Meet the Team
The team behind California Retirement Plans is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements.
Andy Barkate, M.S.
President
Andy Barkate is dedicated to helping retirees and pre-retirees reach their financial goals through personalized retirement strategies. With over 40 years of experience in financial planning, Andy specializes in creating custom solutions that provide clarity and confidence for a secure future.
Andy was drawn to financial planning early in his career, motivated by a passion to guide others toward financial security. His approach emphasizes simplifying complex financial concepts, ensuring his clients feel informed and empowered as they plan for retirement.
Holding a master’s degree in financial planning, Andy is a recognized leader in his field. He hosts the “Retiring in America” radio show every Saturday morning on KNZR 1560 AM & 97.7 FM and is a weekly guest on The Terry Maxwell Show. Andy also anchors “Retiring in America,” a TV segment on KBAK, Bakersfield’s CBS and Fox affiliate, airing every Saturday and Sunday evenings. He is the author of two books, “Retiring in America” and “Retiring in America 2.0,” sharing practical retirement insights. Andy is also a member of the prestigious Forbes Financial Counsel.
Andy has called Bakersfield home for over 35 years. For 20 years, he has chaired the Bakersfield Dream Home Committee, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause close to his heart.
Married to Tracey for 37 years, Andy enjoys time with their two sons, daughter, and three grandchildren.
CA insurance license #0803635
Patrick Birchfield, CPA
Patrick was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. At 20, he graduated from college and went to work at the international accounting firm KPMG LLP in San Francisco. In 2018, he moved back to Bakersfield to start his own CPA firm to provide tax planning and preparation to his ever-growing client base.
661-325-2339 patrick@birchfieldcpa.com
Timothy Swanson, Estate Planning Attorney
Timothy Swanson has been in solo practice since 2002 in the areas of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning, Medi-Cal/Medicaid, Probate, Guardianships and Conservatorships, and Family Law. He currently teaches Wills and Trusts at Kern County College of Law as well as consumer-oriented estate planning at the Levan Institute. A resident of Kern County since his teens, he also has been a member of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra since 1996, and performs in various ensembles in Kern and Tulare Counties.
Timothy takes pride in providing personalized estate plans, including asset planning for long term care and Special Needs Trusts to protect the benefits of disabled heirs.
661-396-0141 timothyswansonlaw@gmail.com
Duncan Harris, Medicare & Insurance Planning
Duncan specializes in healthcare coverage for seniors, individuals, and businesses. Since the beginning of his insurance career in 2009, Duncan has been committed to providing comprehensive and tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of his clients.
Duncan is the founder of Insurance Savings Group, a pioneering savings group and third-party administration company. Through this venture, he empowers individuals and businesses to navigate and alleviate the financial burdens associated with out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses. Duncan thrives on helping people and dedicates himself to ensuring optimal outcomes for every client he serves.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Duncan finds joy in spending time with his family. Married with two children, he cherishes moments shared hiking and fishing in the great outdoors.
661-432-1474 duncan@joinisg.com
Tim Kounter, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Tim Kounter, a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)® and founder of Bakersfield Senior Placement, has been helping individuals and families locate the right independent and assisted living options for themselves and their loved ones locally since 2010.
When living at home is no longer the best option, call Tim. He is intimately familiar with over 100 local licensed board & care homes and each large licensed assisted living community and independent retirement community. Have a loved one struggling with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia? Call 661-326-2416 where his intake/office manager Judy Snyder will get you started.
For more information, go online to www.BakersfieldSeniorPlacement.com, or click this link to fill out their “Let’s Get Started” form for a response within 24 business hours.
This is no time to go it alone. At no cost to you, let Tim be your advocate for one of the biggest financial decisions you may ever have to make.
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