# Strong Tower Advisors

> Strong Tower Advisors is a Rockford, IL financial advisor for individuals, families and businesses: planning, investments, retirement, insurance and Medicare.

Strong Tower Advisors — The Strength of Good Advice. Eddie J. Valdes, President. Since 2005, Eddie J. Valdes has provided financial services to clients in Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and beyond. Se habla español. Eddie speaks English and Spanish. Strong Tower's services include financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, portfolio, pension, NUA and 72(t) analysis, insurance, Medicare, employer retirement plans and group benefits, notary services and coordination with tax and estate professionals.

Office: Strong Tower Advisors, 6653 Weaver Rd., Rockford, IL 61114. By appointment only. Phone: (815) 986-7782. Email: info@strongtoweradvisors.com. Schedule an introductory call: https://calendly.com/strongtoweradvisors/introductory-call

We work with clients throughout the Rockford area, including Loves Park, Machesney Park, Belvidere, Roscoe, Rockton and Freeport, and in Southern Wisconsin communities such as Beloit.

Firm disclosures. Investment advisory services are provided through TLG Advisors, Inc. (a Simplicity company), an SEC-registered investment adviser. Strong Tower Advisors and TLG Advisors are separate and unrelated companies. Insurance products are offered through Strong Tower Advisors (agency NPN 22216236) and Eduardo J. Valdes (individual NPN 8687827), licensed in IL, WI and FL. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Form ADV Part 2A · Form CRS · SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure: Eddie J. Valdes (CRD 4988320) · TLG Advisors, Inc. (CRD 111052)

SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/individual/summary/4988320 (Eddie J. Valdes, CRD 4988320) · https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/111052 (TLG Advisors, Inc., CRD 111052)

Medicare notice. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 96 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. (Organization and product counts supplied by Advocate Health Advisors for the applicable service area.) Strong Tower Advisors is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

XML sitemap (all indexable English and Spanish pages): https://strongtoweradvisors.net/sitemap.xml · Site map: https://strongtoweradvisors.net/sitemap · Mapa del sitio: https://strongtoweradvisors.net/mapa-del-sitio

Educational content is general information and is not individualized investment, tax, legal, Social Security, Medicare, or insurance advice.

## About and contact

- [Eddie J. Valdes, Spanish-Speaking Financial Advisor, Rockford](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/about): Meet Eddie J. Valdes and Strong Tower Advisors in Rockford, IL. Serving families and businesses in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Se habla español.
- [Our Process](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/our-process): Strong Tower Advisors’ five-step process: Goals, Financial Evaluation, Financial Plan & Recommendations, Financial Solutions, and Monitor and Review.
- [Contact a Financial Advisor in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/contact): Contact Strong Tower Advisors at 6653 Weaver Rd., Rockford, IL, by appointment. Serving the Rockford area and Southern Wisconsin. Se habla español.
- [Client Logins](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/client-logins): Links to the account and planning platforms used by Strong Tower Advisors clients, provided as a courtesy, with the third-party website disclosure.
- [Disclosures](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/disclosures): Educational, investment, tax, Social Security, Medicare, rollover and marketing disclosures for Strong Tower Advisors.
- [Editorial & Content Standards](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/content-standards): How Strong Tower Advisors approaches retirement education, primary-source research, content review, disclosures and updates for financial and Medicare topics.
- [Site Map](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/sitemap): Every page on the Strong Tower Advisors website: services, retirement planning, healthcare and Medicare, business resources and Spanish guides.
- [Mapa del sitio](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/mapa-del-sitio): Todas las páginas del sitio de Strong Tower Advisors, incluidas las guías y listas en español.

