Planning Retirement Security with a TEAM Approach: Eastside Magazine Feature March 2020

McBeath Financial Group was the featured business for the March 2020 issue of Eastside Neighbors Magazine. The below article was originally published as feature magazine story and is reprinted below with permission.

Planning Retirement Security with a Team Approach

March, 2020 By Lisa McSherry of Eastside Neighbors Magazine

For many of us, the thought of retirement leads to dreams of travel, new hobbies, spending time with family, and the joy of free time and no set schedule. After punching a clock for more than thirty or forty years, we’re ready to enjoy the fruits of our labor. If you’ve been tending to your financial planning, your grand retirement dreams could be just around the corner. But if not, it’s never too late to discuss a plan and set some goals.

“So many people are facing an uncertain retirement,” says Krista McBeath, president of McBeath Financial Group. “There are a lot of unknowns that many people stress about.” The professionals at McBeath Financial believe that retirement is one of the most exciting stages of life and want to help provide peace of mind so you can enjoy your new lifestyle without worrying about the future.

Krista founded what is now McBeath Financial Group in 2007 to help families financially prepare for life events and retirement. She earned her securities license (Series 65) shortly after starting the company which is an important distinction among investment advisors. “A fiduciary means you are held to the highest standard of ethics and are bound to put your client’s needs above self-interest,” she explains.

It’s not often that you find a Registered Investment Advisory Firm as well as licensed insurance practice both under one roof. This facilitates a combination of market-based portfolios as well as financial products offering market protection for those who seek it. This is essential to their approach for balanced investment strategies and retirement planning for families. “Our planning process is geared towards helping those retired or within three years of retirement. Some are seeking plans to avoid running out of money in retirement, while others need wealth management strategies that involve legacy planning.”

“Working with individuals to help them reach their retirement dreams is my driving force,” says Krista. “Every dream is different, so every retirement plan is too.” With her experience in the insurance industry, tax preparation, and investment and financial planning, Krista has a broad perspective on long-term strategies. She has also earned her Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Using a combination of personalized service and advanced technology, McBeath Financial taps into the best of both worlds. “We offer a concierge service, but with lots of high-tech bells and whistles,” explains Krista. “I begin with a one-on-one assessment of your current financial position, analyze your investments, discuss your goals, and then use sophisticated software to calculate, test and evaluate options for your customized retirement plan.” Referred to as TEAM, Technology Empowered Advisor Method, this approach takes the guesswork out of financial planning. “We can basically stress test your plan and analyze risk and probability of success in extreme detail,” explains Krista. “It’s one of the services that sets us apart.” Krista feels very strongly that part of her job is to educate her clients about products and services, along with the risks and rewards.

Krista leads her team, with over 20 years of experience in the industry. But she gives full credit for the success to her husband and staff as well. While her husband, Robert works behind the scenes in strategic marketing and accounting, she considers her office staff the face of the company. “Carol Ambler has been my right hand for years. Without her and the additional staff, we’d never have grown to this level,” says Krista. She believes they have all been important to the community’s support and recognition, highlighted by the Pantagraph Readers’ Choice Awards. Voted the #1 Financial Planning Firm for 3 consecutive years and #1 Investment Firm for 2 years, she says, “We’ve been honored and humbled to receive such an outpouring of support,” says Krista. “It’s our great clients that have made this possible.”

It may also have something to do with the firm’s philanthropic efforts in the community. Not only does Krista serve on the board of OSF St. Joseph Foundation and volunteer as an instructor at Heartland Community College, McBeath Financial is also committed to giving back. “We are sponsors for the Humane Society of Central Illinois and also a corporate sponsor of The Charles Rutan Children’s Home that serves needy children in Impahl, Manipur, India,” explains Robert. “We’re happy to share our time, talent, and dollars with organizations that do good throughout the community and the world,” says Krista.

For more information about the services of McBeath Financial Group or to schedule an appointment, visit www.mcbeathfinancialgroup.com or call 309-808-2224.