Meet Benjamin Millan | President, Serenity Retirement

We had the good fortune of connecting with Benjamin Millan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Benjamin, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At Serenity Retirement, our mission goes far beyond finances, it’s about changing lives through education, preparation, and peace of mind. I truly believe one of the biggest problems facing families today is the lack of financial literacy and retirement preparedness. Too many hardworking people spend decades building a life for their families, only to reach retirement uncertain, stressed, or financially vulnerable. Our goal is to help change that narrative.

We help individuals, families, and business owners create strategies designed to protect their future, preserve their wealth, and build long-term financial security. But more importantly, we help give people clarity and confidence. When someone understands how to properly prepare for retirement, protect their income, or leave a legacy for their family, it changes the way they live their life today. It removes fear and replaces it with hope and direction.

One thing that deeply drives me is seeing how many people were never taught this information growing up. Financial education is rarely discussed in schools, and many families simply never had access to the right guidance. That’s why we place such a strong emphasis on education first. We want people to feel empowered, not pressured. Whether someone is just starting their financial journey or nearing retirement, our focus is helping them make informed decisions that can positively impact generations to come.

Beyond the financial side, I also believe community is about bringing people together and creating meaningful relationships. I’ve always tried to build a business centered around trust, authenticity, and genuinely caring about people. To me, success is not just measured by numbers, it’s measured by the impact you leave on families, the confidence you help create, and the lives you help improve over time.

If we can help even one family avoid financial hardship, retire with dignity, or create a better future for their children and grandchildren, then the work we do truly matters.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business was built from personal experience, not just professional ambition. Right after I graduated high school, my father retired, and I watched him struggle financially because he didn’t have the proper retirement plan in place. Seeing someone who worked hard his entire life face uncertainty during retirement changed my perspective forever. That experience became the foundation for why I do what I do today.

What sets my business apart is that I focus on retirement income planning, not just asset accumulation. A lot of advisors focus mainly on managing money and growing portfolios, but I believe retirement is about creating predictable income, reducing stress, and helping families feel secure no matter what the market does. My goal is to help clients build a retirement they can actually enjoy with confidence and peace of mind.

The journey to where I am today definitely wasn’t easy. Like any entrepreneur, I faced rejection, long hours, self-doubt, and the challenge of building trust in a very competitive industry. Early on, I learned that success comes from consistency, education, and genuinely caring about people more than transactions. I stayed committed to improving myself, learning from mentors, and continuing to grow my financial knowledge so I could better serve families and retirees.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that financial literacy changes lives. Most people were never taught how money truly works, how taxes impact retirement, or how to create income that lasts for life. That’s why education is such a huge part of my business. I want people to feel empowered, not confused, when it comes to their financial future.

I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built and the impact I’ve been able to make in people’s lives. Helping someone retire with clarity and confidence means more to me than numbers on a statement. I want the world to know that my brand is built on service, trust, leadership, and legacy. Everything I do is about helping families create financial stability today while building a stronger future for the next generation.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that retirement shouldn’t be filled with fear and uncertainty. With the right strategy and guidance, families can create the peace of mind they deserve, a true Serenity Retirement.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One thing about me is that I genuinely love hosting people and creating unforgettable experiences. Among my friends and family, I’m known as “Big B the party guy” because whenever someone comes to visit Southern California, they know they’re about to have the time of their life. I’m naturally a planner, so I always put together a full itinerary and make sure every day is packed with great memories, good food, and good energy.

Most of my friends stay with me at Casa Millan, which has honestly become legendary over the years. The mornings usually start with my mom making her famous homemade huevos rancheros with her spicy salsa recipe that everybody loves. We’ll squeeze fresh orange juice straight from the trees in the backyard, coffee is always brewing, and right away everyone feels like family. That’s the vibe I always want people to experience when they come stay with us.

Of course, we have to hit all the iconic Southern California spots. We’ll head to Venice Beach where we have to get a few basketball games in on the famous courts from White Men Can’t Jump. Then we’ll make our way to Santa Monica Pier, check out the ocean, enjoy the atmosphere, and later catch the views from Griffith Observatory overlooking the city.

