Faculty Spotlight: Jamie Hopkins

Jamie P. Hopkins, Esq., MBA, LLM, ChFC^®, CLU^®, RICP^®, is an associate professor of taxation in the Retirement Income program, and he is the co-director of the New York Life Center for Retirement Income. He also holds the Larry R. Pike Chair in Insurance and Investments at The American College of Financial Services.

Professor Hopkins is considered one of the leading retirement planning experts in the United States, and in 2015 was selected by InvestmentNews as one of the top 40 financial service professionals under the age of 40. Professor Hopkins has contributed to numerous periodicals including Journal of Financial Planning, Villanova Law Review, Nebraska Law Review and Hastings Science and Technology Law Journal, and has authored articles published by the American Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

 Get to know Professor Hopkins a little better in this edition of Faculty Spotlight.

 What brought you to The College?

I came to The College because I recognized the opportunity to make a tremendous social impact on the field of retirement planning. The ability to work in the RICP^® program was very enticing because I know that millions of Americans need help with their retirement income planning. This institution really is a unique place; I'd even go so far as to say there is no other place like The College. I always expected I would second-guess leaving the legal field and joining The College, but that day has never come. The College is truly a special place that blends practical work and education in a way that has allowed me to better educate professionals who help millions of Americans each and every year.

What is your best memory or favorite part of your job with The College?

My favorite part of being a professor at The College has been the opportunity to help my students, and by so doing help the students' clients. I cannot tell you how many times a student has let me know how a strategy or some concept I taught went directly into one of their client's plans. This really makes what we do at The College worth it. When I can make a positive impact on someone's financial security, I have done my job.

What is your favorite book?

 My favorite book is Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. The novel shows someone struggling with his own identity and it demonstrates the impact the society has on your own self-views. 

My favorite book series is The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien's novels also focus on journeys that cause self-reflection and the desire to better understand who we are and what we can endure.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I would go to Ireland. I view Ireland with a bit of magic in my eyes ... from castles, to rolling fields, to the legends of leprechauns. But I wouldn't go searching for a pot of gold, perhaps just a nice Guinness at a local pub.

What is something people would be surprised to know about you?

I am an avid runner, having run at least one mile every single day for more than six years.  I hope to make it 10 years, but it is still a long way to go. 

However, before my running days I was a swimmer. For a long portion of my life I had chlorine-dyed blonde hair and was in the pool before 6 a.m. As a result of these two hobbies, I have participated in a number of triathlons including two Ironman triathlon races.

What is your favorite quote?

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

I firmly believe that education is not only the most powerful tool to change the world, but in fact it is the only tool we really have to make positive changes in our world. 

More about Professor Hopkins

Professor Hopkins teaches courses in retirement, estate planning and life insurance at The College. Through his role here, he has educated thousands of financial services professionals and continues to move the needle for retirement income planning.

His major course responsibilities are components of the Retirement Income Certified Professional^® (RICP^®) program. He also teaches (HS 326) Planning for Retirement Needs, and (HS 330) Fundamentals of Estate Planning.

When he is not reading, running or helping students provide expert retirement income planning advice to clients, you can find him in his office on the third floor. Stop by and say hello.