Abby VanDerHeyden, CFP®

Wealth Advisor &
GenerationNeXt Team Leader

My primary focus is to help simplify my clients’ financial lives. I enjoy partnering with my clients’ to create a plan which serves as a clear and comprehensive financial foundation. Once a plan is established, implementing and providing strategies along the way to support their goals is truly rewarding.
Professional Financial Planning Experience
- Professional experience includes assisting the financial planning team in providing thorough analyses in all aspects of our clients’ financial situation in order to provide sound recommendations to help clients achieve financial security.
Career History
- Bedel Financial Consulting, Inc. Financial Planner
- Franklin Wealth Advisors, Financial Planning Intern
- D3 Financial Counselors, Financial Planning Intern
Education and Professional Designations
- Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics, Financial Planning Concentration, University of Illinois
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation, College for Financial Planning.
Professional Activities
Board Member, Goodwill Young Leaders, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana (2016 – Present)
Advocacy Committee Chair, Goodwill Young Leaders, Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana (2018 – Present)
Member, Financial Planning Association (2012 – Present)
NexGen and Student Development Chair, Financial Planning Association of Greater Indiana (2015 – 2017)
BLOG POSTS
Does My Child Need Life Insurance?
Evaluating the reasons behind a desire to purchase life insurance on a child can be helpful with the question "does it make sense?" If you are protecting against future un-insurability, it's hard to argue an alternative solution.
Dependent Care FSA Considerations for 2021
The tax savings experienced from dependent care FSAs are nice, but avoiding lost contributions at the end of the year should be the primary goal!
Oh, Yuck! It’s Open Enrollment Time!
Open enrollment doesn't need to make you anxious! Review the different options available and to be aware of helpful resources.
Old Employer 401(k)… Hmmm, What to Do?
Determining what to do with an old 401(k) is an important decision, but it does not have to be complicated. The Wall Street Journal recently reported about 30% of workers leaving jobs elect to cash out their 401(k) accounts and pay taxes – and often 10% penalties! Is that the smartest option?
COVID-19: Impact on Student Loans & 529 Plans
Many students have financial decisions to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How does the CARES Act affect student loan borrowers and those who used a 529 plan for college expenses?
I’m 27: Here’s My Student Loan Repayment Strategy
As important as it may feel to conquer your student loan debt, do not lose sight of setting money aside for your future. Develop a savings strategy that aligns with your financial goals.
Risky: Property Owned with a Non-Spouse
It is common for spouses to title property they own together as “joint with right of survivorship.” But things can get messy when the other joint owner isn’t your spouse. If you own property with a non-spouse, how can you safeguard to mitigate the risks, if possible?
Travel Insurance to the Rescue!
Many of us have likely turned down the travel insurance offered while booking a flight to our vacation destination. But perhaps we shouldn’t. Travel insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to the unexpected, especially while traveling abroad. Unsure if travel insurance would be worth your money? We’ve outlined how to determine if the cost is worth it for you.
Are You Financially Set for Semi-Retirement?
Not all retirements are created equal – in fact, a 2018 study indicates that 72 percent of today’s workers are looking forward to semi-retirement rather than leaving the workplace altogether. What are the advantages and disadvantages of semi-retirement, and how do you prepare for it in your financial plan? We have the details to help you decide if semi-retirement might be the right choice for you.
Estate Planning for Young Professionals
Estate planning is an important part of any financial plan – even for young adults with no children. Whether you’re on your own or married, it’s critical to communicate your wishes through incapacity documents and a last will and testament. We’ve detailed the documents you should think about as you create your estate plan.
Are You Making the Most of Your HSA?
HSAs are rising in popularity, and some are using these accounts as investment vehicles. So how do you know if you’re getting the most out of your HSA? It’s important to understand the details of HSAs and your financial situation to determine if investing these funds makes sense for you. We’ve outlined the basics, along with questions to be sure to ask yourself before deciding.
What is Umbrella Liability Insurance and Do You Need It?
If a visitor falls at your home or an accident occurs with your car resulting in serious damages, will your insurance cover all the costs? It depends. Your homeowner and auto policies provide for liability coverage.