I also love taking people outdoors because I think Southern California has some of the best scenery and weather in the world. We’ll hike through the San Gabriel Mountains and spend beach days in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach playing volleyball, body surfing, boogie boarding, and just enjoying the California lifestyle.

At night, we’ll head into Downtown LA for rooftop bars, city lights, and nightlife. I’ll give them the full Hollywood experience too. Checking out the Hollywood Walk of Fame, maybe catching a show at the legendary Pantages Theatre, and if basketball season is going, we absolutely have to catch a Los Angeles Lakers game because the energy in LA during a game is unreal.

And then there’s the food. I always take my friends to my favorite taco truck in East LA and one of those legendary hole-in-the-wall Chinese restaurants where one combo plate can literally feed three or four people — unless my friend Ralph is there because somehow, he’ll finish the entire thing himself.

Honestly though, some of the best memories happen back at Casa Millan after all the sightseeing is over. We’ll play pool, ping pong, beer pong, shuffleboard, cornhole, and shoot hoops in the driveway until everyone’s competitive side comes out. Then, we’ll end the night on the rooftop, taking in a full 360-degree view of the Los Angeles skyline. That’s usually where the night slows down in the best way. We’ll sit up there for hours laughing, talking about life, listening to music, and sipping cocktails my friends say I’ve somehow become legendary at making over the years. Those are the moments I live for, good people, great conversations, and the kind of nights you never really want to end.

For me, that’s what life is all about. The memories I’ve created with my friends and family throughout the years are priceless. Nothing makes me happier than bringing people together, making them feel at home, and giving them an experience they’ll never forget. To me, those moments are the true definition of wealth.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, I credit my father for changing the trajectory of my life. Watching his retirement journey up close showed me a reality most people don’t talk about—how unprepared many families are when they reach that stage of life. That experience left a lasting impression on me. It didn’t just shape my perspective; it gave me a purpose. It became the catalyst for my mission to help families take control of their financial future and retire with clarity, confidence, and protection.

I also want to recognize my wife, Becky, who supported me financially while I was getting my company off the ground. Being a business owner and working 100% commission-based can be scary in the beginning. But once it’s built and established, there’s no ceiling on what you can earn—the sky’s the limit. However, it takes a trusting spouse to see future success in you instead of pushing you toward a traditional W-2 job. Building a business was not easy. There were sacrifices, long hours, and moments of uncertainty, but having my wife by my side, believing in the vision, kept me moving forward. I truly couldn’t be where I am today without her support.

I also want to give a special shoutout to my mentor, Chris Cao. He completely changed the way I view leadership and team building. He taught me how to manage different personalities, how to lead effectively, and how to mentor others. One of the most important lessons I learned from him is that in order to succeed, you must learn how to move people. When people work together, they become far stronger than any one individual working alone.

Along the way, I learned that true financial freedom comes from education, discipline, and understanding how money really works—not simply following the crowd. Books on financial literacy, wealth building, and personal growth played a major role in shaping my mindset and approach to serving clients.

Two books, in particular, had a lasting impact on me. The first is Relentless by Tim Grover. It instilled in me the “Eye of the Tiger” mindset—training yourself mentally and physically to not be ordinary, but to strive for excellence. To operate at the highest level, in the top 0.1% of your field, you have to be relentless.

The second is Tax-Free Retirement by Patrick Kelly. It’s a powerful financial education guide for both consumers and professionals. It provides insight into tax-efficient alternatives to traditional retirement planning and highlights common financial mistakes people make. More importantly, it offers a simplified approach to retirement strategies that many people are never exposed to.

Finally, I want to dedicate a shoutout to my clients. Every family that trusts me with their retirement planning journey inspires me to continue growing and improving. Their confidence means everything to me and being able to help people move toward financial security and a more confident retirement is what drives me every day.

Website: https://serenity-retirement.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serenityretirementplanning/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmillan3/

Image Credits
John Pascha