Ryan Goetz | Insurance & Retirement Strategist
Honest, kitchen-table guidance · No pressure
Insurance & Retirement Strategist

Protect your income. Secure your retirement. Leave a legacy.

I’m Ryan Goetz. I help families protect what they’ve built and plan for what’s next — with honest, straightforward guidance, a complete shelf of A+ rated solutions, and no pressure, ever.

  • Income protection, retirement income & legacy planning
  • Education over pressure — clarity over jargon
  • A+ rated carriers, matched to your family and budget
Schedule a Strategy Session (616) 413-1133
Ryan Goetz
Ryan Goetz
Executive Director · Experior Financial Group
Why This Matters

Most families are one setback away from starting over.

Not because they don’t work hard — but because no one ever sat down at their kitchen table and built them a real plan. That is exactly what I do.

0%

live paycheck to paycheck — even six-figure earners

Income is coming in, but nothing is truly being built — and millions of those households earn over $100,000. Breaking the cycle starts with a written plan: know where the money goes, automate savings first, and protect the income everything depends on.
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couldn’t cover a $1,000 emergency from savings

One car repair, medical bill, or missed paycheck can push a household straight into debt. An emergency fund is the foundation under every other strategy — we build it into the plan before anything else.
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could handle less than $500 in an emergency

That includes 18% who say they could cover less than $100. Small buffers fail at the worst moments — a right-sized emergency fund plus income protection keeps one bad week from becoming a bad decade.
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say credit card debt delays life’s big decisions

Saving, investing, buying a vehicle — debt keeps pushing them back a year at a time. We sequence it: attack high-interest debt while keeping protection and retirement contributions alive, so progress never fully stops.
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carry medical or dental debt today

For millions of families, a health issue quickly becomes a financial crisis. Health events are the number-one budget breaker — the right coverage mix keeps a diagnosis from draining what you’ve built.
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fail a basic financial knowledge quiz

Most Americans can’t correctly answer five of seven basic money questions — because most of us were never taught. Education is the first thing I deliver: plain-language answers before any product is ever discussed. The question library below is exactly that.
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have no life insurance protection at all

Millions of families have nothing in place if an income earner dies unexpectedly. Term coverage often costs less than people guess — we right-size a number to your income, mortgage, and kids, not a generic chart.
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are uninsured or underinsured — ~100M people

Coverage through work is rarely enough and rarely portable — many policies cover just one or two times salary. A quick audit shows the gap between what you have and what your family would actually need.
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have no retirement investments at all

For millions of people, retirement is not a plan — it is a hope. The calculator below turns “someday” into a number — your Financial Independence Number — and a monthly savings plan to reach it.
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say money is a significant source of stress

Financial pressure doesn’t stay on a spreadsheet — it shows up in health, marriages, energy, and sleep. Clarity is the antidote: families tell me the biggest change after planning isn’t the money, it’s sleeping better.
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If any of these feel familiar, you’re not behind — you’re normal. And you’re exactly who I help.

Start Building Your Plan

Consumer-finance statistics are approximate figures drawn from published research and national surveys, including: the PYMNTS & LendingClub New Reality Check: Paycheck-to-Paycheck report series; Bankrate’s annual Emergency Savings Report; Bankrate and NerdWallet consumer debt surveys; the KFF Health Care Debt Survey; the FINRA Investor Education Foundation National Financial Capability Study; the LIMRA and Life Happens Insurance Barometer Study; the Federal Reserve Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking; and the American Psychological Association Stress in America survey. Figures are rounded for readability and may vary by survey year and methodology. This page is educational and is not financial advice.

Who I Help

Built for real families at every stage.

Wherever you are right now, the goal is the same — a clear plan that protects the people who depend on you.

Young Families

Just Getting Started

Protecting a growing household, a new mortgage, and the income everything depends on — affordably.

At this stage, affordable term coverage usually does the heavy lifting: enough protection to replace your income, pay off the mortgage, and fund the years your kids depend on you — often for less than a monthly streaming bundle. We’ll right-size the number to your real life, not a generic chart.
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Established Households

Building & Balancing

Juggling income protection, education savings, and retirement contributions without overextending.

