Michael Klarfeld started his career in financial services with a desire to create his own destiny, help others navigate life's uncertainties, and own a business with a lasting impact. Originally from New Jersey, Michael has been an Arizona resident since 1976. For over 40 years, Michael has forged lasting relationships with clients from many different professions, backgrounds, and cultures.
The impact of unexpected financial stress on Michael’s family during his formative years ignited his passion for ensuring others could avoid similar challenges. He did not realize when he started that these experiences would give him some real insight into the consequences that affect businesses and families when proper planning is not in place.
In 1980, Michael was introduced to what was then the insurance-only industry. He began in a traditional role, working for Northwestern Mutual. At that time, he had very good mentors. Over the years, his business has evolved so that he’s involved with many different aspects of his clients’ financial and estate plans. Fundamentally, his business will always be about helping individuals and families create the lives and legacies that they want.
In 1991, Michael met Dr. Ivan Kirshner, who was starting a second career. They found that they had a lot in common in how they approached planning in general and more specifically, financial security. This led to an informal partnership and lifelong friendship that laid the foundation for what would become Kirshner and Klarfeld Financial Group. In 2001, Ivan’s son, Jeff, joined them and Kirshner and Klarfeld Financial Group was formed.
Michael’s clientele primarily consists of medical and dental professionals and business owners. As his clientele gets closer and closer to retirement, he is spending more of his time helping develop retirement income strategies, legacy planning and business transitions. Having participated in many family or business situations where difficult dynamics are in play, he has developed empathy and skills when working with clients and their teams, especially when things are not always aligned.
Now, after four decades, Michael is more passionate and having more fun than ever. He remains committed to leveraging his expertise to help as many individuals as possible. Many of his clients have become good friends, and he’s honored to now be working with the second generation of many of his clients.
He and his wife, Ellen, recently celebrated their 45th anniversary and have two daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter.
Michael attained his Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designations from The American College. He is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, Greater Phoenix Chapter and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable and FINSECA, formally the Association of Advanced Life Underwriters.
In 2023, Michael was recognized by Forbes and SHOOK Research when he was featured in The Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State list, an annual ranking of financial security professionals from each state in the country.
Registered Representative and Financial Advisor of Park Avenue Securities and Financial Representative of Guardian. CA Insurance License #0C59887. The Forbes award is not issued by Guardian or its subsidiaries. The annual Forbes ranking of Top Financial Security Professionals Best-In-State is based on criteria developed and obtained by SHOOK Research, LLC. No compensation was provided in connection with obtaining this rating; however, advisors may choose to pay fees to Forbes and Shook for premium listing features; including, usage rights of the ranking logo. Past performance is not an indication of future results.