Fee-Only Fiduciary | Retirement Income Planning
Retirement Income Planning Advisor in Colorado
Financial planning and investment management for pre-retirees and retirees navigating Social Security, taxes, withdrawals, and retirement income.
Schedule an Intro Call Services & FeesRetirement income planning is the process of turning your savings, Social Security, pension income, and other assets into a retirement income strategy that can support your lifestyle over time.
Inclinevest Wealth Management works with pre-retirees and retirees in Colorado and throughout the United States who want to understand how much they can spend, which accounts to draw from, when to claim Social Security, and how taxes and investment risk affect their retirement income.
Retirement income planning becomes especially important as you move from earning and saving to withdrawing and spending. The decisions you make around taxes, withdrawals, Social Security, investments, and healthcare can affect your financial picture for many years.
What Retirement Income Planning Covers
A retirement income plan coordinates the major sources of income and expenses you will have after leaving work. Common areas include:
Withdrawal strategy
Determine how and when to draw from taxable accounts, traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and Roth accounts while considering taxes and future income needs.
Social Security
Evaluate claiming ages, spousal benefits, survivor benefits, and the interaction between Social Security and your other retirement income.
Roth conversions
Evaluate Roth conversions during lower-income years and consider their effect on future taxes, required distributions, and Medicare premiums.
Investment management
Manage your portfolio around your retirement timeline, spending needs, risk tolerance, and the need for both income and long-term growth.
Pensions and annuities
Compare pension elections and other guaranteed income sources with Social Security and portfolio withdrawals.
Healthcare and Medicare
Account for healthcare costs before Medicare, Medicare premiums, and potential income-related surcharges when planning retirement income.
Questions a Retirement Income Plan Should Answer
A useful retirement income plan should help you make decisions with your actual accounts, income sources, spending needs, and tax situation rather than relying on a single rule of thumb.
How much can I spend?
Estimate a sustainable level of spending while accounting for market returns, inflation, taxes, and other sources of income.
When should I claim Social Security?
Compare claiming strategies based on your household income, spouse's benefit, retirement assets, and broader financial plan.
Which accounts should I use first?
Coordinate taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth withdrawals with tax brackets, future required distributions, and your spending needs.
What happens if markets fall?
Test your retirement income strategy against periods of market volatility and determine how spending and withdrawals could be adjusted.
When Should You Start Retirement Income Planning?
Many people begin detailed retirement income planning 5 to 15 years before retirement. Starting early gives you time to adjust savings, investment allocations, tax strategies, and other decisions before your paycheck stops.
The planning becomes more specific as retirement approaches. Social Security, pension elections, healthcare, Roth conversions, cash reserves, and withdrawal strategies can all be evaluated before you begin relying on your portfolio for income.
Inclinevest also works with aerospace and defense professionals, executives, physicians, and other high-income professionals whose retirement planning may involve pensions, equity compensation, concentrated stock, or other complex assets.
Retirement Income and the 4% Rule
The 4% rule is often used as a starting point for discussing retirement withdrawals, but it is not a complete retirement income plan. Your appropriate spending level depends on your portfolio, age, retirement horizon, taxes, other income, market conditions, and how flexible your spending can be.
We look at your actual financial picture rather than relying on a single withdrawal percentage. You can also read our analysis of rethinking the 4% rule for retirement income planning.
Retirement Income Planning in Colorado and Nationwide
Inclinevest is based in Greenwood Village, Colorado and works with clients throughout the Denver metro area, across Colorado, and throughout the United States.
Colorado tax rules can affect retirement income decisions. We consider state and federal taxes as part of the planning process and coordinate with your CPA when appropriate, since tax rules and income thresholds can change.
Most meetings are conducted by video, making it possible to work with clients regardless of where they live. Clients outside Colorado can receive the same ongoing financial planning and investment management services without needing to meet in person.
Retirement Planning With Inclinevest
Inclinevest is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and investment management firm led by Gabriel Motta, CFP®, MBA. We work with individuals and families who generally have $1 million or more in investable assets and want an ongoing relationship rather than one-time investment advice.
Fee-only fiduciary
Inclinevest is compensated by the clients it serves rather than through commissions from financial product sales. Learn more about our fee-only approach and what it means to work with a fiduciary financial advisor.
Planning and investments together
Retirement income, taxes, Social Security, and portfolio management are coordinated as part of one ongoing financial plan.
Tax-aware planning
Withdrawal strategies and Roth conversions are evaluated alongside your broader tax situation and future income needs.
Ongoing relationship
Your retirement income plan can be updated as markets, taxes, spending, and your circumstances change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Retirement Income Planning Questions
What is retirement income planning?
Retirement income planning is the process of coordinating your savings, investments, Social Security, pensions, taxes, and spending into a strategy for generating income throughout retirement.
When should I start retirement income planning?
Many people begin detailed planning 5 to 15 years before retirement. Starting earlier gives you more time to adjust savings, investments, tax strategies, and other decisions before withdrawals begin.
How much can I safely withdraw each year in retirement?
There is no single withdrawal rate that works for everyone. A common starting point is 4%, but the appropriate amount depends on your age, portfolio, spending, taxes, other income, retirement horizon, and flexibility. We evaluate the strategy using your actual financial situation.
When should I claim Social Security?
Social Security can generally be claimed between ages 62 and 70. Claiming earlier results in a lower monthly benefit, while delaying benefits can increase the monthly amount. The appropriate strategy depends on factors including your household income, spouse's benefit, other assets, taxes, and retirement goals.
Should I do Roth conversions before required distributions begin?
Roth conversions can be worth evaluating during lower-income years before required distributions begin. A conversion increases taxable income in the year it occurs and can affect Medicare premiums, so the potential benefits should be compared with the current tax cost.
Which accounts should I withdraw from first in retirement?
There is no universal withdrawal order. Taxable, traditional retirement, and Roth accounts can be used in different combinations depending on your tax brackets, future required distributions, Social Security, spending needs, and other income.
Does Colorado tax retirement income?
Colorado has a state income tax and provides certain tax benefits for some retirement and Social Security income depending on factors such as age and income. The rules and limits can change, so current Colorado tax rules should be reviewed as part of your planning and coordinated with your tax professional.
Can Inclinevest work with retirement clients outside Colorado?
Yes. Inclinevest works with clients throughout the United States. Most meetings are conducted by video, allowing ongoing financial planning and investment management to be provided remotely.
What does a retirement income planning advisor cost?
Fee-only advisors are compensated directly by the clients they serve rather than through commissions from financial products. You can review Inclinevest's current advisory fees on the Services & Fees page.
Talk Through Your Retirement Plans
Schedule an intro call to discuss your retirement timeline, income needs, and financial planning goals.
Schedule an Intro Call