With over three decades of experience in financial advising, Clark Smith of Golden Years Financial remains a trusted leader in the retirement planning space. From his early days as the youngest Retirement Planning Specialist at Dean Witter Reynolds to managing a small hedge fund at Woodridge Partners, Smith has built a career on empowering clients to retire with confidence and clarity. 

Recently, Smith was featured on Fox’s The Morning Blend, where he discussed the key elements of building a successful retirement strategy. In the interview, Smith shared how his unique approach blends decades of Wall Street experience with a heartfelt commitment to client education. “Retirement planning isn’t just about growing your portfolio—it’s about protecting your lifestyle, your legacy, and your peace of mind,” Smith said. Watch the full interview here: FOX47 Interview – Clark Smith. 

Smith emphasized the importance of evaluating income streams, assessing tax implications, and implementing personalized, diversified strategies tailored to each client’s goals and risk tolerance. He also addressed the realities of market volatility and the growing need for comprehensive plans that adapt to life’s changes. “There’s a difference between simply retiring and retiring well,” Smith stated. “Our goal is to help you do the latter—with clarity, purpose, and protection.” 

Golden Years Financials’ advisory model is built on experience, transparency, and strategic insight. Through both investment management and insurance planning, Smith and his team deliver comprehensive retirement solutions that go far beyond traditional financial advice. 

About Clark Smith:
Clark Smith began his financial career in 1990 at Dean Witter Reynolds, where he became the youngest Retirement Planning Specialist by 1993. He later held senior positions at Prudential Securities and UBS before co-founding Woodridge Capital Portfolio Management in 2006. From 2008 to 2016, he managed a hedge fund with Woodridge Partners. After a short retirement, he returned to the industry and served as Senior Advisor and Head of Training for a midwestern firm from 2022 to 2024, where he mentored the next generation of financial professionals. 

Today, as a leader at Golden Years Financial, Clark Smith brings a unique combination of high-level investment experience and a deep commitment to guiding individuals through one of life’s most important transitions—retirement. 

Learn more: https://goldenyearsria.com 

Disclosures:
Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Golden Years Financial. Golden Years Financial is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM), a Registered Investment Adviser. AEWM does not offer insurance products. Insurance products offered by Golden Years Financial are not subject to Investment Adviser requirements.
Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection, safety or lifetime income generally refer to fixed insurance products, not securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing carrier.
This interview is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. It does not constitute personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. Golden Years Financial is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or any governmental agency. The information shared is believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.