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RETIREMENT PLANNING SERVICES

Secure Your Future Today.

Plan, grow, and protect your financial future with strategies tailored to your goals — from 401(k) rollovers and IRA planning to annuities and guaranteed retirement income.
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Where are you in your retirement journey? Select your situation to see the strategies that apply to you.

Employed & Building Savings

Work for a private company, school, hospital, nonprofit, or government · Have an employer-sponsored retirement plan

  • 401(k) — private-sector employees; pre-tax contributions + employer match
  • 403(b) — educators, healthcare, nonprofit employees
  • 457 Plan — government & some nonprofit employees; flexible withdrawals
  • Pension / Defined Benefit — guaranteed employer-funded income
  • Rollover guidance — changing jobs or leaving your employer
SEE ROLLOVER DETAILS ↓

At or Near Retirement

Ready to convert savings into guaranteed income · Want to protect what you've built

  • Annuities — create your own pension with guaranteed lifetime income
  • Fixed & Indexed Annuities — growth with principal protection
  • Social Security Optimization — maximize your benefit timing
  • Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Planning — minimize taxes on distributions
  • Rollover & Consolidation — simplify multiple accounts into one strategy
SEE ANNUITY OPTIONS ↓

Self-Employed & Business Owners

No employer plan · Want maximum retirement contribution flexibility

  • Solo 401(k) — self-employed with no employees (except spouse); highest contribution limits
  • SEP IRA — easy to set up; high limits; great for variable income
  • SIMPLE IRA — small businesses with employees; lower admin cost
  • 412(e)(3) Plan — business owners seeking guaranteed growth via insurance products
SEE PLAN DETAILS ↓

It's Not Just How Much You Save. It's How You Turn Savings Into Income.

Most people focus on accumulation — putting money into a 401(k) or IRA. But the harder question is: how do you convert that into reliable income when you stop working? And how do you make sure you don’t outlive your money?

Our bilingual team evaluates your complete retirement picture: your existing accounts, expected Social Security, income needs, tax situation, and risk tolerance. We then build a coordinated strategy — rollovers, annuities, withdrawal sequencing, and legacy planning — so every dollar works as efficiently as possible.

Whether you’re 10 years out or retiring next year, the right time to plan is now.

Securing a comfortable retirement is one of our clients’ top financial priorities. We focus on preparing ahead — consolidating accounts, optimizing investments, and making strategic decisions so your savings work effectively for the long term.

Susan Portnoi, CPA/PFS

Sr. Wealth Advisor

Retirement Strategies & Plan Details

Expand each section for key details, plan comparisons, and what to expect. We tailor every strategy to your specific situation — these guides help you come prepared.
Employer plans are the foundation of most retirement strategies. When you change jobs or retire, a properly executed rollover keeps your money growing tax-deferred without triggering taxes or penalties. Direct rollover (trustee-to-trustee) is always recommended — no 60-day deadline, no 20% withholding.

401(k) — Private Sector

  • Pre-tax contributions; reduces current taxable income
  • Employer match is essentially free money — maximize it first
  • Rollover to IRA or new employer plan when leaving a job
  • In-service rollover may be available after age 59½

403(b) — Education & Nonprofit

  • For teachers, hospital workers, nonprofit employees
  • Similar to 401(k) with same contribution limits
  • Can roll into IRA or new 403(b)/401(k) plan
  • Access to broader investment options after rollover

457 — Government & Nonprofit

  • Unique advantage: no 10% early withdrawal penalty before 59½
  • Can roll to IRA, 401(k), or another 457 plan
  • Flexible withdrawal options — especially useful at retirement
  • Consult us before rolling out — some tax advantages may be lost

Rollover rule: You have 60 days to complete an indirect rollover before taxes and penalties apply. We always execute direct rollovers (trustee-to-trustee) to eliminate that risk entirely.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are opened independently — not tied to an employer. They’re ideal for rollover consolidation, supplemental savings, and tax strategy. The choice between Traditional and Roth is one of the most important retirement tax decisions you’ll make.

TRADITIONAL IRA VS. ROTH IRA

  • Traditional IRA: Contributions may be tax-deductible now · Growth is tax-deferred · Pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement · Subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) at 73
  • Roth IRA: After-tax contributions (no deduction now) · Tax-free growth · Tax-free withdrawals in retirement · No RMDs during your lifetime
  • Roth Conversion: Roll a Traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth — pay taxes now, eliminate them forever. Best when you expect higher taxes in retirement.

SEP IRA & SIMPLE IRA (BUSINESS / SELF-EMPLOYED)

  • SEP IRA: Designed for self-employed and small business owners · Contribution limit up to 25% of compensation · Easy to set up with minimal paperwork · Great for variable or high income years
  • SIMPLE IRA: For small businesses with employees · Both employee and employer contribute · Lower admin cost than a 401(k) · Mandatory employer matching (1–3%)
  • Solo 401(k): Self-employed with no employees (except spouse) · Highest contribution limits of any self-employed plan · Can also make Roth contributions

Can I roll over my account while still employed? — It depends on your plan. Some 401(k) plans allow "in-service" rollovers after age 59½. 457 plans are often more flexible. We'll review your plan documents to confirm your options.

