A Firefighter's Complete Guide to Retirement,
Wealth, and Financial Freedom
Written by a retired Miami-Dade firefighter who lived the career, mastered every benefit, and now helps first responders nationwide build the retirement they've earned.
A retired Miami-Dade firefighter who made it his mission to protect the financial futures of the brothers and sisters who served alongside him.
Mark Buckley — Retired Miami-Dade Firefighter/Paramedic & Financial Professional, Prudential Advisors
Written in the language of the fire service — by someone who lived it. Every strategy tailored to how firefighters actually earn, save, and retire.
Your FAC, multiplier, survivor election, DROP timing — every decision that locks in your income for life, clearly explained.
Chapters 4–5Entry timing, FAC maximization, the 457(b) combination — the complete strategy to walk away with the most money available.
Chapters 18–19The only retirement account with penalty-free access after separation at any age — your bridge, income source, and legacy tool.
Chapters 7, 22Life insurance, estate planning, beneficiary coordination, and survivor benefits — protecting everything you've built.
Chapters 9–10The pre-Medicare gap costs $300K–$600K. Know your options and avoid the most expensive surprises in early retirement.
Chapters 15, 20The federal provisions that blindside thousands of firefighters. Know if they apply — and how to plan around them.
Chapter 25
Six sections — from foundational pension concepts to the Firehouse Financial Framework™.
"Mark understands firefighters — not just financially, but personally. He helped me see the bigger picture and plan with confidence for life after the job."
"Working with Mark has been like talking to a senior brother at the station. No sales pitch, no pressure — just real advice and options laid out clearly."
"He wore the gear, worked the shifts, and understands DROP and pensions. I feel like he's looking out for our best interests and helping us protect what we've worked so hard for."
"Between DROP, my 457, and my pension options, I felt like I was juggling too many moving parts. Mark mapped everything out clearly and helped me see the next 10–20 years."
"Professional, knowledgeable, and truly looking out for firefighters. He's relatable and brings a firefighter's honesty to every conversation. I trust him completely."
"Before meeting Mark, I felt overwhelmed with decisions about retirement timing, DROP, and investments. He explained everything in simple terms and helped me create a plan I understand."
Testimonials by clients of the financial professional as of November 2025. Clients have not been paid. Not representative of all clients and not indicative of future performance.
Whether you're 10 years out or walking out the door next month — Mark covers the full financial lifecycle of a firefighter's career.
Survivor benefit elections, FAC optimization, DROP timing — every pension decision before you make an irrevocable choice.
From enrollment and contribution maximization during your career to penalty-free distribution management after retirement.
Coordinating pension, DROP, 457(b), Social Security, and investments into a tax-efficient plan that lasts 30+ years.
Life insurance, long-term care, disability, and annuity strategies — protecting the income your family depends on.
Beneficiary designations, trust structures, and account titling aligned with your complete legacy goals.
Free financial education presentations for IAFF locals and retiree associations — in person or virtual.
Every firefighter deserves a retirement plan as disciplined as the career that built it. Mark personally responds to every inquiry.
No sales pitch. No pressure. Just a real conversation about your retirement.