The 10 Years Before Retirement Are the Most Important Ones.
WHY THIS WINDOW MATTERS
Social Security timing alone can mean tens of thousands of dollars of difference in lifetime benefits.
The ten years before retirement are where thoughtful planning pays off most. It’s when Roth conversion strategies, withdrawal sequencing, and major life decisions all start to interact with each other in ways that require a coordinated approach, not a series of isolated choices.
GETTING THE INCOME PICTURE RIGHT
The goal isn’t just having enough money. It’s structuring it so it generates reliable, tax-efficient income for as long as you need it.
Social Security, required minimum distributions, pension income, and investment withdrawals all interact in ways that affect your tax rate, your Medicare premiums, and your long-term stability. Most people are surprised by how complicated the picture actually is. What this planning addresses:
Tax Strategy in the Pre-Retirement Years
If you retire before claiming Social Security, there’s often a period of lower taxable income. That window is worth using.
Pre-retirement is one of the best opportunities for proactive tax planning. Roth conversions executed while income is still predictable, and before distributions become mandatory, can reduce your tax burden significantly in the years ahead.
Many clients are surprised by how much the long-term outcome shifts when tax planning and financial strategy are actually coordinated. We work with your accountant or handle the coordination directly.
Common Gaps We Find
- Outdated beneficiary designations
- Misaligned account titling
- Trust structures that haven’t been reviewed in years
- Long-term care coverage that was never put in place
- Insurance gaps that weren’t obvious until someone looked
Protecting What You've Built
As retirement approaches, protecting what you’ve built becomes just as important as building more.
This means taking a close look at insurance gaps, long-term care exposure, and the estate planning details that ensure your wealth goes where you intend it to go.
The Artisan Ascend™ relationship includes a full coordination review so the technical details of your plan match what you actually intend, not just what was set up years ago and forgotten.