Retirement Planning
Planning for Peace of Mind and Freedom
Proper retirement planning brings more than numbers on a page. It brings the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can sustain your lifestyle and the freedom to enjoy life without constantly worrying about money.
We work with individuals and couples of all financial knowledge levels, taking the time to ensure you feel comfortable, empowered, and confident in the decisions being made.
Retiring can be one of the most significant and sometimes daunting steps in life. While you may do it only once, we have guided many people through this transition and want you to feel comfortable leaning on our experience every step of the way.
At Deane Retirement Strategies, we bring decades of retirement expertise to help you prepare for every stage, from the day you leave work through the many years that follow.
A Written Plan for Retirement
We begin by creating a written, hard-bound retirement plan that is unique to you. This plan is the foundation for everything that follows. It reflects your goals, resources, and the realities you may face in the years ahead. We update it as needed when life changes so it remains a true guide.
Experts at the Rules of Retirement
Retirement planning involves more than investing. It requires deep knowledge of the complex tax rules that govern IRAs, employer retirement plans, Roth conversions, rollovers, and Required Minimum Distributions. These rules can be complicated and misunderstanding them can lead to costly mistakes that may be impossible to reverse. We have spent decades mastering these rules and staying current on the newest law changes so that you may structure contributions, withdrawals, and conversions in ways that work for your goals today and your needs tomorrow.
Planning for Each Stage of Retirement
Your income needs and priorities will change over time. Early retirement years often include higher discretionary spending, travel, and health care costs before Medicare eligibility at age 65. Later years may bring lower lifestyle expenses but greater focus on long-term care and legacy goals. We account for each stage, including strategies to provide sustainable income, maintain purchasing power against inflation, and manage taxes effectively.
Active Income Management
Our Balanced Portfolio Strategy uses an actively managed mix of individual stocks and exchange traded funds (ETFs) across equities, bonds, precious metals, and select alternative investments. This approach aims to protect principal, provide reliable growth, and generate sustainable income. We actively manage how income is delivered, harvesting interest, dividends, and capital gains in a way that supports your spending needs while allowing the rest of the portfolio to grow. The goal is to make sure that you never outlive your money.
Protecting a Surviving Spouse
A sound retirement plan ensures that both partners are protected. We make it a priority to work closely with both members of a married couple so that each is fully informed and engaged in the planning process. Even when spouses have different levels of financial knowledge, we take the time to ensure both are comfortable, confident, and equipped with the understanding they need to feel secure. We evaluate income and expenses in survivor scenarios, adjust investment and withdrawal strategies as needed, and make certain that account ownership and beneficiary arrangements provide continuity and security.
Tax Planning Throughout Retirement
Taxes remain a constant in retirement, and we plan with that in mind. We identify opportunities for tax-efficient withdrawals, charitable giving strategies, and Roth conversions. When needed, we coordinate directly with your CPA so that planning and tax preparations are aligned.
Estate and Beneficiary Planning
We develop beneficiary strategies and coordinate with your estate attorney to align your investment accounts, estate documents, and distribution plans so they work together to protect your wealth and pass it on according to your wishes.
Ongoing Guidance and Review
Retirement planning is not something you do once and forget. Even after your initial plan is complete and your investments are in place, we meet regularly to review progress, discuss changes in your goals or needs, and make any necessary adjustments. We also monitor changes in tax laws, estate rules, and retirement plan regulations so your plan remains current and effective.
A Partnership for the Years Ahead
Our work is built on the combination of financial planning and in-house investment management by a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). We are fee-only fiduciaries, compensated solely by our clients, and we custody assets with Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., giving you full access to your accounts at any time. When you call us, you speak with a team that knows you personally and can act quickly on your behalf.
We Are Fee-Only Retirement Advisors
Our sole basis of client compensation, as a fee only financial planner, is advisory fees. Our “Fee-Only” (commission free) approach to retirement financial planning and investment management allows us to avoid advisor/client conflicts of interest and always place your best interest first.
Our Advisory Fees are All Inclusive
- Retirement & Wealth Accumulation Planning
- Investment Management
- Retirement Income Management
- Portfolio Performance Reports
- Client Review Meetings
- Concierge Client Services