Expert Contributors
RetireGuide’s experts are knowledgeable professionals who contribute to the accuracy and quality of our content. Our experts and contributors share RetireGuide’s mission to provide trustworthy and timely information to our readers.
How Our Professional Contributors Help the Community
RetireGuide’s experts are trusted authorities who break down complex financial and health care policy topics for consumers. They contribute to RetireGuide by authoring content, providing industry insight and reviewing our pages to ensure all information is factual, clear and reliable.
Experts who contribute to RetireGuide include financial analysts, certified public accountants, Social Security advisors and insurance professionals. RetireGuide contributors are respected experts in their field who enrich our site with objective, verifiable and evidence-based information.
We vet and research each contributor to ensure they meet our high standards for education, formal training, credentials, membership in professional societies and reputation among consumers and peers. By sharing their knowledge and insight, our contributors offer readers like you a credible source of financial information you can trust.
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Thomas Brock, CFA®, CPA Financial Expert
Thomas Brock, CFA®, CPA, has over 20 years of experience in the financial industry. His specialties span investments, corporate finance and accounting, as well as individual and small-business financial consulting. -
Christian Worstell Medicare Expert
Christian Worstell is a licensed health insurance agent and an established writer in the sector, with articles featured in Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and more. His work has positively impacted beneficiaries nationwide and empowers them to make strong health care decisions. -
Chip Stapleston Financial Advisor
Chip Stapleton, a licensed Financial Advisor with expertise in investment analysis, portfolio construction and business planning, has transitioned to a financial analyst role at Perkins & Co. He is known for his success in helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals and has mentored new advisors in building their practices. -
Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, CRPC®, RICP® Founder and CEO at Blue Ocean Global Wealth
Marguerita M. Cheng, CFP®, CRPC®, RICP®, is the founder and chief executive officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth. She is a past spokesperson for the AARP Financial Freedom campaign and a regular columnist for top financial websites, including U.S. News & World Report and Kiplinger. -
Devin Caroll Social Security Expert
Devin Carroll is a financial planner with more than 20 years of experience. He simplifies Social Security and helps with retirement. He is the publisher of Social Security Intelligence, which gives resources and reaches over 1 million monthly users. He also co-hosts the Big Picture Retirement podcast, appears in news outlets like Forbes, MarketWatch, Fox Business and U.S. News, and is the lead advisor at Carroll Advisory Group. -
Brandon Renfro, Ph.D., CFP®, RICP®, EA Retirement Planning Expert
Brandon Renfro, Ph.D., CFP®, RICP®, EA, is an independent financial planner and co-owner of Belonging Wealth Management. His practice focuses on helping clients meet their retirement goals without running out of money while managing risks, taxes and withdrawal strategies. He often writes and appears in major financial planning publications and news outlets, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, AARP, Fox News and the Journal of Financial Planning. -
Toby Walters, CFA® Paraplanner at Ramsey & Associates, Inc.
Toby Walters, CFA®, is a senior financial analyst with over 25 years of financial research experience. He is a member of CFA Society Boston and has helped create questions for the CFA Society Practice Exam. He is also involved with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs of the Internal Revenue Service. -
Ebony J. Howard, CPA Credentialed Tax Expert at Intuit
Ebony J. Howard, CPA, is a certified public accountant with a background in accounting, personal finance, and income tax planning and preparation. She specializes in analyzing financial information in the health care, banking and real estate sectors. She holds a dual degree bachelor’s and master’s in accounting from Clark Atlanta University. -
Stephen Kates, CFP® Certified Financial Planner™
Stephen Kates is a Certified Financial Planner™ and personal finance expert with over a decade of experience working with individuals and families who need help with their finances. Since leaving his position as a full-time financial advisor, Stephen has worked at a major online personal finance brand and now leads partner strategy for an emerging Insuretech company. -
Aflak Chowdhury Medicare Expert
Aflak Chowdhury is a Medicare expert and independent insurance broker specializing in group health insurance. He has worked for major providers including Humana and Principal Financial Group and today works mainly in the small group market. -
Eric Estevez Licensed Independent Insurance Broker
