Retirement Income Security Checklist | Crestmark Wealth Group

Retirement Income Security Checklist — Crestmark Wealth Group

Section 1

Know Your Retirement Timeline

Score: 0 / 4

✓

I know my planned retirement age

Whether you plan to retire at 55, 62, or 67 changes everything. An earlier retirement means a much longer runway to fund.

Critical

✓

I have estimated how long my retirement could last

Consider family longevity and current health. If there is a chance you or your spouse lives to 90+, plan for 35 to 40 years minimum.

Critical

✓

I have accounted for both spouses' lifespans if married

The surviving spouse could live 5 to 10 years longer. Your income plan must work for the last person standing.

Review

✓

My withdrawal strategy is designed for my actual time horizon, not just 30 years

If you are retiring before 65, the standard 4% rule may already be undersized for your situation.

Critical

Section 2

Assess the 4% Rule for Your Situation

Score: 0 / 5

✓

I understand the 4% rule was built for a 50/50 stock and bond portfolio

If your allocation is different, your sustainable withdrawal rate is likely different too. A more diversified portfolio may support a higher rate.

Review

✓

I have stress-tested my withdrawal rate against a bad early sequence of returns

What happens to your plan if markets drop 30% in year one or two? Have you modeled this scenario?

Critical

✓

I have calculated my after-tax withdrawal need, not just the gross number

A $40,000 withdrawal from a traditional IRA in a 25% bracket leaves only $30,000 to spend. Your real withdrawal rate is likely higher than you think.

Critical

✓

I have factored in investment and advisor fees in my withdrawal calculation

Total fee drag of 0.5% to 1.5% per year compounds significantly over a 30 to 40 year retirement. This eats into your effective withdrawal capacity.

Review

✓

I am not using the 4% rule as a rigid, inflexible rule

The 4% rule works best as a starting point, not a law. A dynamic, adjustable strategy will serve you far better over time.

Review

Section 3

Map Your Real Spending Pattern

Score: 0 / 4

✓

I have separate estimates for go-go, slow-go, and no-go spending phases

Early retirement travel and activity spending is often higher. Late retirement healthcare costs can spike. A flat inflation line misses both.

Review

✓

I have a plan for large, one-time expenses in retirement

Home repairs, vehicles, travel milestones, and family gifts do not fit neatly into a monthly withdrawal. These need to be planned for separately.

Review

✓

I have estimated long-term care or healthcare cost exposure

The average couple retiring today may need $300,000 or more for healthcare costs alone in retirement. Is this in your plan?

Critical

✓

I know the difference between my "needs" spending and my "wants" spending

Separating essential from discretionary spending is the foundation of the Floor and Upside strategy and gives you flexibility during down markets.

Review

Section 4

Build Your Income Floor

Score: 0 / 5

✓

I know my estimated Social Security benefit at 62, 67, and 70

Delaying to age 70 increases your benefit by roughly 8% per year past full retirement age. For many people this is the single highest-return decision in retirement planning.

Critical

✓

I have a strategy for when to claim Social Security

Claiming early can permanently reduce your benefit. Have you modeled the breakeven age and spousal benefit implications?

Critical

✓

I know whether a pension or annuity income fits my situation

Guaranteed income that covers essential expenses removes sequence of returns risk from your core budget. Not everyone needs an annuity, but everyone should evaluate it.

Review

✓

My guaranteed income sources cover at least my essential monthly expenses

If Social Security, pension, and any annuity income cover housing, food, utilities, and core healthcare, your portfolio becomes entirely discretionary.

Optimize

✓

I have evaluated IRMAA thresholds and how my income affects Medicare premiums

Higher income in retirement triggers Medicare surcharges that can add thousands per year. Roth conversions and withdrawal sequencing can help manage this.

Optimize

Section 5

Choose Your Dynamic Withdrawal Strategy

Score: 0 / 6

✓

I understand how the Guardrails Strategy works and whether it fits my temperament

Best for people comfortable with modest spending adjustments in exchange for a higher starting withdrawal rate and built-in flexibility.

Review

✓

I understand how the Bucket Strategy works and whether I would benefit from it

Best for people who feel anxious watching markets and want a clear visual system separating short-term safety from long-term growth.

Review

✓

I understand the Floor and Upside approach and have identified my floor income sources

Best for people who want certainty on essentials and flexibility on discretionary spending. Works especially well with strong Social Security or pension income.

Review

✓

My portfolio allocation is globally diversified, not just U.S. large-cap stocks and bonds

The original 4% rule study used only U.S. large-cap stocks and government bonds. Modern diversification can improve sustainable withdrawal rates.

Optimize

✓

I have a plan for Roth conversions to manage future tax exposure

Converting traditional IRA funds to Roth in low-income years reduces required minimum distributions and future taxable income. This directly improves your after-tax withdrawal capacity.

Optimize

✓

I review my withdrawal strategy at least once per year

A static plan set at retirement will drift out of alignment. Annual reviews against your guardrails or bucket levels are essential to staying on track.

Critical

Your Strategy Match

Based on what you have completed, here is which approach aligns best with your situation. Check more items as you work through your plan.

Best Fit

Guardrails

A dynamic rate with upper and lower spend triggers. Starts higher, adjusts with markets.

Best ForFlexible spenders comfortable with small annual adjustments in exchange for higher income potential.

Best Fit

Buckets

Three pools separated by time horizon. Cash for now, bonds for soon, stocks for later.

Best ForPeople who feel anxious about markets and want a clear, visual system to stay calm and invested.

Best Fit

Floor + Upside

Guaranteed income covers needs. Portfolio funds wants. Security and flexibility together.

Best ForPeople with strong Social Security or pension income who want to protect essentials and invest the rest freely.

Your Assessment

Ready to Build Your Plan?

Talk to Crestmark Wealth Group

We work with high-net-worth families to build dynamic, tax-efficient retirement income strategies tailored to their specific situation.

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