facebook twitter instagram linkedin google youtube vimeo tumblr yelp rss email podcast blog external search brokercheck brokercheck

Life can be Complicated.

But Managing Your
Wealth Shouldn’t Be.


We’re Here To Help

We think Leonardo da Vinci was on to something when he said,

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

That’s why our team is dedicated to transforming your complex financial affairs into manageable solutions.



What is a Fiduciary?


Fi·du·ci·ar·y

/fəˈd(y)o͞oSHēˌerē / fəˈd(y)o͞oSH(ə)rē/


Founded in trust
Ethically bound to your best interest

As a fee-only Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm, we’re held to a fiduciary standard. But what does that mean for you? It’s a promise that we’ll do only what we believe is in your best interest. We put personal motives, gains or conflicts of interest aside to ensure we’re acting in an honest and trustworthy manner.


Learn More About Our Services

"The four most expensive words in the English language are “this time is different.”

- Sir John Templeton - philanthropist, investor, billionaire

Our Process



Build Your Asset Map

Step 1

Discovery Process

They say a picture is worth a thousand words.   We agree.    We start by creating a visual experience that displays your household...who is important to you, what resources will be available, both now and in the future, to use towards your financial goals.   An intuitive, simplified overview of your financial situation can help you make more informed decisions about your future.


Step 2

Financial Planning

  • We help clients prepare for retirement, college funding, major purchases and plan for the curveballs that life throws at us.
  • We can illustrate  tax-efficient withdrawal strategies for retirement plan distributions for living expenses or Roth IRA conversions.
  • We can show clients how to maximize their Social Security benefits and understand the impact of those decisions on Medicare.



Our team.

Allen Gibson Photo

Allen Gibson

CFP®, CEP®, CHFC®, CRPC®, CDFA®, CLTC®, BFA®, NSSA®
Read Bio

Allen Gibson, cep®, CHfc®, crpc®, cdfa®, cltc®, bfa®, NSSA®

President & chief compliance officer


In 2016, after spending 25 years with the world’s leading financial planning company, I founded Gibson Wealth Advisors, LLC.   As a Registered Investment Advisory firm, we work directly for our clients, not for a brokerage firm or corporation, and we're held to a fiduciary standard.    That means that we are required to act in our client's best interests.   We do not have any products to sell and we never receive commissions, bonuses, trips or other incentives from third-party any corporations.    We get paid for providing financial advice, not for selling things.

I received a BBA in finance from the University of Texas at Arlington and joined Ameriprise soon after.  

A BIT ABOUT ME

On a personal note, my wife’s name is Dede and our son is Kylar. We have two dogs, Molly the goldendoodle and Maggie, the sheepadoodle.  My family and I enjoy traveling together, especially snow skiing and spending time at our place on Lake Tyler.

My Professional Designations

We believe that ongoing education is important to be able to stay proficient and be able to provide value to our clients.   Click on any of the designations to learn more about each one.

CEP® - Certified Estate Planner®

As a CEP®, I have a deep knowledge and understanding of the importance of estate planning and the complications that can arise from it. 

ChFC® - Chartered Financial Consultant®

I earned my ChFC® designation after completing a complex and in-depth course covering an array of financial planning topics. 

CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®

This designation has prepared me to advise and assist in your retirement planning strategies.  

CDFA™ - Chartered Divorce Financial Analyst™

My CDFA™ designation allows me to provide sound financial advice to individuals experiencing this tough transitional period. 

CLTC® - Certificate in Long-Term Care™

As a CLTC®, discussing the potential need for long-term care of a loved one is tough, but it’s a necessary conversation I’m prepared to have in order to best help my clients avoid future financial pitfalls. 

BFA® - Behavioral Financial Advisor

My BFA® designation allows me to help my clients navigate through the emotional responses planning for their financial future may bring. 

NSSA® - National Social Security Association

My NSSA® designaton allows me to help our clients understand and maximize their Social Security benefits.


Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM

Members of Ed Slott's Elite IRA Advisor GroupSM train with Ed Slott and his team of IRA Experts on a continuous basis. These advisors passed a background check, complete requisite training, attend semiannual workshops, webinars, and complete mandatory exams. They are immediately notified of changes to the tax code and updates on retirement planning, so you can be sure your retirement dollars are safe from unnecessary taxes and fees. Additionally, members have access to us, America’s IRA Experts to answer any tough questions or planning needs.

