten years as a Senior Premier Banker at Wells Fargo Bank from 2014 to 2024. He holds a California Insurance License, supporting his expertise in financial planning and insurance matters. Outside of his professional work, Roger has interests in art, social events with friends, movies, music, reading, and traveling.

Michael Remey is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional who specializes in tailoring investment and advanced planning strategies to help clients achieve their life goals and objectives in business and retirement. Michael focuses on clients’ needs throughout both the accumulation and distribution phases of retirement, developing financial strategies that align with their individual circumstances. His areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, and tax minimization. Michael holds a bachelor's degree from Colgate University, where he concentrated in economics and studied abroad in Russia. He also holds the designations Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Outside of his professional work, Michael is involved in his community as a soccer coach with the Middletown Soccer Club. He enjoys golfing, skiing, hiking, ice hockey, running, tennis, and spending time with his family. Michael and his wife, Aimee, live in Rumson, NJ, with their three children.

Eric Eng is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he has been serving clients since 2018. He focuses on developing strong client relationships by understanding clients' personal perspectives and priorities to create tailored financial strategies. Eric works to help clients pursue goals such as retirement planning, funding education, managing wealth transfers, and addressing potential health care costs. His approach emphasizes regular communication and adjustments to strategies, aiming to bring clarity and simplicity to complex financial planning. Eric’s expertise includes corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, employee benefits planning, executive compensation, and portfolio management services, among other areas. He holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) professional designations. Eric graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He lives in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, Eric participates in community volunteering and enjoys personal interests such as biking, camping, chess, cooking, fishing, football, golfing, photography, and volleyball.

Mark Villani is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2020. Prior to this role, he worked as a Financial Solutions Advisor at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch from 2011 to 2020. With many years of experience as a financial consultant, Mark focuses on developing financial strategies tailored to his clients' goals and aspirations. He emphasizes the importance of building trust and understanding his clients and their families to support sound financial planning. Outside of his professional work, Mark enjoys board games, concerts, football, outdoor adventures, and spending time with his pets.