After spending years diligently building your nest egg, you deserve to transition smoothly into a secure retirement. At Retirement Wealth Design, we believe in the dream of freedom and have built our practice with a purpose: Helping you design a plan that honors your hard work and gets you to the life you envision in retirement.
TOM ELDER, CFP®
President
Continuing a Legacy of Integrity.
Tom Elder’s grandfather taught him early in life that success isn’t about what you have or do; it’s about who you are. It’s about living a life of service to others and holding true to your core values. Tom, the youngest of four, was raised with a strong sense of family and community. His grandfather was his role model and always inspired Tom with his genuine altruism and strong work ethic. Tom began working at just 11 years old, developing the spirit of grit passed down to him. Shortly after Tom began working, his grandfather then bought him a financial calculator and showed him the section of the newspaper to track stocks, encouraging him to invest regularly for the future. Though his grandfather passed away when he was a sophomore in college, Tom went on to receive his Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Upon graduation Tom found wise mentors as he climbed the corporate ladder, learning many business lessons along the way but also learning that his daily activities and growth could have a significant impact on the community around him. The core values based on integrity and servitude that had been passed to him through his family generations rang in his ears and the Spirit guided his path as he transitioned in financial services from a big box firm to working at an independent practice. Then after years at the independent practice, Tom’s experience and exposure gained him significant recognition due to his “client comes first” mentality working with pre-retirees and retirees on their financial plans.
Tom Elder launched Retirement Wealth Design, LLC with the aim of aligning his personal mission with a business culture grounded in integrity and service for clients, employees, and the community. Built upon the ethical principles instilled in him since childhood, his firm embodies these values, ensuring a legacy of integrity that endures. Grounded in his faith and driven by a lifelong commitment to serving others, Tom founded the firm to share his wisdom and empower his community to thrive in retirement. Dedicated to leaving a lasting impact for his clients, community, and his twin boys, Johnny and Charlie, Tom is steadfast in continuing his grandfather’s legacy of service, guiding clients toward the peaceful and prosperous futures they desire.
Meet Our Team
Nikki Elder
As Director of Operations at Retirement Wealth Design, LLC, Nikki Elder understands the importance of building meaningful relationships with clients and how to cultivate a strong, united and client-focused team. With years of experience in management and client services, Nikki knows that trust and communication are at the heart of any successful business relationship. Nikki’s approach to relationship building is rooted in her commitment to providing exceptional service to clients. What sets Nikki apart is her focus on building relationships that go beyond the transactional.
Nikki is happily married and has twin boys, Charlie and Johnny. You can find Nikki cheering her family on from the sidelines of baseball and soccer fields; her boys as they play and her husband as he coaches the team! She enjoys live music, traveling, wine tastings, bonfires in the back yard, volunteering at her boy’s school events any chance she gets as well as listening to uplifting and inspirational podcasts.
Jessica Johnson
Client Relationship Manager
Jessica is our Client Relationship Manager. She oversees the Client Relations Team and plays a key role in managing our educational workshops held throughout the year. Jessica loves interacting with clients and has a great knack for multitasking. Her background as a legal secretary has equipped her with great organization skills and meticulous attention to detail.
Outside the office, Jessica loves spending time with her husband, Mark, her kids, and two dogs. She enjoys reading and helping others with interior design projects.
Purposefully Crafting Holistic Plans.
At Retirement Wealth Design, we believe in protecting what you’ve built by being prepared for life ahead. Our expert team understands the complexities of the financial industry and specializes in crafting personalized plans designed to maximize your financial gain. Our purpose is to simplify financial concepts so you can let go of fear and step into the secure retirement you deserve.
Creating a Legacy of Freedom.
Our purpose is to minimize stress in retirement so you can live freely. With a deeply ingrained sense of integrity, we serve our clients by offering sound financial guidance on tax efficiency, social security planning and protecting your assets while hedging for rising healthcare costs and inflation. At Retirement Wealth Design, we want to hear your story and help you continue your legacy, living the retirement you dream of.