Retirement Income Planning

We Serve people in Scottsdale, AZ, Brookfield & Johnson Creek Wisconsin

Retirement Income Planning Services

Retirement should mean freedom—not financial stress.

Whether you’re in Scottsdale enjoying desert sunsets or watching Wisconsin seasons change from Brookfield, your retirement income needs to support the life you’ve always imagined.

At Family Wealth Advisors, we don’t just crunch numbers…

We listen to your retirement dreams, then build practical strategies to make them happen.

Our retirement income plans combine your investment portfolio, Social Security benefits, and tax-smart withdrawal strategies to create reliable monthly income that can last 30+ years.

Every client’s situation is different. That’s why Jeffrey Biro, Ryan Zenk, and Michael Wendt work directly with you to understand what retirement really means to you—whether that’s traveling, spoiling grandkids, or finally pursuing that hobby you’ve been putting off.

Ready to see what your retirement income could look like?

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What Makes Our Retirement Income Planning Different

Most financial advisors hand you a generic retirement calculator and call it planning.

We dig deeper.

Our retirement income planning creates multiple income streams that work together, so you’re never dependent on just one source of money.

We Plan for Real Life, Not Spreadsheets

Your retirement won’t be a straight line. Healthcare costs might spike.

Markets will fluctuate.

Family situations change.

We build flexibility into every plan so you can handle whatever comes up without panicking about money.

Our clients in Scottsdale often want to maintain their active lifestyle—golf memberships, dining out, travel to see family.

Wisconsin clients frequently prioritize lake homes, family gatherings, and seasonal travel. We factor these real expenses into your income plan.

We also stress-test your plan against different scenarios.

What if you need long-term care? What if the market crashes right after you retire? Your plan includes backup strategies for these situations.

Your Retirement Timeline, Your Way

Some people want to retire at 62.

Others plan to work part-time into their 70s.

We don’t push you toward any particular timeline—we help you understand what’s possible based on your current savings and goals.

If early retirement is your goal, we’ll show you exactly how much you need to save and where to invest it.

If you want to keep working, we’ll optimize your savings strategy and plan for a higher retirement income.

Every strategy is personalized.

We consider your Social Security timing, pension options (if you have them), and the best ways to tap your 401(k) and IRA accounts.

Tax-Smart Income That Lasts

Here’s what most people don’t realize: How you withdraw money in retirement matters just as much as how much you’ve saved.

The wrong withdrawal strategy can cost you thousands in unnecessary taxes every year.

We create withdrawal sequences that minimize your tax bill.

Sometimes that means taking money from your 401(k) first. Other times, we’ll recommend Roth conversions or tax-loss harvesting.

It depends on your specific situation.

Arizona and Wisconsin have different tax rules for retirees.

We factor in your state’s tax treatment of Social Security, pensions, and retirement account withdrawals to maximize your after-tax income.

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Our Step-by-Step Retirement Income Process

We’ve refined this process over hundreds of client relationships. It works because it’s thorough, but not overwhelming.

Step 1: Retirement Reality Check

We start by understanding what you want your retirement to look like. Not generic goals like “comfortable retirement,” but specific details. Where do you want to live? How often do you want to travel? What hobbies matter to you?

Then we calculate what that lifestyle costs. Most people are surprised—sometimes it’s less expensive than they thought, more. But at least you’ll know the real number you’re planning for.

Step 2: Income Source Inventory

We analyze every potential source of retirement income: Social Security, pensions, 401(k)s, IRAs, taxable investments, rental property, part-time work income. Everything.

Many clients discover they have more resources than they realized. Others find gaps we need to address. Either way, you’ll have a complete picture of your retirement income potential.

Step 3: Strategy Development

This is where we get specific. We’ll show you exactly when to claim Social Security, how to sequence your retirement account withdrawals, and whether strategies like Roth conversions make sense for your situation.

You’ll see multiple scenarios with different income levels and timelines. We’ll also stress-test your plan against market downturns and inflation to make sure it’s robust.

Step 4: Implementation and Monitoring

A plan sitting in a drawer doesn’t help anyone. We implement your strategy and monitor it regularly. As your life changes or the market shifts, we adjust the plan to keep you on track.

You’ll receive quarterly reviews and can reach out anytime with questions. Retirement planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” process—it requires ongoing attention.

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Protecting Your Retirement Wealth

Building retirement wealth is hard. Protecting it requires different skills. We help you safeguard your nest egg against the biggest threats to retirement security.

Market Risk Management

The sequence of returns matters enormously in retirement. A market crash in your first few years of retirement can permanently damage your financial security, even if markets recover later.

We use several strategies to manage this risk. Asset allocation adjustments as you near retirement. Cash reserves to fund expenses during market downturns. Sometimes bond ladders or immediate annuities for guaranteed income.

The goal isn’t to eliminate all risk—it’s to take the right amount of risk for your situation and timeline.

Why We’re Fiduciaries (And Why That Matters)

As a Registered Investment Advisor, we’re legally required to act in your best interest. That means we can’t recommend investments that pay us higher commissions if they’re not right for you.

We’re fee-only, which means we don’t sell insurance products or earn commissions on investments. Our only compensation comes from the advisory fees you pay, which aligns our interests with yours.

This fiduciary standard matters especially in retirement planning, where conflicted advice can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over time.

Estate Planning Integration

Your retirement plan and estate plan need to work together. We coordinate with your estate planning attorney to make sure your retirement account beneficiaries are current, your withdrawal strategy considers estate tax implications, and your wealth transfer goals are integrated with your retirement income needs.

Many clients want to leave money to children or grandchildren, but not at the expense of their own retirement security. We help you find the right balance.

Long-Term Care Planning

Long-term care is one of the biggest financial risks in retirement. The average cost of a nursing home in Scottsdale exceeds $6,000 per month. In Wisconsin, it’s over $5,000.

We help you evaluate long-term care insurance options and build care costs into your retirement income projections. Sometimes insurance makes sense. Other times, self-insuring is more appropriate. It depends on your health, family situation, and financial resources.

Concerned about long-term care costs? We can show you how different care scenarios would affect your retirement plan and help you prepare accordingly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I already have a financial advisor?

We offer second opinions on existing retirement plans. Sometimes we confirm you’re on the right track. Other times we identify opportunities to improve your strategy. Either way, you’ll have more confidence in your retirement plan.

Do you help with Social Security claiming strategies?

Absolutely. Social Security timing can impact your lifetime benefits by tens of thousands of dollars. We analyze your specific situation to determine the optimal claiming strategy for you and your spouse.

How do you get paid?

We charge an annual advisory fee based on assets under management, typically starting at 1% for portfolios up to $1 million. Retirement income planning is included in this fee—there are no additional charges for financial planning services.

Can you help if I live outside Arizona or Wisconsin?

While our offices are in Arizona and Wisconsin, we work with clients in other states through virtual meetings. However, our expertise is particularly strong in the tax and regulatory environment of Arizona and Wisconsin.

What happens if the market crashes right after I retire?

This is called sequence of returns risk, and it’s one of the biggest threats to retirement security. We build protections into every retirement plan, including cash reserves, flexible withdrawal strategies, and asset allocation adjustments to help weather market volatility.

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