Decumulation Specialist

Turn Your Savings Into a Reliable Retirement Paycheck

You spent decades saving. Now the question is simple: How do you turn that nest egg into income you won’t outlive — without overpaying in taxes or taking unnecessary risk? That’s what decumulation is all about, and that’s our specialty.

Schedule Your Decumulation Call

20-minute call. Bring statements, Social Security info, and monthly budget. Leave with clarity on your next 3 steps.

We help you answer:

  • “Will my money last?” We build guardrails so you adjust early — before risk becomes regret.
  • “How much can I safely spend?” We set a sustainable withdrawal rate you can actually live with.
  • “How do I lower taxes?” We coordinate Social Security, RMDs, and Roth conversions to keep more in your pocket.
  • “What happens if the market drops?”” We design a cash-and-bucket system so you’re not forced to sell in a downturn.
  • “What about healthcare surprises?” We plan for Medicare IRMAA, long-term care risk, and rising medical costs.
Retiree couple reviewing their decumulation income plan
Retirement shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Our job: turn your accounts into an actual paycheck strategy.

Our 5-Step Decumulation Method

Clear, rules-based, and built to last through good markets and bad.

Step 1 • Readiness & Priorities
What does “enough” look like for you?

We define must-haves vs nice-to-haves, map monthly income needs, and clarify goals for lifestyle, legacy, and gifting. Deliverable: Your spending baseline and “sleep-at-night” number.

Step 2 • Income Blueprint
Your retirement paycheck plan

We layer income sources for stability and tax control: Social Security timing, pension options, structured “paycheck buckets” (cash / near-term income / long-term growth), and guaranteed income tools when appropriate.

Step 3 • Tax-Smart Withdrawal Order
Which account do you touch first?

We coordinate taxable accounts, IRAs, Roth accounts, RMDs, and possible Roth conversions. Goal: reduce lifetime taxes, not just this year’s taxes.

Step 4 • Risk & Sequence Protection
What if the market tanks early?

We implement guardrails to automatically dial withdrawals up or down, maintain a cash buffer for downturns, and avoid selling growth assets at the worst time.

Step 5 • Ongoing Monitoring
Your plan is alive, not “set and forget”

Quarterly check-ins. Annual tax map. Life-event adjustments. Deliverable: Your annual “Decumulation Scorecard.”

What This Looks Like In Real Life

These are illustrative scenarios to show you how a decumulation strategy can work.

Roth Conversion Ladder

We gradually moved ~$400k from traditional IRA to Roth over several years, staying within controlled tax brackets. Result: lower lifetime tax exposure and tax-free money available later for healthcare, long-term care, or legacy.

Social Security Timing

We delayed the higher earner’s benefit to age 70 for maximum inflation-protected income, then used taxable accounts and partial Roth conversions in the gap years. Outcome: stronger survivor income for the spouse.

Guardrails In Action

In a down market, temporary ~7% spending trim kept the long-term plan intact without panic selling. When markets recovered, income ratcheted back up.

Case studies are hypothetical and do not guarantee future results. Investment and tax decisions should be based on your specific situation.

Why Us We focus on the retirement “spend-down,” not just accumulation

Tax-aware withdrawal strategy: We map which accounts to tap, and when, so you keep more of what you already earned.

Guardrails instead of guesswork: Clear rules for raising, holding, or trimming withdrawals — so market noise doesn’t control your lifestyle.

Sequence-of-returns protection: We plan for the “bad first 5 years” scenario that can break a retirement if you wing it.

Social Security + RMD + Medicare coordination: Nothing in isolation — everything synced so one move doesn’t blow up something else.

Who We Help We’re the best fit if you’re serious about income you can’t outlive
  • You’re within ~5 years of retirement or already retired.
  • Your nest egg is meaningful, and you want to make it last — not gamble with it.
  • You’re worried about taxes, RMDs, and Medicare surcharges eating your income.
  • You want clarity: “How much can I spend every month and still be okay?”
  • You’re done DIY-ing your retirement paycheck. You want a plan and accountability.

If that sounds like you, the Discovery Call will be extremely valuable.

Clarity. Confidence. Control.

Retirement is not about “beating the market.” It’s about knowing: How much can I take, in what order, with the least tax drag — and still sleep at night?

That’s decumulation. It’s a different skill set than growth investing, and it’s where most generic advisors start guessing.

✓ Tax-aware withdrawal sequencing so you keep more of what you’ve already saved.
✓ Income guardrails that adapt in real time — not “hope it works.”
✓ Healthcare + Medicare IRMAA planning baked in, not bolted on later.
Advisor mapping a 12–24 month retirement cash flow plan
This is the retirement paycheck conversation. We map “money in” for the next 12–24 months — before markets surprise you.

Common Questions

What’s a “safe” withdrawal rate?
There isn’t one magic number for everyone. We start with a guideline (often in the ~3.8%–4.5% range depending on age, assets, and risk), then apply guardrails so spending can adjust — up in good years, down in rough years — instead of guessing and hoping.
Should I be doing Roth conversions now?
Many retirees benefit from converting IRA money to Roth in their “tax window,” before Required Minimum Distributions and before Medicare IRMAA surcharges. We map out that window and how much to convert each year.
Do I need an annuity?
Sometimes. We only use income annuities when they measurably reduce failure risk or secure guaranteed base income. If it doesn’t improve your plan, we don’t use it. No one-size-fits-all products.
How much cash should I keep?
We typically hold 12–24 months of essential spending in cash/short-term income, then refill that bucket using interest, dividends, and market gains. That way you’re not forced to sell stock in a downturn just to pay bills.
Can you work with my CPA and attorney?
Yes. True decumulation planning touches investments, taxes, Social Security, estate/beneficiary designations, and healthcare. We coordinate so everyone is giving advice that matches the same plan.

Ready to turn savings into a retirement paycheck you can depend on?

Book your Decumulation Discovery Call. In 20 minutes, we’ll outline your withdrawal order, tax pressure points, and “am I okay?” number — in plain English.

Step 1: Schedule your call.
Step 2: Bring recent statements and Social Security estimates.
Step 3: Walk away with next steps and timeline. We’ll also tell you if you’re already in great shape — no pressure.

Investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tax strategies mentioned are general in nature and may not be appropriate for your situation; consult your tax professional. Social Security filing strategies depend on individual earnings history and marital status. Annuities are insurance products; guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing insurer and may be subject to fees, surrender charges, and holding periods. Nothing on this page should be interpreted as individualized investment, tax, or legal advice.

Golden Years Retirement — Planning Process

Your Journey, Expertly Guided

At Golden Years Retirement, our proven, client-first process transforms your vision into reality with clear strategy and ongoing support. Every journey is unique—we adapt to your goals, communication style, and timeline.

Discovery

  • Clarify your core goals, values, and what matters most in retirement.
  • Define expectations and the ideal advisor relationship.
  • Review your current financial landscape and risk comfort.

Strategy

  • Map resources, timelines, and milestones to reach your objectives.
  • Identify risks, gaps, taxes, and opportunities across accounts.
  • Deliver a customized blueprint for income, investments, and protection.

Implementation

  • Align accounts to goals with a tax-aware, risk-appropriate strategy.
  • Execute the plan, coordinate with your pros, and streamline paperwork.
  • Set a review cadence and keep you informed as life and markets change.
Family enjoying time together—symbolizing Golden Years values

Golden Years Retirement is All About Family

Helping people like you find confidence and independence in retirement is our passion. We build lasting relationships based on trust, clarity, and a genuine commitment to your success.

Contact Us Today