Once you reach retirement, the top of your mountain – it is definitely something to celebrate, but what about your way down? Are you accounting for possible risk, which will be different than the risks form the ascent to the top of the mountain? What is your approach to this next stage, and what are wise distribution to withdraw from your retirement accounts? Are you going to be prepared for the way down just as you were on the way up?

When we meet with you to help you plan for your descent, we will first discuss the options for optimizing your Social Security benefits. It is necessary to do this in combination with your entire financial portfolio. We will also make recommendations for taking the most tax-efficient distributions form your qualified accounts, i.e., IRA’s and 401(k)s.

Other considerations on the way down are long-term care and whether you should include an umbrella protection over your finances in case something happens. And after this is addressed, what if something happens to you? Will your loved ones be taken care of financially? It is essential to designate every single asset you have for a purpose in retirement.

We will ask personal and financial questions as we help you develop your financial plan, but only to understand your situation and help prepare you for the journey ahead. We want you to fully understand and feel confident about how it will all come together. Life keeps us busy, but an integral part in any financial strategy is to prepare for the unknown.