My wife and I retired within a few months of each other at 61/57. Our advisor said we had "enough" and we worked "one more year". We were both burnt out from our corporate roles at Megacorp. Although unplanned I started consulting part time and that was 7 years go and that was worked well both financially and personally. We both plan to claim Security within the next 12 months, myself in June when I hit 70 and my wife next December at 67.
Thanks for sharing-I normally skim through the WSJ so missed this one. We are 60/40 and of the 40% bonds, about half are in individual TIPs. Of the 20 in ETFs/funds, about 1/3 are in corporates. I'm not feeling overexposed, but I'll run the question by our (conservative) advisor as he normally has an insightful view of articles in the financial media, amongst other things.
I recently encountered this for WSJ articles and for myself. I also have an ad blocker on Edge. I tried clearing cache-didnt work. I then swtiched browsers to Chrome after downloading it and not syncing-that worked.
Good one. My wife and I were both DIY when working/accumulating but engaged a flat fee (hourly billed quarterly..) advisor before we retired and have not regretted the decision. Our advisor is a planner first and the investments are passive and supportive and secondary to the plan. In my opinion framing the question about whether to bring in an advisor means one is interested in a wealth manager not an advisor. Our reasons are: Saves time (delegation), potential stress, gets us both on the same page, help during potential cognitive decline and after spouse's passing, amongst others. I am not a fan of AUM at our asset level. In our case the fees started 0.3-0.4% and after 8 years they are around 0.2% which seems reasonable to me. To each his own.
I have an occasional glass of wine or beer and rarely, something stronger. Almost always social. And since you referenced someone who quit drinking at 70, I'll probably celebrate my 70th next year with a glass (and stop there like I almost always do).
I just pay 110% of last year quarterly from after tax accounts. When I hit 73 in 3-4 years Ill probably pay a couple of quarters then use the RMD at year end for the last couple. Then when my wife hits 73, we'll see if both RMDs do the job.
Personally, I always started this sort of mental exercise by looking at both current expenses and projected retirement income and creating this SWAG: Income-expenses=gap x 30. Not meant to be precise just a SWAG.
I like guaranteed income. I really like guaranteed income with a true COLA (not a fixed increase with a lower starting payment if you get one with an annuity). To my knowledge it is kind of unique and an opportunity not to missed. I like taking advantage of opportunities. I like the idea of maximizing that guaranteed income with true COLA. I like the idea of getting more of income from guaranteed income of which not all of it (in our case 85%) is taxable. These are some of our reasons. Others include it is part of a coordinated financial plan in which we convert tax deferred retirement accounts to tax free funds while delaying SS in lower income years. Those are some of my reasons. Everyone is different and YMMV.
Comments
They could annuities, either a SPIA or QLAC, or a TIPs ladder or a combination.
Post: What is the standard advice for someone who wants guaranteed income in retirement?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
My wife and I retired within a few months of each other at 61/57. Our advisor said we had "enough" and we worked "one more year". We were both burnt out from our corporate roles at Megacorp. Although unplanned I started consulting part time and that was 7 years go and that was worked well both financially and personally. We both plan to claim Security within the next 12 months, myself in June when I hit 70 and my wife next December at 67.
Post: What Age Did You Retire—and What Made You Decide It Was Time?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
I would have hired our financial advisor at that time-5 years out-rather than 1 year before retirement.
Post: If You Could Rewind 5 Years Before Retirement… What Would You Change?
Link to comment from December 28, 2025
Thanks for sharing-I normally skim through the WSJ so missed this one. We are 60/40 and of the 40% bonds, about half are in individual TIPs. Of the 20 in ETFs/funds, about 1/3 are in corporates. I'm not feeling overexposed, but I'll run the question by our (conservative) advisor as he normally has an insightful view of articles in the financial media, amongst other things.
Post: Which bond fund?
Link to comment from December 6, 2025
I recently encountered this for WSJ articles and for myself. I also have an ad blocker on Edge. I tried clearing cache-didnt work. I then swtiched browsers to Chrome after downloading it and not syncing-that worked.
Post: Bearing Witness: Retirement From the Wrong Side of the Divide
Link to comment from November 29, 2025
Good one. My wife and I were both DIY when working/accumulating but engaged a flat fee (hourly billed quarterly..) advisor before we retired and have not regretted the decision. Our advisor is a planner first and the investments are passive and supportive and secondary to the plan. In my opinion framing the question about whether to bring in an advisor means one is interested in a wealth manager not an advisor. Our reasons are: Saves time (delegation), potential stress, gets us both on the same page, help during potential cognitive decline and after spouse's passing, amongst others. I am not a fan of AUM at our asset level. In our case the fees started 0.3-0.4% and after 8 years they are around 0.2% which seems reasonable to me. To each his own.
Post: Does My Sister Need a Financial Advisor?
Link to comment from November 8, 2025
I have an occasional glass of wine or beer and rarely, something stronger. Almost always social. And since you referenced someone who quit drinking at 70, I'll probably celebrate my 70th next year with a glass (and stop there like I almost always do).
Post: Drinking and finances
Link to comment from October 20, 2025
I just pay 110% of last year quarterly from after tax accounts. When I hit 73 in 3-4 years Ill probably pay a couple of quarters then use the RMD at year end for the last couple. Then when my wife hits 73, we'll see if both RMDs do the job.
Post: How do you pay income tax withholding in retirement?
Link to comment from October 18, 2025
Personally, I always started this sort of mental exercise by looking at both current expenses and projected retirement income and creating this SWAG: Income-expenses=gap x 30. Not meant to be precise just a SWAG.
Post: There is no magic number – and it sure isn’t $1 million
Link to comment from September 13, 2025
I like guaranteed income. I really like guaranteed income with a true COLA (not a fixed increase with a lower starting payment if you get one with an annuity). To my knowledge it is kind of unique and an opportunity not to missed. I like taking advantage of opportunities. I like the idea of maximizing that guaranteed income with true COLA. I like the idea of getting more of income from guaranteed income of which not all of it (in our case 85%) is taxable. These are some of our reasons. Others include it is part of a coordinated financial plan in which we convert tax deferred retirement accounts to tax free funds while delaying SS in lower income years. Those are some of my reasons. Everyone is different and YMMV.
Post: Rehashing the age 70 thing. Tell Dear Dickie what is it that he doesn’t get about SS at age 70?
Link to comment from August 22, 2025