## Services

- [Financial Services in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services): Financial planning, investment management, insurance, Medicare plans, employer plans, group benefits and notary services from Strong Tower Advisors in Rockford, IL.
- [Financial Planning in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/financial-planning): Financial planning at Strong Tower Advisors: understanding your goals, stress-testing scenarios and building a roadmap with actionable, measurable steps.
- [Fee-Based Investment Services & Wealth Management](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/investment-management): Professionally managed, diversified portfolios, periodic rebalancing and annual reviews, with fee-based investment management through Strong Tower Advisors.
- [Legacy & Succession Planning](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/legacy-succession-planning): Legacy and succession planning: wealth-transfer and estate strategies, business succession and coordination with your estate and tax professionals.
- [Life, Health, Disability & LTC Insurance](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/insurance): Life, health, disability and long-term care insurance through Strong Tower Advisors: reviewing health coverage, existing life policies and protection needs.
- [Medicare Help in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/medicare-plans): Medicare help in Rockford, IL: reviewing Medicare Advantage, Part D drug coverage and Medicare Supplement plans with Strong Tower Advisors. Se habla español.
- [Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/employer-retirement-plans): Employer-sponsored retirement plans for companies of all sizes: 401(k), 403(b), Solo 401(k), SIMPLE and SEP IRAs, profit sharing, pensions and non-qualified plans.
- [Employer Group Health & Supplemental Benefits](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/group-benefits): Group health coverage and supplemental employee benefits from various carriers: HMOs, PPOs, HSAs, group life, dental, vision, disability and more.
- [Notary Services in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/notary): Notary services at Strong Tower Advisors, 6653 Weaver Rd., Rockford, IL: help notarizing documents for financial matters, by appointment.
- [Estate, Tax & Banking Introductions](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/services/professional-introductions): Strong Tower Advisors can introduce you to estate, succession, investment banking and tax planning professionals to carry out your financial plan.

## Retirement planning topics

- [Financial Planning for Individuals & Families](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/individuals): Financial planning, investments, insurance, retirement, Medicare and legacy planning for individuals and families at every stage of life, from Strong Tower Advisors.
- [Planning Ages 55–65](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/planning-55-65): Ages 55–65 can bring interconnected decisions about retirement timing, investments, 401(k) plans, taxes, healthcare, Medicare, Social Security and retirement income.
- [Retirement Planning in Rockford, IL](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/rockford-retirement-planning): Retirement planning in Rockford, IL: Illinois tax on retirement income, Medicare help, property-tax relief and pensions. Serving Loves Park to Beloit, WI.
- [Can I Retire at 62?](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/retire-at-62): Evaluate retirement income, Social Security, healthcare before Medicare, taxes and investment risk before retiring at 62.
- [What Happens to a 401(k) When You Retire?](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/401k-after-retirement): Compare employer-plan, rollover and retirement-distribution options before deciding what should happen to a 401(k) or 403(b).
- [401(k) Rollover Questions](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/401k-rollover-questions): Before a 401(k) rollover: compare costs in dollars, check the Rule of 55, NUA and Roth money, use a direct rollover and ask how advice is paid.
- [Rule of 55 vs. 72(t): Early Retirement Access](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/rule-of-55-vs-72t): Rule of 55 vs. 72(t) SEPP: who qualifies, which accounts each covers, IRS Notice 2022-6 methods, a labeled hypothetical and why a rollover can remove an option.
- [Retirement Income Planning](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/retirement-income): Turn savings into a retirement paycheck: map essential spending to income sources, size the portfolio gap, plan withdrawals by account and review yearly.
- [Retirement Income Strategies Compared](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/retirement-income-strategies): Retirement income strategies compared: buckets, the 4% rule, guardrails, income floors, ladders, Social Security delay, annuities and tax planning.
- [Sequence-of-Returns Risk Near Retirement](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/sequence-of-returns-risk): Sequence-of-returns risk explained with a labeled hypothetical, plus planning levers for the first retirement years: reserves, flexibility and allocation.
- [The Retirement Tax Window](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/retirement-tax-window): Understand Roth conversions, retirement withdrawals, Social Security, ACA MAGI, Medicare IRMAA and RMD timing during retirement.
- [Roth Conversion Retirement Tax Window](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/roth-conversion-retirement-window): Roth conversions in the retirement tax window: 2026 rules, a labeled hypothetical with 2026 brackets and the senior deduction, thresholds and five-year rules.
- [Social Security at 62, 67 or 70](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/social-security): How Social Security retirement benefits work in 2026: full retirement age, claiming at 62, delayed credits to 70, spousal and survivor rules, earnings test and tax.
- [Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/social-security-62-vs-67): Social Security at 62 vs. 67 vs. 70: 2026 rules, a labeled hypothetical with cumulative totals, the earnings test, survivor effects and savings needs.
- [Additional Financial Planning Services](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/additional-planning): Insurance, legacy, life-event and professional-coordination services from Strong Tower Advisors.