This is where plans get layered: protecting two incomes, weighing college savings against retirement contributions, and making sure debt never lands on your family. We’ll audit the coverage you already have, close the gaps, and keep the budget honest.
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Pre-Retirees

Approaching Retirement

Turning savings into reliable, lasting income — and stress-testing the plan before you need it.

The decade before retirement is when a plan earns its keep. We’ll pressure-test your numbers, explore turning savings into reliable lifetime income with annuity options, and make sure healthcare and long-term needs won’t unravel decades of work.
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Legacy-Minded

Protecting What’s Built

Transferring wealth efficiently, keeping it out of probate, and providing for the next generation.

Life insurance proceeds generally pass directly to named beneficiaries — outside probate — making it one of the cleanest tools for transferring wealth. We’ll coordinate beneficiaries, ownership, and coverage so what you built lands exactly where you intend.
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What I Offer

Comprehensive protection solutions.

A complete shelf of A+ rated products — matched to your family, your income, and your goals. Tap any solution to see how it works.

No. 01

Life Insurance

Premium coverage including term, whole, and universal life designed to protect your family’s financial future.

Term life for affordable temporary coverage, whole life for lifelong protection with cash value, and universal life that flexes with your needs — every policy custom-matched to your income, dependents, and long-term goals.
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No. 02

Indexed Universal Life

Advanced wealth accumulation with market-linked growth, tax advantages, and downside protection.

IUL policies credit interest linked to a market index with a floor against market loss — combining life insurance protection with tax-advantaged cash value you may access later in life.
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No. 03

Retirement Planning

Strategic solutions including annuities and comprehensive income planning for long-term security.

We work backward from your Financial Independence Number: organizing savings, positioning for growth and protection, and turning what you’ve built into reliable retirement income.
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No. 04

Mortgage Protection

Specialized coverage ensuring your family keeps their home regardless of life’s circumstances.

Coverage designed around your mortgage balance and term, so the people you love can stay in the home you worked for — no matter what happens to your income.
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No. 05

Final Expense Planning

Thoughtful coverage that relieves loved ones of financial burden during life’s most difficult moments.

Simple, affordable policies that cover funeral costs and final bills — so grief is never compounded by financial stress, and your family can focus on what matters.
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No. 06

Legacy & Probate Protection

Multi-generational wealth transfer strategies that keep your legacy out of probate and in your family’s hands.

Life insurance proceeds generally pass directly to named beneficiaries — outside probate — making it one of the cleanest ways to move wealth to the next generation efficiently.
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Know the Number. Build the Plan.

What’s your Financial Independence number?

Find out how much you may need invested to create the retirement income you want — and how much you may need to save each month to get there.

Example: to create $100,000/year using a 4% withdrawal strategy, you may need approximately $2.5 million invested.

Most people want to retire someday. Very few know their number.

Your Financial Independence Number is the amount of invested money you would likely need to create the retirement income you want — without depending only on a paycheck, Social Security, or guesswork.

A common rule of thumb is the 4% withdrawal strategy: if your investments are large enough, you may be able to withdraw about 4% of the balance each year to help fund your retirement lifestyle.

The Simple Formula
Desired annual income × 25 = your Financial Independence Number

Without a clear target, saving for retirement feels vague and overwhelming. Once you know your number, you can reverse-engineer the plan. You can estimate:

  • How much you may need invested by retirement
  • How much you should be saving each month now
  • How long it may take to reach your goal
  • Whether your current strategy is on track
  • What changes may help close the gap

The goal is not to scare you. The goal is to give you clarity.

