Retirement Income Strategies in
St. Simons Island, Georgia
Learn more about how these things impact you in St. Simons Island:
✔ Social Security
✔ Retirement Income
✔ Tax Strategies
✔ Local Guidance
Planning Retirement Income on St. Simons Island
If you've relocated to St. Simons Island for retirement — or you're a longtime Golden Isles resident wondering whether Georgia's tax rules will treat your retirement income kindly — you're asking a question we hear constantly on the coast. Summerlin Benefits Consulting has helped retirees across Northeast Florida and coastal Georgia protect their retirement income since 2012, with founder Stacy Summerlin bringing more than 29 years of personal industry experience to every client relationship. We're licensed in both Georgia and Florida, and while our main office is in Yulee, FL, we also meet St. Simons Island clients by appointment right here on the island at The Sandbox. Call 855-809-2894 to get started.
Who Do We Help on St. Simons Island?
St. Simons Island has one of the older, more affluent populations along the Georgia coast — the median age here is 59.1, and median household income runs around $108,771, well above both the Georgia and national averages. A significant share of our St. Simons clients are relocators who chose the Golden Isles specifically for retirement, moving from Atlanta, the Northeast, or the Midwest, alongside longtime residents who built careers with Southeast Georgia Health System, Sea Island Company, or one of the area's tourism and hospitality businesses.
Because St. Simons attracts so many retirees relocating from out of state, the questions we hear most often involve how Georgia taxes retirement income compared to their previous home state, how to roll over a 401(k) or pension after a move, and how to time Social Security once other income sources are settled. If you're 55 to 70 with $250,000 or more in retirement savings and you're navigating any of these decisions — especially as part of a relocation — you're exactly who we work with most.
Why St. Simons Island Residents Choose Us?
Relocating to a new state for retirement raises the stakes on getting good advice, which is exactly why so many Golden Isles retirees look for a team with a genuine presence on both sides of the Florida-Georgia line. We've served Georgia and Florida clients since 2012, and Summerlin Benefits Consulting has been BBB-accredited since 2021 and is an active member of the Nassau County Chamber of Commerce.
Stacy Summerlin founded the firm and brings more than 29 years of personal experience in retirement income planning — read her full background on our About Us page. Keith Summerlin, our Executive Vice President, is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and his discipline shows in how our team handles every case. Many of our St. Simons Island clients first found us through a neighbor who relocated from Florida, a fellow member of the Golden Isles community, or a referral from a Southeast Georgia Health System colleague.
What Sets Us Apart:
- Founded in 2012, family-owned, serving Georgia and Florida retirees for over a decade
- Stacy Summerlin brings 29+ years of personal industry experience
- Licensed in both Georgia and Florida
- BBB-A+ accredited since 2021
- Keith Summerlin, Executive Vice President, is a retired U.S. Air Force veteran
- Local by-appointment office at The Sandbox on St. Simons Island
Educational retirement seminars help Jacksonville-area residents understand their options in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.
Georgia Retirement Tax Advantages for St. Simons Island Residents
Relocating to Georgia — or having spent a career here — comes with its own set of retirement tax questions, and the answers tend to work in your favor. Georgia's retirement income exclusion allows residents age 65 and older to exclude up to $65,000 per person of retirement income, including pensions, IRA distributions, and 401(k) withdrawals, from state income tax — meaning a married couple both 65 or older could exclude up to $130,000 combined.
Social Security income is fully exempt from Georgia state tax at any age, which matters for every St. Simons Island retiree regardless of when you claim benefits. Property taxes here are generally lower than the national average; Glynn County's 2025 millage rate was set at 14.9 mills, and this figure should be reconfirmed each year as new rates are adopted. Between the retirement income exclusion, the Social Security exemption, and comparatively modest property taxes, Georgia is considerably more retirement-friendly than many new residents expect when they first relocate.
Golden Isles Relocation Tip
Retirees moving to St. Simons Island from a state that fully taxes retirement income are often surprised by how much Georgia's $65,000-per-person retirement income exclusion (age 65+) can soften that transition. Combined with a full exemption on Social Security benefits, many new Golden Isles residents find their state tax bill drops significantly the first year they establish Georgia residency — a detail worth factoring into any relocation budget.
Our Services for St. Simons Island Retirees
Favorable tax treatment only goes so far without dependable income behind it, which is where our services come in. We keep our offering focused on a few core solutions rather than a little bit of everything.
Annuities can provide guaranteed retirement income that isn't tied to market swings — see our retirement income protection strategies for details. Life insurance solutions help protect a spouse or family and can support legacy planning. Our
educational seminars, typically held at fine dining locations like Maggiano's Little Italy and Chophouse Thirteen with a complimentary gourmet meal, cover Social Security timing, required minimum distributions, and the Green Line Strategy — check
our current seminar schedule for dates near the Golden Isles.
How to Get Started
Getting started is simple. Call 855-809-2894 or use our online contact form to request an appointment or ask about an upcoming seminar. Many St. Simons Island clients start with a free educational seminar — held at a local restaurant with a complimentary gourmet meal — before deciding whether to move forward. From there, we'll set up a meeting, either by appointment at The Sandbox right here on the island, at our Yulee office, or by phone if that's more convenient. We meet in person or by phone only — never online or by video.
