How to create and manage retirement income

Brian Hill

Combine the income producing investments into a portfolio

A retirement income portfolio should ideally have an allocation to all of the above referenced investment options. Each retiree has a unique situation and therefore each portfolio would be designed differently depending on the investors risk tolerance and guaranteed sources of income. In general, I find a balanced portfolio evenly split between dividend paying stocks and bonds with a small - 5% to 10% - allocation to real estate on the stock side works very well. I could go into much more detail on how we develop a well diversified balanced portfolio but for purposes of this article the important point is that 50% of the portfolio is very stable with high current income and 50% is in dividend paying stocks and real estate with the best opportunity for growth and an increasing future income. Again, the percentages would be adjusted based on the investors overall objectives.

In the long run, the dividend paying stocks and real estate should provide a growing income stream exceeding the inflation rate. In the short term, the bonds will provide stability, high current income, and be used for income during corrections and bear markets in stocks.

How to manage withdrawals

Many financial advisors consider a 4% withdrawal rate to be a conservative withdrawal rate to allow your money to last for your lifetime. This could be anywhere from 4% to 6% annually depending on your particular situation. Another issue to consider is which account to withdraw from to generate an income stream. When we develop a retirement income plan for a client we will typically withdraw from the taxable account first, followed by tax deferred accounts such as IRA's, 401k's and annuities and then lastly tax free accounts such as Roth IRA's/Roth401k's. Many of our clients have trust accounts set up that are not subject to estate taxes. In these situations, we allow the trust to accumulate and only withdraw funds if it is absolutely necessary.

One of the biggest mistakes I see in the retirement income planning area is withdrawing from stocks or stock funds in a correction or bear market. Your retirement income plan needs to be managed so when we have the inevitable down years in the stock market, on average one out of four years, your stocks are left alone and your income stream needs to come from the safe side of your portfolio - bond funds and money market accounts. Selling stock funds when the market is temporarily down 15% will ruin your retirement income plan. I have met a few perspective clients who had been receiving IRA withdrawals on a monthly basis with the income coming out of each of their funds proportionally. When we make them aware that they are selling stock funds in a depressed market they typically will transfer the accounts to us and have us manage their withdrawals. We like to tell our clients we cannot predict the market but we can manage the market and make it work for your benefit.

Develop a Retirement Income Plan

Consider a financial advisor who can help you develop a well thought out retirement income plan. A good plan will address your lifetime income needs, protect you from the high costs of long term health care and smoothly transition your remaining assets to your family. You will be able to sleep well at night- through good and bad markets- knowing you can rely on a solid plan. Most importantly, you can reap the rewards of all of your working years and develop new interests, volunteer, travel, play golf, publish a book as my father has done or anything else you always wanted to do. It's your plan!

Brian Hill is ChFC at Capital Analysts of New England, Quincy, Mass.