Calculate Your Financial Independence Number
$100,000
$50,000
$1,000
40
65
7%
$2,000
$0
Your Financial Independence Number
$2,500,000
≈ 25× the income your investments must produce
Additional Monthly Savings Needed
$0
to reach your number by retirement
Projected progress from current plan0%

Your Starting Action Plan

    These figures are hypothetical estimates for educational purposes only and are not a guarantee, projection of actual results, or financial, tax, or investment advice. The 4% withdrawal concept is a rule of thumb, not a promise; actual sustainable withdrawal rates vary with markets, taxes, fees, inflation, and personal circumstances. Calculations assume monthly compounding at the selected rate of return, which is not guaranteed. Social Security and pension amounts are user-provided estimates; actual benefits depend on your earnings record, claiming age, and program rules, and are not guaranteed by this tool. Please consult qualified professionals about your specific situation.

    Want help building the plan?

    Knowing your number is powerful — but the real work is building a strategy to reach it. A financial strategy can help you organize your savings, protect your income, reduce unnecessary financial risk, and create a clearer path toward long-term independence.

    Schedule a Conversation
    How We’ll Work Together

    A clear, unhurried process.

    No surprises and no pressure — just four straightforward steps from first conversation to lasting protection.

    1

    Listen First

    We start with a relaxed conversation about your family, your income, your goals, and what keeps you up at night. No forms, no pitch — just understanding.

    2

    Build the Strategy

    I bring back a clear, written plan matched to your situation, explained in plain language, with options at different budgets so the decision is always yours.

    3

    Put It in Place

    Once you’re confident, I handle the paperwork and walk you through underwriting and approval. You’ll always know what’s happening and why.

    4

    Review & Adjust

    Life changes — new jobs, new children, new homes. We check in regularly to make sure your coverage still fits the life you’re actually living.

    About Ryan

    Honest guidance for the people you love.

    Before financial services, Ryan spent years as an entrepreneur — building, taking risks, and learning firsthand how much work goes into creating something worth protecting.

    That experience shaped how he sees this work: the things you build for your family deserve a real plan behind them. As a licensed insurance agent with Experior Financial Group, Ryan helps families put that plan in place — protecting income, preparing for retirement, and making sure a home stays in the family no matter what life brings.

    Today, as an Executive Director, he leads with the same principle he started with: every family deserves honest, kitchen-table guidance from someone who treats their goals like his own. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a plan you already have, he’s here to help you protect what matters.

    Entrepreneur Licensed Agent Executive Director Educator Family First
    What I Bring

    Entrepreneurial Perspective

    Years of building from the ground up — I understand what’s worth protecting.

    Licensed & Trusted

    A licensed insurance agent on the Experior Financial Group platform.

    Education First

    Clear guidance and honest answers — never high-pressure sales.

    A Full Product Shelf

    A+ rated carriers and a complete range of protection solutions.

    A plan isn’t about fearing the worst. It’s about loving people enough to prepare for anything.

    — Ryan Goetz
    Common Questions

    The complete question library.

