Alex Velazquez, CFP®, CPWA®, RICP®

Alex Velazquez, CFP®, CPWA®, RICP®
SVP, Wealth Advisor
Stamford, CT

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Alex Velazquez serves as Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at Carnegie Investment Counsel, where he advises individuals and families on the complexities of wealth management. 
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He develops customized investment and financial planning strategies designed to preserve and grow capital over time. His approach also emphasizes tax efficiency, multigenerational planning, and charitable giving. By integrating investment management with advanced planning, Alex helps clients make informed decisions across all aspects of their financial lives. 

With more than 14 years of experience, Alex previously served as Director of Financial Planning Services at Northwestern Mutual for seven years before joining Eagle Ridge Investment Management in 2021. 

Alex earned a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at Oneonta. He is a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) practitioner and a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute. He also holds the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designations. 

Alex lives in Westchester County, NY with his wife, their two daughters, and two dogs. Outside of work, he enjoys golf and spending time with his family, especially in his role as a proud “Girl Dad.” 

Blogs written by Alex Velazquez

About the CFP® Certification

The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.

To attain the right to use the CFP® marks, an individual must satisfactorily fulfill the following requirements:

• Education – Complete an advanced college-level course of study addressing the financial planning subject areas that CFP Board’s studies have determined as necessary for the competent and professional delivery of financial planning services, and attain a Bachelor’s Degree from a regionally accredited United States college or university (or its equivalent from a foreign university). CFP Board’s financial planning subject areas include Item 2: Educational Background and Business Experience insurance planning and risk management, employee benefits planning, investment planning, income tax planning, retirement planning, and estate planning;
• Examination – Pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Examination. The examination includes case studies and client scenarios designed to test one’s ability to correctly diagnose financial planning issues and apply one’s knowledge of financial planning to real world circumstances;
• Experience – Complete at least three years of full-time financial planning-related experience (or the equivalent, measured as 2,000 hours per year); and
• Ethics – Agree to be bound by CFP Board’s Standards of Professional Conduct, a set of documents outlining the ethical and practice standards for CFP® professionals.

​Individuals who become certified must complete the following ongoing education and ethics requirements in order to maintain the right to continue to use the CFP® marks:

• Continuing Education – Complete 30 hours of continuing education hours every two years, including two hours on the Code of Ethics and other parts of the Standards of Professional Conduct, to maintain competence and keep up with developments in the financial planning field; and
• Ethics – Renew an agreement to be bound by the Standards of Professional Conduct. The Standards prominently require that CFP® professionals provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care. This means CFP® professionals must provide financial planning services in the best interests of their clients.

CFP® professionals who fail to comply with the above standards and requirements may be subject to CFP Board’s enforcement process, which could result in suspension or permanent revocation of their CFP® certification.

About the CPWA Designation

CPWA candidates must meet all the following: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or one of the following designations or licenses: CIMA, CIMC, CFA, CFP, ChFC or CPA license; a satisfactory record of ethical conduct, as determined by IMCA’s Admissions Committee; and five years of professional client-centered experience in financial services or a related industry. 
 
Candidate must complete the following: 

• Six-month pre-study educational component.
• In-class program at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, or online program through Yale School of Management. 
• Final exam for in-class portion (online, proctored). 
• Continuing Education Requirement of 40 hours every two years. 

About the RICP® Designation

A Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) is a financial advisor with specialized expertise in retirement income planning. They help individuals create strategies to convert savings into sustainable income, optimize Social Security benefits, and prepare for long-term financial needs. RICPs are trained to address key retirement risks such as market volatility, healthcare expenses, and longevity risk, ensuring retirees can maintain their desired lifestyle. The RICP® designation is awarded by The American College of Financial Services and requires completion of an in-depth educational program.

The RICP® designation is designed for financial professionals seeking advanced knowledge in retirement income strategies. It signifies expertise in helping retirees navigate financial complexities and make informed decisions about asset distribution, tax-efficient withdrawals, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities of an RICP®

• Retirement Income Planning: Developing tailored strategies to convert assets into predictable income streams.
• Social Security Optimization: Advising on the best claiming strategies to maximize benefits.
• Investment & Withdrawal Strategies: Structuring withdrawals from retirement accounts to minimize taxes and sustain income.
• Healthcare & Long-Term Care Planning: Preparing for medical and custodial care costs in retirement.
• Risk Management: Addressing longevity risk, inflation, and market downturns to ensure financial stability.