The Art
Your Vision
The emotions, priorities, and life you want to create in retirement.
- Goals
- Concerns
- Lifestyle
- Legacy
- Family
- Values
Powered by The Institute of Financial Wellness
Meet The IFW Retirement Income Experts
Our network of carefully selected IFW Retirement Income Experts brings extensive retirement planning experience, advanced financial credentials, and specialized retirement income expertise to help retirees navigate one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. By combining personalized guidance with insights from your Retirement Security Report™, they help connect the goals, priorities, and retirement vision that matter most to you with the retirement income strategies that may best support your future, income needs, and long-term retirement security.
Why It Matters
Why Do You Need An Expert?
Today's annuity and retirement income landscape is more complex than ever. There are hundreds of products, contract structures, income options, riders, caps, participation rates, surrender schedules, tax considerations, and long-term tradeoffs to understand.
Choosing the right strategy is both an art and a science.
The science is understanding the numbers, income needs, retirement timeline, product features, carrier options, and long-term retirement risks.
The art is understanding the person behind the numbers — their goals, lifestyle, fears, priorities, family needs, and vision for retirement.
That's why The Annuity Finder pairs intelligent matching technology with personalized guidance from IFW Retirement Income Experts. The goal is not simply to find an annuity. The goal is to help identify the retirement income strategy that may best fit you.
The Bridge
Your IFW Expert
The guidance, credentials, and insight that help connect your vision with the right strategy.
- Clarity
- Experience
- Trust
- Confidence
- Perspective
- Wisdom
The Science
Your Numbers
The math, analysis, and strategy that help support the retirement outcomes you want to achieve.
- Income
- Assets
- Taxes
- Risk
- Timeline
- Strategy Analysis
The Art meets The Science. An IFW Retirement Income Expert helps bridge your goals with the right strategy.
Our Network
Meet Our Retirement Income Experts
Our carefully selected network of IFW Retirement Income Experts helps retirees better understand their Retirement Security Report™, explore their options, and navigate the retirement income strategies that may best fit their goals, priorities, and long-term vision for retirement.
Our professionals hold some of the highest credentials and designations in the financial services industry, including CFP®, RICP®, ChFC®, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®, CFF®, and other advanced financial planning and retirement income certifications.
Personalized Guidance
Every IFW Retirement Income Expert is here to help you pursue a more secure retirement with greater confidence and clarity.
35+ years
Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income Planning
- • Annuity Strategy
- • Wealth Education
Founder of IFW. Trusted voice in retirement income education nationwide.
Click to Learn MoreErik Sussman
IFW Retirement Income Expert
Chief Executive Officer, The Institute of Financial Wellness
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Financial Wellness. CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®. Oversees the IFW Expert Network, financial services strategy, and industry relationships nationwide.
35+ years
Areas of Focus
- • Annuity Reviews
- • Income Planning
- • Risk Management
Education-first guidance tailored to each retiree's goals.
Click to Learn MoreAlan Williams
IFW Retirement Income Expert
IFW Vice President of Retirement Income Planning
One of the nation's foremost annuity experts, Alan has been studying and structuring annuity contracts since 1989.
10+ years
Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income Planning
- • Insurance Planning
- • Estate Preservation Strategies
Retirement Income Specialist, Life, Accident & Health Licensed, Annuity & Long Term Care Licensed.
Click to Learn MoreKendra Rone
IFW Retirement Income Expert
IFW Senior Planner
Idaho-based retirement income specialist with 10+ years helping clients build protected retirement income through education workshops and personalized planning.
20+ years
Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Education
- • Annuity Strategy
- • Income Planning
Helps clients understand options before making decisions.
Click to Learn MoreEvan Sussman
IFW Retirement Income Expert
IFW Senior Vice President
Over 20 years of retirement planning experience, specializing in annuities, income planning, and wealth management.
15+ years
Areas of Focus
- • Life Insurance
- • Long-Term Care Insurance
- • Retirement Income Planning
Florida State University graduate (B.S. Business & Management). Founder of Thomas Keane Financial in Coral Gables, FL. Known for semi-annual portfolio reviews and long-term client relationships built on trust and transparency.
Click to Learn MoreThomas Keane
IFW Retirement Income Expert
IFW Senior Planner
Coral Gables–based retirement income specialist with 15+ years helping clients build lasting financial confidence through life insurance, long-term care, and retirement income planning.
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Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income
- • Annuity Strategy
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Click to Learn MoreMichael Reynolds
IFW Retirement Income Expert
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Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income
- • Annuity Strategy
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Click to Learn MoreDavid Carter
IFW Retirement Income Expert
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Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income
- • Annuity Strategy
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Click to Learn MoreRobert Ellis
IFW Retirement Income Expert
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Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income
- • Annuity Strategy
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Click to Learn MoreJames Walker
IFW Retirement Income Expert
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Areas of Focus
- • Retirement Income
- • Annuity Strategy
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Click to Learn MoreDaniel Morgan
IFW Retirement Income Expert
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Behind The Scenes
Meet The IFW Executive & Support Team
Behind every IFW Retirement Income Expert is a dedicated team of executives, technology professionals, marketing specialists, client support experts, and operational leaders working together to help deliver a world-class client experience.
