Most Americans approaching retirement share the same nagging worry: Will I have enough? For Dan and Pam Soper, that fear was all too real just a few years ago. “We were just putting money into our 401(k) and hoping for the best,” Dan recalls. “We had no real plan.” Today, the retired couple travels freely, manages their finances confidently, and sleeps well at night. The difference? A relationship with Golden Years Financial that began with a simple educational seminar—and a financial advisor who helped transform their retirement anxiety into retirement security. A Different Kind of Financial Advisor For Mark Cordner, president of Golden Years Financial, retirement planning isn’t about sales pitches—it’s about education and understanding. After spending two years as a missionary in Holland and Belgium, and despite being accepted to law school, Cordner found his true calling in retirement planning, approaching it with what he calls a “service missionary mindset.” This focus on education drives every aspect of Golden Years Financial. A Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor with over 30 years of experience, Cordner hosts comprehensive seminars, runs a weekly radio show called A Roadmap to Navigate Retirement, and produces a podcast helping people understand complex retirement concepts. His dedication to clear communication resonates with clients. “When we first met Mark at his seminar, he was just very clear, very straightforward with us,” Pam Soper says. “We had zero experience, but he explains everything in as much or as little detail as you want.” This teaching style stems from Cordner’s belief that in the internet age, people don’t lack information—they lack understanding. For his focus on education and ethical leadership, Cordner has earned membership in the Million Dollar Round Table’s Top of the Table for excellence in financial services. But professional accolades take a back seat to personal integrity in his practice, where trust forms the foundation of every relationship. The son of a retired Air Force chaplain, Cordner believes success in financial planning requires both expertise and unwavering ethics. “He’s got a very strong moral compass,” Pam notes. “That made a tremendous difference for us.” Going AWOL: The Path to Financial Freedom For the team at Golden Years Financial, successful retirement planning means helping clients “Go AWOL”—achieving what they call a “work-optional lifestyle” where they can truly live the life they desire. As a risk-based advisory firm, they believe certain aspects of retirement are too important to leave to chance and deserve to be insured. This philosophy rests on three essential pillars: creating income you can’t outlive, minimizing taxes, and protecting against risks. The Sopers’ story illustrates how this philosophy works in practice. Like many retirees watching a volatile market, the Sopers worried about their investments. “Our biggest concern was the risk of losing our retirement nest egg from our 401(k),” Dan explains. “Mark helped us understand our options, and we went with an annuity that was 100% protected. That way, if the market goes down, we don’t lose any of our principal.” The strategy paid off—the Sopers’ investment saw returns of 16% in one particularly strong year, well above the typical 4% average. The tax implications of retirement planning revealed another challenge on the Sopers’ journey. “I should have started converting to after-tax accounts sooner,” Dan admits, adding a warning: “The government’s going to get that money, and they want it soon after you retire.” He learned this lesson when converting funds triggered higher Medicare costs—jumping from $125 to nearly $600 monthly. But with Golden Years Financial’s guidance, the Sopers developed a strategy to optimize their tax situation moving forward, protecting their retirement income. While market volatility and taxes pose significant challenges, Cordner emphasizes another, even more critical threat to retirement security: healthcare costs. He describes long-term care as “the number one unfunded social and healthcare crisis of our time,” a concern validated by recent data showing 87% of Americans worry about medical expenses in retirement. For the Sopers, understanding and preparing for these challenges has been key to their retirement confidence. Building Trust, Building Community Building trust at Golden Years Financial begins with what Cordner calls the “Good Fit” discovery meeting—a no-cost, no-obligation consultation that lets people explore their options without pressure. During this meeting, clients work with Cordner to create a clear financial picture, identify opportunities and challenges, and discuss their personal goals and expectations. It’s a stark contrast to the Sopers’ previous experience with their 401(k) provider. “We went down to talk with them, and they just showed us their computer screen,” Pam recalls. “They said ’This is what we should be doing for you, this is how much it will cost.’ That was it.” Unlike their impersonal bank visit, meetings with Cordner became collaborative conversations about their future. “When he sat down with us, he worked all the information up and said, ’Okay, this is what I recommend, and this is why,’” Dan recalls. “He gave us this thick binder full of information, all personalized to our situation. Then he walked us through everything, helping us understand not just what to do, but why we should do it.” Cordner’s approach to building relationships extends beyond office meetings. Golden Years Financial maintains an active community presence, organizing regular service events throughout the year. From food drives at Three Square Food Bank to sock drives for the homeless, Cordner and his team consistently give back to Las Vegas. Every year, on the Friday before Thanksgiving, Cordner brings clients together for a day of volunteer work. “He does a lot of community activities, and it’s not just to promote retirement planning,” Pam says. “It’s about being involved—as a member of your community.” Taking the First Step More than half of Americans lose sleep over their retirement security—a fear the Sopers know all too well. “I confess that we were just afraid to talk to somebody,” Dan says. “We didn’t want them to say, ’Oh, you guys are in deep trouble, you’re never going to be able to retire.’ And we had no idea who to trust.” Finding that trust proved transformative. A simple educational seminar evolved into a relationship rooted in understanding and lasting connection. “We think of Mark as family,” Dan says. “That’s how close we are. When we have a question or concern, we know it will be dealt with—not just professionally, but with genuine care.” This level of trust helps explain why the Sopers’ only regret is not starting sooner. “Do it, and do it well before you plan to retire,” Pam advises. Through regular seminars at the College of Southern Nevada, Cordner continues to help others take that same first step, covering everything from Social Security optimization to tax planning strategies—and all explained with the same care he showed the Sopers. Your Retirement Journey Begins Stories like the Sopers' resonate deeply, especially as today’s retirement landscape differs drastically from a generation ago. Economic uncertainties, changing government policies, and healthcare challenges have many Americans questioning their future security. But as the Sopers discovered, having a choice about retirement—and the confidence to make that choice—is possible with the right guidance and planning. To begin your retirement journey, explore a Golden Years Financial educational seminar or schedule a complimentary “Good Fit” consultation at gyfinancial.com or call (702) 258-4455.
