5 As seen in Kiplinger's
RETIREMENT PLANNING 2026
Your Guide to a Secure Retirement:
MEET AMERICA'S RETIREMENT EXPERTS
ARIEL BEAN COLORADO
Ariel Bean has been helping people in financial services since 2014. Ariel was born and raised in Colorado. Her and her husband Rory Bean operate Vestigo Advisor Group in Colorado Springs. They specialize in helping people who are in or near retirement to explore their financial needs and options.
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Vestigo Advisor Group and Tucker Wealth are independent entities.
RORY BEAN COLORADO
Rory Bean has been working in the financial services industry since 2013. He is an Air Force veteran who served during Desert Shield/Storm. He loves serving his community, providing ways for people to retire happy and helping them to protect their retirement. Rory enjoys riding bikes, archery, and playing with his dogs. His diverse background has helped him look at financial planning from a unique perspective of service.
MONIQUE JOSE COLORADO
Monique Jose, founder of Kingdom Life Advisors, has over a decade of experience guiding clients toward financial peace of mind. A former teacher, she leads with education, collaboration, and long-term relationships at the heart of her approach. Monique also runs a nonprofit, Every Face Every Story, which supports local families through community events. Her passion for service and empowering others defines both her work in finance and her impact beyond the office.
JEFF A. MURRAY COLORADO
Jeff began his career in the financial industry with Prudential in 1993 and became an independent agent in 2005. At Strategic Planning LLC, his firm in Grand Junction, Colorado, Jeff offers his wealth of experience to helping business owners and families manage their Finances, Taxes, Asset Protection Planning, and Wealth Management Services.
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Strategic Planning LLC
and Tucker Wealth are independent entities.
DARREN PETTY, CFP®, RICP® COLORADO
Darren Petty is the Founder and President of Retirement Architects, a comprehensive retirement planning fiduciary in Denver, Colorado. For over 10 years, Darren has been designing and maintaining retirement plans that provide reliable income, steady investment growth and tax efficiency. His credentials include CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Retirement Income Certified Professional® and Accredited Asset Management Specialist™. Every year, he and his experienced team guide more retirees to their best life yet, where every day is Saturday!
Investment advisory services provided through Tucker Wealth, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
JOHN RIPLEY FLORIDA
USMC Officer John Ripley is an Investment Advisor Representative at Smarter Retirement Solutions with CLTC®, ChFEBC®, CFF®, and FRC® certifications. As an experienced speaker, John shares retirement and investment insights as a member of Ed Slott’s IRA Advisor Group. Proud to support Smarter Feds retirement workshops nationwide, John empowers federal employees to optimize their benefits. He and his wife, Stacey, work together and have five adult children.
Investment advisory products and services made available through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (“IPW”),
a Registered Investment Advisor.
Ed Slott’s IRA Advisor GroupSM is a paid-membership, educational organization comprised of professionals of varying credentials. Membership in this organization does not imply a set level of skill or training. The logo and/or service mark is the property of their respective owners and no endorsement of John Ripley or Smarter Retirement Solutions is stated or implied.
The Certified Financial Fiduciary® (CFF®) Designation demonstrates the individual has met educational standards to carry out a fiduciary standard of care and acting in a client’s best interest.
The Chartered Federal Benefits Consultant designation demonstrates that the individual has met the educational standards to consult on federal government benefits. Smarter Retirement Solutions is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US government or any governmental agency.
DWIGHT SCHAEFER ILLINOIS
Dwight is the President and lead advisor of Schaefer Wealth Management Inc. For over 36 years he has been helping pre-retirees and retirees protect and grow their wealth. As a fiduciary, Dwight is committed to personalized financial advice that is customized for each client’s specific financial journey. Dwight and his wife Debbie of 39 years are lifelong residents of Waterloo, IL., and enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, especially their grandchildren.
Schaefer Wealth Management, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Investment advisory services offered through Schaefer Wealth Management, a State Registered Investment Advisor. Subadvisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisory. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
MATT RICHMAN IOWA
Matt Richman, RICP®, is the founder of Iron Point Retirement Solutions and a Retirement Income Certified Professional®. He specializes in helping individuals and families navigate the complex transition from accumulation to decumulation, with a focus on creating reliable, tax-efficient income strategies tailored to today’s retirement realities.