## Healthcare and Medicare

- [Retiring Before Medicare?](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/healthcare-before-medicare): Retiring before 65? Compare Marketplace, COBRA, spouse and retiree coverage, see how 2026 subsidy rules and MAGI interact, and plan the Medicare handoff.
- [Health Insurance When Retiring at 62](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/retire-at-62-health-insurance): Retiring at 62 means three years before Medicare. See a year-by-year coverage plan, why COBRA may not be enough and how 2026 Marketplace rules apply.
- [Medicare at 65 Planning](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/medicare): Educational Medicare planning for Part A, Part B, Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, IRMAA, HSA rules and enrollment timing.
- [Medicare and HSA Timing at 65](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/medicare-hsa): Medicare and HSA timing at 65: why Medicare ends HSA contributions, the 6-month retroactive Part A rule, a prorated 2026 example and paying Medicare costs.

## Employers and businesses

- [401(k) & Retirement Plans for Employers](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses): Retirement plan help for employers: plan advisor services, ERISA 3(21), 3(38) and 3(16) roles, plan types with 2026 limits, SECURE 2.0 credits and checklists.
- [Retirement Plan Advisor Services for Employers](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/plan-advisor-services): What a retirement plan advisor can do for an employer’s 401(k): investment policy, fund monitoring, QDIA, fee benchmarking, provider searches and education.
- [Retirement Plan Types Compared, With 2026 Limits](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/plan-types): Compare a traditional and safe harbor 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA, solo 401(k) and cash balance plan for employers, with the 2026 IRS contribution limits.
- [ERISA 3(21), 3(38) and 3(16) Roles Explained](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/fiduciary-roles): Educational guide for employers: what an ERISA 3(21) investment adviser, 3(38) investment manager and 3(16) administrator take on, and what stays with you.
- [Plan Sponsor Fiduciary Duties and Common Pitfalls](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/employer-fiduciary-duties): Core ERISA fiduciary duties for plan sponsors and six common pitfalls: late deposits, fee disclosures, notices, Form 5500, ERISA bonds and plan documents.
- [SECURE 2.0 Tax Credits and Rules for Employers](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/secure-2-0): SECURE 2.0 for employers: startup-cost, contribution and auto-enrollment tax credits, plus auto-enrollment, Roth catch-up and part-time rules.
- [Employer Retirement Plan Checklists](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/employer-checklists): Two printable checklists for employers: questions to ask any retirement plan advisor, and signs it may be time to review your company’s retirement plan.
- [Employer Retirement Plan FAQ](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/faq): Answers to common employer questions: how plan advisors are paid, changing advisors or recordkeepers, small-company plan options and what a 3(38) manager covers.
- [Other Business Services for Employers](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/businesses/other-business-services): Beyond the retirement plan: executive benefits, group health and supplemental benefits, and business transition coordination for employers and business owners.

## Guides and checklists (English; free sign-up)

- [Retirement Guides and Checklists](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources/guides-checklists): Free printable retirement guides and checklists: retiring at 62, 401(k) decisions, income, taxes, pre-65 healthcare and Medicare. Also in Spanish.
- [401(k) Retirement Decision Guide](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/401k-decision-guide): A rollover can be appropriate, but moving retirement assets can also change plan features, fees, withdrawal rules and other protections. Start with a structured comparison.
- [The 55–65 Retirement Opportunity Guide](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/55-65-guide): Get the 10-decision guide for coordinating investments, employer retirement plans, taxes, Social Security, healthcare, Medicare and retirement income.
- [Retirement Income Strategy Comparison Guide](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/income-strategy-guide): Get the printable Retirement Income Strategy Comparison Guide: an at-a-glance table, strategy checklists, an annuity quote worksheet and income floor and strategy-mix worksheets.
- [Medicare at 65 Checklist](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/medicare-checklist): Organize enrollment dates, current employer coverage, doctors, prescriptions, HSA timing, IRMAA and coverage preferences.
- [Retiring Before Medicare Checklist](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/pre65-healthcare-checklist): Compare coverage options, costs, household income and the handoff to Medicare before your employer coverage ends.
- [Free Can I Retire at 62? Checklist](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/retire-at-62-checklist): Download the Strong Tower Advisors 22-question Can I Retire at 62 checklist.
- [Retirement Tax Window Guide](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/campaigns/retirement-tax-window-guide): Get the Strong Tower Advisors guide to tax-planning questions that can arise between the final paycheck, Social Security, Medicare and later RMD years.
- [Retirement Readiness Assessment](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/assessment): Take an 18-question educational retirement readiness assessment covering income, healthcare, 401(k), Medicare, taxes and investment risk.

