Question 1

1. When is the right age to start claiming Social Security?

Accepted Answer

There isn't a single right age for everyone. Claiming early (as soon as 62) means a smaller monthly check for life, while waiting until 70 maximizes your monthly benefit. The right choice depends on your health, other income sources, whether you're still working, and your spouse's situation if you're married. We typically run several claiming scenarios side by side so you can see the actual dollar tradeoffs rather than relying on a general rule.

Question 2

2. How much money do I actually need to retire comfortably in Marin County?

Accepted Answer

It depends far more on your expected spending than on a single savings target. Marin County's cost of living runs meaningfully higher than the national average, so a "25x expenses" rule of thumb that works elsewhere in the country often understates what you need locally. We build a plan around your actual spending, healthcare costs, and housing situation, not a generic multiple.

Question 3

3. Should I convert my traditional IRA to a Roth before I start taking Social Security or RMDs?

Accepted Answer

For many pre-retirees, there's a genuine window, often between when you stop working and when Social Security or required minimum distributions begin, where your taxable income is unusually low. Converting some IRA assets to a Roth during that window can reduce your lifetime tax bill, but the right amount to convert depends on your full tax picture. It's worth modeling before that window closes.

Question 4

4. What's the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, and which one is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Medigap plans generally offer broader access to doctors and hospitals nationwide with more predictable out-of-pocket costs, but higher monthly premiums. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums but narrower networks and more variable out-of-pocket costs. The better fit depends on your health situation, your current doctors, and whether you travel frequently.

Question 5

5. Is it too late to get long-term care insurance if I'm already in my late 60s?

Accepted Answer

It’s harder and more expensive, but not always impossible. Underwriting gets stricter with age and health history, and some people won’t qualify for traditional coverage. In those cases, we look at alternatives like hybrid life insurance/long-term care policies or self-funding strategies as part of the broader retirement plan.

Question 6

6. What does it cost to work with a fee-only advisor in retirement?

Accepted Answer

It varies by firm and by how a fee is structured, whether that’s a flat annual fee, a percentage of assets managed, or some combination. What matters most is understanding exactly what’s included for that fee, ongoing investment management, tax planning, estate coordination, or just a one-time plan, and confirming there are no commissions layered on top from products being recommended. We’re happy to walk through our own fee structure directly and answer any questions during an initial conversation.

Retirement Planning
For What Comes Next

Financial Planning for Retirees & Pre-Retirees

From Building Wealth to Living Well

APPROACHING RETIREMENT

You’re within five to ten years of retirement and want a realistic understanding of what your wealth can support, when you can retire, and how your financial strategy should evolve as your priorities change.

MANAGING MORE COMPLEX FINANCES

Your wealth may span retirement accounts, taxable investments, pensions, real estate, and other assets. You want to understand how the full picture fits together and whether your existing strategy still reflects your circumstances and priorities.

MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS

You’re facing decisions that can shape your finances for years to come – when to claim Social Security, which pension option is best for you, whether to pursue Roth conversions, or how much to withdraw from your portfolio. You want those decisions evaluated within the context of a broader plan.

The Decisions That Shape Retirement

Effective retirement planning considers your full financial picture by integrating investment management, tax planning, estate planning, and insurance planning, so the decisions you make today help your wealth support the life you want while thoughtfully preserving it for the future.

Retirement Income

How much can you comfortably spend each year? Which accounts should provide that income, and in what order? How should your portfolio balance current withdrawals with the need to support a long retirement?

Investment Strategy

Your investment strategy should reflect your new priorities. We consider the balance between growth, income, liquidity, and risk within the context of your overall financial plan.

Social Security & Pensions

When should you claim Social Security? Should you take a pension as lifetime income or as a lump sum? How do those choices affect the rest of your financial plan?

Healthcare &
Long-Term Care

Medicare, supplemental coverage, long-term care, and future healthcare costs can significantly affect retirement spending. We incorporate these considerations into the broader plan.

Tax Planning

Could Roth conversions make sense before required minimum distributions begin? How should you manage taxable income throughout retirement? Which decisions today could affect your lifetime tax burden?

Estate & Legacy

Your financial plan should reflect what you want to happen to your wealth as well. Estate documents, beneficiary designations, charitable intentions, and family considerations all play a role.

Based in Marin County, We Serve Clients Throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Nationwide

A Clear Path Forward

Understand

We begin with a comprehensive view of your financial life: your assets, income sources, spending, tax situation, family circumstances, and what you want your wealth to make possible in the years ahead.

Develop

We build a coordinated strategy for retirement income, investments, taxes, risk management, and estate considerations. When important decisions arise, we model the alternatives and examine the tradeoffs.

Refine

Your financial circumstances will continue to evolve. We revisit the strategy regularly as markets, tax laws, family circumstances, and your priorities change, making adjustments along the way as needed.

FAQs

When is the right age to start claiming Social Security?

How much money do I actually need to retire comfortably in Marin County?

Should I convert my traditional IRA to a Roth before I start taking Social Security or RMDs?

What’s the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, and which one is right for me?

Is it too late to get long-term care insurance if I’m already in my late 60s?

What does it cost to work with a fee-only advisor in retirement?

Let’s Get You a
Clear Answer

Retirement Planning For What Comes Next