Meet The Team
The team behind Secure Retirement Strategies is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements.
Our Mission: Securing Your Tomorrow...Today
Marc SmithManaging Partner
Marc draws on his 25 years of financial services experience to help retirees and near-retirees work toward their financial objectives. By listening to his clients and drawing on his diverse product knowledge, Marc ensures his clients get a custom-designed retirement plan that fits their goals and dreams.
Before joining Secure Retirement Strategies, Marc was a managing partner of a leading financial organization, where he initiated the unique “Suite of Services” platform. This service brought together the broadest range of non-proprietary products to the marketplace under one roof. He also was the youngest partner and leading sales manager in the United States at New York Life.
Marc has passed the Series 63 securities exam and holds licenses in life and health insurance and annuities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from the University of Denver.
In his free time, Marc assists many charitable organizations and enjoys traveling, exercise, art, reading and spending time with his wife and four sons.
Contact Marc
Phone: 610.888.4673
Email: msmith@srsstrategies.com
Michael NeftManaging Partner
With nearly 40 years of experience in finance and securities, Michael oversees the firm’s tailor-made retirement plans. He is always looking for new ways to help retirees and near-retirees earn income for life as they approach or enter retirement.
Michael has held senior management positions at heavyweights Janney Montgomery Scott, Prudential Securities and Shearson American Express. Before joining Secure Retirement Strategies, he spent seven years as an executive director with Oppenheimer.
Michael has more than 20 years of experience as a dispute resolution arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). At FINRA, he arbitrated more than 50 cases, resolving disputes brokerage firms had with clients, employees and other brokerage firms. Michael also served as a board member of the New York Stock Exchange Disciplinary Hearing Board for eight years, a board member of the New York Stock Exchange acceptability board for two years and a dispute resolution arbitrator for the National Futures Exchange for 14 years.
He was appointed as an arbitrator for the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) in 1991, the New York Stock Exchange in 1992 and the National Futures Exchange in 2003. In addition, Michael is a registered advisor under the NFL Players Association financial advisors program, a highly restrictive qualifying program sponsored by the NFL Players Union.
Michael has passed the Series 63 and 65 securities exams, holds licenses in life and health insurance and annuities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is registered as an Investment Adviser Representative. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from the University of Pittsburgh.
Michael has been married for more than 40 years and has three sons and a granddaughter. His hobbies include sports, weight training, biking, cooking, traveling, and researching and building Napoleonic-era model ships.
Contact Michael
Phone: 610.639.8976
Email: mneft@srsstrategies.com
Lou AaronsChief Operating Officer
Lou AaronsChief Operating Officer
Lou puts his more than 30 years of financial services experience to work ensuring that every retirement plan developed and implemented meets the client’s current goals while remaining flexible for an ever-changing future.
Before joining Secure Retirement Strategies, Lou served as CEO and chief compliance officer of a regional broker-dealer. He worked closely with industry regulators and registered representatives to ensure compliance and suitability in the sale of investment products and services.
As a private banker, Lou satisfied the banking needs of high net worth professionals and business owners, developing skills in a variety of financial services, such as mortgages, investment management and family trusts.
A graduate of Albright College, Lou and his wife, Connie, have two sons. When he’s not at the office, Lou enjoys bowling and golf.
Contact Lou
Phone: 267.544.0333
Email: laarons@srsstrategies.com
Merrick SmithVice President of Business Development
Merrick SmithVice President of Business Development
Before joining Secure Retirement Strategies, Merrick helped manage the property and casualty insurance department at a leading financial organization, where he helped small- to medium-sized businesses with their commercial line insurance needs. His mission is to do business every day as if the company’s success depends on its good name — because it does.
Merrick graduated from the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts in finance and real estate. He holds licenses in life and health insurance and annuities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
When not at the office, Merrick likes to ski, do yoga, play tennis, travel and cook.
Contact Merrick
Phone: 610.908.6334
Email: mcsmith@srsstrategies.com
Fred Schwartz Vice President
Fred Schwartz Vice President
For more than 30 years, Fred’s priority has been helping retirees and pre-retirees work toward a confident future in any economic climate.
Fred takes the time to understand the financial needs of each prospective client and customer. This comprehensive evaluation enables him to develop the tailor-made retirement strategy that best meets his clients’ short- and long-term objectives. Fred is passionate about sharing his knowledge, speaking to diverse individuals and groups about the importance of financial planning. His motto is never stop learning. He loves helping individuals and families devise strategies to help grow and protect their nest egg.
Fred holds life and health insurance licenses in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida. Fred is also a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC). He is a graduate of New England College with a degree in finance.
A native of Philadelphia and father of three, Fred enjoys spending time with family, exercising, reading and traveling. He also dedicates his time and money to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and its Bike MS charity bike rides, and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Contact Fred
Office: 267.544.0333
Cell: 610.633.0202
Email: fred@srsstrategies.com
Andrew SmithMarketing Director
Andrew SmithMarketing Director
After working at Delaware Valley Financial Group as a marketing representative, Andrew joined Secure Retirement Strategies to provide marketing support, client data management and new business processing. Andrew understands a positive client experience is the most important part of our work and enjoys coordinating information to ensure each one of our clients’ specific needs are met.
Andrew graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from Rollins College, where he also studied international business. His hobbies include traveling, skiing, swimming, hiking and soccer.
Contact Andrew
Phone: 267.544.0333
Email: asmith@srsstrategies.com
Christian FischerFinancial Analyst Director
Christian FischerFinancial Analyst Director
Christian combines his account executive-based client skills and his experience in web administration to provide clients with essential information about the products and services our team offers. His specialty is addressing complex retirement cases with straightforward, numbers-based strategies that meet each client’s unique needs.
He has always been a leader and a team player, serving as captain of swim teams, lacrosse teams and cross-country teams. He’s also provided career training and guidance as a hiring executive.
Christian holds licenses in accident, health and life insurance as well as annuities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history from Boston University.
When not at the office or in client meetings, Christian enjoys walking, playing music, reading and cooking. You also can find him catching up on current events and talking with friends in his free time.
Contact Christian
Phone: 267.544.0333
Email: cfischer@srsstrategies.com
Tom YeutterHead of Operations & Underwriting
Tom YeutterHead of Operations
Tom has a vast knowledge of computer operations and excellent management skills. Disciplined and determined, he also has what it takes to help ensure the Secure Retirement Strategies team has everything they need to get the job done right for their clients.
Tom is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University with a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and holds licenses in life insurance, annuities, accident and health.
In his free time, Tom enjoys powerlifting, bodybuilding, off-roading and building hot rods. He also likes spending time with his closest friends and family.
Contact Tom
Phone: 267.544.0333
Email: tyeutter@srsstrategies.com