Retirement income planning is about more than picking a withdrawal rate. It’s about helping you understand how to turn your savings, benefits, and investments into a coordinated income strategy that supports your lifestyle and adapts as life changes. At Vertex Capital Advisors, we provide education and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your retirement income options.
What Is Retirement Income Planning?
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Questions We Help You Explore
Every household is different, but many of the same questions show up as retirement draws near:
How much can we spend each year and still feel confident our money may last?
Should we claim Social Security as soon as we’re eligible or delay benefits?
Which accounts should we draw from first—taxable, tax-deferred, or Roth?
How might market volatility, inflation, or healthcare costs affect our plan?
We walk through these questions with you using simple, visual planning tools rather than abstract rules of thumb.
How We Help Structure Your Retirement Income
Within the framework of The Protector’s Process—Vision & Discovery, Strategic Alignment, and Diligent Stewardship—we incorporate retirement income planning into your overall financial strategy.
Key elements may include:
1. Mapping Your Cash Flow
Estimating essential vs. lifestyle expenses
Aligning those expenses with predictable income sources where possible
Evaluating how to use your portfolio to fill any gaps
2. Coordinating Investments and Income
Reviewing your investment mix and time horizons
Considering how different account types can be used to fund near-term and long-term income
Establishing a reasonable withdrawal framework tailored to your situation
3. Planning for Longevity, Inflation, and Market Risk
Considering the impact of living longer than expected
Discussing how inflation may affect purchasing power over time
Stress-testing the plan under different market environments
We do not promise to eliminate risk or guarantee returns. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Integrating Social Security and Employer Plans
For many retirees, Social Security and employer retirement plans are foundational components of income. We help you:
Compare earlier vs. later filing strategies for Social Security
Understand spousal and survivor benefit considerations
Review lump-sum vs. annuity options for pensions, where applicable
Coordinate these decisions with your broader savings and investment plan
Vertex Capital Advisors does not represent the Social Security Administration or your employer’s plan. Our role is to help you understand how various options may fit into your overall strategy.
Coordinating Income with Tax, Risk, and Legacy Planning
Retirement income decisions affect more than just this year’s cash flow. They can influence:
Lifetime taxes paid (depending on how withdrawals are structured)
Portfolio risk and volatility (based on how you invest for income and growth)
What may be available for heirs or charitable goals in the future
That’s why we coordinate income planning with ongoing investment management, risk management, and estate and tax-aware planning. When appropriate, we collaborate with your CPA and attorney so that your income strategy aligns with your overall financial picture.
Who We Typically Work With
Our retirement income planning services are typically a good fit for:
Individuals and couples approaching retirement (within ~5–10 years)
Retirees who want a clear framework for drawing income
Households with savings spread across multiple account types (IRAs, 401(k)s, taxable accounts, Roth accounts)
Families who value ongoing, relationship-based planning and regular check-ins
We are based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and work with clients in a variety of locations.
Start a Conversation About Your Retirement Income
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Income Planning FAQ
When should I start retirement income planning?
Ideally, retirement income planning should begin several years before you stop working—often 5–10 years out. That window allows time to align your savings, investment strategy, and Social Security decisions with your income goals. However, if you are already retired, it is still valuable to review how your income is structured and whether there are opportunities to improve your plan. This information is general and may not fit every situation, so we encourage a personalized review.
How much income can I safely take from my portfolio in retirement?
There is no single “safe” percentage that applies to everyone. Rules of thumb can be a starting point, but the appropriate withdrawal rate depends on factors such as your age, spending needs, portfolio allocation, time horizon, and comfort with risk. We use planning tools and scenario analysis to help you evaluate different withdrawal ranges rather than promising a specific outcome or guarantee.
How does Social Security fit into my retirement income plan?
Social Security is often a foundational income source, especially for couples. The age at which you claim benefits can affect how much you receive over your lifetime and how your spouse may be affected. In retirement income planning, we look at different claiming ages, how benefits interact with your other income, and the potential tax implications. We do not represent the Social Security Administration; our role is to help you understand how various options might align with your broader plan.
What happens to my income plan if the market drops?