Eric Estevez is a duly licensed independent insurance broker and a former financial institution auditor with more than a decade of professional financial experience. He has specialized in federal, state and local compliance for both large and small businesses and has worked as a freelance bookkeeper. -
Barbara O’Neill, Ph.D., CFP®, AFC®, CRPC® Owner and CEO of Money Talk
Barbara O’Neill is a personal finance expert with 41 years of experience working at Rutgers University. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and an Accredited Financial Counselor™ professional. Currently, she is the owner and CEO of Money Talk, where she writes, speaks and reviews content related to personal finance. In 2020, she authored Flipping a Switch, published in 2020. -
Rubina K. HossainCertified Financial Planner™ Professional and Client Advisor for MEIRA
Rubina K. Hossain is a Certified Financial Planner™ with over 15 years of expertise. As a Client Advisor for MEIRA in Coral Gables, Florida, she crafts personalized financial plans and investment portfolios to help clients achieve their goals. Rubina's dedication to her profession has earned her the prestigious CFP® certification and the role of Chair of the Council of Examinations at the CFP® Board. -
Timothy Li, MBA Business Finance Manager
Timothy, an experienced consultant and finance manager, excels in uncovering narratives within financial data for CEOs and CFOs. With a focus on enhancing profitability, he leads conference calls, analyzes performance trends and provides financial training. Holding an MBA from USC and an economics degree from UCLA, Timothy is well-equipped to navigate the intricacies of the business world. -
Peggy James, CPA Assistant Director of Finance and Operations for Undergraduate Education at Duke University
Peggy James, a CPA with higher education finance experience, holds a Bachelor's in government from the University of Virginia and a Master of Accounting from North Carolina State University. She excels in corporate and nonprofit finance, specializing in journal entries, bank reconciliations and fiscal year-end processes. Peggy prioritizes clear and accurate financial communication, aiming to demystify complex concepts. She encourages open discussions about money to improve financial well-being. Currently, she is the Assistant Director of Finance and Operations for Undergraduate Education at Duke University. -
Cyrus E. Bamji Head of Communications at the Alliance for Lifetime Income
Cyrus E. Bamji is head of communications at the Alliance for Lifetime Income, a nonprofit consumer education association made up of 22 financial service companies. He leads ALI’s financial communications, media relations, digital and content development focused on educating consumers about annuities and protected income. He has held various executive positions, including vice president at AARP. -
John Clark, CLTC®, NSSA® Owner of Senior Solutions Insurance Agency
John Clark, CLTC®, NSSA®, is a certified long-term care and national Social Security advisor and the owner of Senior Solutions Insurance Agency in Palm City, Florida. Over the past 15 years, he has helped hundreds of retirees and older clients navigate the complex Medicare system. -
Bob Glaze Senior Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Bob Glaze is a specialist in Medicare insurance coverage with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. He is currently licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. -
Brian Hickey, CFP®, CLU®, CLTC®, FLMI Vice President of Insuractive
Brian Hickey, CFP®, CLU®, CLTC®, FLMI, is Vice President of Insuractive, an Omaha-based company providing direct-to-consumer Medicare plans, life insurance and wealth protection to individuals. With 24 years’ experience in Medicare, long-term care, life insurance and wealth protection, Brian leads and develops Insuractive’s strategic initiatives with a focus on direct-to-consumer options for insurance information and solutions. -
Tom Parkin Medicare Expert
At Senior Market Sales® (SMS), Tom's role is to recruit, develop, service, support and manage relationships with agents and agencies. He also has expertise in effectively selling Medicare products across various sales platforms. Because of Tom’s great Medicare knowledge, he offers supportive guidance that helps agents think outside of the box and look at different methods of doing and growing their business. -
Anne Novak Medicare Expert
Anne’s smarts and dedication earned her the high distinction of “Best of Class Service” at a previous Fortune 500 company, and she brings those same traits to Senior Market Sales. As a Medicare internal marketing consultant, Anne guides agents through the contracting process, explaining each carrier and its products, and also helps agents build their production. -
Will Howery Medicare Expert
As an internal marketing consultant, Will helps his agents and their companies to grow strong, thriving and highly-regarded businesses in their respective marketplaces. As a result of his help, the agents are able to capitalize on new technologies, reach more people and become their clients’ trusted advisors. -
Josh Curtis Independent Financial Advisor
Josh Curtis is the President of Clarity Financial and an Independent Financial Advisor with RetireGuide. He is a previous president of the local chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) which is dedicated to protecting clients’ ability to be financially self-reliant without government dependence. -
