A clear path from “I'm not sure” to “Now I know.”
Most people come to us with the same feeling: they've worked hard, saved diligently, and aren't sure if they're on track. Our process is designed to answer that question — with a plan you understand and a path you can follow.
What working with us looks like.
Every client engagement follows the same four-step process — refined over years of helping pre-retirees and retirees clarify their financial picture and build plans they can actually use.
The first conversation is always complimentary and no-obligation. We'll figure out together whether we're the right fit.
01
Discovery
We learn your full situation, goals, and concerns.
02
Plan Design
We build a written, comprehensive retirement plan tailored to you.
03
Implementation
We put the plan into action across investments, income, taxes, and more.
04
Ongoing Reviews
We meet semi-annually to adjust the plan as life and markets change.
01
Discovery
Before we build anything, we listen. Most retirement plans fail because they're built on incomplete information. We start by understanding the full picture — your savings, your goals, your concerns, and your life — so the plan we build actually fits.
What happens during Discovery
- →Initial 30-minute consultation (complimentary, no obligation): we talk about your situation at a high level, answer your questions, and decide together whether we're a good fit.
- →Discovery meeting: a deeper conversation where we gather details about your income, assets, expenses, goals, family situation, health considerations, and what a successful retirement looks like to you.
- →Document gathering: recent account statements, tax returns, Social Security statements, pension information, life insurance and annuity policies, and a rough sense of your monthly expenses. You don't need everything perfectly organized — we help with that.
What you can expect
- →A clear, plain-language conversation — no financial jargon, no pressure
- →Real curiosity about your life, not just your portfolio
- →Honest direction about whether we're the right firm for you (and if we're not, we'll point you toward someone who is)
02
Plan Design
We build a comprehensive, written retirement plan tailored to your situation. Once we understand your full picture, we build a coordinated plan that addresses every meaningful financial decision ahead of you — not just investments.
What we analyze and build
- →Retirement income strategy — how you'll turn your savings into reliable, sustainable income across Social Security, pensions, and your portfolio
- →Investment strategy — portfolio design matched to your time horizon, income needs, and tolerance for market volatility
- →Tax planning — multi-year tax projections, Roth conversion analysis, withdrawal sequencing, and strategies to reduce lifetime taxes
- →Social Security strategy — claiming analysis based on your situation, marital status, and broader plan
- →Risk management — insurance, long-term care considerations, and protections against the unexpected
- →Legacy planning — coordination with your estate goals and what you want to leave behind
How we actually build your retirement income plan
We work through four sub-steps:
- →Identify income needs and goals — we start with the question that drives everything else: how much income do you need each year to live the life you want? We separate essential expenses from discretionary, and factor in inflation, healthcare costs, and one-time goals.
- →Calculate the shortfall (or surplus) — we compare your projected expenses against your guaranteed income sources (Social Security, pensions, rental income) to see exactly how much your portfolio needs to generate. Often this is the first time clients see the math laid out clearly.
- →Decide which accounts to draw from — withdrawal sequencing is one of the most underappreciated decisions in retirement. Drawing from the wrong accounts in the wrong order can be costly. We map out which accounts to draw from in which years, coordinated with your tax bracket strategy.
- →Stress test the plan — a plan that only works under perfect conditions isn't really a plan. We run your plan through different market, sequence-of-returns, and longevity scenarios — so you understand how it holds up when life doesn't cooperate.
What you'll see at the end of Plan Design
- →A written retirement plan you can actually understand and reference
- →Multi-scenario projections showing how the plan performs under different market and life conditions
- →Specific, actionable recommendations — not vague suggestions
By the end of this stage, you'll know what you have, what you need, and how the pieces fit together.
03
Implementation
We put the plan into action — carefully and with full transparency. Once you've approved the plan, we move into implementation, typically over a few weeks depending on the complexity of your situation.
What we handle during Implementation
- →Account setup at our independent custodians (Schwab or Fidelity) — your assets are held in your name, with you maintaining full online access
- →Account transfers from existing brokerages, 401(k)s, or IRAs as part of the plan
- →Portfolio construction based on the strategy we built together
- →Coordination with other professionals — CPAs, estate attorneys, insurance providers — so everyone is aligned on your plan
- →Insurance and annuity solutions where they solve a specific problem in your plan
- →Beneficiary updates and titling to make sure everything is structured correctly
What you can expect
- →Clear communication at every step — you'll know what's happening, why, and when
- →No surprise paperwork, no rushed decisions
- →A defined timeline so you know when implementation will be complete
04
Ongoing Reviews
A retirement plan isn't built once — it's maintained over decades. Markets change. Tax laws change. Your life changes. Our ongoing review process keeps your plan current and you confident.
What ongoing service looks like
- →Semi-annual formal review meetings — typically a mid-year check-in and a year-end planning meeting
- →Semi-annual portfolio reviews to monitor performance and rebalance as needed
- →Additional check-ins when market conditions or life events warrant — significant market volatility, tax law changes, or major life events trigger additional meetings
- →Annual tax planning — coordinating with your CPA, identifying Roth conversion opportunities, and managing income and bracket strategies
- →Direct access between meetings — questions, concerns, life changes, market events. We're available.
Things that trigger an additional review
- →You're approaching retirement (or just retired)
- →A market downturn has you worried
- →You've received an inheritance, sold a business, or had a major financial change
- →Tax law changes that affect your situation
- →A family event that requires plan adjustments
These additional reviews are part of the ongoing relationship.
What this looks like over time.
| Initial consultation | 30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Discovery meeting | 60-90 minutes |
| Plan design and development | 2-4 weeks |
| Plan presentation and approval | 60-90 minutes |
| Implementation | 2-6 weeks (depending on complexity) |
| First formal review | 6 months after implementation |
| Ongoing reviews | Semi-annually, plus additional reviews as life and markets warrant |
From initial conversation to fully implemented plan, most clients are about 6-10 weeks in. From there, the relationship continues for as long as you find value in it.
About our process.
How long does the planning process take?
From the initial consultation to a fully implemented plan, most clients are 6-10 weeks in. Plan design itself takes 2-4 weeks; implementation takes another 2-6 weeks depending on how many accounts need to be coordinated.
Do I have to commit at the discovery meeting?
No. There's no obligation at any point until you've reviewed the plan we build for you and decided you want to move forward. We'd rather have you say no than feel pressured.
What if I already have an advisor I'm leaving?
That's common. We help coordinate the transition, including any account transfers, so the process is smooth. You don't need to have anything resolved before talking with us.
How often will we actually meet?
After implementation, we meet semi-annually for formal reviews. We're also available between meetings for questions or major life events, with additional reviews scheduled when market conditions or life events warrant it.
What if my situation changes significantly?
Significant life events — retirement, inheritance, health changes, major market events — always trigger an additional meeting and plan update. These are part of our ongoing relationship.
How do I get started?
Schedule a complimentary 30-minute introductory call. We'll talk about your situation, answer your questions, and decide together whether we're the right fit. No obligation, no pitch.
Ready to start with Step 1?
The first conversation is complimentary, no-obligation, and exactly what most people need to figure out whether working with us is the right move.