Rick’s Approach
Rick P. Bender
CFP®, LUTCF®, ChFC®, CLU®, CRPS®
Financial Advisor / Member Owner
Overview
Rick Bender serves as a financial advisor in Savant’s Rockford, Illinois, office. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, he is knowledgeable in all areas of financial planning, including wealth transfer and philanthropy, proactive income and estate tax planning, retirement income strategies, insurance evaluations, debt management, and education funding.
Rick draws on more than 30 years in the financial services industry. He began his career in 1992 and has guided individuals and businesses through asset protection, growth strategies, and retirement plan decisions. Before joining Savant, he worked as a vice president in the Institutional Trust and Custody Department of a major bank, where he oversaw investment management and retirement plan services.
His dedication to lifelong learning and education underscores his commitment to advanced planning strategies and client education. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Certified Retirement Plan SpecialistSM (CRPS®), Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF®), and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management with a minor in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
Rick has been active in the Rockford and Janesville, Wisconsin, communities through YMCA programs, youth baseball, and CYO basketball. He enjoys sports, fitness, the outdoors, and traveling with his family.
Areas of Focus
Comprehensive Wealth Management
Integrated guidance for your full financial life, bringing together investment, tax, estate, and retirement planning to support your goals.
Financial Planning
Our planning process helps you evaluate key areas of your financial life, uncover opportunities, and make decisions aligned with your goals.
Investment Management
Evidence-based investing designed to help you stay focused on long-term goals while navigating changing market conditions.
Estate Planning & Wealth Transfer
Thoughtful estate planning guidance to help organize your affairs, support your wishes, and prepare for future generations.
Trust Services
Comprehensive trust administration supported by integrated investment, tax, estate, charitable, and business succession planning services.
Education
- University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, minor in Business Administration
Professional Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional
- Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow®
- Chartered Financial Consultant®
- Chartered Life Underwriter®
- Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠
Insights & Perspectives
Thought leadership on wealth management, tax strategy, and financial planning.
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CFP®
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.