Kevin Lao
CFP®, RICP®
Imagine Financial Security
Founder, Director of Financial Strategies
Kevin Lao
CFP®, RICP®
Imagine Financial Security
Founder, Director of Financial Strategies
We specialize in planning for retirement, tax optimization, and fiduciary investment management services. - Kevin Lao, CFP®, RICP®
Flat Fee-Only financial planner located in Jacksonville, FL, serving clients locally and across the country

Kevin Lao is a Jacksonville, FL flat fee-only financial planner. Imagine Financial Security provides comprehensive retirement planning, income distribution planning, tax planning, and estate planning to help organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a flat fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Kevin Lao is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice. He has a passion for serving blended families who have unique planning needs.
My name is Kevin Lao. I started in the financial services industry in 2008, amidst the Great
Recession. It was both a fascinating and heartbreaking time to start in this business. I’ve spoken to countless families who’s retirement plans were delayed years because of it, and this had a significant impact on my career path. I obtained my CFP designation at Georgetown University at the beginning of my career. The head professor of the program made a profound statement to me (us); “You can’t do this business the right way if you make a living selling products for commissions.” From that moment it clicked, I needed to cut out the conflicts of interest inherent with big wall street, brokerage, and insurance companies. I found a community of other like-minded financial advisors who serve as a fiduciary, and decided to launch my own firm to better serve you.
When I’m not diving into retirement planning or tax planning strategies for my clients, I enjoy playing golf twice a year (once on Father’s Day and once on my birthday), cooking, fishing, anything outdoors, and of course spending time with my family. My beautiful wife, Jessica, and I have three sons who keep us on our toes and force us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Now that you know more about me, I would love to get to know you!
Kevin Lao is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
Are you planning for retirement? We specialize in retirement planning, tax optimization and fiduciary investment management. We are a flat fee financial planning firm, which allows us to work for you without conflicts of interest.
Our specialties include:
Retirement Income Distribution
Social Security Optimization
Tax Optimization
Roth Conversions
Medicare Planning
Managing Investments while Navigating Withdrawals
Required Minimum Distributions
Charitable Giving
Inter-generational-Wealth Planning
We have a deep passion for helping individuals and couples transition from working to retired life, particularly for blended families with unique planning needs. The amount of preparation it takes to create a well thought out income distribution plan is extremely rewarding. This allows you to focus on what truly matters during retirement such as, spending time with grandchildren, traveling, staying active, volunteering or even your next venture. We look forward to hearing your story and learning how we can help in your journey.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- College Education Planning
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Growing Families
- Business Owners and Executives
- Sudden Money Situations
- Novice Investors
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Kevin Lao is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
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Kevin Lao is a Member of the XY Planning Network
The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
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Kevin Lao is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification
CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Kevin Lao is a Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®)
A professional designation for experienced financial advisors and investment managers who have passed coursework to become experts in retirement income planning. A Retirement Income Certified Professional® helps retirees and near-retirees develop and implement a plan for managing the financial assets they have accumulated for retirement and a set realistic budget to help meet life goals.
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on CBS News - Moneywatch: "What are the most common types of life insurance?"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on The Frugal Expat: "15 Easy Ways to Save Money While Traveling"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on GoBankingRates.com: "12 Retirement Planning Steps To Take in Your 50s"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on Medium: "Social Security Retirement Benefits — Should You Delay Claiming Yours?"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in Policy Genius: "How to make a financial plan for one & avoid the 'single penalty'"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in The Cents of Money: "Best Retirement Planning Tips For A Bear Market"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on Hello Sensible: "Blended Family Challenges and Tips to Overcome Them"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in Money Smart Guides: "12 STEPS TO BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in USA Today: "Three painful ways in which inflation is ravaging seniors' retirement income"
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VIDEO: Kevin Lao is Featured on InvestmentNews: "Clients are asking when taxes are going up, not if"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in Investor's Business Daily: "New Crisis, New Strategy: How The Coronavirus Changed Things For Advisors"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted in USA Today: "What's not to love? The US savings bond that earns 7% with inflation protection, yet gets ignored"
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Kevin Lao is Quoted on CNBC: "INVEST IN YOU: READY. SET. GROW. 9 money moves to make before becoming your own boss"
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Kevin Lao Volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida
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Imagine Financial Security is a Sponsor of the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jacksonville
Contact Kevin Lao
Office Locations:
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12574 Flagler Center Blvd.
Suite 101
Jacksonville, FL 32258 -
Virtually and by Appointment
St. Augustine, FL 32095