Living in Retirement
Confident, sustainable planning for the decades ahead
Retirement is a new financial chapter — one focused on preserving what you’ve built and creating steady, reliable income. With thoughtful planning and ongoing guidance, you can enjoy your retirement years without constantly worrying about whether your money will last.
Explore Key Retirement Management Topics
Guidance for Income, Healthcare, Investments, and Long-Term Security
Managing finances in retirement requires an integrated approach that evolves with your lifestyle, health, and long-term priorities. The pages below provide deeper guidance on the planning areas that matter most during the distribution phase.
Retirement Income & Withdrawal Strategies
Learn how to create a sustainable retirement paycheck from Social Security, pensions, and investment withdrawals. This page explores safe withdrawal strategies, tax-efficient sequencing, and long-term income planning.
Healthcare & Long-Term Care Planning
Understand the costs and decisions associated with Medicare, supplemental coverage, and future long-term care needs. This resource helps you prepare for healthcare expenses so they don’t derail your retirement plan.
Estate & Gifting Strategies
Explore how wills, trusts, and gifting approaches support purposeful wealth transfer. This page helps ensure that your legacy is coordinated, tax-efficient, and aligned with your long-term wishes.
Widows & Widowers Planning
Life transitions in retirement can require major financial adjustments. This page supports individuals navigating income changes, survivor benefits, and long-term financial restructuring.
Shifting Focus From Accumulation to Preservation
Preparing Your Finances for the Next Phase of Life
As retirement nears, priorities begin to shift from maximizing growth to balancing growth with preservation. This phase is about protecting what you’ve built while still allowing your portfolio to work for you. Your goals, time horizon, and income needs all influence how your strategy evolves, especially as market fluctuations may become less tolerable. We help you right-size risk exposure, review upcoming expenses, and align investments with the lifestyle you envision. With intentional planning, the transition becomes clearer, steadier, and far more manageable.
Common Questions About Pre-Retirement Planning
Your Near-Retirement Questions, Answered
What should I do five years before retirement?
Five years out is an ideal time to clarify your retirement goals, estimate income needs, and assess whether your savings are on track. This is also when reviewing asset allocation and gradually reducing risk exposure becomes especially important. Healthcare planning, including Medicare decisions or pre-65 coverage, should also be part of the conversation. Together, these steps help ensure your financial plan is aligned with the retirement lifestyle you want.
How do I estimate how much money I’ll need in retirement?
A detailed analysis considers your expected living expenses, inflation, healthcare costs, taxes, and lifestyle goals. By projecting income needs across multiple decades, we help determine the nest egg required to maintain your desired standard of living. Capital Needs Analysis provides clarity on gaps, opportunities, and realistic planning targets. This process allows you to retire with confidence and a well-supported financial foundation.
Should I reduce investment risk as I get closer to retirement?
Most people benefit from gradually reducing risk as retirement approaches, but how much depends on your income needs, time horizon, and comfort with volatility. A balanced approach still allows for growth while aiming to protect your savings from short-term market swings. Adjustments are typically made over time rather than all at once. We help determine the appropriate mix that aligns with your goals and long-term plans.
When should I consider Roth conversions?
Roth conversions can be beneficial in years when your tax bracket is lower than what you expect in retirement. The strategy may also help reduce Required Minimum Distributions and create more tax flexibility later in life. Timing matters — conversions should be evaluated alongside income, deductions, and long-term goals. We help determine when and if a conversion aligns with your retirement strategy.
How do I make sure my estate plan is ready for retirement?
Approaching retirement is an ideal time to review your wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations. Life changes — new grandchildren, property purchases, or updated goals — often mean your documents need to be refreshed. Ensuring everything reflects your current wishes helps protect your family and streamline future administration. A coordinated estate plan supports both your peace of mind and your long-term legacy.
