Our Team

Everything you need to know about retirement and protecting your assets at one source.

The Help To Retire Team

Richard Pelletier, J.D.

West Springfield, MA & Sarasota, FL

Senior Associate, Investment Adviser Representative
Attorney, Medicaid and Asset Preservation HTR Specialist

Richard Pelletier is an Investment Adviser Representative, insurance professional, author, and attorney who serves as a Financial Adviser specializing on Asset Preservation.

Professional Credentials

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Membership taken in 1999
  • Co-author of two text books: “Tax Strategies for the Highly Compensated’ and “Advising Elders in Crisis” published in 2001 by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education M.C.L.E.”
  • Life and Health Insurance Licensed in MA, CT and FL
  • Investment Adviser Representative (Series 65)
  • Over 30 Years of Experience in Insurance, Estate Planning, Medicare & Medicaid Issues, and Designing Retirement Strategies
  • Guest Speaker on the Topics of Elder Law, Long-term Care, and Retirement Issues
  • Former Adjunct Faculty Member- UMass Amherst, and Western New England University, also Lectured at Elms College and Holyoke Community College
  • J.D. Law Degree Western New England University’s School of Law, B.S.B.A. Western New England University

Matt Dunn, CFEd®

Worcester/West Springfield

Investment Adviser Representative
Public Sector Employees, Social Security Maximization Specialist

Matt Dunn is part of the Help to Retire Group where he serves as an Investment Adviser Representative for his clients. Drawing on 18 years of experience. He has lectured on Federal Facilities educating public sector employees on their unique retirement programs and benefits. He is also nationally recognized speaker on Social Security benefits.

Licenses and Professional Experience:

  • Investment Adviser Representative (Series 65)
  • Public Speaker on topics covering: Retirement, Income Planning and Social Security
  • Lehman Brothers Vice President
  • CitiCapital Vice President
  • Certified Financial Educator (CFEd®)
Dominka Zielinska

Dominika Zielinska, MBA

Worcester

Certified Medicare and Life Insurance Advisor

Dominika Zielinska is a licensed Medicare Professional with the Help To Retire Group who plays an instrumental role in finding the proper Medicare coverage for the Medicare Eligible Individuals, here in Massachusetts.

When it comes to Medicare, one size does not fit all. That’s why it is important to find a proper plan that is designed to fit a particular individual’s health care needs. Dominika prides herself on being able to work closely with her clients to provide the help they deserve. As a state licensed Medicare Agent and Life and Health Professional, Dominika can help individuals prepare & plan for retirement, understand the benefit options available, help families stay protected if a main earner passes away, and offer guidance on Long-Term Care needs and Disability Income Protection. 

Dominika is also an avid photographer and French Wine Scholar, and established her own wine venture, Vinoteka Nika, in 2015.

 

  • Medicare State License, Life & Health Licensed (MA)
  • MBA, Marketing & Management of Corporations – University of Economics, Katowice, Poland (2004)
  • New England School of Photography, Boston MA (2014)
  • Wine & Spirit Education Trust, London, United Kingdom (2015)

Jeff Harder

Worcester/West Springfield

Medicare Specialist

Jeffrey has a client base of over 750 households in New England, his extensive knowledge of Medicare Plans and Options plus the many supplemental insurance programs makes him  a valued addition to the internal expertise available to our retires planning their retirement health coverage.

Professional Credentials

  • Licensed Life and Health Insurance Agent & Registered Representative
  • University of Vermont, BS in Business, 2000
  • University of Queensland (Australia), 1999>
Austin Porchelli, Investment Adviser Representative, HTR Group

Austin Porchelli

West Springfield/Worcester/Milford

Associate, Investment Adviser Representative
Asset Preservation, Corporate Retirement Plan Adviser, Insurance Agent

Austin Porchelli is an Investment Adviser Representative and an Insurance Professional. Prior to working with the HTR Group, Austin was an Internal Regional Consultant in MassMutual’s Retirement Division servicing Advisers and their clients to institute Retirement Plans for corporate entities. Now at the HTR Group, Austin serves as a Financial Adviser with a focus on Asset Preservation on an individual basis and instituting Corporate Retirement Plans.

Licenses and Professional Experience

  • Investment Adviser Representative (Series 65)
  • Life Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Former Internal Regional Consultant at MassMutual
Benjamin Dzialo,

BENJAMIN DZIALO, CFA, CAIA

Stamford, CT

Fiduciary / Investment Adviser Representative

Ben Dzialo is a seasoned professional with 19 years of extensive experience in Insurance and Investment Management. Holding prestigious designations including Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA), Ben possesses a deep understanding of financial markets and investment strategies.

Throughout Ben’s career, he has played a pivotal role in advising and educating Financial Advisors across the United States on a wide array of investment and retirement products. His expertise spans across both large corporate insurers and small Hedge Funds, providing him with a comprehensive perspective on the industry.

With a passion for empowering others with financial knowledge and strategic insights, Ben has made significant contributions to the professional development of financial professionals nationwide. His dedication to excellence and commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends make him a sought-after resource for guidance and mentorship.

Ben continues to leverage his wealth of experience and expertise to drive positive outcomes for clients and colleagues alike, embodying the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all endeavors.

