Retirement Planning & Accounts
Know What Retirement Looks Like and Put Your Money in the Right Places to Get There
Retirement isn’t just a number you hit someday. It’s a life you build, one decision at a time. That means two things have to work together: a real plan for your income, and the right accounts to support it. Get either one wrong, and you can cost yourself years of growth or thousands in taxes.
I work with people who are 5 years out, 20 years out, or already there. Whether you’re just starting to save or trying to figure out how to draw your money down. Wherever you are, the goal is the same: a retirement that’s financially predictable and doesn’t make you anxious every time the market moves.
Planning Your Retirement Income
Retirement Income Planning
How much will you need? Where will it come from? When do you start drawing it down?
These are the questions that matter most, and we’ll answer them in plain language, with numbers that reflect your actual situation, not a generic projection.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
Once you hit 73, the IRS requires you to start withdrawing from most retirement accounts.
Getting this wrong can cost you in taxes.
We’ll plan ahead so your withdrawals are efficient and your tax bill stays as low as legally possible.
Multi-Account Withdrawal Strategy
If you have a 401(k), an IRA, a Roth, and Social Security, the order you pull from them matters a lot.
We’ll sequence your withdrawals to minimize taxes and extend the life of your savings.
Retirement-Ready Investment Positioning
As retirement gets closer, your investment strategy should shift.
We’ll look at how your portfolio is positioned, risk, diversification, and income generation,
and make sure it’s aligned with where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
Choosing the Right Accounts
The accounts you use to save matter almost as much as how much you save. Put money in the wrong place, and you could pay thousands more in taxes than you need to, or miss out on growth you could have had for free. Here’s how I help people figure out which accounts make sense for their situation.
Traditional & Roth IRAs
These are the workhorses of personal retirement savings. Which one is better for you depends on your income, your tax situation, and your timeline. We’ll figure out which makes more sense and how to maximize it.
SEP IRAs
If you’re self-employed or run a small business, a SEP IRA lets you contribute significantly more than a standard IRA. It’s one of the most underused tools available to small business owners.
Rollover IRAs
Changed jobs? Have an old 401(k) sitting somewhere? Rolling it over correctly, without triggering taxes or penalties, is something many people get wrong. We’ll do it right.
401(k) Plan Review & Guidance
Your employer’s 401(k) plan may have limited investment options, hidden fees, or both. We’ll review what’s available in your plan and help you allocate it in a way that aligns with your goals.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
An HSA is one of the most powerful savings tools that most people underuse. Contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free. Triple tax benefit. We’ll look at whether this makes sense for your situation and how to use it strategically.
Curious about Social Security timing specifically?
That deserves its own conversation. See my dedicated page on Social Security Benefit Planning.
Who This Is For
- Working people approaching retirement in the next 5–15 years
- People who just retired and need a distribution strategy
- Teachers and public employees navigating pension plus Social Security decisions
- Anyone who’s maxed their 401(k) and doesn’t know what to do next
- Retirees who feel uncertain about whether their savings will last
- Anyone with an old 401(k) from a previous employer that’s just sitting there
- Self-employed people and small business owners who need a better retirement savings plan
- Anyone who’s never had someone explain the difference between a Roth and a traditional IRA in plain English
Honest, knowledgeable, and affordable retirement planning and investment advice that has produced excellent results. He has also helped us with our children’s college education funds. Switching to Paul from our previous advisor was the best financial decision we have ever made! Incredibly down to earth, approachable and a great sense of humor.
~ Christian G., Engineer