Rochester's Retirement Planning Advisor for Mayo Clinic Employees and Beyond

We work with Rochester-area clients who are done searching for a generic financial advisor and ready to work with someone who actually knows their benefits.

 

For more than 20 years, Tiarks Financial has been the go-to retirement planning resource for Mayo Clinic employees, Olmsted Medical Center staff, and pre-retirees across the Rochester area. We know how Mayo's 403(b) works, how to evaluate your pension election options, and how to turn a career in healthcare into a retirement income plan that holds up.

 

Our office is in Pine Island — about 20 minutes north of Rochester on Highway 52. We serve Rochester clients by appointment, and our familiarity with the Rochester market and Mayo Clinic benefits runs as deep as any firm based in the city itself.

 

No minimum asset threshold. No barriers to a first conversation. If you're within 10 years of retirement or already there, we're ready to talk.

Built Around the People Who Keep Mayo Clinic Running

Most financial advisors in Rochester can give you a retirement plan. Fewer can tell you the difference between Mayo's pension survivor benefit options, explain how your 403(b) investment lineup compares to what's available outside the plan, or help you decide whether a lump sum or lifetime annuity makes more sense for your situation.

 

We can — because we've been doing exactly that for Mayo Clinic employees and retirees for over two decades. Whether you're a nurse, a physician, a technician, or an administrator, the financial decisions you face at retirement are specific to your benefits package. We know that package.

 

If you work for Mayo Clinic and want a retirement planning advisor in Rochester who understands your situation without a lengthy explanation, we're the firm you've been looking for.

What We Help Rochester-Area Clients Work Through

Retirement planning for healthcare professionals in the Olmsted County area covers a lot of ground. Here's where we spend most of our time with Rochester clients:

 

  • 403(b) planning and investment management — reviewing your current allocations, identifying gaps, and managing your account inside or outside of Mayo's plan
  • Pension elections — analyzing the lump sum vs. annuity decision and survivor benefit options before you lock in a choice you can't reverse
  • Retirement income planning — building a paycheck from your savings, pension, and Social Security that covers your actual expenses
  • Social Security optimization — determining when to claim based on your income sources, health, and household situation
  • Medicare planning — helping you transition off employer coverage and into the right Medicare plan without gaps or overpayment
  • Life insurance in retirement — replacing or right-sizing group life coverage when you leave Mayo's benefit structure

 

Every engagement starts with our Retirement Roadmap — a structured process that maps your assets, income sources, and goals into a clear picture of where you stand and what comes next.

Why Rochester Clients Work with a Pine Island Advisor

We hear this question occasionally: why work with an advisor based in Pine Island when there are firms in Rochester proper?

 

It's a fair question. Here's the honest answer: proximity to a client doesn't determine how well an advisor knows their situation. What matters is whether the advisor understands your benefits, your industry, and your goals — and has a track record of helping people in your position retire well.

 

We've spent more than 20 years building that track record with Mayo Clinic employees and Rochester-area families. We serve Rochester clients by appointment, and the 20-minute drive from Pine Island to Rochester is one our team makes regularly. The independence of our location also means we have no institutional pressure to recommend any particular product or provider — our recommendations are based on what works for you.

No Minimums. No Pressure. Just a Real Conversation.

Not every Rochester financial firm will sit down with you unless your portfolio clears a threshold. We don't operate that way. Whether you're just starting to think about retirement or you're six months out from your last day at Mayo, you're welcome to schedule an exploratory meeting with no obligation.

 

We work with Rochester-area families at every stage of the retirement planning process — from building a plan for the first time to managing the transition into retirement income. If you're ready to talk, so are we.

Our Financial Planning Process

Good financial planning begins with understanding what matters most to you.

Discover

We learn about your goals, current financial picture, family priorities, and future plans.

Analyze

We review your income, investments, retirement savings, insurance, tax considerations, and financial opportunities.

Develop

Together, we create a personalized financial strategy that aligns with your objectives and timeline.

Monitor

As your life changes, we review your plan regularly to help keep it aligned with your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions — Retirement Planning in Rochester, MN

  • Do I need a financial advisor in Rochester, or can a Pine Island advisor actually help me?

    Location matters less than familiarity with your situation. We've spent over 20 years advising Mayo Clinic employees and Rochester-area families, and we serve Rochester clients by appointment. The drive from our Pine Island office is about 20 minutes — and our knowledge of the Rochester market and Mayo Clinic benefits is as current as any firm based in the city. For clients that live further away from our office, we often can travel to meet in a location convenient to you.

  • Can you advise me on my Mayo Clinic 403(b) even though you're not a Mayo-affiliated advisor?

    Yes. Independent advisors can provide guidance on your 403(b) plan, including investment selection, contribution strategy, and rollover decisions at retirement. We've worked inside Mayo's plan structure with clients for more than two decades and know the investment options and plan rules in detail.

  • What's the difference between a lump sum and annuity pension election for Mayo Clinic employees?

    The lump sum gives you a one-time payment you control and invest; the annuity provides a guaranteed monthly income for life. The right choice depends on your health, your other income sources, your spouse's situation, and your tolerance for managing a large sum of money. This is one of the most consequential decisions Mayo retirees face, and we work through it in detail with every client approaching retirement.

  • Is there a minimum investment to work with Tiarks Financial?

    No. We don't require a minimum asset threshold to schedule a meeting or become a client. Rochester families at any stage of retirement planning are welcome to reach out.

  • Do you help with Medicare planning for Mayo Clinic retirees transitioning off employer coverage?

    Yes. Transitioning from Mayo's group health coverage to Medicare involves timing decisions, plan selection, and cost comparisons that can have a significant long-term impact. Our team includes a dedicated Medicare advisor who works with retirees across the Rochester area through this transition.