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Willett Wealth Planning

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Your Thinking Partner for
ALL THINGS Financial

 

You’ve worked hard to reach this stage of life, and retirement should feel like something to look forward to—not something to worry about. While numbers and projections are helpful, real life doesn’t always follow a straight line. Plans evolve. Priorities shift. Unexpected moments—both joyful and challenging—come along.

That’s why flexibility matters.  Having a trusted advisor by your side can make all the difference. Together, we can thoughtfully adjust your plan as life unfolds, helping you stay confident and in control—so your retirement feels steady, fulfilling, and truly your own.

We love being your “go-to” for any and all financial questions and decisions.

From retirement planning to cash flow analysis, We will work with you to develop a financial blueprint designed to suport your current and future financial needs. This approach can help to identify any potential shortfalls, manage spending, maintain liquidity, and support long-term goals.  This service helps clients be well-prepared for major life events and transitions, such as retirement, the sale of a business, or significant life purchases.

*All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.  There is no assurance that any investement strategy will be successful.  

We will work closely with you to help you understand your personal tax returns and help you with your annual decision making when it comes to distribution planning and tax management.  Having a partner by your side will help you avoid fees by under-paying taxes, or they can enable you to save more for your future by ensuring you’re not over-paying.

We will help you assess potential financial risks and offers approaches to help mitigate them, including insurance options that protect assets and future income. This can encompass life insurance, liability coverage, and strategies for asset protection against creditors or lawsuits.

*The cost and availability of life insurance depends on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased.  Before implementing a strategy involving life insurance, it would be prudent to make sure that you are insurable by applying for the coverage.  In addition, if a policy is surrendered prematurely, there may be surrender charges and income tax implications.  

We are able to be an excellent thinking parter if you are evaluating investment property decisions.  We can assist with cash flow analysis, evaluating financing options and potential tax implications of changes, ownership structures, and projected returns.  We can work together to asses if an investment aligns with your overall financial goals, identify potential risks, and coordinate with attorneys, accountants, and lenders.   

For all of our clients interested in making a philanthropic impact, we can work with their CPA’s to evaluate various strategies to potentially maximize the benefit for both the donor and the recipiatns(s).  Creating charitable giving plans that align with personal values and tax strategies is a wonderful way to give back to worthy individuals and organizations.

Estate planning is a critical component for clients who want to leave a legacy or have a plan for their assets beyond their lives. Although we are not attorneys, we often collaborate with estate attorneys to develop estate plans that specify how assets will be distributed, working toward a smooth transfer of wealth to future generations while minimizing estate taxes and administrative hurdles. Save your loved ones some trouble!!!

*The use of trusts involves a complex web of tax rules and regulations.  You should consider the council of an experienced estate planning professional before implementing such strategies.  For a comprehensive review of your personal situation, always consult with a tax or legal advisor.  Neither Cetera Wealth Services nor any of it’s representatives may give legal or tax advise.  

Over our decades of working with retirement-focused investors, we’ve developed a thoughtful, structured approach designed to reduce uncertainty and increase clarity. Our seasoned insights and commitment to transparency make us the right partner to help you confidently navigate your financial journey.

Founded in 2021, Willett Wealth Planning is the culmination of over 50 years of combined experience in helping clients with their unique financial needs. We do our best work with pre-retirees and retirees with $300,000 or more in investable assets, providing them with personalized retirement planning and financial management. What sets us apart is our commitment to building genuine relationships with nice people who value professional guidance.

Our partnership is a unique blend of complementary skill sets, allowing us to offer a well-rounded approach to financial planning. With decades of experience, we have honed our ability to help with the complexities of retirement planning.

We understand how overwhelming the transition into retirement can be, and our process is designed to guide clients every step of the way, anticipating and planning for the unexpected. From financial projections to adjusting for life’s uncertainties, we’ve seen a lot, and we’re prepared to help our clients navigate any challenges that may arise.

We prioritize convenience and flexibility, offering virtual meetings as our preferred method, or in-person sessions at our office in the Old Town area of Orange, California. Our goal is to make the retirement planning process seamless and stress-free, so you can enjoy a sense of confidence as you enter this exciting chapter of life.

Meet Us

David Willett
Founder,
Financial Advisor

Bio

Tom Bennett, CFP
Operations Director, Portfolio Analyst

Bio

We believe retirement isn’t just one long chapter—it’s a series of seasons.

  • In your early “Go-Go Years,” you may want to travel, explore, and enjoy the freedom you’ve earned. 
  • Later, in the “Slow-Go Years” life often becomes more relaxed and closer to home. 
  • And in the “No-Go Years,” priorities may shift toward comfort and care.

 

By planning for each of these stages, we help ensure your resources are aligned with how you want to live—so you can spend more time enjoying life, and less time worrying about it. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about finances.  It’s about confidence in your future, and having a partner who understands what matters most to you.

Love from our clients.

I’ve had an excellent experience working with Willett Wealth Planning. They take the time to truly understand my goals and have provided clear, thoughtful guidance every step of the way. What stands out most is their ability to explain complex financial concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, which has given me a lot of confidence in my decisions. They’re always responsive, professional, and proactive in keeping me informed about opportunities and potential risks. I never feel rushed or pressured—just supported. Thanks to their advice, I feel much more organized and optimistic about my financial future. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and trustworthy advisor.

– Michelle C

*This testimonial and/or endorsement was given by a client of the financial advisor and no compensation was provided directly or indirectly. This testimonial and/or endorsement is not a guarantee of future performance or investment success, and the testimonial and/or endorsement may not be representative of the experience of other customers. Please visit BrokerCheck (https://brokercheck.finra.org) to see more on the background of this professional.