Bart Astor Eldercare Expert
Bart Astor is a bestselling author, speaker, and recognized retirement and eldercare expert who reviews content for RetireGuide. He writes regularly for the Forbes Retirement Channel and for NextAvenue.org, a PBS website for people over 50. -
Esther Kane, C.D.S. Senior Safety Expert
Esther C. Kane is a certified Senior Home Safety Specialist and a certified CARES® Dementia Specialist™ (C.D.S.). She worked as a geriatrics occupational therapist in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina. Esther authored Understanding and Treating the Geriatric Patient: An Overview for Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists. She also works on Senior Safety Advice, a website for seniors and family caregivers on topics from aging in place to retirement. -
Robin Schiltz, C.D.S.Senior Safety Expert
Robin Schiltz is a copywriter and content strategist with over 15 years of experience. She writes for digital brands in financial, mental health, senior care and food industries. She is the co-owner of Senior Safety Advice, a senior resource platform and a caregiver for elderly family members. Robin is an Age Safe America certified Senior Home Safety Specialist and a certified CARES® Dementia Specialist™ (C. D. S.) through HealthCare Interactive®. -
Alex Ponce Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Alex has worked in the insurance industry since 2012 and is currently licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. He joined the Insuractive team in 2020 and has stayed busy helping clients meet their insurance needs ever since. -
Jerrad Prouty Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Jerrad joined the Insuractive team in 2013. As the agency’s Training Specialist, he stays busy helping the rest of the team develop their expertise and helping clients meet their insurance needs. He is currently licensed to sell insurance in over 15 states. -
Joe Benish Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Joe first started working in the insurance industry in 2006 and is currently licensed to sell insurance in over 30 states. He joined the Insuractive team in 2018 and has stayed busy helping clients meet their insurance needs ever since. -
Kim Krebs-Murnane Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Kim joined the Insuractive team in 2018 and has stayed busy helping her clients meet their insurance needs ever since. She is currently licensed to sell insurance in over 40 states. -
Kateri Chamberlain Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Kateri first started working in the insurance industry in 2005 as an agent for a local insurance company and quickly worked her way up to being a supervisor. In 2013, she joined the Insuractive team as an agency manager and has been positively impacting the Medicare community ever since. -
Megan Christensen Licensed Agent at Insuractive
Megan Christensen understands that helping agents set goals for themselves and their teams is a pertinent component to success. She also knows that this helps set a clear path from where they are to where they want to be. -
Michael JonesMedicare Expert
Michael Jones is a licensed insurance agent who manages his own agency called Grand Anchor Insurance Solutions. In addition to being a Medicare expert, Michael specializes in other insurance products such as voluntary benefits for employees of businesses. -
Adrienne Ross, CFP®, ChFC®, AFC® Founder of Clear Insight Financial Planning, LLC
With over a decade of experience, Adrienne Ross, CFP®, ChFC®, AFC®, assists individuals and families in navigating the complexities of their finances and how they relate to other crucial aspects of their lives. -
Daniel J. Adams, MBA, CFP®, CLU® Certified Financial Planner™ Professional and Independent Insurance Agent
Daniel J. Adams, the founder of CEG Life Insurance Services, boasts extensive expertise in life and health insurance products. His role as a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and independent insurance agent allows him to aid clients in establishing a solid financial future.
Awards, Honors and Professional Affiliations
Our financial and health care policy experts are members of esteemed professional organizations, including the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE), the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the National Association of Enrolled Agents.
Many have won awards for exceptional performance and service in the industry.
Top Publications
Our experts’ background and understanding of finance and health care have been featured in industry trade publications and national news outlets, including Kiplinger, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Forbes and Bloomberg.
Additional Experts Featured on RetireGuide
Not all experts on RetireGuide write or review content. Some researchers, professors and certified professionals choose to provide valuable quotes and information during interviews conducted by RetireGuide staff writers.
Financial experts quoted in RetireGuide’s content are held to the same high standards as contributors and reviewers. They must have verified credentials relevant to the topic — including memberships to professional societies and certifications from established educational institutions.
