Chet R. Bennetts

Chet R. Bennetts is an Assistant Professor of Financial Planning and Larry R. Pike Chair for Insurance and Investments at The American College of Financial Services. He also serves as the Program Director for the ChFC® and CFP® Certification Education Programs. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, he has held roles ranging from customer service to managing 80 advisors across multiple states. A former U.S. Marine Corps veteran (active and reserve service), Bennetts was medically discharged after returning from Iraq in 2005. He remains deeply engaged with military communities through his role as an on-demand DoD contractor, offering free financial counseling to servicemembers and families.

Education:

• PhD in Personal Financial Planning, Kansas State University (recently completed)
• M.S. in Family Financial Planning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

He holds certifications including CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, and CLF®. Additionally, he serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a course associate in Columbia University’s Wealth Management program.

Research Interests: Bennetts focuses on behavioral finance, particularly how financial well-being intersects with physical and psychological health, with a special emphasis on military veterans. His work explores frameworks for financial resilience, mental accounting in estate planning, and the application of AI in financial advisory roles.

Advising & Grants: While no specific grants are noted, his roles in certification programs and academic collaborations reflect a commitment to advancing financial education. He advises through his research and program leadership.

Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned, though his work with military communities and academic programs suggests involvement in interdisciplinary teams focused on financial literacy and veteran support.