Retirement planning

A written income plan that answers the big question: “Can I retire?”

Together we’ll build a clear, year-by-year plan covering Social Security, pensions, savings, and taxes — so you can step into retirement with confidence, not a calculator.

Who this is for

Pre-retirees (5–10 years out) Recent retirees re-evaluating income CalPERS & CalSTRS members Savers with 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), IRA

Retirement income strategy

We’ll design an income plan that blends guaranteed sources with flexible savings — so your paycheck keeps coming, even when work stops.

  • Bucket strategies for short- and long-term needs
  • Guaranteed vs. flexible income mix
  • Stress-testing for market downturns

Social Security timing

Claiming at 62, 67, or 70 can mean hundreds of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. We’ll model your options in plain English.

  • Single, spousal, and survivor strategies
  • Break-even & longevity analysis
  • Coordination with pensions

Tax-smart withdrawals

Which account to tap first? We’ll sequence withdrawals to minimize lifetime taxes and avoid unwelcome Medicare surcharges.

  • Traditional, Roth, and taxable sequencing
  • Roth conversion planning
  • RMD & IRMAA awareness

Retirement cash-flow plan

You’ll leave with a year-by-year view of income, taxes, and savings — one page, all the answers.

  • Inflation & longevity assumptions
  • Healthcare cost planning
  • Annual review cadence

Downside protection

We’ll make sure a bad market in the first few years of retirement can’t derail the plan you worked so hard to build.

  • Sequence-of-returns risk review
  • Cash reserve sizing
  • Guaranteed income integration

Spouse & family coordination

Decisions affect the people you love. We plan together — including survivor income, beneficiaries, and simplicity for the next generation.

  • Survivor income analysis
  • Beneficiary review
  • Conversations with adult children

Common questions

Things people ask me.

When should we start planning?

Five to ten years before your target retirement date is ideal. That said, I regularly help clients in their first year of retirement, too.

Do I have enough to retire?

That’s the #1 question I hear. In our first meeting we’ll sketch an answer based on your actual savings, pensions, and spending — not generic rules of thumb.

Do I have to move my accounts to work with you?

No. Many clients start with a planning engagement and never move a dollar. My job is to help you understand what you already have.

What makes a retirement plan “caring”?

For me it means taking the time to hear your story, explaining every option, and never recommending anything I wouldn’t choose for my own family.

Ready for a calm, clear plan?

Most first conversations are 30 minutes. No obligation, no pressure — just real answers.