June 2024 · 5 min read

Designing a retirement income map

Combine guaranteed income, investments, and cash to cover essentials first.

Retirement income works best when essentials are covered by predictable sources: pensions, Social Security, and annuity benefits. This allows investment accounts to serve lifestyle and long-term goals.

A withdrawal policy should specify which accounts to tap in different market conditions. Blending IRA, Roth, and taxable distributions can keep taxes level while meeting spending needs.

Revisit the map annually. As expenses or tax laws change, adjusting the order and size of withdrawals helps keep the plan durable.