We Will Proactively Schedule Your
Checks-Ins & Planning Updates

Jan/Feb

Annual Investment Review

Jun/Jul

Tax Results + Risk Mitigation/Estate

Sep/Oct

Goal Updates

And whenever “life happens” we are ready to get to work with you!

What We Do

Things to Keep in Mind on Your Journey

We have learned over the years that there are things none of us can predict:

  • Tax laws may change.
  • Markets will rise and fall.
  • Health needs can shift over time.


But with careful planning and ongoing guidance, these uncertainties don’t have to derail your future. Instead, we build your strategy with resilience in mind—so it can adapt right along with you.

And when life calls for something extra, you won’t have to figure it out on your own. Whether it’s helping family, replacing a car, or making improvements to your home, we’ll walk through the financial and tax implications together—so you can make decisions with clarity and confidence.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Experience matters — but so does how you’re treated.

Over decades of working with retirement-focused investors, we’ve developed a thoughtful, structured approach designed to reduce uncertainty and increase clarity.

  • We schedule proactive review meetings three times per year
  • We spend significant time upfront deeply understanding your full financial picture
  • We provide clear, actionable guidance — not jargon
  • We are available when life happens


Because we truly know your story, when questions arise — about market changes, Social Security timing, helping children, downsizing, or health care decisions — we can respond with advice grounded in your unique situation.

We work best with people who:

  • Have been diligent savers over the years.
  • Have accumulated at least $300,000 in investable assets.
  • Are within five years of retirement or already retired.
  • Prefer to delegate financial management to a trusted professional.
  • Value working with a real, ongoing advisor — not a call center.


Many of our clients wouldn’t consider themselves “wealthy,” but through decades of discipline and hard work, they’ve built meaningful retirement savings. They want thoughtful guidance, not sales pressure — and a long-term relationship built on mutual respect. 

Yes. As fiduciaries, we are legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interest at all times.

We operate with loyalty, care, transparency, and good faith — always.

We begin with an in-depth discovery conversation about:

  • Your past experiences with money
  • Your current financial picture
  • Your hopes, goals, and concerns about the future


We carefully review your income sources, expenses, investments, taxes, estate plans, and insurance coverage. From there, we build a personalized roadmap showing how your retirement could unfold.

Once your investments transition to us, we meet three times per year (or more if needed) to monitor progress and adjust as life evolves.

We are always available between meetings when important decisions arise.

Ready to Get
the Most Out of Your Retirement?

We’d Love to Meet You

See If We're a Fit

David Willett

AIF Founder, Financial Advisor

Hi, I’m David. I was born and raised here in Orange County, California, and it’s the place I’ve proudly called home my entire life.

I attended Orange Lutheran High School (Class of 1993) and later earned my bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Fullerton in 1998. My interest in investing began much earlier, when I took an elective class called “The Stock Market” in seventh grade. Each day we tracked the value of imaginary portfolios filled with stocks like ABC and XYZ, and I quickly became fascinated with how the markets worked.

That same year, in 1987, the world experienced the market crash known as Black Monday. Even as a 12-year-old, seeing how dramatically markets could move taught me an important lesson: investing brings both opportunity and risk, and understanding how to manage both is essential for long-term success.

After college, I worked for a growing restaurant company that was expanding across the country. I helped develop procedures for opening new locations and later worked as a financial analyst on a variety of projects. While it was an exciting environment, I realized I wanted to work more directly with people and help them make important financial decisions.

In 2004, I made the decision to pursue a career as a financial advisor. I had already been investing personally for years, but I was drawn to the broader field of financial planning. It didn’t take long to see that finances can feel overwhelming for many people, and that thoughtful guidance can make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Today, more than 20 years later, I’m grateful to work with many wonderful individuals and families. Over time, many of these professional relationships have grown into genuine friendships. Helping people feel confident about their financial future—especially as they approach retirement or navigate major life transitions—is the most rewarding part of my work.

Outside of the office, I’m a proud father to two wonderful daughters, Julia and Anna. Our family stays busy with sports and activities, though I’ve learned that one of my favorite days is simply a quiet day with nothing scheduled.

We attend St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, where I serve on the St. John’s School Endowment Committee. Being involved in our community and giving back to the place that has given so much to my family is something I value deeply.

Tom Bennett, CFP®

Operations Director, Financial Advisor

Hi, I’m Tom. I was born and raised in Southern California and have always felt a strong connection to the outdoors and the lifestyle that makes this region such a special place to live.

My path into finance was shaped early by my parents. They moved our family from Boston when my father completed his service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Their journey taught me the importance of hard work, gratitude, and making the most of the opportunities life provides.

I attended the University of California, San Diego, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in economics. It was also where I met my wife, Kati. We were married in 1987 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange in a ceremony officiated by her father, a Lutheran minister.
Kati devoted her career to education, teaching in South Orange County for more than 30 years. Together we raised two wonderful children—Cassidy, who graduated from Brown University and UCLA School of Law, and Peter, a graduate of UC Berkeley. Watching them pursue their own paths has been one of the greatest joys of our lives.

My career as a financial advisor began in 1986 shortly after graduating from UC San Diego. Over the years I have seen the financial landscape change in many ways, but the core goal has always remained the same—helping people make thoughtful decisions about their financial future. In 2009 I earned the CFP® designation, reflecting my commitment to professional excellence and comprehensive financial planning.

In 2021, I joined forces with David Willett to form Willett Wealth Planning with Cetera Wealth Services. Together we share a commitment to building meaningful, long-term relationships with our clients and helping them create financial strategies that support their goals and the lives they want to live.

What I enjoy most about this profession is the opportunity to help individuals and families navigate important financial decisions with clarity and confidence. After nearly four decades in this field, I still find great purpose in the work and in the relationships built along the way.