Working With Near Retirees

Your Retirement, Fully Aligned

You’ve built the nest egg. Now let’s structure it to last.

Don’t let market timing derail your retirement.

One of the biggest risks retirees face is a market downturn.

A significant decline right before or early in retirement can reduce the long‑term sustainability of your income plan—especially if you’re withdrawing from investment accounts at the same time.

That’s why we prioritize planning for essential income needs first. Once those needs are addressed as part of the plan, other assets can be positioned to pursue growth over time.

Retirement isn’t the end—it’s a realignment. The goal is to help make sure your money is working as hard for you in retirement as you did to earn it.

The rules of money change at retirement.

It’s no longer about how much you’ve saved. It’s about how well your savings can support your life, now and for decades to come.

Let’s Turn Your Assets Into a Strategy

This is for you if:

  • You’re within 10 years of retirement or already retired
  • You want to simplify the complexity and understand your options
  • You’re unsure how much you can spend
  • You want to leave something behind, but not at the expense of living well now

The efficiency principle

Plan Your Retirement Income. Speak with a Retirement Planning Professional

The more efficiently we address your income objective, the more flexibility there may be for liquidity and legacy planning. That’s a planning concept many people overlook.

When your income approach is thoughtfully structured—often through a blend of tools that may include both guaranteed* and growth‑oriented solutions—other financial priorities can be evaluated more clearly from that foundation.

We use a “waterfall” approach, where existing assets are strategically allocated to support income needs first, followed by liquidity, and then legacy considerations.

*Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the underlying issuer.

The three core functions of money in retirement.

Retirement money has three purposes. We tackle them in this order:

1. Income

This is the first function to satisfy. It’s what creates your lifestyle. Together, we define your desired income stream, determine how much of that you’d like to have be more predictable, and identify the tools that help support your needs with as little stress as possible.

2. Liquidity

Next, we define what liquid, accessible money looks like for you—money that isn’t being used to create income. This is your emergency buffer, your travel fund, your “just in case” and your “just because” money.

3. Legacy

Finally, we look at what remains—what can be positioned to pursue growth and ultimately be passed on. Whether you’re thinking about your kids, grandkids, community, or causes, legacy isn’t just about money. It’s about intention.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I’m truly ready to retire in the next 5–10 years?

Retirement readiness isn’t just about how much you’ve saved. It’s about whether that money will reliably produce income for as long as you need it. We look at your current savings, expected income streams, spending goals, and longevity potential to see if your plan holds up under pressure. I provide a Retirement Income Readiness Report that gives you clarity so you’re not just guessing, but deciding with confidence.

How much monthly income will I need in retirement?

It depends on your lifestyle goals, healthcare expectations, and desired level of financial flexibility. Together, we’ll map out what a typical month might look like in retirement and then build a plan to support more predictable, sustainable income over time.

What’s the best way to turn my retirement savings into monthly income?

What’s the best way to turn my retirement savings into monthly income?
This is where things get real. We use a framework to help you design a withdrawal strategy that supports your income needs and manages risk. We’ll also explore whether income‑focused solutions or volatility buffers may make sense for your plan.

When should I start taking Social Security?

The right timing depends on your health, work plans, spouse’s benefits, and other income sources. I walk clients through real-life scenarios to help them make this decision for their specific goals.

Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?

It depends on your cash flow, interest rate, and overall financial picture. For some, the peace of mind is worth it. For others, keeping a low‑interest mortgage and investing excess funds may make more sense. I’ll help you assess the trade‑offs so you can make an informed decision either way.

How can I make sure I don’t outlive my money?

This is one of the biggest fears retirees face, and it’s completely valid. That’s why we plan for life potential, not just life expectancy. I help clients build layered income strategies that factor in market volatility, inflation, healthcare costs, and longevity. The goal: a plan that works whether you live to 85 or 105.

What happens if the market crashes right after I retire?

This is known as sequence‑of‑returns risk, and it’s an important planning consideration. We use approaches such as volatility buffers, cash reserves, and insurance‑based solutions to help reduce the need to sell investments during market downturns. My goal is to build an income plan that’s thoughtfully structured to provide stability and help you stay on track during periods of market uncertainty so you can sleep a little better at night.

Do I need long-term care insurance?

Possibly. We’ll look at your health history, assets, income strategy, and family structure to evaluate the best way to prepare for future care needs. You’ll know your options.

I already have a financial advisor. Why would I switch?

Many of my near-retiree clients come to me because they want a second opinion or a more integrated strategy. If your current advisor isn’t actively helping you with retirement income planning, you may be missing opportunities. I offer a complimentary Discovery Call so you can see if a more holistic approach makes sense.

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