If you already have a financial advisor, this worksheet tells you in five minutes whether you have a retirement income plan — or just a portfolio manager. Score your plan across four critical areas most advisors never cover.
Most people who find this worksheet are in a similar position: they've saved well, they have a financial advisor who manages their investments, and something has been nagging at them. They're not sure if they have a plan — or just a portfolio.
Your advisor sends quarterly statements and shows you a chart of the stock market. But have they modeled your Social Security strategy? Built a Medicare plan? Mapped your withdrawal sequence? This worksheet tells you in five minutes.
The financial decisions you make in the 3–5 years before and after you retire are the most consequential of your life. Most are irreversible. This audit identifies the gaps before they become costly.
A portfolio performing well is not the same as a retirement income plan. This worksheet is the starting point for an honest, independent review — no obligation, no pressure to change anything.
The 12 questions in this worksheet are exactly the questions a fiduciary retirement income specialist would ask. Bring them to your next advisor meeting and see what comes back.
Each area covers a critical retirement income planning specialty that is distinct from — and often missing from — traditional investment management.
Wrong decisions here are permanent. The right strategy can mean $50,000–$150,000+ more in lifetime income.
One income year over an IRMAA threshold triggers $1,000–$4,000/year in Medicare surcharges — per person.
Drawing accounts in the wrong order can add tens of thousands in unnecessary taxes over a 25-year retirement.
An extended care event averaging $100,000–$300,000+ can derail a portfolio built to fund your retirement income.
The worksheet is yours — no obligation to take any next step. But if you find gaps, here's what's available.
Use the 12 questions as a meeting agenda. Ask your current advisor to walk through each area. The answers — or the lack of them — will tell you a lot.
A free 30-minute call to review your scores side by side. No products. No pressure. Just an honest assessment of where the gaps are and what addressing them looks like.
Many clients keep their existing investment manager and engage Alan separately for retirement income planning — the specialty most investment advisors don't cover.
I built this worksheet because I keep meeting people who have a solid portfolio and an advisor they like — and who have no idea that the four areas in this audit were never addressed. That's not always the advisor's fault. Many are excellent at managing investments. Retirement income planning is simply a different specialty. If your scores show gaps, I'm happy to review them with you at no charge. The first conversation is always free, and you are never obligated to change anything.