Jeffery Vanderstraaten is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He began his career in financial services in 1999 at Merrill and has over two decades of experience. Jeff is a founding partner of the Hekman & VanderStraaten Group and focuses on total wealth management. He provides solutions based on clients' risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, and investment goals, utilizing a defined process to help clients reach their objectives.
Jeff's expertise includes college education planning, employee benefits planning, employee financial health, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, special needs planning strategies, women and wealth, tax minimization, and retirement income. He uses the Investment Personality Assessment developed by Merrill Lynch Wealth Management to better understand clients' investing preferences and customize financial strategies accordingly.
He holds a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in Finance from Western Michigan University. Jeff has earned several professional designations, including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC), Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He serves on the Endowment Committee at his church. Jeff lives in Portage with his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters, Ella and Grace. In his free time, he enjoys basketball, football, ice hockey, music, reading, and spending time with his family.