Independent Financial Advisor Serving Essex, VT

Chittenden County residents working toward retirement deserve more than a bank's standard playbook — they deserve an advisor who works for them.

Serving Essex and the Greater Chittenden County Area

What It Means to Work with an Independent Financial Planner Near Essex, VT

Bennett Wealth Management is based in St. Albans, and we work with families and individuals across Chittenden County — including Essex, Essex Junction, and the surrounding communities. Whether you're a decade out from retirement or already in it, our approach stays the same: straightforward guidance, no proprietary product pressure, and a relationship built over time.

 

Being independent means we're not tied to any single bank, brokerage, or insurance carrier. When we recommend a financial strategy or investment option, it's because we believe it fits your situation — not because it's on a preferred product list. Our securities and advisory services are offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. and Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc. (FINRA/SIPC), which gives our clients access to a broad range of investment options without the limitations of a captive firm.

 

For Essex residents who've spent years building their financial lives, that independence matters. It means your retirement planning, investment decisions, and insurance coverage are evaluated against the full market — not a narrow shelf of in-house products.

 

Our services for Essex, VT clients include:

 

  • Retirement Planning — Social Security timing, IRA and Roth IRA strategies, income planning for the years ahead
  • Wealth Management — Cash flow analysis, tax-efficient planning, and goal-based strategies built around your life
  • Investment Planning — Mutual funds, bonds, common stock, brokerage accounts, and donor-advised funds
  • Insurance Planning — Life, long-term care, disability income, and health coverage reviewed as part of your overall financial picture
  • Estate Planning & Trusts — Intergenerational planning, asset protection, and trust structures for families who want to pass wealth thoughtfully
  • 401(k) & Employee Benefits — Plan design, rollovers, and executive benefit strategies for business owners and employees alike

Retirement Planning for Chittenden County Families

The years leading up to retirement are often the most consequential for your financial future. The decisions you make between now and the day you stop working — how you invest, how you manage taxes, when you claim Social Security — can shape your income for decades. We work with pre-retirees in Essex and across Chittenden County to build retirement plans that account for all of it.

 

For those already in retirement, the planning doesn't stop. Managing withdrawals, coordinating benefit income, and planning for healthcare costs require ongoing attention. We stay involved because the questions don't end when the paychecks do.

 

Families in Essex often come to us at turning points: a job change that prompts a 401(k) rollover, an inheritance that raises estate planning questions, or a milestone birthday that makes retirement feel suddenly real. We've helped clients navigate all of these transitions — and we bring the same calm, methodical approach to each one.

 

We also work with the adult children of existing clients who are beginning to invest for the first time. Multi-generational relationships are a natural part of how we work, and we welcome families who want to build financial habits across generations.

A Boutique Practice with Deep Local Roots

We're a small team — Kerri Irick Churchill, ChFC®, Katie, and Hannah — and that's intentional. Our clients in Essex and across Vermont work directly with us, not with a rotating cast of associates. Kerri has led the practice for six years, continuing the mission Roger Bennett established when he founded the firm. The word-of-mouth reputation we've built across Franklin County has grown into relationships throughout Chittenden County, and we take that trust seriously.

 

If you're looking for a financial planner near Essex, VT who will learn your situation, stay consistent, and give you honest guidance without a sales agenda, we'd welcome the conversation. Reach out by phone or through our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions — Financial Planning in Essex, VT

  • Do you work with clients in Essex, VT even though your office is in St. Albans?

    Yes. We serve clients throughout Chittenden County, including Essex and Essex Junction. Many of our conversations happen by phone or video, and we're happy to schedule in-person meetings at our St. Albans office when that works better for you.

  • What does an independent financial advisor do differently than an advisor at a bank?

    An independent advisor isn't limited to the products or investment options their employer offers. We work with a wide range of options and make recommendations based on what fits your goals — not what's on a preferred product list. Our securities are offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (FINRA/SIPC), which gives our clients broad access without the constraints of a captive firm.

  • I'm in my early 40s and haven't started serious retirement planning yet. Is it too late?

    Not at all. Your 40s are often the highest-earning and highest-impact years for building retirement wealth. Starting now — with a clear strategy for savings, tax planning, and investment allocation — can make a meaningful difference in what you're able to accumulate before retirement.

  • Can you help with wealth management in Chittenden County beyond just retirement accounts?

    Yes. Wealth management for our clients covers cash flow planning, tax-efficient investment strategies, estate planning, insurance review, and goal-based financial planning across all life stages. Retirement accounts are one piece of a larger picture we help you manage.

  • How do I get started with Bennett Wealth Management as an Essex, VT resident?

    The first step is a complimentary consultation — no obligation, no pressure. You can reach us by phone or through the contact form on our website. We'll take time to understand where you are financially and what you're working toward before we suggest anything.