Erik Sussman
Chief Executive Officer, The Institute of Financial Wellness
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Financial Wellness. CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®. 35+ years in financial services. Became the youngest-ever Executive Vice President at a major international financial services firm at age 26. Oversees the IFW Expert Network, financial services strategy, and industry relationships nationwide.
Darren Sussman
President
Founder and President of The Institute of Financial Wellness, Darren provides strategic leadership and oversees the vision, growth, partnerships, innovation, and business operations across the organization's education, technology, media, insurance, retirement planning, and financial wellness platforms. His leadership helps guide IFW's mission of empowering individuals and families to make smarter financial decisions throughout every stage of life.
David Schulman
Vice Chairman & Strategic Advisor
With more than 50 years of financial services industry leadership experience, David serves as Vice Chairman and Strategic Advisor to IFW. Throughout his distinguished career, he has earned numerous industry awards and recognition while helping thousands of individuals and families navigate important financial decisions. David provides strategic guidance, industry insight, and leadership support across retirement planning, advisor development, and long-term growth initiatives.
Davis Adefeso
Head of Investment & Planning Strategy
Davis leads investment and planning strategy initiatives across the IFW platform. Drawing upon extensive experience in financial planning, wealth management, and investment strategy, he helps shape the educational frameworks, planning methodologies, and retirement strategies designed to support long-term financial success.
Rees Bridges
Executive Vice President, Media & Technology
Rees leads IFW's media, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital platform initiatives. He oversees the systems, technology infrastructure, content platforms, and client-facing experiences that power The Annuity Finder and the broader Institute of Financial Wellness ecosystem.
Bella Scicluna
Vice President of Marketing
Bella leads marketing strategy, brand development, client communications, and campaign execution across the IFW family of brands. Her work helps connect consumers with educational resources, retirement planning insights, and financial wellness solutions.
Renee Haugerud
Global Investment & Risk Senior Advisor
Renee brings decades of global investment, risk management, and institutional market experience to the IFW leadership team. As a respected investor, entrepreneur, and market strategist, she provides insight and guidance on investment strategy, market risk, economic trends, and long-term portfolio management principles that support IFW's retirement planning initiatives.
Tom Hegna
Retirement Income & Annuity Advisor
Tom is one of the nation's most recognized retirement income educators, authors, and annuity advocates. With decades of experience helping retirees understand the importance of guaranteed lifetime income and retirement security, Tom provides strategic guidance and educational insight on retirement income planning, annuity strategies, and creating sustainable retirement outcomes.
Joe Jordan
Consumer Education Advisor
Joe is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and consumer advocate dedicated to helping individuals and families better understand the financial decisions that impact their future. As Consumer Education Advisor to IFW, he helps support the organization's mission of empowering consumers through education, financial literacy, and informed retirement planning. Joe is widely known for his ability to simplify complex financial concepts and help people better understand the role of protection, income, and long-term financial security.
Malik Yoba
Consumer Education Advisor
Malik Yoba is an accomplished actor, entrepreneur, and community advocate dedicated to helping individuals and families access opportunities that support long-term financial well-being. As Consumer Education Advisor to IFW, Malik helps advance the organization's mission of empowering consumers through education, awareness, and financial literacy. His passion for community engagement and economic empowerment helps IFW connect with and educate individuals on the importance of making informed financial decisions for themselves and their families.
Client Experience & Support Team
Sheena Thompson
Client Success Specialist
Sheena is a key leader within the IFW Insurance Division, helping support insurance sales, client onboarding, and advisor development initiatives. Currently completing IFW's advanced annuity training program, she works closely with clients and retirement income specialists to help deliver a seamless annuity education and onboarding experience.
Jack Murphy
Client Success Specialist
Jack helps coordinate client communication, scheduling, onboarding, and service support, helping ensure a smooth and professional client experience throughout every stage of the retirement planning journey.
Seth Clampit
Client Success Specialist
Seth supports clients through appointment scheduling, follow-up communication, and ongoing service coordination, helping create a responsive and client-focused experience.
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Jenny Guerra
Administrative Support Manager
Jenny provides administrative and operational support across the organization, helping ensure efficient processes, organization, and service delivery throughout the client experience.
Trusted Nationwide
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Helping Americans make smarter retirement income decisions through education, transparency, and personalized guidance.
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Ready To Discover Which Retirement Income Strategy May Fit You?
Start with the Free Annuity Finder Quiz and receive your personalized Retirement Security Report™. Then review your results with an IFW Retirement Income Expert who can help you better understand your options.