For over 30 years, Dr. James L. (Jim) Flanagan has provided financial guidance to people at or near retirement age. Over that time, he has become a nationally recognized expert on financial issues impacting older adults and late life transitions.

After 15 years in the financial services field, Jim applied his knowledge of risk management, financial planning and business succession planning and in 2001 formed Bentron Financial Group, Inc. The team at Bentron specializes in comprehensive, fee-based estate and retirement planning services. A Certified Estate Planner (CEP) and Master Registered Financial Consultant (MRFC), Jim’s experience, knowledge and integrity have attracted numerous longtime clients whom he empowers with regular seminars, market updates and other customized insights.

In 2007, Jim earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Dominican University’s Brennan School of Business with a concentration in Finance. He serves as adjunct professor at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., where he authors and teaches a retirement planning curriculum. In 2016, Jim earned a Master of Arts in Gerontology from the University of Southern California, and in 2019, he received a Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) with a concentration in Leadership and Gerontology from Concordia University Chicago. Jim is an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago, College of Graduate Studies.

Jim is a strong proponent of community service, particularly on behalf of older adults. In 2005 he joined the Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services Committee, for which he served as chairman from 2008 until 2018. In 2010, Jim founded the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating, educating and protecting older adults in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest, Ill. Additionally, Jim is a member of Illinois FAST (Financial Abuse Strike Team), a multidisciplinary team of financial, legal, law enforcement and adult service providers that intervenes to safeguard older adults from financial abuse and exploitation. Furthermore, Jim has spent the last 20 years helping to organize and has served as Unit Leader for the Tripcom Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer organization in and around his hometown of River Forest that was formed to meet the health needs of the public in the event of a significant emergency, disaster or epidemic. Apart from serving older adults and his community, Jim is the father of three children.

For over 30 years, James L. (Jim) Flanagan has provided financial guidance to people at or near retirement age. Over that time, he has become a nationally recognized expert on financial issues impacting older adults and late life transitions.

 

After 15 years in the financial services field, Jim applied his knowledge of risk management, financial planning and business succession planning and in 2001 formed Bentron Financial Group, Inc. The team at Bentron specializes in comprehensive, fee-based estate and retirement planning services. A Certified Estate Planner (CEP) and Master Registered Financial Consultant (MRFC), Jim’s experience, knowledge and integrity have attracted numerous longtime clients whom he empowers with regular seminars, market updates and other customized insights.

In 2007, Jim earned his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Dominican University’s Brennan School of Business with a concentration in Finance. He serves as adjunct professor at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., where he authors and teaches a retirement planning curriculum. In 2016, Jim earned a Master of Arts in Gerontology from the University of Southern California. Jim is an adjunct professor at Concordia University Chicago, College of Graduate Studies. Jim is also enrolled in the Leadership and Gerontology PhD program at Concordia University Chicago.

Jim is a strong proponent of community service, particularly on behalf of older adults. In 2005 he joined the Oak Park/River Forest Township Senior Services Committee, for which he served as chairman from 2008 until 2018. In 2010, Jim founded the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to celebrating, educating and protecting older adults in Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest, Ill. Additionally, Jim is a member of Illinois FAST (Financial Abuse Strike Team), a multidisciplinary team of financial, legal, law enforcement and adult service providers that intervenes to safeguard older adults from financial abuse and exploitation. Furthermore, Jim has spent the last 20 years helping to organize and has served as Unit Leader for the Tripcom Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer organization in and around his hometown of River Forest that was formed to meet the health needs of the public in the event of a significant emergency, disaster or epidemic. Apart from serving older adults and his community, Jim is the father of three children.