    Life InsuranceIndexed Universal Life (IUL)Retirement PlanningAnnuitiesFinal ExpenseFamily & Income ProtectionWealth BuildingStrategy Sessions
    Life Insurance
    The right amount depends on what you want the policy to protect. For many families it’s not just funeral costs — it can replace income, pay off debt, cover a mortgage, provide for children, fund education goals, and give your family time to recover. A simple starting point is to think through:
    • How much income your family would need, and for how many years
    • Your mortgage or rent obligations and outstanding debts
    • Childcare or education costs
    • Final expenses
    • Savings or coverage you already have
    The goal isn’t to be overinsured — it’s to make sure the people you care about are never left financially exposed.
    Term life is temporary coverage for a set period — 10, 20, or 30 years — and is usually the most affordable way to get a larger amount of protection during your working years. Whole life is permanent coverage designed to last your lifetime as long as the policy stays in force, and may build cash value over time. Neither is automatically better: the right choice depends on your age, budget, goals, health, and how long you need the protection to last.
    Sometimes, yes — term can be a great fit when your goal is protecting a specific season of life: raising children, paying a mortgage, building savings. But term eventually expires, and qualifying again later can cost much more. That’s why some people pair term for temporary needs with permanent coverage for lifelong goals like final expenses, tax-advantaged cash value, or legacy planning.
    Coverage usually expires unless you renew, convert, or replace it. Some policies let you convert part or all of the coverage into a permanent policy without full medical underwriting — valuable if your health has changed. Review your options before the term ends; waiting too long limits your choices.
    Possibly. Even without a spouse or children, life insurance can matter if you have debts, aging parents, business obligations, or anyone who depends on you financially. It’s also easier and more affordable to qualify while you’re young and healthy — for some, a smaller policy is enough; for others it’s part of a broader long-term strategy.
    Yes, many do. A stay-at-home parent provides enormous financial value — childcare, transportation, household management, caregiving. If something happened to them, the surviving family may suddenly need to pay for everything that was handled at home. Life insurance can protect against that burden.
    In many cases, yes. Approval depends on the condition, treatment history, medications, age, lifestyle, and each company’s underwriting. Some policies require exams; others use simplified or no-exam underwriting. Even if you’ve been denied before, it’s worth reviewing again — different companies evaluate risk differently.
    It depends on the policy type, coverage amount, your age, health, and how long the coverage lasts. Term life is often surprisingly affordable, especially for younger applicants. Permanent policies cost more but are built for lifetime protection and may include cash value. The best approach: match the policy to the purpose, and understand exactly what you’re paying for and why.
    Indexed Universal Life (IUL)
    IUL is permanent life insurance with a death benefit and potential cash value growth. The cash value earns interest tied to a market index like the S&P 500 — but your money is not directly invested in the market, and many policies include downside protection in negative index years. IUL isn’t for everyone: it must be designed properly, funded properly, and reviewed regularly.
    An IUL is life insurance, not a traditional investment account. It has a cash value component that may grow, but it’s an insurance product first — with costs, insurance charges, caps, and participation rates. Structured correctly, it can serve protection, supplemental retirement income, tax-advantaged cash value, and legacy goals. It should never be sold as a magic solution or a guaranteed path to wealth.
    Properly structured cash value can potentially be accessed through policy loans and withdrawals, which is why some people use IUL as part of a tax-advantaged supplemental retirement strategy. The key phrase is properly structured — an underfunded or neglected policy may not perform as expected. Illustrations, funding levels, costs, and long-term monitoring all matter.
    Index crediting usually protects against direct market losses in negative years — but that doesn’t mean zero risk. Policy charges, cost of insurance, loan interest, insufficient funding, and poor management can reduce cash value or even cause the policy to lapse. That’s why IULs deserve careful review before purchase and monitoring afterward.
    It may be worth considering if you:
    • Need permanent life insurance protection
    • Want potential cash value accumulation
    • Have or are building a strong savings foundation
    • Want tax-advantaged supplemental retirement options
    • Can commit to funding the policy properly and think long-term
    It’s usually not a fit if you only need temporary coverage, have tight cash flow, want short-term returns, or don’t understand the structure.
    Illustrations are projections, not guarantees. Ask: what interest rate is assumed? What are the caps and participation rates? Are policy loans shown? What happens if it earns less than projected? What are the internal costs? Is it designed for death benefit, cash value, or both? A good advisor will walk you through the conservative scenario, not just the most attractive one.
    Retirement Planning
    It’s almost never too late to improve your direction — the strategy just changes with your age, income, and goals. That may include increasing monthly savings, reducing high-interest debt, protecting your income, reviewing accounts and tax strategy, adjusting your retirement date, or adding income streams. Use the calculator above to see your number, then let’s talk about the levers.
    It depends on lifestyle, expenses, income sources, health, debt, inflation, and how long retirement lasts. A common rule of thumb is the 4% withdrawal guideline: wanting about $100,000/year suggests roughly $2.5 million invested ($2,500,000 × 4% = $100,000). That’s a planning estimate, not a guarantee — a complete plan also weighs Social Security, pensions, annuities, taxes, healthcare, and market risk.
    It’s the amount you may need invested to support your desired retirement income. Want $80,000/year using a 4% approach? $80,000 × 25 = $2,000,000. Knowing the number stops the guessing: you get a target, and you can reverse-engineer the monthly savings to reach it — exactly what the calculator above does.
    Then you need a plan that accounts for the gap. Retiring earlier means money must last longer — and you’ll need to think about health insurance before Medicare, income before Social Security, taxes, and avoiding draining assets too quickly. Early retirement is possible for some people, but it requires more planning, not less.
    It depends on the debt type, interest rate, cash flow, and whether you have emergency savings. High-interest debt slows your progress — but delaying retirement savings too long makes catching up harder. For many, the answer is balanced: build emergency savings, attack high-interest debt, and keep contributing toward retirement when possible.
    A 401(k) is powerful, but it’s one piece. Know how much you’re contributing, whether you capture the full employer match, how your funds are allocated, what fees apply, and how taxes will work in retirement. Many people arrive with most of their money tax-deferred — which can create tax planning challenges later that are worth getting ahead of.
