Raymond L. Bening

As a financial services representative and life insurance professional with more than 30 years of experience, Ray Bening works with businesses and individuals helping them achieve their financial and retirement goals. His specialties include executive nonqualified deferred compensation plan design, administration and funding; corporate, personal and family life insurance review and placement; financial advisory services and retirement income planning. 

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Ray started his career in San Francisco. In 1990 he joined Bening Financial, a firm founded by his father Clark in 1974. In 2004, he assumed the role of President. He was inducted into the Principal® Producer Hall of Fame in 2008, and was chosen for the first-ever Individual LIFEtime Achievement Award from The Principal Financial Group® in 2011. 

Ray is chair of the board of directors of the National Association of Advanced Underwriting (AALU), dedicated to legislative advocacy. His extensive industry involvement also includes memberships in the Society of Financial Services Professionals and the National Association of Insurance and Finanical Advisors. He is a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a premier industry association for financial services professionals worldwide. He has attained his FINRA Series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

Ray has held numerous community leadership roles with organizations including Repertory Theater of Iowa, River Front YMCA Advisory Board, Roosevelt High School Foundation, Public Library of Des Moines Foundation Board, Prevent Blindness of Iowa, and Wakonda Club. He lives in Des Moines with his wife Carrie and their three children: Katherine, Edward and Charlotte. He enjoys golf, handball, swimming and bicycling as well as spending time with family, friends and clients.