2002-2020 CFP® - Certified Financial Planner Practitioner®

Vic Williams Photo

Vic Williams

CRPC®, NSSA®
Read Bio

Vic Williams, CRPC®, NSSA®

vice president


I’ve worked with Allen since joining his team at Ameriprise in 2002. Today, I serve as an advisor dedicated to helping Allen put his clients on a path toward financial well-being. Previously, I worked as a broker at Edward Jones from 2000 until 2002.

I graduated with a BS in math education from Northeastern State University in 1988. From there, I taught math and coached basketball from 1989 until 2000.

I currently hold a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and National Social Security Association® designation.

A Bit About Me

On a personal note, my wife Darla and I have three children. Our oldest son, Seth, is in med school, our son Elijah is in college and our daughter, Carter, is in high school. 

CRPC® - Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®

This designation has prepared me to advise and assist in your retirement planning strategies.  

NSSA® - National Social Security Association

My NSSA® designaton allows me to help our clients understand and maximize their Social Security benefits.

Maggie, TLC Photo

Maggie, TLC

Chief Morale Officer
Read Bio

Maggie, TLC®

Chief Morale Officer


Maggie joined our team in 2016. She is responsible for keeping morale high and reminding people that it's the simple things in life that mean the most. She has a knack for not letting life's day-to-day stresses get to her. Maggie knows that life is more about how we react to events than the events themselves. In her free time, she enjoys chasing anything that will run from her and violating everyone's personal space.

Raymond W. Cozby, III, JD Photo

Raymond W. Cozby, III, JD

Attorney
Read Bio

Ray founded Raymond W. Cozby III Law Firm and Texas Private Trust after spending a combined 20 years as a trust officer at two of the larger regional banks.       

We Work Hard for Those Who’ve Always Worked Hard


We support the average Joe with higher than average savings - from the hardworking business owner to the professional nearing retirement.



Pre-Retirees & Retirees

Men and women nearing retirement face a wide variety of financial challenges, but they all have one question in mind: “Will I have enough?” We help those who are nearing or entering retirement settle on the right strategies and solutions to meet their comfort level and individual needs. And while you might not consider yourself “rich,” we know you’ve spent your working years spending frugally and saving diligently. Our clients have a minimum accumulated nest egg of $500,000, although exceptions may be made for referrals.

Entrepreneurs & Professionals

We work with entrepreneurs and business professionals who’ve achieved significant financial success while staying focused on strategic saving. You’ve spent years building up your business or focusing on your career, now’s the time to ensure your finances work as hard as you do today and toward retirement.

High-Net-Worth Individuals

Our perfect idea of a high-net-worth individual is the humble family man or woman who understands the value of hard work. Instead of sporting exotic cars or flashy mansions, you’ve built a safety net for your family’s future to ensure they can maintain a comfortable lifestyle into retirement.


Does This Sound Like You?

Give Us a Call Today

We’ll Build a Simple Path To Help Navigate Your Financial Future


Plan. Grow. Spend. Sounds simple, right? Our team wants to make the process of managing your wealth as painless as possible. To help guide you as best we can, here’s what you can expect from us.


Step 1

Organize

We’ll learn the ins and outs of your current financial picture. We ask that you bring important documents to our initial meeting to help us determine how we may best be able to assist you.

Step 2

Strategize

Using the information you’ve provided us, we’ll develop a realistic roadmap designed to help you achieve your goals. While we don’t claim to be genies, we’ll work hard to check what we can off your wishlist.


Step 3

Take Action

Once you’re comfortable with the strategies and solutions we’ve presented, we’ll implement your financial plan. Keeping your comfort level in mind, we’ll take actionable steps toward establishing your financial well-being.

Step 4

Review

Our job doesn’t end once your plan is put into motion. Our hope is to develop an ongoing relationship together as we continuously monitor, review and adjust your strategies as needed.



Sound Like a Plan?

See Our Services

"The Stock Market Is a Device To Transfer Money From The ‘Impatient’ To The ‘Patient’."

- Warren Buffet

How We Can Help


If you’re successful, you’re busy. We understand that you might not have the time or know-how to put toward protecting your hard-earned assets. Instead, you need to surround yourself with a trusted team of professionals who can help do it for you. We’re here to answer your most important financial question: “Will I have enough?”

In taking a comprehensive approach to financial planning and wealth management, we offer a variety of services to help you plan and prepare for your family’s financial future.


Retirement
Strategies

Retirement Strategies

Every major financial decision you make should take your retirement plan into account. From offering appropriate investment options to foreshadowing “what if” scenarios, we’ll help you develop strategies designed to protect you and your income throughout retirement.