Common Retirement Planning Questions in St. Simons Island, GA
Where is Summerlin Benefits Consulting's office located relative to St. Simons Island?
We meet St. Simons Island clients by appointment at The Sandbox, 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 201, right here on the island. Our main office is in Yulee, FL, about 56 miles and a one-hour drive south via I-95, for clients who prefer to meet there instead.
Does Georgia tax retirement income for St. Simons Island residents?
Georgia allows residents age 65 and older to exclude up to $65,000 per person of retirement income — including pensions, IRA and 401(k) withdrawals — from state tax, or up to $130,000 for a married couple both 65+. Social Security is fully exempt from Georgia tax at any age, which benefits every St. Simons Island retiree.
What should I know about relocating to St. Simons Island for retirement?
Relocating to St. Simons Island means adjusting to Georgia's tax rules, which are generally favorable for retirees, along with coastal factors like homeowners' insurance and hurricane preparedness. We help new residents build a retirement income plan that reflects their new state's tax treatment and their actual cost of living on the island, not assumptions carried over from their previous home.
I only live on St. Simons Island part of the year — can you still help me?
Yes. We work with many part-year and seasonal St. Simons Island residents, including those who split time between Georgia and another state. We can meet by appointment at The Sandbox when you're on the island, by phone when you're not, and structure your retirement income plan around your actual residency and tax situation.
Can you help me plan around a career with Southeast Georgia Health System or a Brunswick-area employer?
Yes. Southeast Georgia Health System, Sea Island Company, and other Brunswick-area employers offer pension and retirement savings plans with their own rules around payout timing and options. We help clients understand those specific plan provisions and how to coordinate them with Social Security and other savings for reliable retirement income.
Do you work with clients who live outside St. Simons Island?
Yes. Our office at The Sandbox on St. Simons Island primarily serves the Golden Isles and greater Brunswick area, and our Yulee, FL office and satellite locations in Jacksonville and Orange Park serve clients across Northeast Florida. Wherever you split your time, there's likely a convenient way to meet with our team.
Is there any cost or obligation to meet with Summerlin Benefits Consulting?
No. Our initial consultation is complimentary with no obligation to purchase anything or become a client. Most people find it helpful to sit down, ask questions, and get a clear picture of their options before deciding whether Summerlin Benefits Consulting is the right fit for them.
What is the typical first meeting like?
Your first meeting is a conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll ask about your income sources, retirement goals, and concerns, review any statements you'd like to bring, and explain your options in plain language. Meetings happen in person — at The Sandbox or our Yulee office — or by phone, never online or by video.
How are your services paid for?
We're compensated through insurance commissions paid by the carriers whose annuity or life insurance products you choose, not through fees billed directly to you. There's never a cost to meet with us, and you'll understand exactly how a product works before deciding if it's right for you.
What is the Green Line Strategy© discussed at your educational seminars?
The Green Line Strategy© is an educational concept from our seminars showing how certain retirement income tools are designed to protect your principal from market downturns while still allowing for growth. We walk through it in detail, with real numbers and visuals, at every complimentary seminar we host.
Our Office and St. Simons Island Meeting Location
Once your questions are answered, the last practical detail is simply knowing how to find us.
Main Office: 57 Homegrown Way, Unit 301, Yulee, FL 32097
Phone: 855-809-2894
Hours:
Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM (closed 12:00–12:30 PM for lunch)
Friday 8:30 AM–1:30 PM
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Directions: From St. Simons Island, take I-95 South towards Yulee; the drive is about 56 miles and takes roughly one hour.
For St. Simons Island and Golden Isles clients, we also meet by appointment at The Sandbox, 507 Ocean
Blvd., Suite 201, St. Simons Island, GA 31522. This satellite location isn't staffed full time, so please call
855-809-2894 in advance to schedule.
What Our Area Clients Say
Rather than tell you what it's like to work with our team, we'll let a few of our Georgia and coastal clients speak for themselves.
"Very helpful and always looking for ways to grow our money. They keep us updated on new ways to get more out of our money. Very pleased with their friendly staff. Very personable and knowledgeable and easy to work with. Always there to answer any questions and concerns. Great company to invest with. Stacy and her team are remarkable and do a great job investing our money."
~ Rebecca Forgy
"We are receiving great services from Summerlin Benefits. They are thorough and keep us informed. We are very pleased and highly recommend them for your financial future."
~ Renee Reed
"They offer annuities and also provide investment management of your retirement account based on your risk tolerance for a very reasonable fee per year. Very trustworthy group with lots of experience."
~ Bob Dieppa
Start Planning Your Golden Isles Retirement Today
Whether you've called the Golden Isles home for generations or you're just beginning your retirement here after a move from another state, our goal is the same: helping you move forward with more confidence, clarity, and peace of mind about the years ahead.
Ready to Protect Your Retirement Income on St. Simons Island?
Call 855-809-2894 to schedule a free retirement strategy session, or reach out through our contact form. You can meet with us at The Sandbox, 507 Ocean Blvd., Suite 201, St. Simons Island, GA 31522, or at our Yulee, FL office.