    Annuities
    An annuity is a financial product issued by an insurance company, often used to create retirement income, protect principal, or make cash flow more predictable. Types include fixed, fixed indexed, and variable annuities. The right one depends on the goal — some are built for safety, some for income, some for growth potential; some are complex with higher risk or fees.
    • To create guaranteed retirement income
    • To protect a portion of savings from market loss
    • To reduce the fear of outliving money
    • To create income alongside Social Security
    • To add stability, discourage impulsive withdrawals, or leave income to a spouse or beneficiary
    Not everyone needs one — but matched to the right purpose, an annuity can be genuinely useful.
    Neither — they’re tools. A hammer is great for a nail and useless for a screw. The better question isn’t “are annuities good?” but “does this annuity solve a specific problem in my plan?” Before buying, understand the surrender period, fees, guarantees, income options, liquidity limits, and how it fits your overall strategy.
    An insurance product that may provide principal protection with interest credited partly on a market index’s performance. You’re not directly invested in the market — the insurer credits interest via a formula tied to the index. Often used by people who want growth potential without exposing that money to direct market losses — though caps, spreads, participation rates, and surrender charges apply.
    Certain annuities can provide guaranteed income for life, depending on the contract and riders — reducing longevity risk, the risk of outliving your money. For some retirees that guarantee is peace of mind; for others, liquidity and flexibility matter more. A strong retirement plan often blends several income sources rather than relying on one product.
    • What problem is this annuity solving?
    • Is my principal protected? Is income guaranteed?
    • When can I access my money, and what are the surrender charges?
    • What are the fees, and how is the advisor compensated?
    • What happens if I die early? Can my spouse continue income?
    • What are the tax consequences, and what alternatives should I compare?
    A quality advisor should welcome every one of these questions.
    Final Expense
    A type of life insurance designed to cover end-of-life costs: funeral expenses, burial or cremation, medical bills, small debts, family travel, and probate-related expenses. Policies are usually smaller than traditional life insurance and may be easier to qualify for.
    Costs vary widely with location, service type, cemetery fees, cremation versus burial, and family preferences — and many families are surprised how quickly they add up. Final expense coverage exists so loved ones never have to reach for credit cards, loans, or emergency savings during an already difficult time.
    It’s most commonly purchased by older adults, but it isn’t only for seniors. Anyone who wants final expenses handled may consider it — though younger, healthier applicants often qualify for larger or more flexible life insurance options worth comparing first.
    Many final expense policies use simplified underwriting: health questions, but often no medical exam. Some are easier to qualify for than others, and some include graded benefit periods in the first years. It’s important to understand whether your policy provides immediate full coverage or limited early coverage.
    Family & Income Protection
    That’s one of the most important questions a financial strategy must answer. If your income stopped tomorrow, your family still needs housing, food, utilities, transportation, childcare, and debt payments. Life insurance, emergency savings, disability protection, and a clear plan keep one event from becoming a long-term financial crisis.
    Having a plan to protect the money your household depends on — typically life insurance, disability insurance, emergency savings, and tools that provide support if income is interrupted by death, illness, injury, or hardship. For most families, income is their most valuable financial asset.
    Coverage that replaces part of your income if illness or injury keeps you from working. Most people insure their home, phone, and car — but not the income that pays for all of them. If your ability to earn is interrupted, disability insurance helps the bills keep getting paid while you recover.
    It’s helpful, but often not enough. Many workplace policies cover only one or two times salary — rarely enough to replace years of income or pay off a mortgage. And workplace coverage usually isn’t portable: leave the job, lose the coverage. Review your benefits and see whether personal coverage should sit alongside them.
    Wealth Building
    Start with the basics:
    • Know your income and expenses
    • Build an emergency fund and reduce high-interest debt
    • Protect your income
    • Save consistently and invest for the long term
    • Avoid lifestyle creep; learn how taxes and compounding work
    Wealth building doesn’t require perfection — it requires direction, discipline, and time.
    Saving is for short-term safety and liquidity — emergency funds and upcoming needs. Investing is for long-term growth, and involves risk. A strong financial plan usually includes both, each doing its own job.
    It depends on income, goals, debt, age, and timeline. A common starting point is working toward 10–20% of your income — more if you’re behind or want to retire earlier. The most important step: start with a realistic amount and increase it over time. The calculator above turns this into your specific number.
    You’re not alone — most people were never formally taught how life insurance, retirement accounts, annuities, taxes, or wealth strategies work. A good financial strategist educates first. You should never feel embarrassed for asking questions; the goal is clarity, not confusion.
    Strategy Sessions
    No. A strategy session is about education, clarity, and options: where you are, what you want, what gaps exist, and what strategies may fit. You should never feel rushed, pressured, or confused — and anything recommended should come with a plain-language explanation of what it does, how it works, what it costs, and why it fits.
    The initial session is complimentary. Its purpose is to review your goals, identify potential gaps, and see whether a strategy makes sense for your situation. If any recommended product or service carries costs, those are explained clearly before you decide anything.
    A conversation about your goals and concerns — family protection, life insurance needs, retirement savings, debt, income protection, final expenses, tax concerns, legacy goals, and any current policies or accounts. The goal is simple: you leave with more clarity than you came in with.
    No. You don’t need all the answers — just the willingness to start the conversation. Many people begin with one question: “Am I on track?” That’s enough to begin.
    Helpful items include current life insurance policies, retirement account statements, a monthly budget or expense estimate, mortgage and debt balances, workplace benefit information, and your goals or concerns. Don’t have everything ready? That’s okay — getting organized is part of the process.
    Schedule a conversation below — 30 minutes, on Zoom or by phone. Ask questions, review your goals, and get a clearer picture of your options. Whether you need life insurance, retirement planning, final expense coverage, an annuity review, or simply better direction: the best time to start is now.

