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How to Manage Withdrawals Throughout Retirement

January 26, 20253 min read

Planning for retirement often raises one crucial question: How much should one withdraw each year during retirement? Managing withdrawals may significantly impact the longevity of your retirement funds. Learning to manage withdrawals throughout retirement aims to strike an equal balance between enjoying your retirement and ensuring your savings last throughout life.

Different factors influence this withdrawal calculation, including the size of your retirement portfolio, other income sources, lifestyle demand, life expectancy, and market conditions. Consequently, it would be wrong to assume that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy works for everyone.

This article aims to explain what to consider when planning retirement savings withdrawals and how to learn to manage withdrawals throughout retirement.

The 4% Rule

A classic rule often followed is the “4% Rule,” which suggests withdrawing 4% of one’s retirement savings in the first year of retirement. In subsequent years, the withdrawal should adjust according to inflation. For instance, if you have a retirement corpus of $1 million, you withdraw $40,000 in the first year. This strategy assumes that your portfolio comprises a balanced mix of stocks, bonds, and other retirement savings and insurance vehicles, anticipating they last for at least 30 years.

But while the 4% rule is a good starting point, it’s not infallible. It doesn’t consider low interest rates, inflation, or any potential decline in investment returns. Consequently, some financial professionals may suggest a more conservative withdrawal rate of around 3%, which means having a larger retirement fund or adjusting your lifestyle accordingly.

Life expectancy

Another substantial factor to consider is the increasing life expectancy due to advancements in healthcare. The longer you live, the longer your retirement funds need to last.

How to manage withdrawals

To suitably manage your withdrawals, consider adopting the following strategies:

1. Align withdrawals with expenses. Your annual withdrawal should cover your living expenses after accounting for other income sources like social security, pensions, or annuity payments.

2. Keep an emergency fund. Unanticipated expenses can sometimes arise, and having a monetary reserve can prevent you from withdrawing more from your retirement fund.

3. Adjust withdrawals according to market conditions. Try minimizing withdrawals during market lows. Conversely, if the market performs well, consider withdrawing more.

4. Prioritize tax-efficient withdrawals. Understanding the tax implications of different retirement accounts may help save on taxes. For instance, it might be beneficial to withdraw first from taxable accounts and later from tax-deferred or tax-free accounts.

Include professionals

Navigating retirement income can indeed seem daunting. However, adopting a personalized approach may help you make informed decisions. It would be best to revisit your withdrawal strategy regularly with your financial, insurance, and tax professionals or during significant life changes.

Speaking with these professionals or using various online retirement calculators can also help gauge how much to withdraw each year. Remember, effective retirement planning should involve more than deciding on the annual withdrawal rate. It’s about managing your lifestyle costs, understanding market conditions, planning healthcare costs, and preparing for unexpected expenses.

SWG4102450-1224b This information is provided as general information and is not intended to be specific financial guidance.  Before you make any decisions regarding your personal financial situation, you should consult a financial or tax professional to discuss your individual circumstances and objectives. The source used to prepare this material is believed to be true, accurate and reliable, but is not guaranteed. 

At Tampa Bay Advisory the fact that you are looking at this website suggests that you may have questions or concerns about finances, investments, and/or retirement security. A part of that is, “Do I really need a Financial Advisor?” That is an important question. Contact us today to begin finding the answers to this and any other questions.

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Disclosure

Investment advisory services offered through Virtue Capital Management, LLC (VCM), a registered investment advisor. VCM and Tampa Bay Advisory, LLC are independent of each other. For a complete description of investment risks, fees and services, review the Virtue Capital Management firm brochure (ADV Part 2A) which is available from your Investment Advisor Representative or by contacting Virtue Capital Management. Information provided is not intended as tax or legal advice and should not be relied on as such. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional. Michael Watkins and/or Tampa Bay Advisory, LLC are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other government agency. Insurance and annuity products are not sold through Virtue Capital Management, LLC (“VCM”). VCM does not endorse any annuity or insurance product, nor does it guarantee any annuity or insurance product’s performance. Index or fixed annuities are not designed for short-term investments and may be subject to caps, restrictions, fees and surrender charges as described in the annuity contract. Any guarantees mentioned are backed by the financial strength and claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. The content of this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation or recommendation of any investment strategy. Investments and/or investment strategies involve risk including the possible loss of principal. There is no assurance that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives.

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