We help you navigate to and through retirement with a clear plan for income and tax efficiency.
CONNECT WITH USCommon Questions We Answer
If you have financial questions like these — or any others — let’s visit.
What do I do with my 401(k) when I retire?
When you retire, you generally have several options for your 401(k): leave it in your former employer’s plan (if permitted), roll it into an IRA, or withdraw the money. The right choice depends on your retirement income needs, tax implications, and investment options. Factors such as required minimum distributions, creditor protections, and access to your savings also play a role. A licensed retirement advisor can help you determine which approach best supports your retirement goals.
How much money can I spend per month in retirement?
How much you can comfortably spend each month in retirement depends on your savings, income sources, taxes, and how long your money needs to last. A retirement income plan should account for inflation, market fluctuations, unexpected expenses such as long-term care, and whether you want to leave money to loved ones. A retirement advisor can help you calculate a sustainable monthly spending amount while accounting for these variables and balancing your lifestyle today with your long-term financial security.
How long will my money last?
How long your retirement savings will last depends on how much you have saved, how much income you need, your investment returns, taxes, inflation, and how you manage withdrawals during market downturns. A well-designed retirement income strategy can help you make your savings last longer while balancing your need for income today with the risk of running out of money later. A retirement advisor can help you develop a personalized plan based on your goals, expenses, and expected income sources.
How do I protect my money from stock market crashes?
Protecting your retirement savings from stock market crashes starts with having a well-diversified retirement portfolio designed around your income needs, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Depending on your goals, this may include accounts or financial products that offer protection from direct stock market losses, alongside investments that provide growth potential. Unlike a general financial advisor who may work with clients at every stage of life, a retirement advisor focuses on the unique challenges retirees face, including market downturns, withdrawal timing, and protecting income when markets fall. A retirement advisor can develop a personalized strategy to help manage market risk while supporting your long-term retirement goals.
What happens to my money when I pass away?
What happens to your retirement savings when you pass away depends on the type of account, your beneficiary designations, and your estate plan. Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs generally pass to their designated beneficiaries, while other assets may be distributed according to your estate plan or applicable state law. Reviewing your beneficiaries and coordinating your retirement and estate plans can help ensure your assets are passed on according to your wishes while minimizing unnecessary taxes and complications for your loved ones.
How can I save money on taxes in retirement?
Reducing taxes in retirement requires a strategy that considers not only your current income but also how your retirement accounts and investments will be taxed over time. Depending on your financial situation, strategies may include Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, municipal bonds, donor-advised funds (DAFs), charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), charitable lead trusts (CLTs), and required minimum distribution (RMD) planning. An advisor who specializes in retirement income planning can evaluate which strategies may be appropriate for your circumstances and coordinate them into a tax-efficient retirement income plan designed to help you keep more of what you’ve saved.
How do I turn the sale of my company into a retirement income stream?
Turning the sale of your company into a retirement income stream starts with understanding how the proceeds will be received and taxed. Common sale structures include an outright cash sale, where you receive most of the proceeds at closing; seller financing, where the buyer makes payments over time; and an earnout, where part of the purchase price depends on the business meeting future performance targets. Each structure can have different tax implications and affect how much money you have available to invest. A retirement advisor can help you develop a tax-efficient strategy to turn your sale proceeds into sustainable retirement income while protecting your wealth for the future.
When should I start taking Social Security?
The best time to claim Social Security depends on your age, health, marital status, income needs, and other retirement assets. Claiming too early or choosing the wrong strategy can potentially cost you thousands of dollars in benefits over the course of retirement. At Retirement Risk Managers, our retirement planning process includes a Social Security Maximization Report to help identify a claiming strategy tailored to your circumstances and coordinated with your overall retirement income plan.
How We Help
Retire with MERIT
You’ve earned your retirement through years of hard work and wise choices — and it deserves a plan built with equal dedication and excellence. By helping you Retire with MERIT, we deliver a comprehensive strategy that can put you on a path toward enjoying the rewards of all you’ve achieved.
Who We Help
Are we a good fit for your financial needs?
Not every financial advisor is right for everyone, and that’s OK. We work best with individuals who share our values and are ready to take thoughtful steps toward a more secure future.
Ready for Retirement
You're within five years of retirement or already retired.
Coachable
You're seeking professional inisght and want a tailored plan.
Focused on the Long-term
You value stability over risk and avoid making changes based on daily news cycles.