Retirement Planning Foundations

Retirement Planning Basics

Retirement planning focuses on how to replace employment income over a potentially long time horizon.

Core Income Sources

• Social Security
• Employer plans (401(k), 403(b), pensions)
• Personal savings and brokerage assets
• Other sources (business income, real estate, annuities)

Key Risks to Plan For

• Longevity risk (outliving assets)
• Inflation risk (loss of purchasing power)
• Sequence-of-returns risk (early negative returns)
• Healthcare and long-term care costs

Educational note: claiming, withdrawal, and tax sequencing decisions are personalized and should be reviewed with qualified professionals.