Market volatility is a normal part of investing and cannot be eliminated. A retirement income plan should acknowledge this reality and be designed to adapt. That may include maintaining appropriate cash reserves, aligning your investment risk with your time horizon, and revisiting withdrawal levels when conditions change. We cannot guarantee that your investments will avoid losses, but we can help you think through how to respond in a disciplined way when markets move.
Can you guarantee that I won’t run out of money?
No. We do not guarantee investment results, future returns, or that a specific strategy will prevent you from running out of money. What we can do is help you evaluate different paths, understand the trade-offs, and build a plan that is reasonable based on your goals, resources, and risk tolerance. Any projections are based on assumptions that may not unfold exactly as modeled.
Retirement income planning is about more than picking a withdrawal rate. It’s about helping you understand how to turn your savings, benefits, and investments into a coordinated income strategy that supports your lifestyle and adapts as life changes. At Vertex Capital Advisors, we provide education and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your retirement income options.
What Is Retirement Income Planning?
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Questions We Help You Explore
Every household is different, but many of the same questions show up as retirement draws near:
How much can we spend each year and still feel confident our money may last?
Should we claim Social Security as soon as we’re eligible or delay benefits?
Which accounts should we draw from first—taxable, tax-deferred, or Roth?
How might market volatility, inflation, or healthcare costs affect our plan?
We walk through these questions with you using simple, visual planning tools rather than abstract rules of thumb.
How We Help Structure Your Retirement Income
Within the framework of The Protector’s Process—Vision & Discovery, Strategic Alignment, and Diligent Stewardship—we incorporate retirement income planning into your overall financial strategy.
Key elements may include:
1. Mapping Your Cash Flow
Estimating essential vs. lifestyle expenses
Aligning those expenses with predictable income sources where possible
Evaluating how to use your portfolio to fill any gaps
2. Coordinating Investments and Income
Reviewing your investment mix and time horizons
Considering how different account types can be used to fund near-term and long-term income
Establishing a reasonable withdrawal framework tailored to your situation
3. Planning for Longevity, Inflation, and Market Risk
Considering the impact of living longer than expected
Discussing how inflation may affect purchasing power over time
Stress-testing the plan under different market environments
We do not promise to eliminate risk or guarantee returns. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Integrating Social Security and Employer Plans
For many retirees, Social Security and employer retirement plans are foundational components of income. We help you:
Compare earlier vs. later filing strategies for Social Security
Understand spousal and survivor benefit considerations
Review lump-sum vs. annuity options for pensions, where applicable
Coordinate these decisions with your broader savings and investment plan
Vertex Capital Advisors does not represent the Social Security Administration or your employer’s plan. Our role is to help you understand how various options may fit into your overall strategy.
Coordinating Income with Tax, Risk, and Legacy Planning
Retirement income decisions affect more than just this year’s cash flow. They can influence:
Lifetime taxes paid (depending on how withdrawals are structured)
Portfolio risk and volatility (based on how you invest for income and growth)
What may be available for heirs or charitable goals in the future
That’s why we coordinate income planning with ongoing investment management, risk management, and estate and tax-aware planning. When appropriate, we collaborate with your CPA and attorney so that your income strategy aligns with your overall financial picture.
Who We Typically Work With
Our retirement income planning services are typically a good fit for:
Individuals and couples approaching retirement (within ~5–10 years)
Retirees who want a clear framework for drawing income
Households with savings spread across multiple account types (IRAs, 401(k)s, taxable accounts, Roth accounts)
Families who value ongoing, relationship-based planning and regular check-ins
We are based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and work with clients in a variety of locations.
Start a Conversation About Your Retirement Income
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Income Planning FAQ
When should I start retirement income planning?
Ideally, retirement income planning should begin several years before you stop working—often 5–10 years out. That window allows time to align your savings, investment strategy, and Social Security decisions with your income goals. However, if you are already retired, it is still valuable to review how your income is structured and whether there are opportunities to improve your plan. This information is general and may not fit every situation, so we encourage a personalized review.
How much income can I safely take from my portfolio in retirement?
