Who we serve Pre-retirees

Retirement planning for pre-retirees.

The decade before retirement is when the biggest decisions get made: when to stop working, how much is enough and how to set up your savings to become income. We help you get there with a clear plan.

Book with Steve What to expect

Is this you?

You’re within about ten years of retiring and want to know when you can stop working and what your retirement will look like.

Decisions we help you make

Every plan is built around your situation. These are the questions we work through most often.

When you can retire

Testing retirement dates against your savings, spending and goals.

Saving in the final stretch

Catch-up contributions, deferred compensation and where your next dollar should go.

Social Security strategy

When to claim, and how spousal benefits fit your plan.

Roth conversions

Using lower-income years before retirement to reduce taxes later.

Healthcare before 65

Bridging coverage between your employer plan and Medicare.

Pension and rollover choices

Lump sum versus annuity, and what to do with your 401(k).

A situation we often see

Every client is different. This hypothetical example shows how we might approach a common situation.

This case study is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. It is a composite based on situations we commonly see and does not represent any specific client. Your results will depend on your own circumstances. It is not a guarantee of future results or a recommendation for any individual.

Finding the right retirement date

The situation: A 58-year-old engineer who hoped to retire at 62 but wasn’t sure the numbers worked, especially for health insurance before Medicare.
What we did: We tested several retirement dates against her savings and spending, maximized catch-up contributions, planned marketplace coverage for the years before 65 and modeled Social Security claiming ages.
The outcome: A target date with a clear savings goal for the final four years, an income bridge to 65 and a claiming strategy for Social Security.

Common questions

General information to help you think through your situation. Your plan will depend on your own circumstances.

How do I know when I can afford to retire?

We test retirement dates against your savings, expected spending, Social Security, pensions and taxes, and show how different market conditions could affect the plan. The answer is usually a range of dates and trade-offs rather than a single number.

When should I claim Social Security?

You can claim as early as 62, and your benefit grows for each year you wait, up to age 70. The right age depends on your health, your other income, your spouse’s benefits and how long your savings need to last.

How do I get health insurance if I retire before 65?

Common options include COBRA, a spouse’s employer plan or an ACA marketplace plan. Marketplace premium credits are based on income, so how you fund those years can affect what you pay.

Getting started

Your first meeting is free, with no obligation. If you have them handy, it helps to bring: statements for your retirement and investment accounts, your most recent Social Security statement, any pension estimates and last year’s tax return. Nothing is required for the first conversation.

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