Once you stop working, your paycheck has to come from somewhere else. This guide covers safe withdrawal rates, Social Security timing, and how to select what order to draw from your accounts, so your savings last as long as you do.
01
How much you can spend: The 4% rule, where it came from, and why it's a starting point and not a guarantee.
02
The order you draw from your accounts: Why the order you pull from taxable, tax-deferred, and Roth accounts can change how much tax you pay.
03
When to claim Social Security: How claiming between age 62 and 70 changes your monthly benefit, and why the best age is different for everyone.
04
Guardrails for market downturns: A simple way to adjust your spending in a bad market year, and why a rough start to retirement matters so much.
Safe Withdrawal Rates
Where the classic 4% rule came from, and why newer research treats it as a starting point.
Social Security Timing
See how the monthly check changes at 62, 67, and 70, and what to think about before you choose.
Sequence of Withdrawals
A common order for drawing from your accounts, and why it can affect your tax bill.
Required Minimum Distributions
What the IRS requires once you turn 73, the penalty for missing one, and how to plan ahead.
Healthcare and Medicare Costs
A look at what Medicare parts cost in 2026, so health costs don't catch you off guard.
Protecting Against Downturns
A flexible spending idea that can help when the market has a bad year.
