We work exclusively with individuals and families who are approaching or living in retirement. Our clients are people who value safety, dependable income, and a long-term relationship with an advisor who actually knows them. If you're primarily focused on aggressive growth or market performance, we're likely not the right fit, and we'll tell you that directly.

Because retirement is fundamentally different from every other stage of financial life. The strategies that helped you build wealth are not the same ones that will protect it, generate income from it, and preserve it for your family. We built this entire practice around that transition because it demands a level of focus and discipline that a generalist firm simply can't provide.

We are a locally rooted, independently operated firm serving clients in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. The Caiati family has been part of this community for over a century. You work directly with us, not a call center or a national brand that routes your calls to whoever is available.

Dominick Caiati founded the firm in July 1996. We're approaching 30 years of serving retirees and pre-retirees right here in Connecticut, and the same commitment that started this firm on day one drives every client relationship we have today.

The first meeting is a conversation, not a presentation. We want to understand your goals, your concerns, your family situation, and what you're hoping retirement looks like. We won't bring a stack of products to recommend or pressure you toward any decision. The entire purpose of that first conversation is to determine whether we're the right fit for each other, and you're encouraged to ask us every question you have.

The minimum level is $100,000.

Caiati Financial does not charge fees. We are compensated directly one time from the insurance carriers

Not at all. Our process is designed to be educational and client-paced from the very first conversation. You're never obligated to move forward, and we will never use pressure tactics or urgency-based language to push a decision. If after meeting with us you decide we're not the right fit, we'll respect that completely.

You will always have a direct relationship with a senior member of our team. We intentionally keep our practice small so that the advisor who learns your story is the one who stays with you, answers your calls, and manages your plan over time. Being handed off to rotating associates is exactly the kind of experience we built this firm to avoid.

We build structured retirement income strategies designed to create dependable monthly cash flow from your accumulated assets. This often involves a combination of income-generating tools coordinated to cover your essential expenses, your lifestyle costs, and your long-term needs. Every strategy is stress-tested against longevity, inflation, and market scenarios before we recommend it.

Longevity risk, the possibility of outliving your assets, is one of the central concerns we plan around. We address longevity risk through income strategies designed with long-term sustainability in mind, careful positioning of assets to support both income and liquidity needs, and regular reviews that keep your plan aligned with your actual spending and life changes over time.

Most advisors focus on accumulation and market performance. We focus on income reliability and protection, which are the things that actually matter once you've stopped working. We also treat retirement income, tax planning, and legacy strategy as one integrated plan rather than three separate conversations. And we operate as a relationship-driven firm, which means you get direct, ongoing access to your advisor rather than a service model built around volume.

We do meet with people who are currently working with another advisor and want a second opinion or a fresh perspective on their retirement plan. If a conversation with us adds clarity and confidence to your situation, we're glad to have it, regardless of what comes next.

We integrate tax awareness into every retirement income strategy we build. That includes evaluating withdrawal sequencing, Roth conversion opportunities, and the tax treatment of Social Security and RMDs. We work in close coordination with your CPA rather than replacing them, because your retirement plan and your tax strategy need to be aligned, not managed in separate silos.

Legacy planning is a core part of what we do. We help coordinate beneficiary designations, asset titling, and wealth transfer strategies in collaboration with your estate planning attorney. Our goal is to help make sure your assets reach the right people, in the right way, without unnecessary taxes, probate delays, or confusion about your intentions.

We don't replace your CPA or estate planning attorney; we collaborate with them. If you don't currently have those relationships, we can help you think through what you need and when. Our role is to ensure that your retirement income plan, your tax strategy, and your estate intentions are all working together rather than pulling in different directions.

We conduct regular reviews and reach out proactively when something changes that could affect your plan, whether that's a shift in tax law, a market event, or a change in your personal circumstances. You won't need to wonder whether your advisor is paying attention. That's the nature of the concierge-level service we provide, and it's the standard we hold ourselves to for every client we serve.

Life changes, and your plan should change with it. Whether it's a health event, a family change, an unexpected inheritance, or a shift in your spending needs, we're here to revisit and adjust your strategy as often as needed. Our relationship is ongoing by design, not transactional.

Yes. We host client education events throughout the year covering topics like retirement income strategies, tax law updates, Social Security planning, and estate planning fundamentals. These events are one of the ways we fulfill our commitment to keeping clients informed and confident about their plans. You're always welcome to bring a family member or someone you trust.

If you're within five to ten years of retirement or already retired and you don't have a clear, written income plan that addresses taxes and legacy, now is the right time. The earlier you engage in thoughtful retirement income planning, the more options you have. Waiting until you're already in transition often means working with fewer tools and less flexibility.

The simplest step is to schedule a Retirement Income Conversation with us. It's a no-pressure, no-obligation discussion where we listen to your situation, answer your questions, and give you an honest perspective on where you stand. There's nothing to prepare and nothing to bring. Just come ready to talk about what matters most to you.