Ben Raikes
CFP®, EA
Mason & Associates, LLC
Senior Financial Planner
Ben Raikes
CFP®, EA
Mason & Associates, LLC
Senior Financial Planner
My focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to empower clients to live their best lives. - Ben Raikes, CFP®, EA
Fee-Only financial planner located in Newport News, VA, serving clients locally and across the country
Ben Raikes is a Newport News, VA fee-only financial planner. Mason & Associates specializes in helping federal employees, state employees, military, and private sector employees organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Ben Raikes is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
Areas of expertise include the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), retirement planning for military members, and tax planning.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: Federal Employee Financial Planning
We speak specifically to federal employees and the unique planning techniques and strategies to help them maximize their benefits. Mason & Associates have over three decades serving as financial planners for federal employees.
Ben Raikes is a graduate of Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business as a Finance major and completed the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) education requirement.
Ben is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), as well as an Enrolled Agent (EA), admitted to practice before the IRS. Ben also holds the Series 65 and the Virginia Life and Health Consultant Licenses.
Ben joined Mason & Associates in 2022 as a Senior Financial Planner. Prior to joining Mason & Associates, Ben was a Vice President and Advisor at a respected financial planning firm in Richmond, VA. Ben also has experience working with other financial planning firms both large and small in northern Virginia and Maryland giving him a diverse background in the profession. Ben’s primary responsibilities consist of working directly with Mason & Associates clients in all aspects of their financial plans, with a particular emphasis on the subjects of tax, retirement, and estate planning. Ben works closely with John Mason and Tommy Blackburn in developing and implementing technology initiatives at the firm.
Ben and his girlfriend Brittany reside in Richmond, Virginia with their dog Wynnie. Together, they enjoy traveling, working-out, taking Wynnie on long walks and enjoying the many restaurants and breweries in the Richmond area.
We place clients' interests first and empower them to live their best life.
Mason & Associates, LLC is an independent, fee-only financial planning firm located in Newport News, Virginia. Our firm was founded in 2003 as the “go-to” firm for Federal employees seeking comprehensive financial planning advice. Success over the years has expanded our areas of specialty to include members of the Armed Forces, Virginia State Employees (Virginia Retirement System - VRS), Huntington Ingalls Industries personnel, and all private sector employees. Our goal is to maximize the use of employer-based pensions and benefits and guide clients as they supplement these benefits with private plans and investments.
The Mason Financial Planning Team offers comprehensive financial planning to State and Federal employees throughout the Peninsula and Tidewater region of Virginia (Williamsburg, Newport News, Hampton, Yorktown, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach). Because of our location in Hampton Roads, VA, we have the unique opportunity to specialize with Federal, State, and Military personnel due to our close proximity to Langley Air Force Base, Little Creek Base, Ft. Eustis Army Base, Norfolk Naval Shipyard, NASA, Department of Defense, and the VA Hospital, to name a few. You do not have to be a State or Federal employee to enjoy our exceptional planning services, but if you are, you absolutely want Mason & Associates on your team.
In addition, since many of our clients are Federal/Military, we utilize technology to maintain long-distance relationships with people who live all over the country. If you move from Virginia or live in another state, don't worry - we can work with you!
Tune in to the Mason & Associates Financial Planning Radio Show to hear more about financial planning strategies. Michael and John co-host the bimonthly call-in radio show, heard locally on WNIS AM 790. The show airs the first and third Tuesday of every month from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
OUR MISSION
We provide unique, transparent, and comprehensive financial planning advice that places clients' interests first and empowers them to live their best life.
OUR VISION
To uphold our commitment to family values, exceptional customer service, and individualized financial planning advice for future generations as we expand our team of qualified financial professionals.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- Tax Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Diligent Savers with $700,000 or More Saved for Retirement
- Nice People
- Looking for a Trusted Advisor
- Business Owners and Executives
Working Together
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Ben Raikes is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
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Ben Raikes is a member of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)FPA® is the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals in the U.S. and supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct, and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.
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Ben Raikes is an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRSAn enrolled agent is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS.
Contact Ben Raikes
Office Locations:
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2 Bayport Way
Suite 110
Newport News, VA 23606
