Retirement Planning
Strategies for income, taxes, and planning in retirement
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What Is Insurance Actually Supposed to Do in a Retirement Plan?
Quick Summary Insurance in retirement planning isn't about beating the market or maximizing returns: it's about removing specific risks that could derail an otherwise solid plan. This post explains the four core risks insurance is designed to handle (premature death, longevity, health events, and estate liquidity), what insurance is not supposed to do, and how
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The Retirement Income Floor Explained: Cover Essentials Before Taking Risk
Quick SummaryThe retirement income floor is a strategy that separates your essential expenses (housing, food, utilities, healthcare) from discretionary spending. By covering your "floor" with guaranteed income sources like Social Security, pensions, and annuities, you create a safety net that doesn't depend on market performance. Once your essentials are secure, the rest of your portfolio
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How Much Guaranteed Income Do You Actually Need in Retirement?
Retirement planning can feel like building a house. And just like a house, you need a strong foundation before you start adding the fun stuff like picture windows and fancy fixtures. That foundation? Guaranteed income. But here's the question most people get stuck on: How much do I actually need? The answer isn't some magic
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MYGA vs. CD: Why "Guaranteed" Doesn't Always Mean the Same Thing
You've worked hard for your money. You want it safe. You want it to grow. And you definitely don't want the IRS taking a bigger bite than necessary. So when you hear "guaranteed return," it sounds perfect. But here's the thing most people don't realize: not all guarantees work the same way. A Certificate of
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How to Use a MYGA as a “Stairstep” to Guaranteed Lifetime Income (With a Case Study)
Quick answer:A MYGA (Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity) works like a bank CD from an insurance company: offering a fixed rate for 3, 5, or 7 years with tax-deferred growth. The "stairstep" strategy uses MYGAs to safely grow your money during your pre-retirement years, then converts those matured funds into guaranteed lifetime income streams when you're ready