    This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered personal financial, tax, or legal advice. Insurance and retirement strategies vary based on individual circumstances. Guarantees are backed by the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Policy loans and withdrawals may reduce cash value and death benefits and can have tax consequences if a policy lapses or is surrendered. Always review product details carefully before making a financial decision.

    Ready When You Are

    Let’s build a plan for your family.

    30 minutes. On Zoom or by phone. No pitch, no pressure — just an honest conversation about protecting what you’ve built and where you want to go.

    Schedule a Strategy Session Call (616) 413-1133 Text Ryan
    Ryan Goetz Insurance & Retirement Strategist

    Licensed insurance agent and Executive Director with Experior Financial Group — helping families protect their income, plan for retirement, and build a legacy with honest, straightforward guidance.

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    Disclosures: Ryan Goetz is an independent licensed insurance agent affiliated with Experior Financial Group, LLC. Product availability, features, riders, and rates vary by carrier and by state and are subject to underwriting approval. Any coverage amounts, income figures, or examples shown are illustrative only; actual benefits, terms, and exclusions are governed solely by the issued policy documents. Retirement and Financial Independence figures on this page are hypothetical educational estimates, not guarantees or financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Indexed Universal Life and annuity products involve fees, limitations, and conditions; please review all materials carefully. Tax and/or legal advice is not offered by Experior, its affiliates, or its independent associates — consult a qualified professional regarding your specific situation.
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