How much retirement income do I need?

Most retirees need 70-90% of their pre-retirement income, but this varies based on lifestyle, healthcare costs, travel plans, and whether your mortgage is paid off. We analyze your actual expenses and goals to determine your specific income need, then build a plan to meet it sustainably.

The 4% rule suggests withdrawing 4% of your portfolio in year one, then adjusting for inflation annually. While it's a useful starting point, it's not perfect — it doesn't account for your specific situation, changing markets, or tax efficiency. We customize withdrawal rates based on your age, risk tolerance, income sources, and market conditions.

How do I create guaranteed retirement income?

Guaranteed income typically comes from Social Security, pensions, and annuities. Social Security provides a base (we optimize when you claim), pensions offer payments if you have one, and annuities can fill gaps if you need more guaranteed income. The key is building a guaranteed income floor that covers your essential expenses, then using investments for discretionary spending.

Should I take Social Security early?

It depends on your health, other income sources, and need for cash flow. Claiming at 62 permanently reduces benefits by up to 30%, but makes sense if you need the income or have health concerns. Delaying to 70 increases benefits by 8% per year after full retirement age. We model your specific scenario to identify the optimal claiming strategy.

What is sequence of returns risk?

Sequence of returns risk is the danger of experiencing market losses early in retirement when you're withdrawing money. If your portfolio drops 30% in year one and you're taking withdrawals, you're selling low and locking in losses — making it harder to recover. We mitigate this risk through bucket strategies, guaranteed income floors, dynamic withdrawal adjustments, and proper asset allocation.

Income Planning

Reliable Retirement

Income.

The hardest part of retirement isn't saving money — it's figuring out how to turn those savings into reliable income that lasts as long as you do. We help you make that transition with confidence.

Build Your Income Plan

"The shift from saving to spending is the hardest transition in retirement."

Mike Stevens

Income Replacement

70-90% of pre-retirement

Withdrawal Rule

4% (but customized)

Income Duration

30+ years to last

Income Sources

Multiple streams coordinated

The Income Transition

For 30+ years you received a regular paycheck. Now you're retired and that's gone. How do you create predictable monthly income from a collection of retirement accounts?

Creating predictable income from variable investments

Stock and bond portfolios fluctuate daily, but you need consistent monthly income to pay your bills and maintain your lifestyle throughout retirement.

Finding the right withdrawal rate

Withdraw too much and you'll run out of money. Withdraw too little and you're unnecessarily restricting your lifestyle when you could afford more.

Protecting against sequence of returns risk

Market losses early in retirement when you're withdrawing money can permanently damage your portfolio's ability to provide long-term income.

Ensuring income keeps pace with inflation

Your expenses will rise over 20-30 years of retirement. Your income strategy must grow to maintain your purchasing power throughout retirement.

The Solution

Customized Income Strategy.
Reliable Monthly Paychecks.

Income Foundation

Multiple Income Sources

Social Security $3,200/mo

401(k) Withdrawals $2,500/mo

Investment Income $1,800/mo

Complete Strategy

Coordinated Income Planning

We create a month-by-month income plan that coordinates all your sources — Social Security, pensions, 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, investment dividends, and annuities — to deliver reliable cash flow.

Income source analysis & coordination
Withdrawal strategy design
Social Security timing optimization
Pension decision analysis
Guaranteed income floor planning
Tax-efficient distribution sequencing
Inflation protection strategies
Contingency planning for volatility

Our Process

Three Steps to
Reliable Income

Our proven income planning methodology.

Start Income Planning

Step 01

Identify Income Sources

Catalog all your retirement income sources and assets — Social Security, pensions, IRAs, 401(k)s, Roth accounts, taxable investments, rental income, and annuities.

Step 02

Design the Income Strategy

Build a customized withdrawal plan that coordinates all sources, optimizes taxes, protects against sequence risk, and ensures sustainable income throughout retirement.

Step 03

Monitor & Adjust

Review your income plan regularly, adjust for market performance, rebalance as needed, and adapt to changes in spending, healthcare needs, or life circumstances.

Common Questions

Income Planning FAQ

Get answers to the most common questions about creating retirement income that lasts throughout your retirement years.

Schedule Income Review

Ready to create your income plan?

Stop worrying about whether your savings will last. Let's build a reliable income strategy that gives you confidence for the decades ahead.

Schedule Your Income Review

A Fiduciary Promise