As a new year approaches, many people focus on resolutions like eating better or exercising more. But one area that often gets overlooked — and arguably matters far more — is retirement income planning.
If you’re retired or within 10 years of retirement, the year ahead can bring meaningful changes to your financial life. Market volatility, rising healthcare costs, inflation, and tax law changes don’t wait until January to take effect. The retirees who feel the most confident aren’t reacting to these changes — they’re preparing for them in advance.
Preparing your retirement income for the year ahead isn’t about chasing higher returns. It’s about clarity, predictability, and protecting the income you rely on to live your life.
Below is a practical, step-by-step guide to help you review and strengthen your retirement income strategy heading into the new year and beyond. Read More
Why December Is Ideal for Securing Lifetime Income
As the year winds down, most people turn their attention to holiday plans, family travel, and tying up loose ends before January arrives. But for retirees—and anyone within 10 years of retirement—December is one of the strongest strategic windows to secure guaranteed lifetime income.
Between year-end financial reviews, tax deadlines, Medicare updates, and market volatility, December naturally brings together the information you need to make smarter, more confident decisions about your long-term income strategy. Whether you’re exploring annuities, adjusting your withdrawal plan, or evaluating how much of your retirement income should be guaranteed, this month offers unmatched clarity.
Below, we break down why December is so valuable for lifetime income planning and the exact steps retirees should take before Jan 1. Read More
The Retirement Income Gap: How to Know If You’ll Run Out of Money
One of the biggest fears people share about retirement isn’t market volatility… taxes… or inflation.
It’s four simple words:
“What if I outlive my money?”
That fear is real — and deserved. Americans are living longer than ever, everyday expenses continue rising, and traditional pensions have disappeared for many retirees. If you rely on savings, Social Security, and investment withdrawals alone, you may face what experts call the retirement income gap.
Your retirement income gap is the difference between:
✔ What you need
✔ What you want
— and —
✔ What your retirement income actually provides
Understanding this gap early — and closing it — is one of the smartest financial moves you can make before or during retirement. Let’s break down how to calculate it, why it grows over time, and what you can do to secure lifelong income. Read More
Retirement isn’t just a number or an age—it’s a destination. The question is: Where are you headed, and are you on the right path to get there?
Whether you’re dreaming of quiet coastal living, international travel, or staying close to family with no financial worries, clarity is the key to confidence. That means knowing what you want and having a plan that aligns your income, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
Define Your Ideal Retirement Lifestyle
Before you can build a financial plan, you need to visualize your retirement destination. Here are a few questions to guide your vision: Read More
Turn Your Savings Into a Steady Retirement Paycheck
You’ve spent your entire career earning a paycheck. But in retirement, there’s no employer sending you a direct deposit every two weeks.
So… how do you pay yourself?
That’s the heart of retirement readiness: creating a personal, sustainable, and secure income stream that lasts as long as you do.
In this article, we’ll show you how to turn your savings into a retirement paycheck—with less stress and more confidence. Read More
You’ve saved. You’ve planned. But one of the biggest retirement risks could still be hiding in your numbers:
An income gap.
This gap is the shortfall between what you’ll need each month to live comfortably and what you can count on from guaranteed income sources. It’s more common than people think—especially with inflation, longer lifespans, and uncertain markets.
During Retirement Readiness Month, now’s the perfect time to calculate your income gap and explore safe, reliable ways to fill it. Read More
June is Annuity Awareness Month—a time to spotlight a retirement tool that often goes overlooked but has never been more important. In today’s uncertain financial landscape, many retirees are vulnerable to risks that can quietly erode their financial security.
The good news? Annuities—when used correctly—can be a powerful solution to three of the most pressing retirement risks: longevity, market volatility, and income shortfalls.
Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, understanding how annuities work to manage these risks could be the difference between guesswork and confidence. Read More
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming, but one concept consistently rises to the surface: the “magic number.” It’s the amount you believe you need saved to retire comfortably. While this figure varies by individual, new studies show that Americans are revising their expectations in 2025 — and not always in the direction you might expect.
At SafeMoney.com, we believe retirement confidence begins with education, not guesswork. So let’s dive deeper into what today’s retirement landscape looks like, what factors are influencing Americans’ magic numbers, and how you can better prepare for your own future. Read More
Turn Your Retirement Income Into a Paycheck That Lasts
When your career ends, your bills don’t. That’s why retirement income—not just savings—is the cornerstone of financial independence in your golden years.
Retirement income planning is the art and science of creating a reliable stream of income that lasts as long as you do. And for most people, this is best done with the guidance of a qualified retirement income planner.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand how to structure your finances so you never have to wonder where your next retirement paycheck is coming from. Read More
Retirement is often seen as a time to relax, travel, and enjoy life after years of hard work. However, without careful planning, taxes on your retirement withdrawals can significantly reduce your income, leaving you with less money to enjoy your golden years. The good news? With strategic planning, you can minimize your tax burden and make your retirement savings last longer.
In this guide, we’ll break down 10 actionable strategies to help you keep more of your hard-earned money in retirement.
1. Understand How Different Retirement Accounts Are Taxed
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