Annuities & Retirement Planning
Serving Maryland
Licensed & Serving Maryland Residents with Guaranteed Income Solutions
Advanced Capital Management is fully licensed in Maryland and has been helping families across the country with retirement planning, annuities, and life insurance since 1986. Maryland taxes retirement income, but exempts up to $34,300 of pension/retirement income for residents 65+. Strategic planning is critical.
Retirement Planning & Insurance for Maryland Residents
Maryland is home to one of the highest concentrations of federal employees in the country. With agencies like NSA, NIH, FDA, and the Social Security Administration headquartered here, many Maryland residents have complex federal benefit packages that require specialized guidance.
Advanced Capital Management is fully licensed in Maryland and specializes in federal employee retirement planning. As an FRC-certified Federal Benefit Consultant, John Ziesing has been helping families with FERS, TSP, and federal benefits optimization since 1986.
Maryland is also one of the few states that levies both an estate tax and an inheritance tax, which means high-net-worth families need a coordinated wealth-transfer strategy alongside their income plan. We build both into a single, integrated plan.
Schedule a free 20-minute benefits review by phone or video. We'll look at your federal benefits, savings, and retirement goals — and show you how to get the most from every dollar.
What We Offer Maryland Clients
Annuities
Fixed index annuities, lifetime income annuities, multi-year guaranteed annuities, and 401(k) rollovers for Maryland residents looking for guaranteed retirement income.
Learn MoreTax-Free Life Insurance
Index universal life insurance with tax-free cash value, death benefit protection, college funding, and mortgage protection for families in Maryland.
Learn MoreRetirement Planning
FRC certified federal benefits consulting, Social Security optimization, Roth conversions, and income planning for Maryland residents approaching retirement.
Learn MoreWhy Maryland Residents Choose ACM
Maryland has the highest median household income in the country, largely because of the federal workforce concentration around Washington, D.C. But high income doesn't always mean high retirement readiness. Many federal employees in Maryland aren't sure how to optimize their TSP withdrawals, FERS supplement, or Social Security timing. That's exactly what we specialize in.
Maryland's state income tax ranges from 2% to 5.75%, plus local county taxes that can add another 2-3.2%. This makes tax-deferred annuities particularly valuable for Maryland residents — your money grows without annual state taxation, and strategic withdrawals in retirement can keep you in lower brackets.
Many Maryland residents plan to retire to Florida to escape the higher taxes and cold winters. We're uniquely positioned to help with this transition since we're headquartered in Florida and licensed in both states.
Maryland recently expanded its retirement-income subtraction. Residents 65 and older can now exclude up to $34,300 of qualifying retirement income (2024 figures, adjusted annually). Pairing that exclusion with a tax-aware withdrawal sequence can keep many MD retirees in the lowest state brackets.
Maryland Retirement Tax Snapshot
- State income tax
- Graduated 2%–5.75%
- Local (county) income tax
- Additional 2%–3.2%
- Tax on Social Security
- Fully exempt
- Pension exclusion (age 65+)
- Up to $34,300 (2024)
- Maryland estate tax
- Yes — exemption ~$5M
- Maryland inheritance tax
- 10% to non-lineal heirs (spouse/children exempt)
Informational only — not tax advice. We coordinate with your CPA on actual tax planning.
Common Retirement Questions from Maryland Clients
"I'm a federal employee near D.C. — how do I optimize my TSP?"
Your Thrift Savings Plan is one of your most valuable assets. We help federal employees in Maryland understand TSP withdrawal options (lump sum, installments, or annuity), Roth TSP conversion strategies, and how to coordinate TSP income with your FERS pension and Social Security.
FRC federal benefits consulting"Maryland taxes are high — should I move to Florida when I retire?"
Many of our Maryland clients eventually relocate to Florida for the tax savings. We help you plan the financial transition — timing your retirement, restructuring accounts, and establishing Florida residency. A Maryland retiree with $80,000/year in retirement income can save $4,000+ annually by moving to Florida.
See retirement planning"When should I retire from federal service?"
The optimal federal retirement date depends on your FERS pension calculation, TSP balance, FEHB eligibility, Social Security timing, and the FERS supplement (if retiring before 62). We help Maryland federal employees model different retirement dates to find the one that maximizes their lifetime income.
Model your federal retirement date"Will Maryland's estate tax hit my family?"
Maryland is one of only a handful of states with both an estate tax and an inheritance tax. With an exemption around $5 million, professionals in Bethesda, Potomac, and Bethesda often cross that threshold once primary residences and TSP balances are added together. We use IUL, irrevocable life insurance trusts, and gifting strategies to keep more of the estate in the family.
See estate planning"How does Maryland's pension exclusion actually work for me?"
If you're 65 or older, Maryland lets you subtract up to $34,300 of qualifying pension and retirement income. The catch is that the exclusion is reduced dollar-for-dollar by your Social Security benefit. We model the trade-off and adjust your withdrawal mix (taxable, tax-deferred, Roth) to capture as much of the exclusion as possible.
Plan your withdrawal mix
Why Maryland Families Choose Advanced Capital Management
- 38+ years of experience — serving clients since 1986
- Fully licensed in Maryland (MD)
- FRC certified Federal Benefit Consultant
- Perfect 5.0 star Google rating — 28 real reviews
- Free 20-minute consultation via phone or video
- Independent agency — we shop dozens of carriers for the best rates
Frequently Asked Questions — Maryland Retirement & Insurance
Real questions from clients in Maryland. Call us at (727) 542-7659 if you don't see your question here.
Is ACM licensed in Maryland?
Can ACM help with FERS and TSP optimization?
How much can I save by moving from Maryland to Florida?
Does Maryland really have both an estate tax and an inheritance tax?
What is Maryland's pension exclusion and do I qualify?
Serving Maryland Residents In
We work with clients throughout Maryland via phone and video consultations. Whether you're in a major metro or a smaller community, we can help you build a retirement income plan.
Ready to Talk About Your Retirement?
Schedule your free 20-minute benefits review. No obligation, no pressure. We work with Maryland residents by phone and video — it's just as easy as meeting in person.