Retirement Income Planning: Create a stable, secure & sustainable income plan That Lasts for Life
Turning Savings into a Paycheck
Your retirement income plan should work like a steady paycheck—predictable, sustainable, and built to last. At Branning Wealth Management, we help retirees turn decades of savings into a structured income plan designed for longevity. We match your essential expenses to stable income sources like Social Security and pensions, supplemented by strategic, coordinated portfolio withdrawals that maintain flexibility for travel, family, and the unexpected.
Integrated Income Planning for Life After Work
From Social Security to RMDs, every income source has unique tax and timing considerations. We analyze how they interact to build a strategy that supports your lifestyle and preserves your wealth across decades.
Social Security Optimization
When and how you claim Social Security can change your lifetime benefits. We analyze options for singles, couples, and surviving spouses to determine the most effective claiming strategy. By coordinating these benefits with your portfolio withdrawals, we help smooth taxable income and reduce the risk of depleting savings too early.
Pension Elections
For those with employer pensions, one of the biggest decisions is whether to take a lump sum or a lifetime monthly payment. We evaluate both choices based on your goals, health, and investment outlook. Our advisors create customized comparisons showing how each option fits into your income and legacy objectives, ensuring your pension supports your financial independence throughout retirement.
Withdrawal Sequencing
The order in which you withdraw from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts can have a major impact on your retirement longevity. Our team will develop a personalized withdrawal sequence to help manage tax brackets and preserve your savings. This disciplined, tax-aware approach balances income stability with long-term growth.
RMDs & Charitable Options
After age 73, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) become mandatory—but they don’t have to derail your plan. We help retirees nationwide manage RMD timing, taking into consideration IRMAA surcharges, and using Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) to give strategically while reducing taxable income. This integration keeps your money working efficiently across all accounts.
Coordinated Tax Strategies
For retirees, timing withdrawals and using tax-smart techniques can make a major difference in long-term sustainability. We help you anticipate tax exposure and plan ahead. Coordinating investment strategy with income timing allows us to minimize surprises and take advantage of favorable brackets and deductions.This proactive structure keeps income predictable while protecting your portfolio from avoidable tax erosion.
Tax laws are constantly evolving, and your retirement plan should evolve with them. We stay on top of legislative changes and work to proactively adjust your strategy before they impact your income. Whether it's evaluating conversion timing, coordinating withdrawal strategies, or reviewing estate considerations, we help you navigate the tax landscape with the goal of keeping more of what you've earned.
Annual Income Review
Your income plan shouldn’t be static. Markets, taxes, and expenses change over time. That’s why we meet with clients annually to review withdrawals, monitor performance, and adjust strategies as needed. Our process helps keep your plan aligned with your lifestyle so your money continues working for you—year after year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Roth conversion and should I do one?
A Roth conversion shifts money from a tax-deferred IRA to a Roth IRA, paying taxes now for future tax-free growth. Whether it’s right for you depends on current and future tax expectations, which we evaluate carefully.
Do you work with my CPA?
Yes. We collaborate closely with tax professionals to coordinate every piece of your financial plan.
Will my Social Security be taxed?
It depends on your total income. We help identify thresholds and design withdrawal plans that minimize how much of your benefit is taxable.
How can I lower taxes on RMDs?
Strategies like partial Roth conversions before RMD age or QCDs after age 70½ can reduce taxable distributions.
The goal of retirement isn’t just to stop working—it’s to make your money last. Through personalized tax planning for retirees, Branning Wealth Management helps you reduce unnecessary taxes and keep more of your income available for the things you value most.
Contact our team today to schedule a retirement tax planning review and discover how small changes can make a lasting difference in your financial future.