Kenneth B. McEwen, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®

KEN McEWEN, has been in the financial services industry since 1975 after graduating from Thiel College.  He started his career with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, completing all of the company training courses centered on servicing small businesses and professionals.  At the same time, he earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA.

In 1982 he formed GFC Strategic Lifestyle Advisors as an independent comprehensive financial planning firm.  His firm is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as a registered investment advisor.  This allows for the planning and management of assets to be done on a fee basis rather than commissions.  This option is somewhat unique in the industry and assures planning to be truly impartial. 

Ken’s work with his clients has made him a specialist in both qualified and non-qualified retirement plan designs and administration.  When the fiduciary responsibilities of plan trustees became more of an issue, Ken decided to educate himself specifically on that subject and earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies under fi360.  This relationship allows Ken to service his 401(k) and other retirement plans with processes for fiduciary compliance.  One item on Ken’s 401(k) plan service matrix includes an annual fiduciary review with the plan trustees.* 

Ken’s experience has led to his belief that there is a significant disconnect between the consumer and the financial professional today.  Since most professionals get paid for transactions that occur or as an asset-based fee, their business model is inspired with that in mind.  Ken, however, believes that the biggest benefit to the consumer is the planning and advice provided by the advisor, which in most cases takes a good bit of time and knowledge.  Because of this belief, his business model is based on comprehensive planning and a trademarked process he and his staff have developed, The Strategic Lifestyle Design™.

*Ken only offers these services in his role as an Investment Advisor Representative for companies whose retirement plans are advisory based.  Ken does not offer these services as a registered representative of Cetera Advisor Networks.