Shaun McDuffee named No. 13 nationally and No. 3 in North Texas on Forbes’ 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals list
AUSTIN, Texas—July 9, 2026—Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA®, has been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research 2026 Top Financial Security Professionals list, earning the No. 13 ranking nationally and No. 3 in North Texas. McDuffee has appeared on the ranking every year since its inception (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025), reflecting his longstanding commitment to delivering exceptional financial guidance and client service.
This annual ranking spotlights leading financial professionals across the country who demonstrate exceptional service and a steadfast commitment to helping clients pursue financial security.
“Being recognized by Forbes again is as great an honor now for me and my team as it was before,” McDuffee stated. “It’s a testament to the incredible group of people I have been blessed to assemble over the years, and the trust our clients have placed in us to serve as a holistic financial resource for physicians.”
McDuffee joined North Star Resource Group in the early 1990s, working with physicians in training, helping them address debt reduction, basic savings strategies and risk management. He was a founding member of the North Star Medical Division and a member of the North Star Hall of Fame.
As McDuffee’s clients’ lives evolved, so did his practice. He founded Twin Oak Advisors, an affiliate of North Star, to meet the financial planning needs of medical professionals at every stage of their career.
McDuffee sits on numerous charitable boards and founded the McDuffee Family Foundation in 2006 to focus on children’s causes. Additionally, he founded Stop Alzheimer’s Now (SAN) in 2013 with the goal of raising awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s Research. SAN has an endowed research chair at Temple University’s Alzheimer Center and funded research projects at the University of Kansas and the University of Florida to further Alzheimer’s research toward a cure.
The Forbes ranking evaluates financial professionals using a combination of qualitative and quantitative elements in a survey conducted by SHOOK Research. Qualitative elements that SHOOK analyzed included production/premiums, death benefits, assets under management, client-related trends and data. Additionally, they also analyzed quantitative elements such as meetings with professionals, use of their team and team dynamics, level of community involvement, credentials and years of service.
To learn more about Forbes’ Top Financial Security Professionals list or to view the rankings on a national and state level, please visit www.forbes.com/lists/top-financial-security-professionals.
About Forbes and SHOOK Research
Forbes boasts 6 million readers and 116 million unique monthly visitors who rely on their research and content to plan their financial futures. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 200 full-time advisors and over 218 employees. In a network of 43 offices in over 17 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well-being of over 150,000 individuals and small businesses.* To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.northstarfinancial.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please call Ian Rich at 612.617.6076 or email him at ian.rich@northstarfinancial.com.
Author: Shaun McDuffee, AEP, CLU®, ChFC®, CEPA®
Shaun began his career in the early 1990’s working with physicians in training, helping them address debt reduction, basic savings strategies, and risk management/insurance. As his clients’ lives evolved, so did his practice. He now helps physicians begin to address estate planning and distribution planning as they get closer to the “Retirement Red Zone.” Once he has made sure his client’s retirement plan is addressed, he shifts the discussion toward wealth transfer, estate planning, and philanthropic aspirations. Shaun has spoken all over the country at countless teaching hospitals and institutions about the importance of beginning financial planning early. Shaun is a published co-author of The Physician’s Guide to Financial Independence and The Dentist’s Guide to Financial Independence, as well as a co-author to numerous revisions to these titles. He is additionally a published co-author of Promises Kept (2017).
*Data as of 12/2025
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2026 Forbes Best-In-State Financial Security Professionals, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on last year’s data. The algorithm is designed to fairly compare the business practices of a large group of financial service professionals (FSPs) based on quantitative and qualitative elements. Data is weighted to ensure priorities are given to dynamics such as best practices, business models, recent business activity, among others. Each variable is graded and represents a certain value for each measured component. The algorithm measures thousands of FSPs against one another. The listing is prepared by SHOOKTM Research and is based primarily on commissions and premiums generated from insurance products and other criteria relative to years of experience, credentials, client retention and servicing, business model, community involvement, financial professional and peer interviews, and compliance background. Listing in this publication and/or award is not a guarantee of future investment success. This recognition should not be construed as an endorsement of the financial professional by any client. No compensation was provided directly or indirectly by the recipient for participation or in connection with obtaining or using the third-party rating or award.