My name is Tony Verheyen. I spent four years writing In Our Reach and another developing myPEPM because I believe that traditional employees - the backbone of our nation's economy - deserve a better path to building and preserving wealth at work. One that's unbiased, transparent, and practical.
During my 30 years in employee benefits, I helped tens of thousands of people - from factory floors to Capitol Hill - understand the connection between financial well-being and workplace resources. My thoughts were featured in USA Today, The Street, Pensions & Investments, PLANSPONSOR Magazine, the Journal of Pension Planning & Compliance, and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
My pioneering work in workplace financial education was acknowledged by the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) with a Best of Show Award. Years later, PSCA recognized my commitment to helping employers preserve the free enterprise approach to retirement security with a Volunteer Service Award. And my distinguished service as a military instructor resulted in an Ohio Commendation Medal.
I earned a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the International Foundation for Employee Benefit Plans and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an MA degree from The Ohio State University, and a BS degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Prior to and early in my financial services career, I served as an MP in the U.S. Army Reserves and as a Field Artillery Officer in the Wisconsin and Ohio Army National Guard.
I'm married to my wife of 30+ years and have three kids and a dog. I enjoy family vacations, football, live music, and good coffee. I am currently pursuing a nursing degree because I hope to positively impact the health and wellbeing of others.
Tony Verheyen, MA, CEBS
Built Transparency tool so Employers can Benchmark Brokers
I'm pleased to announce the launch of myPEPM, a proprietary suite of fee-based services that give Heath & Welfare plan sponsors better insight into the compensation their benefits brokers receive and the services that are offered. It's affordable benchmarking and mediation to help groups with 100 or more employees optimize these relationships while avoiding time-consuming searches.
In Our Reach A "Reference and Resource" in Renowned SOA Guides
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute identifies In Our Reach as a "Reference and Resource" in two recently updated consumer guides: "Finding Trustworthy Financial Advice for Retirement and Avoiding Pitfalls;" and "Estate Planning: Preparing for Incapacity or End of Life." The booklets provide unbiased financial insights to individuals and are part of the "Managing Retirement Decisions" series produced by SOA's Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks.
Recognized by Vendor and Paper Findings Published in Magazine
Dimensional Fund Advisors, one of the world's premier investment management firms, highlights my work in the Summer '18 edition of its' DC Dimensions Magazine. Specifically, it mentions that I "led, transformed, and set the stage for growth" for the Plan Sponsor Council of America, and it features an article titled "Financial Wellness; Key Answers for Plan Sponsors" that I co-authored with Tim Kohn, Head of Defined Contribution Services at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Brandon Diersch, Group Portfolio Manager for Capital Markets at Microsoft Corporation.
Spearheaded Paper Published in Heralded Professional Journal
I'm the lead author of a paper published in the prestigious Journal of Pension Planning & Compliance (Vol. 44, No. 1; 2018). "A Practical Guide to Workplace Financial Wellness: Considerations, Assessment, and Implementation" offers benefit plan influencers valuable insights into the financial wellness movement and practical guidance for assessing and implementing contemporary workplace plans. Tim Kohn, Head of Defined Contribution Services at Dimensional Fund Advisors, and Brandon Diersch, Group Portfolio Manager for Capital Markets at Microsoft Corporation, contribute as co-authors.
Urged Presidential CANDIDATES TO EXPAND Federal SAVERS' CREDIT
Retirement security is essential to America's future. Given that both political parties acknowledge the need to help low-income workers save for an uncertain future, I renew my 2016 call for elected officials to enhance and modernize the federal Savers' Credit. It's good for business and labor.
LED FINANCIAL WELLNESS DISCUSSIONS during Plan Sponsor Meetings
I'll deliver financial wellness presentations and lead roundtable discussions during upcoming events for the Plan Sponsor Council of America. The half-day meetings will be hosted by Microsoft Corporation in Redmond, Washington, and Karsten Manufacturing ("Ping Brands") in Phoenix, Arizona. Department of Labor field personnel will also lead discussions on ERISA.
Fought in Washington, DC To Preserve Retirement Plan Tax Breaks
In the months before returning to the private sector, I helped staff members of the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee and the U.S. Senate understand the important link between workplace retirement plans and employee financial wellbeing. As the Plan Sponsor Council of America's Executive Director, I advocated for the continuation of existing retirement plan tax preferences, and that includes events on Capitol Hill like one hosted and sponsored by the nonpartisan Save Our Savings Coalition.
Presented financial wellness to Plan Stakeholders at DC Summit
On November 18, 2008, I presented my thoughts about tailoring Defined Contribution retirement plan communications to approximately 100 conference attendees. My goal was to urge plan stakeholders to improve their efforts to satisfy the holistic needs of employees using available workplace resources.
Financial Wellness services Spotlighted In Small Business Times
The Small Business Times reports on my award-winning workplace financial education. In "Your Money 101: Richfield Companies teaches financial planning to its clients' employees," reps from U.S. Oil and M. A. Mortenson Company discuss the benefits of teaching employees basic financial planning concepts.
Financial Wellness Services covered Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel publishes a news story that humanizes my turn-key financial wellness services. "Fiscal Fitness at Work," written by Avrum Lank, focuses on a local, forward-thinking business leader who embraces holistic workplace financial education as a win-win for her organization and its diverse workforce. It's a brilliant piece because the reporter starts and ends with an employee.
Financial Wellness Services Help Client Win "Best of Show" Award
The 401(k)/Profit Sharing Council of America announces that M. A. Mortenson Company of Golden Valley, Minnesota, is the recipient of its' rare "Best of Show" award. The employer's efforts to blend traditional 401(k) education offered by its recordkeeper with my financial education was praised by judges for "helping employees take two steps forward by taking one step back."