Financial Planning for Dallas/Fort Worth First Responders

Are you a Dallas/Fort Worth first responder? Get the resources you need and expert insights from financial professionals who specialize in helping Dallas/Fort Worth first responders make the most of their compensation package and benefits.

Whether you’re a new to your role as a Dallas/Fort Worth first responder or you’ve moved up the ranks into a departmental management role over a multi-year career, it’s important to make smart money moves with your income and employee benefits. For example:

✅ Do you know the right moves to make to get the greatest value from the benefits available to you as a Dallas/Fort Worth first responder?

✅If you’re thinking about switching jobs or planning to retire in a few years, are you taking the right steps today to ensure you will receive all of the compensation and benefits that you’ve earned?

Get the Most Value from Your Benefits and Compensation Package

Throughout the year, Dallas/Fort Worth first responders have access to in-person events and online resources to learn updates about their benefits ranging from health insurance and health savings plans to retirement plans like a 457(b). While HR department leaders offer many useful resources and access to knowledgeable staff who can assist with questions, you’ll also find independent financial professionals who specialize in helping Dallas/Fort Worth first responders make the most of their income and benefits.

As a first responder in the DFW area, you may have questions about your compensation package and benefits better suited for a financial professional who can offer unbiased advice and guidance. For example, sensitive topics like discussing the steps you should take before quitting your current job to work elsewhere or deciding when you should plan to retire are conversations that may be more comfortable with a trusted financial advisor.

💡 In the Q&A below, you’ll gain insights from financial advisors who work with Dallas/Fort Worth first responders employees to help them make smart decisions to get the most value from their compensation and benefits, reduce their money stress, and prepare for a comfortable retirement.

🙋‍♀️ Do you have questions not yet answered? Use the form below to submit questions anonymously and watch this article for updates with answers to your questions. You can also reach out to the financial advisors below to set up an introductory call or contact them with your questions by email.

💸 Smart Money Insights for Dallas/Fort Worth First Responders

This page is organized into sections to help you quickly find the information you need and get answers to your questions:

1. Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Dallas/Fort Worth First Responders
2. Get Answers to Your Questions About Your Benefits and Career
3. Browse Related Articles

Q&A: Financial Planning Tips for Dallas/Fort Worth First Responders

Answers to Employee Questions with Ross Viergever, CFP®, CEPA™

Ross Viergever is a financial advisor based in Plano, Texa,s who specializes in offering financial planning services to Dallas/Fort Worth first responders. Ross helps his clients get the most value from their benefits and compensation package so they can enjoy life and feel confident about their financial future.

Q: As a financial advisor with experience helping Dallas/Fort Worth first responders save for their retirement, how do you help them make the most of their employee benefits?

Ross: As a CFP serving first responders in the DFW area, I focus on maximizing the unique benefits these heroes have earned through their service while addressing the distinct financial challenges they face.

Maximizing First Responder Retirement Benefits:

• First Responders often have access to defined benefit pension plans through their departments, but many don’t fully understand how these work alongside other retirement savings vehicles. I help clients understand their pension’s vesting schedule, benefit calculation formulas, and payout options. We then layer additional tax-advantaged savings through 457(b) plans, which many departments offer with higher contribution limits than traditional 401(k)s.
• For those eligible, we explore Roth conversions during lower-income years or consider the unique tax advantages of the Texas Retirement System. I also ensure they’re maximizing any employer matching contributions, which is essentially free money they can’t afford to leave on the table.

Q: When you first speak with a Dallas/Fort Worth first responder, what questions do you like to ask to better understand their unique circumstances and determine how you can best help them achieve their goals?

Ross: Key questions I ask new first responder clients to better understand their unique circumstances requires asking specific, thoughtful questions:

Career and Timeline Questions:

• How many years of service do you have, and when are you eligible for full pension benefits?
• Are you considering a second career after your First Responder service?
• Do you plan to stay with your current department, or might you transfer to another agency?

Family and Goals:

• What are your family’s most important financial goals beyond retirement?
• Do you have children you want to help with college expenses?
• How important is leaving a legacy versus maximizing your own retirement security?

Risk and Health Considerations:

• Have you experienced any work-related injuries that might affect your ability to work long-term?
• How comfortable are you with investment risk, especially given the stability your pension provides?

Current Benefits Understanding:

• Can you walk me through what you understand about your pension benefits and when you can access them?
• What other employer benefits are you currently using or eligible for?
• Do you have adequate life and disability insurance coverage for your family’s needs?

Stress and Lifestyle Factors:

• How do you currently manage the financial stress that can come with shift work and irregular schedules?
• Are there specific financial concerns keeping you up at night?

The goal is to create a comprehensive financial plan that honors their service, maximizes their hard-earned benefits, and provides security for both their career and post-service years. Every First Responder’s situation is unique, but they all deserve a financial strategy as dedicated to protecting them as they are to protecting our community.

Q: Beyond the employee benefits for retirement savings available to DFW first responders, are there other types of benefits that you find valuable to discuss with your clients?

Ross: The benefits package for First Responders extends far beyond retirement savings, and these often represent significant value that shouldn’t be overlooked:

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are particularly valuable given the physical demands and occupational health risks First Responders face. These triple tax-advantaged accounts can serve as both emergency medical funds and additional retirement savings vehicles.
• Educational benefits are often underutilized gems. Many departments offer tuition reimbursement or partnerships with local colleges, which can benefit not just the First Responder but their family members as well.
• Life and disability insurance provided by employers is typically more generous than standard corporate benefits, but it’s crucial to review whether supplemental coverage is needed, especially given the inherent risks of the profession.
• Estate planning becomes particularly important given the occupational hazards. We discuss beneficiary designations, the need for updated wills, and ensuring their family is protected if the unthinkable happens.

Get to Know Ross Viergever, Financial Advisor for Dallas/Fort Worth First Responders: