What changes at retirement
Retirement converts a savings problem into a sequencing problem. You stop adding contributions and start making a dozen interlocking decisions — Social Security claiming, Medicare and IRMAA, Roth conversions, RMDs, withdrawal order, asset location, and estate updates — each with hard deadlines and irreversible consequences.
Where advice creates measurable value
| Decision area | Typical value vs. default |
|---|---|
| Roth conversion timing (between retirement and RMDs) | $50K–$500K+ over retirement, depending on bracket arbitrage |
| Social Security claiming | $100K+ for married couples optimizing survivor benefits |
| IRMAA-aware income management | Avoids $2K–$8K/yr in surcharges at the cliff |
| Withdrawal sequencing (taxable → tax-deferred → Roth) | 0.30%–0.80%/yr equivalent over a 30-year retirement |
| Bond tent / glidepath into retirement | Materially reduces sequence-of-returns risk in the first 10 years |
| Beneficiary and 10-year-rule planning for heirs | Often the largest single dollar-impact decision |
When DIY is enough
- Pension covers all essential expenses; portfolio is supplemental.
- Single 401(k) or IRA, no taxable brokerage, no equity compensation.
- Comfortable with annual tax-software-based planning and Social Security claiming research.
Engagement models for retirees
- Ongoing AUM: typical for households with multiple account types and ongoing tax/Roth decisions.
- Flat annual planning fee: good fit for retirees with simpler portfolios but complex tax situations.
- One-time retirement plan: $3,000–$10,000 for a comprehensive plan covering claiming, conversions, withdrawal order, and beneficiaries — refreshable every few years.
Pre-retirement checklist
Educational only. This article is for general education and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified fiduciary advisor and your tax professional before acting on any strategy discussed here.
About the author
Stephen Arnold
Founder & CEO of Wealth Protection Advisory. Pension and retirement planner with 20+ years advising small business owners. Creator of the Designer DB Plus® strategy and author of Designer DB Plus® Game-Changing Tax Reduction & Retirement Strategy.