Our Team
Christopher K. Abts
President and Founder
“We help people just like you to create and grow wealth, protect and preserve their life savings and plan for the distribution of their estate in the most tax-efficient manner.”
Founder of Cornerstone Retirement Group, Christopher K.
Abts, has dedicated nearly two decades of his life to educating
and assisting retirees and pre-retirees of Northern Nevada and
Northern California on how to plan for and protect their financial
future. An advocate for comprehensive financial and retirement
planning, Chris ensures that all components of a client’s financial
affairs work in collaboration, producing the best possible outcome.
He specializes in identifying potential loopholes of financial,
accounting and estate plans, and detects where unnecessary
monies are “falling through the cracks.” Chris instills in his clients
and community a true understanding of the disadvantages of an unplanned retirement and the costly mistakes
that could arise from lack of preparation and attention to detail.
Developer of a proprietary 3-Step Review process, Chris utilizes this straightforward approach for assessing the
impact of any major financial decisions, most specifically in the areas of income, tax and risk exposure. With
this information, he can successfully counsel on strategy, and develop a comprehensive financial and estate
plan. His areas of expertise include retirement planning, investment planning, tax analysis, estate and legacy
planning, real estate sales and purchase evaluations, income planning, 401k rollover and retirement account
distribution. Chris’ capability, coupled with his commitment to his clients, is evident in the results based
solutions he has provided to hundreds.
His knowledge and unmatched ability to serve his clients and community has afforded Chris recognition from
his peers. Often asked to lead educational training courses, he is well regarded for his fresh perspective, unique
approach and strategic analysis. Not only have other financial advisors learned from Chris, but also collaborating
professionals such as attorneys and Certified Public Accountants have benefited from his background in estate
and financial planning. He regularly presents on such topics at industry meetings and conferences. Active in
industry education, Chris was a lead developer with the Certified Estate Planner professional designation, in an
effort to instruct other financial professionals on how to properly manage their clients’ estate planning needs. He
has also worked with a team of the nation’s top advisors, developing strategies for changing IRA regulations.
Chris attended Brigham Young University, as well as the American College of Financial Planning where he
earned the respected Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation. After college, Chris went to work
with his father, to help establish the family’s trust company, officially making Chris a third generation financial
planner. Chris is also a Certified Estate Planner through the National Institute of Estate Planning and he is a
member of the National Council of Certified Estate Planners and the National Association of Insurance and
Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
Chris, his wife Julia, and their three children reside in Reno, Nevada. As part of his community involvement,
Chris serves on the Financial Ministry Leadership Team at Reno Christian Fellowship, he is a coach for
community baseball and soccer teams, and remains an active Eagle Scout for the Boy Scouts of America.
Samantha Bellwood
Client Service Coordinator
Education: Bachelors in Animal Science
Nikki Feister
Executive Administrative Assistant