There is no single “safe” percentage that applies to everyone. Rules of thumb can be a starting point, but the appropriate withdrawal rate depends on factors such as your age, spending needs, portfolio allocation, time horizon, and comfort with risk. We use planning tools and scenario analysis to help you evaluate different withdrawal ranges rather than promising a specific outcome or guarantee.
How does Social Security fit into my retirement income plan?
Social Security is often a foundational income source, especially for couples. The age at which you claim benefits can affect how much you receive over your lifetime and how your spouse may be affected. In retirement income planning, we look at different claiming ages, how benefits interact with your other income, and the potential tax implications. We do not represent the Social Security Administration; our role is to help you understand how various options might align with your broader plan.
What happens to my income plan if the market drops?
Market volatility is a normal part of investing and cannot be eliminated. A retirement income plan should acknowledge this reality and be designed to adapt. That may include maintaining appropriate cash reserves, aligning your investment risk with your time horizon, and revisiting withdrawal levels when conditions change. We cannot guarantee that your investments will avoid losses, but we can help you think through how to respond in a disciplined way when markets move.
Can you guarantee that I won’t run out of money?
No. We do not guarantee investment results, future returns, or that a specific strategy will prevent you from running out of money. What we can do is help you evaluate different paths, understand the trade-offs, and build a plan that is reasonable based on your goals, resources, and risk tolerance. Any projections are based on assumptions that may not unfold exactly as modeled.
Retirement income planning is about more than picking a withdrawal rate. It’s about helping you understand how to turn your savings, benefits, and investments into a coordinated income strategy that supports your lifestyle and adapts as life changes. At Vertex Capital Advisors, we provide education and guidance to help you make informed decisions about your retirement income options.
What Is Retirement Income Planning?
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Questions We Help You Explore
Every household is different, but many of the same questions show up as retirement draws near:
How much can we spend each year and still feel confident our money may last?
Should we claim Social Security as soon as we’re eligible or delay benefits?
Which accounts should we draw from first—taxable, tax-deferred, or Roth?
How might market volatility, inflation, or healthcare costs affect our plan?
We walk through these questions with you using simple, visual planning tools rather than abstract rules of thumb.
How We Help Structure Your Retirement Income
Within the framework of The Protector’s Process—Vision & Discovery, Strategic Alignment, and Diligent Stewardship—we incorporate retirement income planning into your overall financial strategy.
Key elements may include:
1. Mapping Your Cash Flow
Estimating essential vs. lifestyle expenses
Aligning those expenses with predictable income sources where possible
Evaluating how to use your portfolio to fill any gaps
2. Coordinating Investments and Income
Reviewing your investment mix and time horizons
Considering how different account types can be used to fund near-term and long-term income
Establishing a reasonable withdrawal framework tailored to your situation
3. Planning for Longevity, Inflation, and Market Risk
Considering the impact of living longer than expected
Discussing how inflation may affect purchasing power over time
Stress-testing the plan under different market environments
We do not promise to eliminate risk or guarantee returns. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal.
Integrating Social Security and Employer Plans
For many retirees, Social Security and employer retirement plans are foundational components of income. We help you:
Compare earlier vs. later filing strategies for Social Security
Understand spousal and survivor benefit considerations
Review lump-sum vs. annuity options for pensions, where applicable
Coordinate these decisions with your broader savings and investment plan
Vertex Capital Advisors does not represent the Social Security Administration or your employer’s plan. Our role is to help you understand how various options may fit into your overall strategy.
Coordinating Income with Tax, Risk, and Legacy Planning
Retirement income decisions affect more than just this year’s cash flow. They can influence:
Lifetime taxes paid (depending on how withdrawals are structured)
Portfolio risk and volatility (based on how you invest for income and growth)
What may be available for heirs or charitable goals in the future
That’s why we coordinate income planning with ongoing investment management, risk management, and estate and tax-aware planning. When appropriate, we collaborate with your CPA and attorney so that your income strategy aligns with your overall financial picture.
