About Platania Financial
We’re a family business helping other families prepare for retirement. With a unique two-advisor approach and deep experience in retirement income planning, we simplify the complex decisions so you can focus on living your life.
Based on Daily Herald reader votes. This award is not representative of the views of clients and is not indicative of future performance or services.
A True Family Business
Our family works as a team to serve yours. Every client benefits from experience, perspective, and collaboration.
Retirement Income Planning
Helping you turn savings, investments, and Social Security into a reliable income stream for retirement.
Simplifying the Complex
From Medicare decisions to Roth conversions, we bring clarity to financial choices in retirement.
Here for Generations
We’re proud to serve families in Arlington Heights and beyond, offering guidance that carries from one generation to the next.
Ready to plan for your retirement?
Our family is here to help yours take the next step.
The "What Ifs" of Retirement
Many of our clients discover new passions and purpose after leaving their careers, and we help align their financial life to support these opportunities. Whether it’s travel, family time, volunteering, or new pursuits, we help you prepare not only for the expected but also for the “what ifs” of retirement.
FAQs
Turning retirement questions into retirement plans.
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When should I start planning for retirement income?
It’s never too early to plan, but many families begin focusing more seriously on retirement income in their 50s and early 60s. At Platania Financial, we help you create a plan for both the years leading up to retirement and the years after, so you have clarity on how your income may work throughout retirement.
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How do I know if I have enough saved for retirement?
There isn’t a single number that works for everyone. Your savings needs depend on your lifestyle, spending, healthcare costs, and retirement goals. Our team works with you to review your current savings, Social Security, and other income sources, then helps you build a plan designed around your personal situation.
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What makes Platania Financial different from other financial advisors?
We are a true family business, serving families in Arlington Heights and beyond. Every client works with both Jim Platania, Sr. and Jim Platania, Jr., two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, with the added expertise of Jim Jr. as a CPA. This two-advisor approach provides clients with multiple perspectives, deeper analysis, and a team committed to working together for your benefit.
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How do you help with taxes in retirement?
Taxes don’t go away in retirement, and decisions like when to take Social Security or how to withdraw from accounts can have tax consequences. With Jim Jr.’s background as a CPA, we integrate tax-aware strategies—such as Roth conversions—into retirement income planning to help you make more informed decisions.
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Can you help me with Medicare and healthcare planning?
Healthcare is often one of the largest expenses in retirement, and Medicare can feel overwhelming. We help simplify the process by guiding you through enrollment, coverage options, and how Medicare fits into your broader retirement plan.
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What if something unexpected happens in retirement?
Life is full of “what ifs”—whether that means an unexpected expense, a market downturn, or even exciting opportunities like travel or helping family. We build flexibility into your retirement plan to help prepare you for the expected and better positioned to adapt to the unexpected.
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Do you work with families beyond Arlington Heights?
While our roots are deeply in Arlington Heights, we serve families throughout the Chicagoland area and across generations, providing the same family-centered approach wherever you may be.
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Can you help when there’s a death in the family or an inheritance to manage?
The loss of a loved one or receiving an inheritance can feel overwhelming—both emotionally and financially. We help families navigate the financial steps during these times, from settling accounts and reviewing beneficiary designations to creating a plan for how inherited assets fit into your broader financial picture. Our goal is to simplify the process so you can focus on what matters most.
Testimonials
We have been clients of Platania Financial since the very beginning. For over 35 years Jim Sr has offered us solid advice and options, first to prepare for retirement, and for the past 30 years to be able to live a successful and comfortable retired life. With Jim Jr joining the firm, our relationship with this firm just becomes stronger. Both Jims pay attention to our goals and objectives and offer us suggestions and alternatives to meet those goals. We have weathered market ups and downs over our 30 years retired, and still feel confident we could weather another 30 years or more. We retired out of Illinois and never once considered ending our relationship with Platania Financial and looking for a firm closer to where we live. They take an active interest in our needs, are proactive to review our status at least quarterly, but any time we reach out to them. This standard of service includes Bridget and Caroline in the office. We would highly recommend this firm to anyone interested in planning for their retirement and/or insuring their financial stability throughout their retirement.
~ Maureen Morgan
Platania Financial has been an amazing financial partnership for my parents for over 20 years! When my dad passed away a few years ago, Jim was so helpful to my Mom and I with all of our financial questions. I would highly recommend Platania!
~ Sheri Tyska
When seeking a Financial blueprint there can be no better wealth management team than PLATANIA Financial. James senior and Jim junior are most knowledgeable and will listen to your needs to
help make your wealth wishes for today and tomorrow a reality.
Bridget Platania as director of operations and Carol Holcroft client relationship manager are part of an outstanding team.
~ Nicholas Mercurio
Before Platania began planning and guiding our portfolio, they were managing my wife's father's account very successfully for decades. When he passed, the folks at Platania really helped make the difficult transition painless - from seamlessly moving the portfolio over to helping us with getting estate matters taken care of. Since then, Jim, Jim, Bridget and Caroline have treated us like family, consistently offering sound financial advice (based on our risk tolerance and the market landscape) and continually guiding us every step of the way to meet our goals. Seriously, I don't know what we would have done without Platania Financial!
~ Dave Marsh
What makes Jim Sr and Jim Jr stand out as a financial planner is their personalized service. We have been with them for over 25 years and not only do they guide us with investments they also serve our broader estate and financial goals! I highly recommend their personal touch to guide you in securing your financial future!!
~ Steven Laurenz
All of the people at Platania Financial, Inc. are wonderful to work with. Knowledgeable, and so pleasant and really carefully explain everything so well. I highly recommend this group.
~ Rose MacLeod
Very good at what they do.
~ Kevin Cunningham
Recognition & Media
