Founding and Senior Partner | FedSafe Retirement

As a Founding and Senior Partner at FedSafe Retirement, Ben Bailey brings extensive experience helping federal employees prepare for retirement with clarity, education, and personalized guidance. He holds the Registered Financial Consultant (RFC®) and Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC℠) designations and has overseen critical educational services across seven states, delivering timely and accurate retirement information to individuals approaching important career milestones.

Ben believes education is the foundation of sound retirement planning. Whether leading workshops or working one-on-one with federal employees, he simplifies complex benefit rules and provides practical insight tailored to each individual’s situation. His goal is to ensure the employees he serves fully understand their options, avoid costly mistakes, and move into retirement with clarity and long-term peace of mind.

Before entering financial services, Ben played professional baseball within the Cincinnati Reds and Detroit Tigers organizations. The discipline, leadership, and accountability he developed as an athlete continue to shape his professional approach. He now coaches and mentors youth baseball players, investing in the next generation both on and off the field.

Ben has been married to his wife, Melissa, for over 25 years. They live in Missouri and are proud parents of three children. His passion for service, education, and mentorship drives his commitment to helping federal employees retire with confidence and long-term stability.

Founding and Senior Partner | FedSafe Retirement

Daniel French is a Founding and Senior Partner of FedSafe Retirement, bringing more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry. Over the course of his career, he has helped thousands of federal employees transition into retirement through disciplined planning and strategic benefit coordination tailored to their unique retirement systems.

As a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC®) and Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC℠), Daniel specializes in retirement income planning, income replacement strategies, asset growth and preservation, wealth transfer, and estate maximization. His steady, methodical approach helps federal employees avoid costly mistakes, protect what they have earned, and move into retirement with clarity and long-term financial stability.

Through national seminars, webinars, and personalized guidance, Daniel has helped build FedSafe Retirement’s commitment to ethical, transparent education for the federal workforce.

He resides outside Fort Wayne, Indiana, with his wife, Kristine, and their three children. Deeply committed to community involvement, Daniel mentors youth athletes and supports local baseball, football, and softball programs, investing in the next generation both on and off the field.

Founding and Senior Partner | FedSafe Retirement

Since 2007, Brian Westrich has dedicated his career to helping federal employees retire with clarity, confidence, and control. Over the years, he has become a recognized authority in federal retirement planning, delivering educational seminars and webinars nationwide while providing personalized guidance to individuals at every stage of their careers.

After spending three years training financial advisors on retirement accounts and strategies and four additional years working as a financial advisor at a well-known firm, Brian made the intentional decision to focus exclusively on federal employees and their benefits. He recognized that most agencies do not adequately prepare employees for retirement, creating a critical need for clear, specialized guidance.

As a Registered Financial Consultant (RFC®) and Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC℠), Brian combines advanced retirement income analysis with deep knowledge of federal benefits. His approach includes in-depth pension calculations, comprehensive income planning, and strategic Thrift Savings Plan guidance, helping clients avoid costly mistakes while maximizing the benefits they have earned.

Brian views his role as both a guide and protector of families, futures, and financial security. His philosophy is grounded in discipline, accountability, and legacy. He believes in keeping commitments, doing the work when it is difficult, and living intentionally, especially with family. He prioritizes physical training and personal performance as daily disciplines, believing that strength, resilience, and consistency translate directly into leadership and service. He lives just outside St. Louis, Missouri with his wife and three daughters.

Over the course of his career, Brian has helped thousands of federal employees transform uncertainty into clear, actionable retirement strategies designed to support long-term financial confidence and peace of mind. Clients value his straightforward communication, meticulous planning process, and unwavering commitment to putting their best interests first.

Founding and Senior Partner | FedSafe Retirement

Mike Zaino is a Founding and Senior Partner at FedSafe Retirement and one of the nation’s premier authorities on federal retirement planning. A U.S. Army veteran and former federal employee himself, he brings a uniquely personal understanding of the benefits, challenges, and opportunities within federal service. With nearly two decades of experience, he helps federal employees strategically coordinate FERS and CSRS benefits, evaluate FEGLI and FEHB options, and transition their Thrift Savings Plan assets into comprehensive retirement income, growth, and preservation strategies.

Over the course of his career, he has personally counseled thousands of federal employees across virtually every agency, providing trusted direction as they prepare for retirement. Whether assisting with retirement paperwork or designing comprehensive income strategies, he is widely recognized for breaking down complex federal rules in plain English and on a human level. Employees consistently praise his ability to replace jargon with clear, actionable guidance that leads to real peace of mind.

A nationally sought-after speaker, he delivers federal retirement education both in-person and virtually and has been invited multiple times to speak at legislative conferences in Washington, D.C., advocating for greater benefits and financial awareness within the federal workforce. He is a member of the Forbes Finance Council, and his insights have appeared in Forbes, Money, Time, Yahoo Finance, U.S. News & World Report, and other respected outlets. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants and is the creator and host of Money Matters with Mike.

Driven by a passion for educating federal employees, he continues to help set the standard for federal retirement consulting nationwide.

Married since 1994 to his college sweetheart, he is the proud father of two adult daughters and considers family his greatest accomplishment. He and his wife enjoy traveling together and exploring new adventures whenever they can. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at the farm and skiing out west. He also appreciates a perfect day on the golf course, competitive card games with friends, and following college football throughout the season.