RETIRE YOUR WAY Dream it, plan it, live it.

As founder and president of Merit Retirement Strategies, J.B. Howard has a passion for financial literacy. Client empowerment is rooted in his childhood.

Raised by a single mom who worked full time to provide the necessities for her children, J.B. learned the value of hard work and thoughtful decision-making. He began working as a caddy at age 13, which eventually helped him attend college on a caddy scholarship.

In 2001, J.B. joined Dome Financial Services, an independent firm founded by his father-in-law, Rick Gostel, who had more than three decades of experience. In 2005 J.B. went on to open Merit Advisors.

Merit Retirement Strategies was created to focus attention on financial literacy and education through our IDEAL Retirement radio program.

J.B. has passed his Series 66 securities exam and holds life and health insurance licenses in several states. He also has earned designations as a Registered Financial Consultant, Chartered Life Underwriter, and Certified Senior Advisor.

He believes it’s essential to find a team you can trust—one that understands your goals and can adapt to changing circumstances.

“Find someone you can trust who will not just tell you what to do, but who understands what’s going on in the world and can make adjustments to your plan according to your goals from a broader standpoint,” J.B. says.

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, J.B. is on the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Whole In One ministry and attends New Life Church in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He is also a longtime supporter of Westerville Area Resource Ministry, The Navigators, the Alzheimer’s Association and Young Life.

J.B. and his high school sweetheart, Krista, have been married for more than 22 years and have two children, Kyler and Kennedy. The family lives on a homestead in Gambier and cares for a flock that includes chickens, alpacas, two barn cats, a llama, a horse named Oliver, a chocolate Labrador retriever named Finley, and a pug named Mo.

When he isn’t working, J.B. enjoys hiking, mountain biking, golfing, endurance events such as the 29029 Everest hike, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Certified Senior Advisors (CSAs)^® have supplemented their professional licenses, credentials, and education with knowledge about aging and working with older adults. It is recommended that you verify the validity of any professional’s credentials and fully understand what those licenses and designations represent. The CSA certification alone does not imply expertise in financial, health, or social matters. For more details, visit www.csa.us. The CLU^® mark is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use and is used by permission.