Retirement marks one of the most exciting milestones in life. After years of hard work and careful saving, you’re ready to transition to a new chapter filled with possibilities. But as you prepare for this shift, you might wonder: “What’s next?”
Retirement Risks
Achieving a successful retirement requires understanding the potential roadblocks that could stand in your way. Think of retirement as climbing a mountain: during your working years, you’re building wealth as you climb up. But once you reach the top, you need a clear plan to get back down safely and enjoy the view without worry. Some of the main risks to consider include:
Longevity Risk: People are living longer, and there’s a risk of outliving your savings. Planning for a sustainable income is essential to a secure retirement.
Sequence of Returns Risk: The timing of your retirement can significantly impact your financial security. Retiring during a market downturn like in 2007, can affect your nest egg differently than retiring in a stable economy like 2012.
Market Risk: Markets naturally fluctuate, and having the right asset mix to weather both good and bad times is critical to long-term success.
Tax Risk: Managing withdrawals from different types of accounts can save or cost you thousands in taxes. By planning for tax efficiency, you gain more control over when and how you pay taxes, preserving more of your wealth.
Planning for a Secure Retirement
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, with many components to manage.
If you’ve ever asked yourself questions like:
“Do I have enough money saved?”
“Are my investments suitable for retirement?”
“How will my taxes change in retirement?”
“What’s the best way to leave a legacy for my family?”
“How will I find purpose now that I’m not working?”
You’re not alone! These are common concerns that we help our clients address through a personalized approach to retirement planning.
Our Solution: The Ethos Planning System
Our Values + Goals + Strategies framework, part of the Ethos Planning System, is designed to guide you through retirement with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. Here’s how we work together to create a retirement plan that’s as unique as you are:
1. Income Plan: We’ll create a reliable income strategy to ensure your money lasts as long as you do, so you can enjoy retirement without financial stress.
2. Investment Plan: Your retirement investments should evolve with your needs. We’ll ensure your portfolio has the right mix of assets to support your goals through retirement.
3. Tax Plan: Taxes can take a big bite out of your savings if not managed carefully. We’ll work on a tax-efficient strategy to minimize your lifetime tax liability.
4. Ongoing Monitoring: Retirement planning isn’t a one-and-done process. We meet quarterly to review your plan, making adjustments as needed to keep you on track for the retirement you envision.
Our approach addresses each area that’s essential for a successful retirement. We start by understanding what matters most to you, help you envision your ideal retirement, and then build a flexible, personalized plan to get you there.
Each quarter, we focus on a different area of your plan to ensure nothing is overlooked:
Q1: Values, goals, income planning, budgeting, and financial projections
Q2: Tax planning, insurance planning, and Medicare planning
Q3: Investment planning, ensuring alignment with your evolving needs
Q4: Charitable giving and estate planning
With a proactive approach and personalized guidance, we help you navigate retirement with confidence, knowing that your financial future is secure and aligned with your goals.
Ready to plan for the retirement of your dreams?