Make Your Retirement Income Work in the Right Order
Income timing isn’t just about “how much” you withdraw each year. It’s about which accounts you use, and when, so your retirement paycheck stays steady and taxes stay manageable.
Download the Income Timing Guide (PDF)
Get a one-page visual showing how different income sources can support each stage of retirement.
Why the Timing of Your Income Matters
You may already know your spending number and the income sources available to you. The missing link is often timing—deciding which source to tap first, which ones to delay, and how to spread income across the years.
Thoughtful income timing can help you:
Keep your retirement paycheck more stable
Make better use of your tax brackets
Coordinate withdrawals with Social Security and RMDs
Reduce stress when markets are volatile
The goal isn’t to optimize every dollar—it’s to give your plan structure and flexibility.
Three Levers That Shape Your Income Timeline
Start ages - When you begin Social Security, pensions, annuities, or part-time work.
Account order - How you sequence taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free withdrawals.
Year-by-year income level - How much you choose to realize in each calendar year relative to tax brackets and Medicare thresholds.
When these work together, you get a smoother, more intentional retirement paycheck.
A Simple Way to Think About Income Over Time
“You don’t need a perfect forecast. Instead, think in broad phases:”
Phase 1 – Early Retirement / Pre-RMD Years - Often the 60s. You may draw more from taxable accounts, use bridge income, and consider Roth conversions while brackets are lower. Social Security might be delayed.
Phase 2 – RMD & Social Security Years - Often the 70s. RMDs and Social Security become your core paycheck. Portfolio withdrawals, part-time income, or a HECM line of credit flex around that base.
Phase 3 – Longevity & Later Retirement - Later 70s and beyond. The focus shifts toward stability, healthcare, and simplicity. Guaranteed income and home equity can help support essentials if portfolio withdrawals become tighter.
Turn the Idea Into Your Own Timeline
The Income Timing Guide gives you a one-page view of these concepts and space to sketch out your own next five years—what you’ll spend from, and when.