Walter C. Young III

Walter C. Young III, MBA, RICP®, is founder of The Fifth Option, an economic based retirement income planning firm in Seattle Washington. He began his career in the financial-services industry in the early 1990s, serving as a portfolio and 401(k) advisor in San Francisco. After earning his MBA, Walter took a break from financial services and worked for Deloitte Consulting. There he began to see that financial strategies implemented by the best run corporations emphasized reducing overall risk and opportunity cost, while maximizing cash flow for shareholder value. He immediately realized that individual households would benefit greatly by the same strategies. If individual households have a cash-flow focus, the efficiencies they gain may very well determine their financial success. Since that time, Walter has developed a signature approach that puts these lessons at the forefront of strategies for individuals and small business owners. His blend of individual and corporate financial experience has produced a unique way at looking at an individual’s financial situation. He begins every relationship with the same question: “If you were a business, would you invest in you?” Walter has become a specialist in economic-based planning theory and a thought leader, helping clients develop a cash-flow-centric strategy that helps them have better retirement income streams. Walter is an industry speaker, both nationally and internationally, as well as a trainer, panel advisor, and recipient of numerous awards. He has served on the board of advisors for industry systems and is a regular contributor to the advancement of cash-flow-centric planning modules. Walter is married with three children and lives in the Seattle area. He enjoys traveling, running, and being an active member in his community.