## Guías y recursos en español

- [Cuestionario de preparación para la jubilación](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/cuestionario-preparacion-jubilacion): Cuestionario imprimible de preparación para la jubilación: 18 preguntas, instrucciones de puntuación y cuatro grupos de resultados educativos.
- [9 errores de inversión](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/guia-9-errores-de-inversion): Guía imprimible de 2026 sobre nueve errores comunes al invertir, desde intentar predecir el mercado hasta los impuestos, con cifras oficiales actuales.
- [Estrategias de ingresos para la jubilación](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/guia-comparacion-estrategias-ingresos): Guía imprimible que compara estrategias de ingresos para la jubilación, con listas de verificación, comparación de anualidades y hojas de trabajo.
- [Guía de decisiones sobre el 401(k)](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/guia-decisiones-401k): Guía imprimible del 401(k) al jubilarse: quedarse en el plan, pasar a otro plan, transferir a una IRA o retirar efectivo, con hoja de trabajo.
- [Guía de jubilación de 55 a 65 años](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/guia-oportunidades-55-65): Guía imprimible de jubilación de 55 a 65 años: 10 decisiones clave, hoja de fechas importantes, lista por edad y cifras de referencia de 2026.
- [La ventana fiscal de la jubilación](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/guia-ventana-fiscal-jubilacion): Guía imprimible de la ventana fiscal de la jubilación: planificador anual, tramos de 2026, IRMAA, el Mercado de Seguros, conversiones a Roth y RMD.
- [Cobertura médica antes de Medicare](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/lista-cobertura-medica-antes-de-medicare): Lista imprimible de cobertura médica antes de los 65: compare COBRA, el Mercado de Seguros, el plan del cónyuge y la cobertura para jubilados.
- [¿Puedo jubilarme a los 62? Lista](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/lista-jubilarse-a-los-62): Lista imprimible para jubilarse a los 62: 22 preguntas por etapas, hoja de presupuesto, brecha de ingresos de los 62 a los 67 y fechas clave.
- [Lista de Medicare a los 65](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/lista-medicare-a-los-65): Lista imprimible de Medicare a los 65: calendario de inscripción, costos de 2026 de las Partes A, B y D, tramos de IRMAA, la HSA y penalidades.
- [Listas del plan de jubilación del empleador](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/es/guias/listas-plan-jubilacion-empleador): Listas imprimibles del plan de jubilación del empleador: preguntas para su asesor de planes y señales de que es momento de revisar su plan.

## Market commentary and resources

- [Daily Market Commentary for Retirees](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/market-commentary/): A plain-language daily recap of the U.S. market close and key financial news, with general context for savers and retirees. Educational only, not investment advice.
- [Retirement Resources](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources): Retirement guides and checklists for adults ages 55–65, including retiring at 62, 401(k), healthcare, Medicare and tax planning.
- [401(k) and Retirement Tax Resources](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources/401k-taxes): Educational resources on workplace plans, early access and the retirement tax window: 401(k) rollover questions, Rule of 55 vs. 72(t) and Roth conversions.
- [Healthcare and Medicare Resources](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources/healthcare-medicare): Educational resources on health coverage before 65 and the move to Medicare: retiring before Medicare, retiring at 62, Medicare at 65 and HSA timing.
- [Retirement Income and Investing Resources](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources/income-investing): Educational resources on turning savings into a retirement paycheck: retirement income planning, income strategies compared and sequence-of-returns risk.
- [Social Security Claiming Resources](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/resources/social-security): Educational resources on Social Security claiming age in the context of the whole retirement plan, including claiming at 62 vs. 67 and later.

## Optional

- [Privacy Policy](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/privacy): Strong Tower Advisors website privacy notice covering contact forms, marketing consent, security, data use and protection of sensitive information.
- [Text Messaging Terms](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/messaging-terms): Text messaging terms for Strong Tower Advisors: consent, message frequency, rates, and how to reply STOP to opt out or HELP for assistance.
- [Market Commentary Archive](https://strongtoweradvisors.net/market-commentary/archive): Every past edition of Strong Tower Advisors' daily educational market commentary for people 55 to 65 and retirees, kept exactly as originally published.