Who We Typically Work With
Our retirement income planning services are typically a good fit for:
Individuals and couples approaching retirement (within ~5–10 years)
Retirees who want a clear framework for drawing income
Households with savings spread across multiple account types (IRAs, 401(k)s, taxable accounts, Roth accounts)
Families who value ongoing, relationship-based planning and regular check-ins
We are based in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and work with clients in a variety of locations.
Start a Conversation About Your Retirement Income
Retirement income planning focuses on how your assets and income sources work together once you stop working. Rather than looking at investments in isolation, we help you evaluate:
How much income you may reasonably draw from your portfolio
When and how to claim benefits like Social Security
How pension or employer retirement plans fit into the picture
The role of cash reserves and short-term savings
How taxes may affect your net retirement income
Our objective is to help you see the trade-offs of different choices so you can decide what feels appropriate for your situation and risk tolerance.
Income Planning FAQ
When should I start retirement income planning?
Ideally, retirement income planning should begin several years before you stop working—often 5–10 years out. That window allows time to align your savings, investment strategy, and Social Security decisions with your income goals. However, if you are already retired, it is still valuable to review how your income is structured and whether there are opportunities to improve your plan. This information is general and may not fit every situation, so we encourage a personalized review.
How much income can I safely take from my portfolio in retirement?
There is no single “safe” percentage that applies to everyone. Rules of thumb can be a starting point, but the appropriate withdrawal rate depends on factors such as your age, spending needs, portfolio allocation, time horizon, and comfort with risk. We use planning tools and scenario analysis to help you evaluate different withdrawal ranges rather than promising a specific outcome or guarantee.
How does Social Security fit into my retirement income plan?
Social Security is often a foundational income source, especially for couples. The age at which you claim benefits can affect how much you receive over your lifetime and how your spouse may be affected. In retirement income planning, we look at different claiming ages, how benefits interact with your other income, and the potential tax implications. We do not represent the Social Security Administration; our role is to help you understand how various options might align with your broader plan.
What happens to my income plan if the market drops?
Market volatility is a normal part of investing and cannot be eliminated. A retirement income plan should acknowledge this reality and be designed to adapt. That may include maintaining appropriate cash reserves, aligning your investment risk with your time horizon, and revisiting withdrawal levels when conditions change. We cannot guarantee that your investments will avoid losses, but we can help you think through how to respond in a disciplined way when markets move.
Can you guarantee that I won’t run out of money?
No. We do not guarantee investment results, future returns, or that a specific strategy will prevent you from running out of money. What we can do is help you evaluate different paths, understand the trade-offs, and build a plan that is reasonable based on your goals, resources, and risk tolerance. Any projections are based on assumptions that may not unfold exactly as modeled.
Financial Clarity for Widows: Your Path Forward
Get our complimentary white paper, "A Widow's New Normal: Will I Be Okay?" and take the first step towards understanding and securing your financial future.
Financial Clarity for Widows: Your Path Forward
Get our complimentary white paper, "A Widow's New Normal: Will I Be Okay?" and take the first step towards understanding and securing your financial future.
Financial Clarity for Widows: Your Path Forward
Get our complimentary white paper, "A Widow's New Normal: Will I Be Okay?" and take the first step towards understanding and securing your financial future.
P: (704) 556-1388
F: (919) 869-2460
127 Ben Casey Dr. Suite 104
Fort Mill, SC 29708
© 2025 Vertex Capital Advisors, All rights reserved
Designed by Slices.Design
Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Vertex Capital Advisors. Vertex Capital Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha, LLC. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.
P: (704) 556-1388
F: (919) 869-2460
127 Ben Casey Dr. Suite 104
Fort Mill, SC 29708
© 2025 Vertex Capital Advisors, All rights reserved
Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Vertex Capital Advisors. Vertex Capital Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha, LLC. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.
P: (704) 556-1388
F: (919) 869-2460
127 Ben Casey Dr. Suite 104
Fort Mill, SC 29708
© 2025 Vertex Capital Advisors, All rights reserved
Designed by Slices.Design
Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Advisory Alpha, LLC, a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Vertex Capital Advisors. Vertex Capital Advisors is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Advisory Alpha, LLC. CFP Board owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the U.S.