An annuity is a contract with an insurance company: you invest money and receive guaranteed income — typically for life. Think of it as creating your own pension. It’s the only financial product that can guarantee you won’t outlive your money.

Types of Annuities

OPTION 1 — Fixed Annuity

  • Guaranteed interest rate
  • No market risk
  • Stable & predictable

Conservative

OPTION 2 — MOST POPULAR Indexed Annuity (FIA)

  • Linked to market index (e.g., S&P 500)
  • No loss when market drops
  • Growth capped but protected

Safety + Growth

OPTION 3 — Variable Annuity

  • Invested in market portfolios
  • Higher growth potential
  • Higher risk — can lose value

Aggressive Growth

OPTION 4 — Immediate Annuity

  • Lump sum → income starts right away
  • No accumulation phase
  • Simple and immediate

Income NOW

OPTION 5 — Deferred Annuity

  • Money grows first
  • Income starts later at a future date
  • Maximizes growth period

Long-Term Planning

Key Benefits & Considerations

WHY ANNUITIES WORK

  • Lifetime Income: You can't outlive your income — the biggest advantage over savings alone
  • Tax-Deferred Growth: No taxes until withdrawal
  • Principal Protection: Fixed and indexed annuities protect against market downturns
  • Optional Riders: Lifetime income rider · Long-term care rider · Enhanced death benefit

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

  • Surrender Charges: Early withdrawal penalties typically 5–10 years
  • Fees: Variable annuities carry higher fees — always review before committing
  • Liquidity Limitations: Not ideal if you may need funds quickly
  • Complexity: Riders and terms vary widely by carrier — we explain every detail before you sign

Long-Term Planning

Rollover into annuity: You can fund an annuity using a tax-free rollover from a 401(k), IRA, or other qualified plan. This is one of the most common strategies for converting retirement savings into guaranteed lifetime income.

Some retirement plans are specifically designed to provide guaranteed growth using insurance products — ideal for business owners or those who want predictability over market exposure.

412(E)(3) PLAN — BUSINESS OWNERS

  • Fully insured defined benefit plan — funded entirely by insurance products
  • Provides guaranteed retirement income with no market risk
  • Potentially the largest tax deduction available to business owners
  • Rollover to IRA or qualified plan when transitioning — complex IRS rules apply
  • We ensure compliance throughout the rollover process

OTHER GUARANTEED INCOME OPTIONS

  • Pension Plans (Defined Benefit): Employer-funded · Guaranteed monthly income in retirement · Becoming less common in private sector
  • Cash Value Life Insurance: Combines life insurance with a savings/investment component · Tax-advantaged growth · Flexible access to funds
  • TSP (Thrift Savings Plan): For federal employees and military members · Similar to a 401(k) with very low administrative fees
  • Social Security Optimization: Timing your claim strategically can increase lifetime benefits by tens of thousands of dollars

* Retirement planning services and account options vary by individual eligibility, plan type, and state. All content for illustrative purposes only.

Frequently Asked Questions

A rollover moves funds from one retirement account to another without triggering taxes or penalties. You should consider one when changing jobs, retiring, or consolidating multiple accounts for simpler management. A direct rollover (trustee-to-trustee) is always the safest method — no 60-day deadline, no mandatory 20% withholding, and your tax-deferred status is fully preserved.
Rolling into a Traditional IRA maintains tax-deferred status — you pay taxes when you withdraw in retirement. A Roth conversion means paying taxes on the amount now, but all future qualified withdrawals are completely tax-free. Roth conversions make the most sense when you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in retirement, want tax-free income, or want to avoid Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). We run the numbers for your specific situation.
A properly executed direct rollover from one qualified account to another of the same type is not a taxable event and has no penalties. Converting to a Roth IRA will trigger income taxes on the converted amount. Early withdrawals before age 59½ may incur a 10% penalty plus income taxes unless you qualify for an exception. We structure every rollover correctly from the start to avoid unnecessary costs.
Annuities solve the problem savings alone can't: guaranteed income you can't outlive. They work best as one part of a broader retirement income strategy — alongside Social Security, IRA withdrawals, and investment accounts. A Fixed or Indexed Annuity can provide a guaranteed income floor so that market volatility doesn't threaten your essential expenses. We identify whether an annuity fits your plan and which type makes sense for your goals.
It depends on your plan's rules. Some 401(k) and 403(b) plans allow "in-service" rollovers after age 59½, while others don't permit rollovers until you leave the employer. 457 plans often have more flexible rules. IRAs can be rolled over at any time regardless of employment. We review your specific plan documents to confirm your options before taking any action.

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