GFI California
Wealth strategy and tax planning in California
GFI USA serves California families and business owners with tax-advantaged wealth strategy, financial protection strategies, fixed indexed annuities, and legacy planning. Based in San Francisco.
GFI USA is a California-based independent wealth strategy and tax planning practice, headquartered in San Francisco and led by Dr. Maryam Alaee. Californians across the state, from the Bay Area technology corridor to San Diego's biotech employers and the Central Valley's agricultural businesses, work with GFI USA to build protection and tax-advantaged accumulation strategies using wealth protection planning and annuity contracts.
California presents a distinct planning environment: among the highest combined state and federal marginal income tax rates in the country, concentrated equity compensation, expensive real estate, and a large population of self-employed professionals without employer pension coverage. Those conditions make tax-advantaged, protection-first strategies particularly relevant.
GFI USA works with clients in this market by phone, video conference, and secure electronic application. Availability of any specific product depends on state regulations, carrier filings, and individual underwriting.
Who we work with in California
- Technology and healthcare professionals with equity compensation
- Small business owners and independent contractors
- Multigenerational families planning for education and legacy
- Pre-retirees repositioning 401(k) and IRA assets
Local realities
What shapes planning in California
The conditions we hear about most often from clients in this market.
High marginal state income tax
California's top marginal state income tax bracket stacks on top of federal rates. Strategies with tax-deferred growth and potential tax-advantaged distributions, such as properly structured tax-advantaged wealth strategy, are frequently reviewed by high earners here.
Equity compensation concentration
RSUs, ISOs, and post-IPO stock create concentrated risk and lumpy taxable income. Protection planning and diversification into non-correlated contractual vehicles is a common request from California technology employees.
Business owners without pensions
California has one of the largest self-employed populations in the U.S. Without a corporate pension, owners often look at annuities and permanent wealth protection planning for guaranteed-income and liquidity components.
Multigenerational and immigrant families
Many California households support parents and children simultaneously. Legacy expense planning for elders and Children's Legacy Planning policies for children are frequently discussed together.
Strategies
Most requested by California clients
Questions
GFI USA in California, answered
Yes. GFI USA is headquartered in San Francisco and works with clients across California, including the Bay Area, Sacramento, the Central Coast, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Meetings are held in person in San Francisco or remotely by video and phone elsewhere in the state.
GFI USA's office is located at 200 Townsend St, San Francisco, CA 94107. Consultations for every other market are conducted remotely.
Financial strategies and contracts described here are subject to eligibility, underwriting, availability, state regulations, and the terms of the applicable contract. This website provides general educational information and is not a guarantee of results or individualized financial advice.
Last updated: August 2026
Nearby service areas
GFI California
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