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About Three Trees
Retirement Partners
Helping Ann Arbor-area retirees build both financial security and fulfilling lives.
Our Story and Why We Do What We Do
ThreeTrees Retirement Partners was founded to help people navigate one of life's biggest transitions: retirement.
We saw too many hardworking individuals reach retirement age with solid savings but unclear direction. They had enough money, but struggled with questions like "What do I do with my time now?" and "Who am I without my career?" Financial security is necessary, but it's not sufficient for a fulfilling retirement.
We also saw people who had a clear vision for their retirement years but lacked confidence in their financial strategy—unsure when to claim Social Security, worried about making their savings last, uncertain how to coordinate all the pieces.
We believe retirement requires both: financial security AND personal clarity. That's why we offer comprehensive retirement planning that integrates financial advice with retirement life coaching.
Our name reflects our philosophy: like three trees growing together, your retirement strategy needs three strong pillars—financial security, life design, and legacy planning. All three must be strong for your retirement to truly thrive
Retirement Is About More Than Money
Most financial advisors focus solely on your portfolio. Most life coaches don't understand the financial realities of retirement. We bring both together because we believe:
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Money without purpose is incomplete. Having $2 million doesn't matter if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
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Vision without financial security creates anxiety. Knowing what you want to do in retirement doesn't help if you're worried your money won't last.
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The best retirements integrate both. When your financial plan supports your actual life goals, and your life decisions are informed by financial reality, you can retire with both confidence and purpose.
How We Work with Clients
Financial Planning
We help you create reliable income from Social Security, retirement accounts, and other sources. We structure withdrawals for tax efficiency, plan for healthcare costs, and ensure your money lasts through retirement.
Life Planning
We help you clarify what you want your retirement to actually look like. We guide you through the identity shifts, relationship changes, and practical questions that come with leaving your career. We help you create structure, purpose, and meaning in this next chapter.
Integration
We make sure your financial strategy supports your life goals, and your life decisions are informed by financial reality. You're not working with one advisor for money and another for life planning—we integrate both so they work together seamlessly.
Meet Michael Cooley, ChFC®, RICP®, NSSA®
Michael Cooley is the founder and lead advisor at ThreeTrees Retirement Partners. He brings both financial expertise and a deep understanding of the personal transitions that come with retirement.
Financial Credentials
Michael holds the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®), and National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) designations from the American College of Financial Services. He specializes in retirement income planning and Social Security optimization.
Retirement Coaching
Beyond the numbers, Michael helps clients navigate the often-overlooked challenges of retirement: shifting from career identity to retirement identity, creating meaningful structure in unstructured time, and defining what a fulfilling retirement actually means to them.
Approach
Michael believes that the best retirement strategies address both the financial and personal aspects of this transition. His integrated approach helps clients feel confident not just about their money, but about their entire next chapter.
Why Financial Planning + Life Coaching?
Research shows that retirement satisfaction depends on more than just financial security. Retirees who thrive typically have:
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Reliable income and financial confidence
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Meaningful relationships and social connections
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Structure and routines that work for them
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Activities and pursuits that keep them engaged
That's why we offer:
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Financial planning to create security and remove money worries
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Life coaching to help you design a retirement that's fulfilling and purposeful
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Integration so your money supports your life, and your life decisions are financially informed