Meet the Pearl Wealth Group Retirement Planning Team
Pearl Wealth Group, LLC is a Michigan based investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Our team provides virtual retirement planning and investment management services to individuals and families throughout the United States.
We help clients prepare for and navigate retirement by coordinating retirement income, investments, Social Security, tax planning considerations, healthcare costs, and legacy goals. Through Your Financial EKG™, we bring these important financial decisions together to help clients better understand their retirement readiness and the strategies that may support their long term goals.
Our Mission
Drew Blackston, CRC® RFC® Founder & CEO
Valerie Blackston Founder | President
The founder and President of Pearl Wealth Group, Valerie is ready to work with you during this exciting time known as retirement! Her goal is to give clients a unique experience that goes beyond the traditional financial services structure. In addition to working with those in and nearing retirement, Valerie also helps with the firm’s marketing and operations.
With a solid background in financial services and marketing, she launched her career after studying international business at Southeastern University in Lakeland, where she also minored in Spanish. Prior to Pearl Wealth Group, she sharpened her skills at a Fortune 500 financial services corporation and several marketing companies. Inspired by entrepreneurship, she founded Pearl Wealth Group with her husband, Drew.
Outside of work, Valerie is active in her community. She balances her career with homeschooling her three kids. Her past times are baking, being outdoors, and horseback riding. Her faith and community are important to her, and she loves traveling with Drew, their children, and their two loyal dogs.
Matt McKeown, RFC® Financial Planner
Matt is a man who embodies the word “service” in multiple areas of his life, and the Pearl Wealth Group team is proud to have him on board. Matt is a veteran of the United States Air Force who began his financial services career in 2002. With more than two decades of experience, he has earned several industry honors for his dedication and expertise.
With a focus on retirement, estate, and investment planning, Matt is passionate about helping individuals and families gain confidence and control over their financial future. He guides clients from goal setting to creating and implementing customized financial plans for their retirement dreams. Matt currently holds the Series 6, 63, and 65 securities exams and the FL 2-15 life, health, and variable annuity agent license.
When he's not busy crafting financial strategies, Matt enjoys the sunny Florida lifestyle with his family. Whether boating, diving, golfing, paddle-boarding, or kayaking, Matt loves spending quality time with his boys, his wife, Tiffany, and their adorable puppy, Sailor.
Jenny Gabicki Director of Client Services
With more than two decades of experience, Jenny is ready to take on any challenge! Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Jenny and her family moved to Florida in 1996. She has since built a career dedicated to supporting both her team members and clients with a blend of professionalism and care.
When she's not working, Jenny enjoys a fulfilling life as a wife and mother of two energetic boys. Whether she's enjoying the great outdoors or spending quality time with her family, Jenny finds joy in life's simple pleasures. Her two beloved dogs, Ranger and Jeter, are never far from her side and hold a special place in her heart.
Cooper and Gracie Chief Happiness Officers
How Our Team Helps Clients
Retirement planning involves more than managing an investment account. The Pearl Wealth Group team helps individuals and families bring their income, investments, Social Security, taxes, healthcare expenses, and long term goals together into one coordinated retirement strategy.
Retirement Readiness
We help clients evaluate whether their savings and expected income may reasonably support the retirement they want. This includes reviewing spending, retirement accounts, Social Security, pensions, healthcare costs, inflation, market risk, and longevity.
Retirement Income Planning
A retirement income plan identifies where your income will come from and how much may need to be withdrawn from your investments. We help coordinate Social Security, pensions, retirement account withdrawals, investment income, and other available resources while considering how long your retirement may last.
Social Security Planning
When you claim Social Security can affect your monthly benefit, lifetime income, taxes, and the benefits available to a spouse or surviving spouse. We help clients evaluate how different Social Security claiming strategies may fit within their complete retirement income plan.
Investment Management and 401(k) Decisions
Your investments should reflect your retirement timeline, income needs, risk tolerance, and ability to withstand market declines. We also help clients compare their options for old employer retirement accounts, including leaving money in the plan, moving it to a new plan, completing an IRA rollover, or taking a distribution.
Roth Conversions and Retirement Tax Considerations
Withdrawals, Roth conversions, Social Security, required distributions, and investment income can all affect your taxable income during retirement. We help clients evaluate how these decisions work together and coordinate planning strategies with their qualified tax professionals.
Healthcare, Inflation, and Longevity
Healthcare expenses, Medicare premiums, inflation, and the possibility of living longer than expected can place additional pressure on retirement savings. We incorporate these risks into the planning process so clients can better understand how changing expenses and a longer retirement may affect their financial future.
Through Your Financial EKG™, our team connects these important decisions and helps identify the strengths, risks, and planning opportunities within your retirement strategy.
Ready to take the next steps in your retirement?
For more information about our retirement and investment services, schedule your visit today!