Social Security
Maximization

Social Security Maximization

Understanding when the right time to activate your Social Security is can play a major role in your financial independence throughout retirement. We’ll help you maximize your social security benefits to work in conjunction with your other income sources throughout retirement.

Interested In Social Security Reform?

Play the Social Security Game

Trust
Services

Trust Services

When it comes to protecting and managing your assets, a trust offers certain flexibilities that can appeal to many people. And while you may think they’re only for the wealthy, a trust can be important for anyone with a considerable amount of assets or those may receive substantial death benefits.

Being asked to serve as a trustee for a friend or family member can be a dubious honor when you consider some of the responsibilities that you might have serving as a trustee:

  • Filing tax returns
  • Distribute assets per the terms of the document
  • Properly fund any & all sub-trusts
  • Determine if probate is necessary
  • Invest assets in a prudent manner
  • Read & interpret the trust document
  • Track all expenditures and additions to income and principal
  • Sell or retain unique assets (examples: home, cars, boats, LLC interests, artwork)
  • Act in the best interest of ALL beneficiaries
  • Collect death benefits (life insurance, retirement plans)
  • Notify all beneficiaries/charities of your position
  • Issue statements to all beneficiaries
  • Keep accurate and detailed records
  • Obtain appraisals on certain assets
  • Determine who the beneficiaries are
  • Decide if partial distributions are prudent
  • Preserve trust assets
  • Assess beneficiary’s needs and assets to approve distributions
  • Create & distribute final accountings to beneficiaries
  • Use discretionary power to make distributions to beneficiaries
  • Close all accounts
  • Manage assets so they result in reasonable growth, with minimal risk
  • Obtain beneficiaries’ consent for final distribution
  • Diversify trust assets
  • Inventory all assets and determine value
  • Issue notices required under state statute and the trust document
  • Verify and pay all final bills & taxes
  • Keep beneficiaries Informed of activity within the trust
  • Notify banks, brokerage firms, and other financial institutions of death
  • Obtain tax ID for trust
  • Order death certificates
  • Pay funeral expenses
  • Transact necessary business
  • Transfer titles
  • Treat beneficiaries equally & impartially
  • Update cost basis to date of death value



Protection
Planning

Protection Planning

We don’t sell insurance, but we can bring our unbiased opinions to helping you understand your needs and coverage options. We offer a no-pressure environment to help you learn more about long-term care insurance, disability coverage and life insurance.

Investment
Planning

Investment Planning

We cannot predict, influence or control the financial markets, nor will we insult your intelligence by insinuating that we can. Instead, we approach investments with a firm philosophy and focus on behavior coaching. Our investment approach is based on asset allocation and Modern Portfolio Theory for which Harry Markowitz won a Nobel Prize in Economics.

Learn More About Our Investment Philosophy



Give Us a Call Today



Understanding Your Risk Tolerance


Do you know how risky your portfolio is? This unique tool will help you understand you own risk tolerance and the volatility that you can expect from you portfolio.

Learn your risk number

"The Key To Successful Investing Is Not Seeing The Future With Some Kind Of Mythical Vision — It Is Seeing The Present With Clarity."

- Dr David Kelly


Planning for
Retirement


Investment Basics -
Stocks



Investment Basics -
Bonds


Investment Basics -
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)



Investment Basics -
Mutual Funds


Investment Basics –
The Power of Compounding



Organizing and coordinating your financial life



Comprehensive Financial Planning


Access Important References and Guides Here


For Current Clients


GWA Client Portal

Our Recommended Readings


Additional Resources


Downloadable PDFs


2019 Tax Reference
Numbers at a Glance

2019 Medicare
Quick Reference

2019 Social
Security Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a few of the most common questions we get asked by prospective and current clients. Don’t see your question listed here? Give us a call to get it answered today.

What is comprehensive financial planning?
What is your investment approach?
Who will I work with?
How much contact should I expect?
Have you ever been disciplined for any unlawful or unethical actions in your professional career?

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

- Benjamin Franklin

Are We the Right Fit for You?


We have offices in DFW and Tyler, Texas. However, we work with clients throughout Texas and across the United States. If you’re looking to simplify your complicated financial life, we’re here to help.

Schedule a Meeting


Phone

(214) 347-7475

(888) 888-1235


Have Any Questions?


Dallas Office

700 Central Expressway S, Ste 400
Allen, Texas 75013

Tyler Office

1015 Pruitt Place, Ste 105
Tyler, TX 75703