FOR THOSE IN THE FINAL STRETCH
The decade before retirement is the most consequential one.
You've done the work. Now the question is whether your plan is designed for the transition you're about to make — and the sequence of decisions that can define your first years in retirement.
Take the Retirement Quiz →
WHAT THIS STAGE TYPICALLY LOOKS LIKE
Decisions that do not reverse
Claiming Social Security, converting retirement accounts, choosing Medicare coverage — these are one-way doors. Getting them right matters far more than squeezing a little more return from your portfolio.
Sequence risk is real
A market downturn in the two or three years around your retirement date can permanently affect your income — even if you recover on paper. This is the decade to reduce that exposure deliberately.
The income question
Shifting from accumulating to distributing requires a completely different mindset and a different portfolio structure. We help you build an income floor before you need to rely on it.
THE QUESTIONS WE HEAR
These are the questions that keep you up at night. We have thought through all of them.
Clients approaching retirement share a common set of anxieties. We work through them methodically — not with reassurances, but with actual analysis specific to your situation.
"How do I know if I actually have enough to retire?"
There is no universal answer, but there is a rigorous one. We model your specific income needs, likely lifespan, healthcare costs, and withdrawal rate against your actual assets — and tell you what we see, honestly.
"When should I take Social Security?"
For most people, the decision turns on break-even analysis, spousal coordination, and health assumptions. We model the scenarios so you can make the choice with full information, not a rule of thumb someone repeated at a dinner party.
"Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?"
It depends on your interest rate, your liquidity needs, and your income plan. For some people it is the right move; for others, keeping the mortgage can free up capital for better uses. We work through the specifics.
"What do I do with my 401(k) when I leave my employer?"
We walk you through the options and the timing so nothing gets lost, taxed unnecessarily, or stuck in an account you cannot easily manage.
"How do I think about healthcare before Medicare kicks in?"
The gap between retirement and Medicare eligibility is one of the most underestimated costs in pre-retirement planning. We factor it in explicitly so it does not surface as a surprise in your first year.
“
The clients who struggle in retirement usually did not fail at
saving. They failed at transitioning. The plan that got you here
is not the same plan that will carry you through.
— MITCH HARRIS, FINANCIAL ADVISOR
HOW WE WORK THROUGH IT
A clear process, not a black box.
01
Map the transition
We build a month-by-month picture of your income, expenses, and account structure from your last day of work through the first three years of retirement.
02
Sequence the decisions
Social Security timing, Roth conversion windows, Medicare enrollment, and portfolio repositioning all interact. We put them in the right order so each decision supports the next.
03
Build your income floor
Before you retire, we establish a durable income base — enough to cover essential expenses — that is not dependent on market performance in any given year.
04
Stress-test the plan
We run scenarios for market downturns, unexpected healthcare costs, and longer-than-expected lifespans so you know where the vulnerabilities are before they become problems.
The transition goes better with someone beside you.
No pitch. No pressure. Just an honest conversation about where you are and where you want to go. Complimentary for all first-time visitors.
Every investor's situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment. This information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Be sure to contact a qualified professional regarding your situation before making any investment or withdrawal decision. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
Unless certain criteria are met, Roth IRA owners must be 59½ or older and have held the IRA for five years before tax-free withdrawals are permitted. Additionally, each converted amount may be subject to its own five-year holding period. Converting a traditional IRA into a Roth IRA has tax implications. Investors should consult a tax advisor before deciding to do a conversion.