Retirement Planning Intern

Job Description

Financial Planning Intern (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027) | Merkle Retirement Planning

The Tone:
This is an internship at Merkle Retirement Planning, located in Grimes, IA. Merkle Retirement Planning is a small yet dedicated team focused on guiding clients through retirement, fostering an environment where all team members are welcomed and valued. This role is integral to the team’s success, providing interns with a well-rounded education on various aspects of the business while gaining exposure to the financial planning industry. Interns will develop professional skills and interact with clients and financial planning software.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Part-time
• Location: In-person, Grimes, IA

• Team: Works under the mentorship of the Planning team and collaborates with the Client Servicing team.
• Mission: Provides exposure to the financial planning industry by blending sales processes with client servicing support for a comprehensive learning experience.
• Tech Stack: Planning software platforms, client management software, Word, Excel, Outlook

What You’ll Actually Do
• Learn & Apply Concepts: Work under mentorship to learn fundamental financial planning concepts, including income planning, investment strategy, and long-term tax strategies.
• Client Meeting Support: Attend client meetings, prepare with financial advisors, take notes, and dictate interactions in client management software.
• Portfolio & Document Management: Prepare client paperwork, scan and analyze prospective client documents, and organize client data.
• Data Input & Processing: Input data into various planning software as needed and process client paperwork and forms.
• Strategic Collaboration & Development: Collaborate with financial advisors on strategy development, attend team meetings, and participate in team training.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level. Junior or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance, financial planning & counseling, business, or a related field.
• Experience: No specific years required. Proficient with related computer applications including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Skills: Excellent customer service skills and etiquette, strong written and verbal communication, ability to work independently, and strong analytical skills.
• Bonus: An interest in financial literacy, planning software, and financial tools.