    Andrew Godfrey, Managing Director of Independent Insurance Advisors

    Andrew Godfrey

    Aspen, CO

    Andrew works alongside the team at Help To Retire to provide retirement and financial direction for his clients. Prior to joining IIA, Andy spent 5 years at First Western Trust working as a wealth advisor specializing in large insurance policies — $10M death benefit and above — which addressed the estate planning and diversification needs of his high-net-worth clients.

    Having survived a plane crash as a child, he understands the unique circumstances that every family has when it comes to protecting and growing their wealth. He has lived in Aspen, Colorado for the past 47 years, and is married with 4 children.

    He is licensed in Colorado, New York, and Florida.

    Brian Heath, Supplemental Benefit Division, HTR Group

    Brian Heath

    West Springfield

    Supplemental Benefit Division

    Brian Heath heads up the Supplemental Benefit Division of HTR Group, a New England-based company that works with insurance brokers and agencies to provide supplemental health options to companies in the mid and large case market.

    As an independent broker, CBU Benefits is free to act solely in the best interest of their clients by offering the most competitive products available.

    • Benefits are paid directly to the insured.
    • Premiums are payroll deducted for easy administration.
    • Voluntary benefits are available on an individual or group platform.
    • A broad range of financial wellness options for employees and their families.

    Barry M. Strom, RICP®

    Stamford, CT

    Associate
    Retirement Income Planning Specialists

    Barry M. Strom is an independent insurance agent based in Stamford, Connecticut that specializes in working with individuals and families to educate them on saving and planning for their futures.

    As a designated Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®), Barry has proven his knowledge in working with seniors to create and execute strategies for generating sustainable income from available resources.

    Professional Credentials & Education

    • Life & Health Licensed
    • RICP®, Retirement Income Certified Professional
    • Member, NAIFA, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors
    • Founder & President, Communications Design Group

    Marcia Bernstein, LCSW, CLTC

    Avon, CT

    Investment Adviser Representative
    Hybrid Long Term Insurance Alternative Specialist

    Since 2000, Marcia has helped people integrate strategies to accumulate and preserve financial resources for lifelong income and security. With nearly 20 years of experience as a healthcare provider and rehabilitation unit administrator, she is motivated by her passion to help people optimize their quality of life. 

    Selected Professional Licenses/Certifications/Affiliations/Memberships:

    • Series 65 Licensed – Investment Adviser Representative
    • Licensed Insurance Agent (Life, Accident, and Health)
    • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
    • Certified in Long-Term Care Planning (CL TC)
    • Long-Term Care Partnership Certified

    Noel Fadden, MBA, CRC®

    Plymouth, MA

    Investment Adviser Representative
    Fiduciary Investments

    Noel Fadden, MBA, is a Series 65 licensed Investment Adviser Representative specializing in retirement income planning and legacy protection. As a Certified Retirement Counselor® (CRC®) with over 25 years in the finance and insurance industry, Noel’s passion is to help his clients solidify their retirement plans and ensure a smooth transition from working years to golden years.

    As a fiduciary, Noel’s duty is to always act in the best interest of his clients, offering fee-based investment advice only.

    Residing in Duxbury, Massachusetts with his wife of 25 years and their three children, Noel enjoys coaching and playing soccer, and can often be found outdoors biking, fishing, or skiing with his family.

    Patricia Mederian Fay

    West Springfield

    Director of Client Relations

    Tricia brings a unique skill set and life experience to this vital position here at the Help to Retire Group.

    Her term at Mercy Hospital Development Department submerged her into the critical health cost provider’s challenges. She also spent over six years caring for her late husband Bob on a 24/7 basis, and was forced to experience first-hand the financial and emotional cost of home care for the elderly.

    Personally, running the gauntlet of social services, care providers, and public assistance’s inflexible rules and requirements, especially as they apply to the typical middle class population, proved overwhelming for Tricia, and in 2010, she was referred to Richard J. Pelletier J.D. by The Greater Springfield Senior Services.

    Working with Richard to preserve her assets and provide superb care for her husband Bob, and ultimately gaining him admission to the Soldiers Home in Holyoke, MA, opened her eyes to the services the Help to Retire Group can provide our clients in time of crisis. She provides real EMPATHY and insight for what we offer our clients, which is both truly unique and valuable.

    Her empathy strikes the ‘right cord’ with clients’ concern as they age in place, deal with increasing needs, and seek compassionate advisors who know what they are enduring.

    Roy Balfour

    Shrewsbury, MA

    High Net Worth Client Specialist

    Roy Balfour has more than 30 years experience as a successful business owner and financial professional. His focus is to help individuals develop strategies for their tax and retirement income planning. Roy is considered an “advisor to the advisors,” working with high net worth business owners to provide options not previously considered nor knew were available. Roy is now working to provide access to those same strategic financial resource tools for the general public.

    Professional Membership & Licensing:

    • National Insurance Producer Registry/NIPR
    • State of Massachusetts Health & Life Insurance License
    • State of New York Life Insurance License
    • State of Texas Life Insurance License

    Looking to learn more?

    Get in touch today!