About Thrive Retirement Specialists
We exist because the wealth management industry, with its sea of salespeople, inexperienced advisors, and narrow focus on investments, often leaves better deserving people in less than optimal retirement situations by failing to account for the Big Five Retirement Risks™ and all retirement assets, tools and tactics that may be available.

As a result, many people end up sacrificing higher potential quality of life during retirement, and this is something we are committed to changing. ThriveRetire™ is an engaging ongoing 8-step retirement planning process and investment management service that seeks to identify all risks, assets, tools, and tactics to develop an optimal retirement plan designed to support your ideal retirement lifestyle and goals to the fullest extent possible. You deserve to get the most out of your retirement, and we’re here to help you experience just that.
Moving Towards Your Best Life, Together
A Word From the Founder:
There are no do-overs. After years devoted to education, hard work, and raising families, I believe people deserve better. This is why I left a rewarding and stable career as a Chief Investment Officer of a large established firm to found Thrive Retirement Specialists.
The expertise I have been privileged to develop over the past 25 years puts me in a unique position to deliver a better retirement planning experience. My goal is to help each retiree live a retired life full of maximum contentment and happiness—and free from fear and regret so they can live life when it matters most, which is now.

Get to Know Anthony Watson
Prior to founding Thrive Retirement Specialists, Tony served as the Chief Investment Officer of a firm where he provided advice and investment management services to over 600 individuals representing over $1.5 billion of investments. Before this, Tony served as Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Bank, where he advised high- and ultra-high net worth individuals on all matters of wealth, including investments, portfolio construction, portfolio management, and retirement planning.
Tony lives in Dearborn, Michigan, with his wife Dawn and daughters Emma and Anna.
Education
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Walsh College
- Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business
A Word From the Partner:
A formative lesson on the power of compound interest learned from my grandfather put me on the path of helping people make smart money decisions. Eschewing the traditional belief that personal finance is purely a math-based field, I believe aligning money with values is just as important as spreadsheets.
I have long been against the limited scope approach the financial advisory industry takes toward retirement planning. Being able to apply my beliefs and over 15 years of financial industry experience to help shape a better retirement planning process and experience has been a dream come true.

Get to Know Michael Nemick
Prior to joining Thrive Retirement Specialists, Mike served as a Senior Financial Planner at an established comprehensive wealth management firm where he served high net worth clients and mentored the firm's financial planners. Mike has served more than 240 high net worth individuals and families with aggregate investable assets of nearly $500 million by guiding all aspects of their financial well-being, including retirement planning, investments, tax planning, and goal clarification.
Mike lives in Detroit, Michigan.
Education
- Bachelor of Personal Financial Planning from Western Michigan University
Credentials
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
Professional Affiliations
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