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Justin Chidester, CFP®, AFC® Financial Planner and Founder of Wealth Mode Financial Planning
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Erin Kidd, EA, AFC® Tax Individual Program Manager at Thompson Greenspon
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Susan Greenhalgh, AFC® Accredited Financial Counselor and President of Mind Your Money LLC
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Adrienne Ross, AFC®, CFP®, ChFC® Financial Planner and Founder of Clear Insight Financial Planning LLC
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Robert Rosen Financial Advisor at Edward Jones
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Mark Cavalieri, LUTCF®, CWC Associate Director of Multiyear Guaranteed Annuity Sales at SMS Financial Solutions
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Julianne Miller, AFC® Accredited Financial Counselor and Daily Money Manager
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Steve Rohrig, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, CASL Insurance Expert and Associate Director of Training at Senior Market Sales
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Christie Tornikoski, EA, AFC® Tax Accountant at Spire Financial Consulting
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Brad Martin Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program Coordinator at United Way of Southwest Alabama
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Sandy Block Senior Editor at Kiplinger Personal Finance
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Keri Norris Attorney and Chief Legal Officer at LegalShield
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L. Rachel Wilson Attorney at Nest Estate Planning
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Mary Kay Buysse Executive Director of the National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers
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Emily Allen Senior Vice President of AARP Foundation Programs
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Daniel Jimenez, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Miami
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Dr. David Steffens Professor and Chair of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut Health Center
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Eric Loucks, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Medicine at Brown University
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David Edmisten Founder & Lead Advisor at Next Phase Financial Planning
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Elle Kaplan CEO and CIO at LexION Capital
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Henry Abenaim CEO at Fundingo
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Jacob Sensiba Investment Advisor at CRG Financial Services
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Jared Weitz CEO & Founder at United Capital Source Inc.
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Renee Fry CEO & Founder at Gentreo
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Alaine Reschke-HernandezBoard certified music therapist and assistant professor at the University of Kentucky
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Gerri Detweiler Debt expert
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Gal Wettstein Senior Research Economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College
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Jan Stewart Chairwoman on the Board of Directors at Kerry’s Place Autism Services and Consultant to the Tourette Association of America Education Advisory Board
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Karla Radka President and CEO at Senior Resource Alliance
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Patricia Bubash, M.Ed, LPC
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Karla Radka President and CEO at Senior Resource Alliance
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Brandy Bauer Director of NCOA’s Health Coverage and Benefits
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Brian Clark, BSN, MSNA Founder of United Medical Education
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Linda Chavez Founder and CEO of Seniors Life Insurance Finder
Medicare and Health Care Experts
RetireGuide’s Medicare-related pages quote reputable policy experts who understand the complexity of government’s legislative impact on health care.
Medicare experts on RetireGuide work for government agencies and trusted nonprofit organizations, including the Kaiser Family Foundation, The Senior Citizens League, the National Academy for State Health Policy and the Patient Advocate Foundation.
Their backgrounds and years of experience enrich Medicare-related news and relevant articles on our site.
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Tricia Neuman Senior Vice President and Director of the Program on Medicare Policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)
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Shannon Hohl Program Supervisor of Idaho's Senior Health Insurance Benefit Advisors (SHIBA) Program
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Caitlin Donovan Health Care Policy Expert at the National Patient Advocate Foundation
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Trish Riley Executive Director of the National Academy for State Health Policy
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Mary Johnson Policy Analyst and Editor with the Senior Citizens League
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Anne Chansler Statewide Program Director of Florida Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders (SHINE)
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Rebecca Kinney Director of the Administration for Community Living Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling (OHIC)
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Joe Arroyo Independent Insurance Agent and Author of "Mastering Medicare: Enroll with Confidence"
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Jack Hoadley, Ph.D. Former Commissioner on the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission and Research Professor Emeritus in the Health Policy Institute of Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy
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David Meyers Health Researcher and Assistant Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health
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Abigail Barker, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor at Washington University in St. Louis’ Center for Health Economics and Policy
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Kelly Anderson Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Interested in Becoming an Expert Contributor?
Our content is written and reviewed by trusted professionals who specialize in retirement planning and Medicare. If you are interested in contributing to RetireGuide, email Managing Editor Lamia Chowdhury at lchowdhury@retireguide.com for more information.
Last Modified: June 17, 2025
Rachel Christian
Financial Writer and Certified Educator in Personal Finance
Rachel Christian is a writer and researcher for RetireGuide. She covers annuities, Medicare, life insurance and other important retirement topics for RetireGuide. Rachel’s clear and concise writing style breaks down complex retirement topics and provides relevant information to our readers.
- Member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education
- Certified educator in personal finance
- Former member of the American Finance Association
Edited By
Lee Williams
Senior Financial Editor