Time segmentation seems to be a more planful approach for creating a retirement income stream than simply taking three to four percent withdrawals from a portfolio of equities and fixed income (or higher if you read Bill Bengen’s recent article in this publication).

The Wall Street Journal recently ran an article revisiting an old retirement income rule of thumb. “The 4% Retirement Rule is in Doubt. Will Your Nest Egg Last? A well-established strategy for funding our golden years is no longer foolproof. Retirees need to get creative.”

How annuities can help shoulder RMD burdens in a market drawdown.

Does it make sense to purchase a fixed indexed annuity today when the chief index used in these products – that S&P 500 – has been on a tear since the earth cooled? Equities have had a great run, almost unabated, for more than a dozen years.

I was speaking with an industry friend and colleague the other day, and we got to riffing about music and retirement planning. A free and creative thinker, she said that when talking to clients about future retirement income, the sweet spot timing wise seems to be about five years before clients retire.

Given the demise of pension plans, and the potential for annuities to serve as a core source of retirement income certainty, I composed the following poem to mix a bit of levity with a purposeful message.

You’re probably familiar with Tax Freedom Day®, which is April 16th this year for the country, according to The Tax Foundation. But are you aware of FICA Freedom Day? It’s the date when that first check arrives absent FICA deductions for Social Security.