High-profile retirement plan expert John Carl, Founder and President of the Retirement Learning Center, died suddenly at his home in New York on Saturday.
Jenny Kiffmeyer, Chief Operating Officer with the Retirement Learning Center, conveyed the news via social media that night.
“With deep regret and sadness, we must announce the passing of our colleague and dear friend John Carl, age 54,” Kiffmeyer wrote. “John, the founder and president of the Retirement Learning Center, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Pound Ridge, NY, Saturday, April 23, 2022. During this sad time, please remember John’s wife, Viveka, and his sons Jack and Harrison, in your prayers and thoughts. Additional details will be forthcoming.”
In addition to several teaching and volunteer positions, Carl served on the Government Affairs Committee for the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA). He appeared in good health and spirits at the NAPA 401(k) Summit in Tampa, Fla., earlier in April.
Tributes poured in with Nevin Adams, Chief Content Officer at American Retirement Association, eulogizing that “John made a real impact—and he was a good friend. Glad I got to see him at the 401(k) Summit a couple of weeks back—just wish I’d had more time then. Safe journey, my friend…”
“John made a real impact—and he was a good friend.”
Nevin Adams
Francois Gadenne, Co-founder, Chairman, and Executive Director at CTRI (The Curve, Triangle, & Rectangle Institute) quoted Tennyson in his praise of Carl:
“We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will, To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”
Carl is survived by his wife, Viveka, and two sons, Jack and Harrison.
The shock echoed David Reich’s sudden passing in 2020 of a heart attack while biking. Reich, National President of Hub International’s Retirement and Private Wealth, was also in his early 50s and left behind a young family.
With more than 20 years serving financial markets, John Sullivan is the former editor-in-chief of Investment Advisor magazine and retirement editor of ThinkAdvisor.com. Sullivan is also the former editor of Boomer Market Advisor and Bank Advisor magazines, and has a background in the insurance and investment industries in addition to his journalism roots.