JESSICA C. FOX® NEVADA
As a Certified Financial Fiduciary at Iron Point Retirement Solutions in Nevada, Jessica C. Fox works in the best interest of her clients, empowering them to make informed decisions. “There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ in financial planning,” says Jessica. “Everyone deserves the chance to learn for themselves about the vehicles that exist and about strategies to optimize their resources.” Jessica’s clients actively participate in choosing what’s right for them and their family.
MARK CHIODA NEW JERSEY
Mark Chioda, Managing Director/CEO of Strategic Retirement Solutions, is a widely respected financial analyst and investment advisor representative, specializing in growth and safe accumulation of assets, as well as retirement income and Social Security planning. For over 25 years, he has assisted clients in attaining and maintaining their lifelong financial goals and objectives using proven asset allocation and income strategies.
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Strategic Retirement Solutions and Tucker Wealth are independent entities.
MARTIN R. NIELSEN NEW JERSEY
Martin has been helping families prepare for retirement since 1990. With more than three decades of experience, he knows retirement success is less about accumulating assets and more about creating reliable income. Martin designs personalized income strategies that allow clients to benefit from market growth while minimizing risk, with one clear goal: to provide secure income while preserving the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy.
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Nielsen Financial Group is independent of Tucker Wealth.
LARRY JONES NORTH CAROLINA
A United States Navy veteran, Larry is a member of the Financial Planning Association. Educated at UNC Charlotte and American College in Pa., he founded NavStar in 2010 and is now doing business in eight states. In addition to lecturing on financial topics at local colleges, he is a member of Gideons International, is an ocean sailor, and a past PADI scuba instructor.
Investment advisory services offered through Virtue Capital Management, LLC (VCM), a registered investment advisor. VCM and NavStar Financial Services are independent of each other. Consulting, insurance, and education services offered through NavStar Financial Planning.
GLEN KAVANAGH TENNESSEE
Glen Kavanagh, a fiduciary and licensed advisor (Series 7 & 66), has helped clients since 2016 with a focus on retirement planning and wealth management. He enjoys travel, outdoor activities, and lifelong learning, and brings a calm, thoughtful approach to helping others plan with clarity and confidence.
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Medicare Friend and Tucker Wealth are independent entities.
TIMOTHY MCCLESKEY JR. TENNESSEE
Tim McCleskey Jr. is a Financial Behavioral Counselor with 23 years’ experience and a 15-year Federal Benefit Consultant. He leads retirement seminars for agencies like the IRS, VA, and DOD, and authored “The Volcanic Eruption of Debt.” His Four Legs of Balance System helps federal employees eliminate debt and retire with financial clarity and control.
RICHARD A. BECKER TEXAS
Focusing on high-net-worth families, small business owners and educators, Richard has helped over 9,000 clients. He guides conservative investors though volatile markets with purpose-driven, income-generating strategies. He is known for protecting assets, growing portfolios, and creating tailored retirement income plans to weather turbulent times.
Securities and Advisory services offered through GWN Securities, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. 11440 N. Jog Road, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418. (561) 472-2700. Texas Retirement Planners and GWN Securities, Inc. are separate companies. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
BOBBY DARWIN, IAR, CLU TEXAS
Bobby Darwin has guided his clients in Southeast Texas through retirement for over 20 years. He built deep experience working with retirees from ExxonMobil, Valero, Dupont, Chevron, and other Fortune 500 companies while also marketing his expertise on the radio. “The work is very serious,” said Bobby, “yet I truly enjoy when I can help someone find freedom and security with a happy retirement.”
Investment advisory services provided by Tucker Wealth, a registered investment advisor. Merit Advisory Partners is independent of Tucker Wealth.
STEPHEN STEELMAN TEXAS
Steve Steelman has been a Certified Financial Counselor since 1996 and a Licensed Income Tax Preparer and General Lines Insurance Agent since 1997, serving as a trusted industry source. As a veteran, Steve’s commitment to service comes from his background as an EMT and Combat Medic in the United States Army.
Not endorsed by or affiliated with any governmental entity. Guarantees are based on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Agents are licensed for the products they sell. *Investment advisory services provided through Tucker Wealth, a registered investment adviser.