About Our Firm
Meet Your TeamAt Retirement Income Planning llc, our sole focus is YOU
We’re committed to helping you work toward achieving the retirement you want. We do this by providing guidance to help you develop an overall retirement income strategy and offering a variety of planning services and investment strategies to help achieve your objectives.
The team at Retirement Income Planning llc is here to help ensure you receive all the assistance you need, not only in developing your retirement income strategy but in maintaining it throughout your retirement.
Mark S. Farnan
President
Since 1992, Mark S. Farnan has been helping individuals, couples, and business owners pursue their current and future financial freedom through careful analysis and planning. Now as the president of Retirement Income Planning llc, Mark has 30 years of experience in retirement income planning and estate planning while helping clients work toward their retirement dreams.
During his career in financial services, Mark worked in management positions for three Fortune 500 companies — Thrivent Financial, New York Life and MetLife — prior to founding Retirement Income Planning llc in 2012.
Mark is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and a member of the NAIFA statewide Governing Affairs Committee. Additionally, he has trained and mentored over 150 financial professionals and has been seen nationally in U.S. News & World Report and locally on WTMJ-Milwaukee, WMTV-Madison and WKOW-Madison for his respected financial insights.
Mark is dedicated to improving the lives of his clients, not just with their financial situations, but also with their quality of life. He previously served on the board of directors of the Children’s Heart Fund and The Actor’s Theatre, and as vice president of the St. Paul Historic Preservation Commission. Mark resides in Madison and enjoys spending time with family and friends when away from the office.
Leonard D. Meske
Financial Professional
Steve Krueger
Director of Financial Planning & Investment Management
Steve has over fourteen years in the financial services industry with CUNA Mutual Group in Madison, WI. For nine years, he specialized in life insurance sales. After earning his securities licenses in 2018, Steve worked as a financial advisor and retirement plan specialist. From 2019-2022, he worked as an Annuity Sales Consultant (ASC) for CUNA Mutual and was the ASC of the year in 2020. Steve joined the Retirement Income Planning llc team in December of 2022.
Over the years, Steve has also earned his National Social Security Advisor (NSSA) and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA) certifications. In addition, he is also the President of the Credit Union Center Toastmasters Club in Madison, WI.
Ping Sun, MBA
Financial Professional
Ping Sun joined the Retirement Income Planning llc team in February of 2022. Ping came to us with a strong background in financial services and works in our Madison office.
Ping has worked for several financial services companies over her career, including working as a market support manager at CUNA Mutual. In that role, she was responsible for training representatives in Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Taiwan. Ping’s most recent position was at New York Life where she worked for 6 years. Her experience at New York Life has made her well-versed in life insurance, long-term-care, and annuities.
Ping was born and raised in Beijing, China and moved to the United States in 1987 to pursue her graduate degree. She has lived in Wisconsin for 35 years and tries to visit China every other year to see her family and friends who still live there.
Ping lives in Middleton with her husband, Kirk Parkin, a retired professor from UW-Madison. In her free time, she enjoys playing cards, cooking, Tai Chi, yoga, and international travel. Ping has 50 countries on her bucket list, and so far, she has been to 18 countries!
Robert Rathmanner
Licensed Agent
Robert joined our team in November of 2022. He assists individuals and couples in both our Madison and Brookfield/Milwaukee offices in the specialized areas of Medicare, individual health insurance, critical care, and long-term care.
Robert comes to us from Vizance, an insurance and employee benefits company in Milwaukee.
Robert will provide you excellent independent advice and service. Consistent with how we always assist individuals and couples, Robert will evaluate your needs, listen to your wishes, and develop several options from which you can select your health care coverage.
Swati Sugandh
Retirement Plan Specialist
Swati joined the Retirement Income Planning llc team as our retirement plan specialist in August of 2022. She previously worked for an accounting firm as well as a tax consulting firm. Swati intensely listens to clients in order to better understand their needs. This understanding helps her build comprehensive retirement plans that are customized to meet our clients’ unique needs and circumstances. Swati is licensed for health and life insurance, long-term care, and annuities, and is currently studying for her securities exam.
Swati is blessed with two beautiful daughters and her husband who is an engineer. She likes to watch movies and visit new places with her husband and kids in her free time.
Nick Knoche
Director of Marketing
Nick joined Retirement Income Planning llc in August of 2019 as a marketing associate. Prior to joining the firm, he attended UW-Madison where he graduated with a degree in marketing. Nick’s responsibilities include client communication, data analysis, and marketing initiatives including our annual Swing By For A Pie event, our Mallards client appreciation day, and our dinner seminars for new prospects.
Nick is interested in the world of investing and spends much of his free time studying businesses and learning about the investment philosophies of successful long-term investors, like Warren Buffett, Charlie Munger, and Howard Marks. He also enjoys playing hockey and baseball, as well as spending time with friends and family.
Karen Brunker
Financial Case Manager/Corporate Controller
Karen joined the Retirement Income Planning llc team as our financial case manager and corporate controller in the fall of 2020.
Prior to joining the firm, Karen worked in the insurance industry for 16 years in customer service and personal lines underwriting. Also, Karen is an accomplished billiards player who has competed at the state, national, and international levels. In her free time, you can find her camping in the summer months somewhere in Wisconsin with her husband, dogs, family, and friends. She also enjoys watching the Packers and Badgers games.
Sarah Quam
Administrative Coordinator
Sarah is very happy to be part of the Retirement Income Planning team, where her role includes front desk management, specialized administrative tasks, and providing project support to the entire team. Drawing on her diverse skills and experience in office management, client services, and supporting leadership executives at previous financial firms in Madison, Sarah is well-equipped for her responsibilities. She is eager to connect with and assist our clients.
Outside the office, Sarah cherishes moments with family and friends. Her interests extend to attending music and sporting events, adventurous outdoor activities like hiking, and embracing the joy of social dance learning with friends. Additionally, she maintains an active lifestyle through kickboxing!
Sherry J. Yaun
Special Projects Coordinator
Sherry is going into her 40th year in the financial services field, all on the administrative side of the business holding several positions including clerical management and as an Executive Assistant. Working with clients and witnessing the positive changes great financial planning can make in our clients’ lives is what she enjoys the most. Sherry joined Retirement Income Planning llc on January 2, 2013.
Her free time is spent with her family and friends. She enjoys attending any events which include her family members or many friends. She also enjoys cheering on all Wisconsin sports.
Janet Farnan
Marketing Associate
Janet joined Retirement Income Planning in 2018 after retiring from 30 years of teaching elementary through graduate school classes. In 1997, she was named Minnesota Teacher of the Year for Social Studies.
As our marketing associate, she is responsible for assisting with special events planning.
Janet is an avid gardener and is well known among our clients for her extraordinary arrangements of fresh flowers that grace our Madison office every week throughout the year.