James Schwartz (CFP®, RICP®)

James Schwartz focuses in the
following client markets or areas of practice:

Retirement Planning & Distribution Rules

Women's Financial Planning Issues

Planning Specialties

Jim's specialty is working with individuals during and subsequent to a transition period such as the loss of a spouse or divorce. He is particularly skilled in his ability to guide his clients through difficult decisions while ensuring the stability of their finances. One of his initiatives for the widowed community is the establishment of four widowed-to-widowed grief support groups in the Phoenix area. Jim has also organized several weekend conferences for the widowed community and founded a non-profit dedicated to helping individuals who have lost a spouse or partner. His Widowed Community website provides financial knowledge, wisdom and know-how for affluent widows and widowers.

Additional Information

With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Jim joined Strategic Wealth Advisors, LLC in 2007 after running an independent financial planning firm. He has also taught community college courses on various financial planning topics. Prior to his financial career, Jim served in the US Air Force for twelve years as an A-10 and F-16 fighter pilot flying more than forty combat missions over Iraq and Bosnia as well as instructing student pilots at the former Williams Air Force Base in Mesa, Arizona

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. While taking graduate coursework he was sponsored by the Small Business Administration and the University of West Florida to provide financial consulting to small local businesses.

He has earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations and is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) and the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Jim dedicated five years to coordinating speakers and organizing all-day symposiums for the FPA of Greater Phoenix chapter.

He has been quoted in Money Magazine and the The Arizona Republic and has been featured on ABC 15 News. Jim regularly speaks around the Valley on the topics of maximizing Social Security retirement and survivor benefits and the financial issues facing bereaved spouses.

Jim enjoys spending time with his family, photography, hiking, reading and taking road trips.